You never call. Live with . The show. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television } The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. Betty imbued charm, wit, and sincerity at each and every turn, always ready to poke fun at herself and those around her, eager to uncover both the humanity in comedy and the comedy in humanity. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. He was 97. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Its unclear whether her decision to keep Duncan affected the shows fate, but it was repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before quietly being taken off the air that same year. . Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. ABOUT It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. . She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . "In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center tweeted after her death. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. Black Men XCEL Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White's show was canceled shortly after receiving backlash for her refusal to cancel Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. Betty White's Comic Reversals | The New Yorker "I'm sorry. Her response: "I'm sorry. Still, as the only Black cast member, the show also posed a unique risk to Duncan, according to dance historian Constance Valis Hill: In an era in which blacks and whites did not even hold hands, let alone kiss each other on nationally broadcast television programs, Duncan was often seen standing in the background, trying very hard not to look like he was with any of the women on the program.. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Privacy Policy We wouldnt have been the same. The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia Betty White defied racist demands with her 1954 variety show - The Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Some facts about Betty White . -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. And Duncan had not only managed to build a professional career out of his art but had become so renowned that Francis Ford Coppola cast him in The Cotton Club in 1984. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag cat: 'entertainment', Arthur Duncan. When Harvey asked what Duncan thought about seeing White again, he jokedGod, I think I am ready to go now., Sports world reacts: Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Celebrities mourn loss: Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Although The Betty White Show was cancelled within a year due to low ratings due to NBC constantly changing its time slot, Arthur Duncans newfound national exposure led to invaluable new opportunities. Background [ edit] In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. cat: 'entertainment', Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. If White, 99, had it her way, she would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she first built with her late husband, Allen Ludden, when they bought the land in 1978. This was in 1954. You never ask me out," per People. After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his \"musical family.\"The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual \"Tap Extravaganza\" in New York City.In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.In 2017, Duncan appeared on the series premiere episode of the reality talent series Little Big Shots: Forever Young, where he performed a dance and reunited with actress Betty White.In 2018, Duncan made an appearance on The Talk as part of a surprise for co-host Sheryl Underwood who performed a tap dance routine with Savion Glover as part of the show's New Year's Evolution. This soon led to the show's cancellation. He soon moved on to The Lawrence Welk Show in 1964, where he was introduced every week until 1982 as the man whos keeping tap dancing alive.. Women of Power Summit In 2017, Arthur Duncan was reunited with Betty White on Little Big Shots: Forever Young (pictured above) and later in 2018, contributed to PBSs Betty White: First Lady of Television documentary film. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear . Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. Contact He is a Black Tap Dancer. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. "I was on the show and they had letters from Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," Duncan recalled said in a 2017 interview onSteve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. And there was Duncan. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancer born - African American Registry Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. He typically performed one solo routine per episode, scored by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but also frequently danced with peers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel. Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. } In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, "The Betty White Show." Rating: True About this rating Betty White, also. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. subcat: '', Betty White refused to remove Black dancer on her show in 1954 - USA TODAY A pioneer of early television with a career spanning almost seven decades, she was noted for her vast body of work in entertainment and for being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there, Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2018 ahead of a surprise TV reunion with White. 1937) Elwood . Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 1 of 2. Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Registry of Corporate Directors. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. ]); Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Duncan went on to become the first Black regular on a variety show when he was hired on 'The Lawrence Welk Show' and he continued on that show for another 20 years. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. aid: '769722', In the 1950s, representation on television was still a controversial subject, and the gatekeepers of the industry werent even keen on having women run shows. Entrepreneurs Summit When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. She is older than Mickey Mouse. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. Duncan gave Underwood flowers to congratulate her return to tap dancing.In 2020, Duncan was inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame of the American Tap Dance Foundation. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. She had helped secure his first television job on her variety show 'The Betty White Show' and wasn't going to give in to the mob even if there was considerable opposition to it. When letters started coming from Mississippi and elsewhere demanding Arthurs removal, Betty simply wrote back saying, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. It wasnt a matter of finding a compromise or trying to understand the other sides perspective; she wanted to trust her gut and do the right thing, protest be damned. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . 'He stays': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . "I'm. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080" }).render("8791f6495fab447280f16fc61516a837"); }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; } The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . Unfortunately, the show was canceled the same year, though its hard to say whether it was a direct result of the outcry or if interest was waning in general. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First targeting: { 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. You never ask me out.. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. White . But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. NBC first aired in 1954. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Be like Betty White. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. R.I.P. Betty White: Hollywood Pays Tribute to the TV Icon - W Magazine Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. It was the first award in an entirely new category. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. You never ask me out.. Following his breakthrough performances on variety shows, Arthur Duncan was invited to be part of Bob Hopes troupe of performers to tour US military bases and was the first African-American to do so. 3. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Her show was canceled soon after. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Today, many of us dont even comprehend the power she wielded, the significance she carried as the foremost Golden Girl of our zeitgeist, or how she unshakably fought to bring justice and diversity to our screens. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. , Facing the threat of boycotts across the South, White famously said, Im sorry but he stays Live with it!. You never call, responded White. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? This article was published more than1 year ago. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? After being born in Pasadena, California in September 1933, Arthur Duncan took his first steps in the performing world at the age of just 13 and after a brief spell studying pharmacy, returned to the world of showbusiness in his early 20s. You never call. }); EVENTS Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. Are you going to go house to house?. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, died January 4. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. White explained the controversy in the documentary, "All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur because he was Black," said White. She didnt have an idea of the extent to which it would enrage her market, yet the collective furor didnt crush her spirit or change her mind. Have something to tell us about this article? Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Betty knew she wasnt some prominent politician or royalty she was merely a television actress but she was still extremely self-aware of her influence on the country. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'.