I really think this show got a bum rap. While Kingfish, Andy, Calhoon and Lightnin' are obviously played broad for laughs, they are surrounded by (as has been mentioned) a mostly black cast of people in other roles speaking normally and acting without the usual black stereotypes of the era. I think this is probably the earliest example I have ever seen of this on screen. That in itself should merit consideration.
At 8:15 - two of the writers, Connelly and Mosher, later wrote for "Leave It To Beaver" and "The Munsters." Also, the show was produced at Hal Roach Studios - earlier home of Laurel and Hardy, and Our Gang (the Little Rascals).
well all i no is that this was a great show on tv and down here in tn it was real popular with everyone who could afford a tv,i was real sorry when they took it off tv because of the NAACP,all that was done was put all those black actors out of a job and made it hard for producers to want to do a black tv program,so who really lost,the fans of the program and the actors i would say
@maverick10241 Thank you. It is just as silly as The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy. Ralph and Ed or Lucy and Ethel are really no different than Andy and the Kingfish. Saphire, the long suffering wife and her mean old mother who treats Kingfish like Alice's mother treats Ralph. Good, clean, silly humor. Which is a lot more than you can say about today's nasty TV.
@IstvanN1961 your so right i don't even watch this stuff on TV of today i watch these old shows like Amos n Andy, and the ones they have on tv4u they have a great bunch of old TV shows on that one and its free to watch.but these are the best and its a dam pity that people lost out on seeing them because of the NAACP.
I am Black born in the 1950's when the NAACP took this show off the air for some preconcieved that it was racist? That was their problem. I enjoyed it very much and thanks to mathias1949 I am enjoying this show again! Thanks Boo.
Utter nonsense! there is nothing offensive about these shows. The characters are all prosperous, dignified, and law abiding people. Its just another attempt to abolish your First Amendment rights under the guise of so-called "racism".
I remember watching the reruns on TV as a kid and laughing my head off. Only thing I remember noticing as a kid was that almost everyone was black on camera, week in and week out. But that was the reality back then...it was a segregated world, sadly.
@boneman222 thats what drew me to the people the fact that you actually saw so many African-Americans on TV at a time when on shows you didnt see one as even a extra in the backfground. I dont think Lucy every had one person of color on the show. I wonder was Whtie America tuning in to watch this everyweek at the time?
Now that is funny--what the f--k is racist about it--its funny ,end off.You can make anything racist if you want to and a lot of people want to so just enjoy it for what it is.
So happy to see these old sitcoms again. Loved them as a child! Race never entered my mind... I just knew that I loved them. They were funny and made me laugh and feel good.
I've been laughing at these videos because this stuff is pale compared to those negative stereotypes put out on today's TV shows. Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown character makes Kingfish look like a scholarly gentleman!
Race did not get in the way. At the time when this show aired, all mediums portrayed black men in an ignorant poor light. There was no balance. So that is why it became an issue. The judges and cops were not the central characters, you probably can't even name them. Amos n Andy were the leads and that is who you are laughing at, not with.
@Isolababy - Have you even seen one of the shows? I doubt it! Amos n Andy was a GREAT show with terrific actors, and should NEVER have been taken off the air because of pressure from the damned NAACP! They and people like YOU are what's wrong with America today!
"ain't you ever worked no place, you bum?" oh my goodness, is that ever funny!!!! and I so totally agree with calthevin1's comments above: You see blacks in roles you never saw before on tv. You see black cops black judges. This show has allot more heart then most of the black ghetto shows of today. THANKS so very much for posting.,.,
I loved these shows and am sorry that some may still find them offensive (perhaps understandably, given a history of ugly black face humor). My own feeling is that they were amazingly funny in the early 1950s and even more amazingly still are today. I nearly choked laughing several times.
One choice Kingfishism I recall is him telling Andy before launching one of his classic flim flams, "Now Andy let's Simonize our watches"
@calhouric Certainly aspects are stereotypical and moderately offensive. But I'm also stunned by how well black people are represented in this show in other aspects, espcially in light of the period. Rarely do you see black people in films or TV of the caliber of some of these characters. Aside from a couple of the main characters, these are well-spoken, professional, smart and dignified black people. Even the Cosby Show didn't offer this depth of strong and successful blacks.
I was just a little girl when these were on. I love this show. It was the black version of "I Love Lucy". So funny. The one I remember best is when Kingfish tries to give Andy flying lessons. This is humor at its best. I still say "Holy Mackral"
I think this is one of the funniest shows in history.I must also comment to the stupid idiots who never saw this show yet clame its rasist.You see blacks in roles you never saw before on tv. You see black cops black judges. This show has allot more heart then most of the black ghetto shows of today,Thank you for posting.
You gottah think about the fact that there were blacks who spoke like that back in the 50s and then you gottah think about all the black actors and actresses who were employed because of this show. Plus in this episode I have seen a black judge, black lawyer, black ceo, and a few other black people in high places. And that was pretty ahead of time to show black people with those jobs during the 50s. So it's not like they were as racist as some think. Its humor, and i know blacks who laughed.
Isn't that Eric Holder standing up?
DNRGamebirds 2 months ago
That sapphire is just too much!
jahlaune 2 months ago
a very touching episode that transcends race...
418cjpaul 5 months ago
I really think this show got a bum rap. While Kingfish, Andy, Calhoon and Lightnin' are obviously played broad for laughs, they are surrounded by (as has been mentioned) a mostly black cast of people in other roles speaking normally and acting without the usual black stereotypes of the era. I think this is probably the earliest example I have ever seen of this on screen. That in itself should merit consideration.
Lampshade51 6 months ago
At 8:15 - two of the writers, Connelly and Mosher, later wrote for "Leave It To Beaver" and "The Munsters." Also, the show was produced at Hal Roach Studios - earlier home of Laurel and Hardy, and Our Gang (the Little Rascals).
WSenator1 10 months ago
Before you guys post your comments, please do a spell check!!!!
Tpg4lyfe1 11 months ago
TO exbrown,getoverit. Today's comics still act "stereotyped" Enjoy you life!!!!!
Tpg4lyfe1 11 months ago
I'M LOVING IT!!! MY HUSBAND GREW UP DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
AND HE INTRODUCE ME TO AMOS AND ANDY!!!!
Tpg4lyfe1 11 months ago
This show is the best! Thanks for uploading.
DBR00 1 year ago 2
I have never seen Amos and Andy before. How embarrassing. I am glad I did not have to grow up with that albatross around my neck. Thank you NAACP
exbrown 1 year ago
well all i no is that this was a great show on tv and down here in tn it was real popular with everyone who could afford a tv,i was real sorry when they took it off tv because of the NAACP,all that was done was put all those black actors out of a job and made it hard for producers to want to do a black tv program,so who really lost,the fans of the program and the actors i would say
maverick10241 1 year ago
@maverick10241 Thank you. It is just as silly as The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy. Ralph and Ed or Lucy and Ethel are really no different than Andy and the Kingfish. Saphire, the long suffering wife and her mean old mother who treats Kingfish like Alice's mother treats Ralph. Good, clean, silly humor. Which is a lot more than you can say about today's nasty TV.
IstvanN1961 9 months ago
@IstvanN1961 your so right i don't even watch this stuff on TV of today i watch these old shows like Amos n Andy, and the ones they have on tv4u they have a great bunch of old TV shows on that one and its free to watch.but these are the best and its a dam pity that people lost out on seeing them because of the NAACP.
maverick10241 9 months ago
I am Black born in the 1950's when the NAACP took this show off the air for some preconcieved that it was racist? That was their problem. I enjoyed it very much and thanks to mathias1949 I am enjoying this show again! Thanks Boo.
early60srcool 1 year ago 2
great show!
parisel313 1 year ago 2
Brings back great memories. Think those guys like the NAAAPC? Does the word "residuals" come to mind?
warrenclarkable 1 year ago
Utter nonsense! there is nothing offensive about these shows. The characters are all prosperous, dignified, and law abiding people. Its just another attempt to abolish your First Amendment rights under the guise of so-called "racism".
radicright 1 year ago 3
great comedy
EGMAG 1 year ago
The same people who wrote Leave It To Beaver and The Monsters also wrote this. They were greay writers.
hajune 2 years ago
I remember watching the reruns on TV as a kid and laughing my head off. Only thing I remember noticing as a kid was that almost everyone was black on camera, week in and week out. But that was the reality back then...it was a segregated world, sadly.
boneman222 2 years ago
@boneman222 thats what drew me to the people the fact that you actually saw so many African-Americans on TV at a time when on shows you didnt see one as even a extra in the backfground. I dont think Lucy every had one person of color on the show. I wonder was Whtie America tuning in to watch this everyweek at the time?
nickelwindow53 1 year ago
@nickelwindow53 Was my understanding that the ratings were great and was a huge hit with white america...maybe for all the wrong reasons?
boneman222 1 year ago
@boneman222 i am sure it was they probably were like lets wtach those dumb niccas...lol
nickelwindow53 1 year ago
and their voices are so gorgeous!
Vlasta4444 2 years ago
Now that is funny--what the f--k is racist about it--its funny ,end off.You can make anything racist if you want to and a lot of people want to so just enjoy it for what it is.
CLASSIC STUFF!!!!!
gorgio45 2 years ago 2
Calhoun and Sapphire were my favorites of the classic TV show,thanks
maximuscomfort 2 years ago
This is the funniest stuff I've seen in a long time. I'm an african-american woman and I love it. Funny is what it is.
Angvelvetluv 2 years ago 7
Amos and Andy were comic genius ahead of the times.
macman1138 2 years ago 6
Allways heard of Amos "n Andy never saw a full show, Good clean funny stuff !
xser88 2 years ago
Sad these people don't have a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. Because of raciest NAACP, these actors are all forgoten.
usermikes 2 years ago 6
So happy to see these old sitcoms again. Loved them as a child! Race never entered my mind... I just knew that I loved them. They were funny and made me laugh and feel good.
blackngoldgal65 2 years ago 6
I've been laughing at these videos because this stuff is pale compared to those negative stereotypes put out on today's TV shows. Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown character makes Kingfish look like a scholarly gentleman!
imatellitlikeitis 2 years ago 4
he a fuckin minstrel
1BTA 2 years ago
Comic genius and still funny after all these years!
sautee01 2 years ago 4
Race did not get in the way. At the time when this show aired, all mediums portrayed black men in an ignorant poor light. There was no balance. So that is why it became an issue. The judges and cops were not the central characters, you probably can't even name them. Amos n Andy were the leads and that is who you are laughing at, not with.
Isolababy 2 years ago
Usually in comedy you're supposed to laugh at the characters..
OfficialArmonist 2 years ago
@Isolababy - Have you even seen one of the shows? I doubt it! Amos n Andy was a GREAT show with terrific actors, and should NEVER have been taken off the air because of pressure from the damned NAACP! They and people like YOU are what's wrong with America today!
409442 1 year ago 2
"ain't you ever worked no place, you bum?" oh my goodness, is that ever funny!!!! and I so totally agree with calthevin1's comments above: You see blacks in roles you never saw before on tv. You see black cops black judges. This show has allot more heart then most of the black ghetto shows of today. THANKS so very much for posting.,.,
ladyvolsfans 2 years ago 10
A long time ago,but Classic Comedy!
Loved it
joblack05 2 years ago 8
Black,White orGreen, this is FUNNY! To bad race has to get in the WAY!
imback4thcav 2 years ago 6
Comedy genius one and all.
Cameronm55 3 years ago 5
I loved these shows and am sorry that some may still find them offensive (perhaps understandably, given a history of ugly black face humor). My own feeling is that they were amazingly funny in the early 1950s and even more amazingly still are today. I nearly choked laughing several times.
One choice Kingfishism I recall is him telling Andy before launching one of his classic flim flams, "Now Andy let's Simonize our watches"
calhouric 3 years ago 7
That particular malpropism is from The Society Party episode that you can also find on my channel.
matthias1949 3 years ago
Calhoun is so funny!
mrthundaboots 2 years ago 5
Comment removed
sethaus75 7 months ago
@calhouric Certainly aspects are stereotypical and moderately offensive. But I'm also stunned by how well black people are represented in this show in other aspects, espcially in light of the period. Rarely do you see black people in films or TV of the caliber of some of these characters. Aside from a couple of the main characters, these are well-spoken, professional, smart and dignified black people. Even the Cosby Show didn't offer this depth of strong and successful blacks.
sethaus75 7 months ago
I was just a little girl when these were on. I love this show. It was the black version of "I Love Lucy". So funny. The one I remember best is when Kingfish tries to give Andy flying lessons. This is humor at its best. I still say "Holy Mackral"
delise54 3 years ago 3
I think this is one of the funniest shows in history.I must also comment to the stupid idiots who never saw this show yet clame its rasist.You see blacks in roles you never saw before on tv. You see black cops black judges. This show has allot more heart then most of the black ghetto shows of today,Thank you for posting.
calthevin1 3 years ago 6
without a doubt the funniest show in the history of television.
dndcranston 3 years ago 5
absolutely!
bjobe1964 3 years ago 2
Good episode. Thanks for uploading!
NWKBricks1 3 years ago
for being racist they are certainly dressed well and living in nice houses
kes1963 3 years ago 2
You gottah think about the fact that there were blacks who spoke like that back in the 50s and then you gottah think about all the black actors and actresses who were employed because of this show. Plus in this episode I have seen a black judge, black lawyer, black ceo, and a few other black people in high places. And that was pretty ahead of time to show black people with those jobs during the 50s. So it's not like they were as racist as some think. Its humor, and i know blacks who laughed.
QonjoMastafaqr 3 years ago 6
Super
loubro2 3 years ago 2