| The Flip Wilson Show |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT THE FLIP WILSON SHOW | |
| variety television series | |
| nbc network shows | |
| 1970s american television series | |
| television series by cbs paramount television | |
| peabody award winners | |
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''The Flip Wilson Show'' was a made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many Skit s over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a " Theatre-In-The-Round " stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area (with some seats located ''behind'' the sketch sets on occasion). Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, Modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer (who, when he was not in Prison , he was at the Pool hall). Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the Minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the Church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a Con Artist . Flip popularized such Catch Phrase s as " What You See Is What You Get ," and " The Devil Made Me Do It! ". In addition to the skits, Flip Wilson also signed many popular Singer s to provide Entertainment . African-American singers such as The Jackson Five , Aretha Franklin , Stevie Wonder , Ray Charles , Gladys Knight , The Pointer Sisters , Charley Pride , and Roberta Flack appeared on the program, as well as many contemporary white entertainers. Usually, the singers also chose to partake in skits with Wilson. Wilson's clout allowed him to get both the new breakout performers (such as Sandy Duncan , Lily Tomlin , George Carlin , Richard Pryor , Albert Brooks , Lola Falana and Melba Moore all of whom became very popular during this period) as well as established singers. In late 1971 , gospel legend Mahalia Jackson made one of her last public performances on ''The Flip Wilson Show''. While ''The Flip Wilson Show'' first shared a studio with other television series, Wilson's massive popularity allowed for him to get his own set of soundstages, starting in the Fall 1972 Season . As the seasons went on, however, the show's ratings slipped. This, coupled with Wilson's repeated demands for higher raises in his salary, caused the series to become over-budget, and led to its cancellation. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINK |
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