The Amos 'n Andy 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.

As a child, I grew up watching Amos 'N Andy shows each week as they were produced. At the time I knew I just liked the antics of "The Kingfish". He was the main star even though the title of the show only depics Andy Brown (occupation unknown) and Amos (the cab driver) as the main characters. The acting troupe were absoutely a perfect combination. Tim Moore's character of The Kingfish was brillant! I remember so many laughs. They were happy laughs, not of racism but just a child seeing a good show. I do not know who owns the rights to the shows now but I have heard that they were removed from being broadcasts again for the wrong reasons. Redd Foxx is more racists than Amos 'N Andy ever were. These shows were "A1" wholesome in my book and should be enjoyed again by the next generation.

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.

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.

As a young boy growing up in New York City, My brothers and I LOVED watching the "Amos 'n' Andy" show. They should show it when ever possible. I know it's on tape but it deserves to be seen on tv. When I watch it,I see it as good actors performing their skills, not as a stereotype race. It was seen like that many years ago by those who felt attacked by the show, but we are in a new era. The Show opened the doors for the now successful black comedy shows.