div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. Jan 1, 2022. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. cat: 'entertainment', 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. ). Betty White, whose more than 80-year career included Emmy-winning roles on sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died on Dec. 31. 65 Backyard . White said she wasn't going to budge: Evidently through the South at that point it was a very heavy [thing], and I said, Im sorry, but he stays [] Live with it! White said. ]); A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. When encouraged to take Arthur Duncan off the air, White, then in her 30s, said: "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," per the Post. 2. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Her response: "I'm sorry. Tell us what you think! . She is older than Mickey Mouse. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. 29K views 1 year ago Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Now she wants restitution. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. After initially becoming a ratings success, a controversy surrounding Arthur Duncan and repeated scheduling changes resulted in The Betty White Shows quiet cancellation by NBC who did not renew the show for more episodes according to WFMU. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. Her response: "I'm sorry. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. } Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. 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. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Be like Betty White. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . Rest well, Betty. Stay up to date with what you want to know. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. This was in 1954. 0. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Betty White In Person (1987). When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. 1937) Elwood . According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. Whats more intriguing is that this wasnt Bettys sole act of defiance within the show; she interviewed a Black child on the special when it was considered controversial to do so. "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," said Duncan during an episode of 'Steve Harvey's Little Big Shots: Forever Young' in 2017. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', His reply to her that they would be performing at local hospitals and orphanages was as wholesome as the beloved actress and entertainer, who died this week at 99. He told her, I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over. And without missing a beat, Betty replied, Oh, I hope so. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total She also starred in and produced The Betty. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Her show was cancelled afterwards. "I'm. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. . Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. She also told her critics to "live with it.". BETTY White has updated fans on her health in rare interview after fans fear for the beloved Golden Girl ahead of 100th birthday.The actress, 99, crep . As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. 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(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: [] }; After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. You never call, responded White. 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. cat: 'entertainment', The almost-centenarian was an icon in every sense of the word: with a career spanning eighty years, she marked a turning point for women in entertainment. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . It's been claimed that Duncan's fixed role on "The Betty White Show" as a singer and dancer meant he was the first Black American to have a regular appearance on a TV variety show. From left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of, Arthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys, how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner, the first African-American photographers and their portraits. If Betty White was able to extend so much love and admiration to everyone shed come across over the years, anyone can do the same. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business.