The Amos 'n Andy Show

When this show was attacked for being politically incorrect, I had a visceral reaction of anger, as I used to love it when I was a kid. The actors were so warm to the audience, watching the show was almost like having a personal relationship with them. As a true friend, I have to resent the harsh accusation that "Amos 'n Andy" created dangerous racial stereotypes.

The characters from the show are no more racial stereotypes than any of the other popular characters of low comedy on TV, such as Lou Costello, Baciagalupe, Ralph Cramden, Stan Laurel, Private Doberman, Uncle Tonoose, Gomer Pyle, and a host of others. Maybe the problem is that "politically correct" critics object to low comedy of any kind. Or perhaps they are irrationally blaming the makers of "Amos 'n Andy" for the fact that black actors have never gotten enough serious roles from Hollywood.

Hostile music critics have voiced similar complaints that much of blues and folk music is politically incorrect, that it demeans a race of people by creating "primitive stereotypes." In both cases, I find the criticisms offensive because vaudeville style comedy and blues singing are arguably among the greatest contributions America has made to world culture.

The critics of "Amos n' Andy" would do better to take a shot at recently made crime movies set in the ghettos of today, which contain some of the most evil and offensive racial stereotypes ever put on screen. "Amos n' Andy" never intended to offend!

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.

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 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.

Obviously keenecd never saw Amos 'n' Andy when it was on TV. Ironically, his/her remarks on how the media manipulates our thinking regarding blacks seem to mirror how keenecd's school manipulated its students. Keenecd, you should sue your school, lighten up, and watch some truly great comedy.