The Flip Wilson Show

S01E26: Episode 26

Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.

Overview

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show.

The show consisted of many skits 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.

Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. 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. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".

Episodes

S01E01 Episode 1

September 17, 1970
Guests stars David Frost, James Brown and The Muppets.

S01E02 Episode 2

September 24, 1970
Guests stars Roy Clark, Bobby Darin, Stanley Myron and Denise Nicholas

S01E03 Episode 3

October 1, 1970
Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Redd Foxx, The Tempatations and Roger Miller

S01E04 Episode 4

October 8, 1970
Guests stars Perry Como, Charlie Callas, Denise Nicholas and Lola Falana. Flip becomes his Freddie character, trying to juggle simultaneous dates with Lola Falana and Denise Nicholas. Then he is Geraldine going to psychiatrist Perry...

S01E05 Episode 5

October 15, 1970
Guests stars Raymond Burr, Stanley Myron, The Muppets, Loretta Long and Sunday's Child. Raymond Burr joins host Flip as Colonel Chicken in a comedy bit. Then the muppets join Burr in "The Counting and Alphabet...

S01E06 Episode 6

October 22, 1970
Guests stars Louis Armstrong, Charlie Callas, Laura Greene, Pat Morita. Flip brings out Louis Armstrong and shows his administration for the great trumpeter. Then Flip is Reverend Leroy telling a gambling experience at the horse...

S01E07 Episode 7

October 29, 1970
Guests stars Bill Cosby and Gina Lolabrigida.

S01E08 Episode 8

November 6, 1970
Guests stars Robert Goulet, Lola Falana, Robert Klein and Dean Martin. Dean Martin wanders across the hall to chat with Flip. Robert Goulet and Flip debate whether comedians or singers have more sex appeal. Lola...

S01E09 Episode 9

November 13, 1970
Guests stars Moms Mabley, Marcel Marceau, Arte Johnson and Doug Kershaw. Flip and Marcel chat a bit then do a mime competition. Flip as Geraldine is now a beautician, intent on giving Moms Mabley a...

S01E10 Episode 10

November 20, 1970
Guests stars Bobby Darin, Charlie Pride and Ella Fitzgerald. Flip is Reverend Leroy preaching against sin when Bobby Darin as the devil gives an opposing viewpoint. Ella Fitzgerald shows off her incredible vocal talents. Flip,...

S01E11 Episode 11

December 3, 1970
Guests stars Stevie Wonder, Connie Stevens, John Byner and Johnny Brown. Flip and Johnny Brown parodies Holmes and Watson with Connie Stevens and John Byner. Stevie Wonder accompanies himself on the piano. Johnny does his...

S01E12 Episode 12

December 10, 1970
Guests stars Lena Horne and Tony Randall. Flip and Tony Randall are prisoners sharing a cell with Flip annoyed by Tony's fastidious ways. Flip becomes Geraldine as a meter maid trying to give Tony a...

S01E13 Episode 13

December 17, 1970
Guests stars Sid Caesar, Bobby Darin and B.B. King. Flip welcomes Sid Caesar as a hip saxophonist. Then Sid and Flip are a destitute father and his child in a comedic pantomime. B.B. King is...

S01E14 Episode 14

December 24, 1970
Guests stars Burl Ives, Slim Gaillard and Sha-Na-Na. Sha-Na-Na opens with a rendition of "Blue Moon." Burl Ives recites Twas the Night Before Christmas while Flip does a silent recreation in the background while wearing...

S01E15 Episode 15

January 7, 1971
Guests stars Bing Crosby, The Supremes and David Steinberg. Flip shops for a lady friend's gift at a store staffed by David Steinberg and The Supremes. Flip and Bing duet a comedic medley of cowboy...

S01E16 Episode 16

January 17, 1971
Guests stars Steve Lawrence, Zero Mostel and Roberta Flack. Zero Mostel is a crazed street artist who paints Flip in an interesting fashion. Flip and Steve Lawrence are prospective grooms sharing their experiences. Roberta Flack...

S01E17 Episode 17

January 21, 1971
Guests stars Muhammed Ali, Lily Tomlin and Bobby Darin.

S01E18 Episode 18

January 28, 1971
Guests stars Bill Cosby, Nancy Wilson and Claudine Langet.

S01E19 Episode 19

February 4, 1971
Guests stars Joe Namath, George Carlin and Johnny Mathis. Flip and Johnny Mathis sing about animals while their dogs steal the show. Flip's Geraldine character breaks up Joe Namath as a prospective employee at his...

S01E20 Episode 20

February 11, 1971
Guests stars Art Carney and Barbara Feldon.

S01E21 Episode 21

February 18, 1971
Guests stars Aretha Franklin, David Frostand and Charlie Callas. Flip welcomes guest Aretha Franklin who sings "Someday" and "Mixed-up Girl." The comedy David Frost tries to ferret out a spy as head of espionage. Then...

S01E22 Episode 22

February 25, 1971
Guests stars Don Rickles, Leslie Uggams and Ray Charles.

S01E23 Episode 23

March 4, 1971
Guests stars Diahann Carroll, Tim Conway and Robert Klein. Flip and Tim engage in a high stakes poker game, then Flip as Freddie bartender at a society party attended by Diahann and Robert. Diahann sings...

S01E24 Episode 24

March 11, 1971
Guests stars Lena Horne and George Carlin. Flip sings, then does a Q & A with the audience. Flip and George are hip radio personalities in a sketch. Flip, as Reverend Leroy, visits a nightclub...

S01E25 Episode 25

March 18, 1971
Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Hamid Hamilton Camp and Gaylord & Holiday. Flip invites all his guests to do a little dance at the beginning of the show. Lily Tomlin does her Ernestine the operator, taking...

S01E26 Episode 26

April 1, 1971
Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.

S01E27 Episode 27

April 8, 1971
Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.

Cast

Flip Wilson
Flip Wilson
Self - Host

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