The Amos 'n Andy Show

When I was a kid, I loved to watch Amos 'n Andy on my local independent television station. It was preceded by The Three Stooges Comedy Hour. Then Amos 'n Andy was canceled because the NAACP decided for me that I would think all black people are like the characters on the show. But I didn't believe that anymore than I thought all white people are like the Three Stooges. So, I could no longer watch one of the funniest comedy shows in television history. I also loved the beautiful theme song. It sounds very much like "Palermo." Anyone know the story of this music?

They could not have put together a better or more talented group of people. Amos and Andy, and a lot of other shows from back then need to be on television now. Those would be reruns even I would sit down to watch. As far as it depicting ignorance, or the people being uneducated, just about all the shows were made on the same level from that time period. There was true comedy on T.V. back then. Look what happened in later years on television. Mr. Ed was smarter than Wilbur ever hoped to be, but, it made a good show.

After 2 years on the CBS Television Network, the video version of 'Amos 'n' Andy' found itself without a sponsor. The series was canceled. This was truly a shame, for it is indeed as funny as anything that has been on TV before or since.

Following an extensive industry wide hunt for the most talented and fittingly cast players to bring the longtime favourite radio series to the small screen, a special program featuring Hal Roach, Jr. and the creators Freeman Gosden and Charles Corell(all whites), was telecast to introduce us to the actors now playing the characters.

Pressure from the NAACP, whose position that the series, with its comical characters, was demeaning to Black Americans. The sponsor, Blatz Beer of Milwaukee, did not renew its sponsorship.We have always contended that Amos 'n' Andy no more represented a true picture of Black Americans than The Honeymooners' Kramden & Norton were meant to be an accurate portrayal of White Americans. They were both designed to make us LAUGH!!

The series was over, but went into syndicated re-runs which made most of us aware of these very funny episodes featuring such a great and talented cast.

I don't know of anyone who took the show 'seriously', for we all knew that Andy, Kingfish,Calhoun, Saphire, Momma, Madame Queen, Lightnin', etc. were all played for laughs, with Amos, his family and others providing a strong level-headed,serious counter balance.

Meanwhile, the Radio series continued, never seeming to attract any real criticism.

In the end, we the public were the losers; along with Alvin Childress, Spencer Williams, Jr., Tim Moore, Ernestine Wade, Amanda and Vivian Randolph, Johnny Lee, 'Nicodemas' Stewart and other Black players. They were picked from the best available talent, only to suffer a premature termination.

Seeing the amos N andy show in reruns when i was 5 in the late 50's in new york, i remembered some of the funniest shows I had ever seen. Having recently obtained the 73 shows known to be in existence, I am still laughing uproariously. It is a shame more people have not been exposed to these fine actors and the hilarious sketches they perform. It is also distinguished by the first show in TV history to have blacks perform in white collar occupations such as judges, lawyers, business owners and the like. if the Kingfisher isn't one of the most talented comedians in early TV, i don't know who is. The rubbery face and big sad eyes made him perfect for this part. The kingfisher was not the main performer in the radio program, but became so in the TV series. He is really the first actor to become prominant in a TV program where he was not intended to be when the stories were originally written. much the same as fonzi became the star at Happy Days. if you do not see these most funny shows, you are missing some of the early and funniest history of TV.

I have 78 episodes on DVD. The characters are incredibly Funny. I'm a white man & feel like most others. The show is comedy not a documentary. The humor is harmless. I don't think that the honeymooners depict a negative image of white folks. Compare the 2 shows, the constant scheming, the outfits, the lodge, etc... Most average folks in those days were real poor & related to the humor. I don't know about you, It's a shame some people are that defensive That they can't laugh at show anymore & put it in perspective with the times it was created. It should still be available on T.V. Like the other classics.I love it.