Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' 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. 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. 0. ]); Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. aid: '769722', subcat: '', } It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. "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. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. 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. With Betty White's passing at the age of 99, this internet meme about White refusing to ban Arthur Duncan, an African American dancer, from the cast of her television variety show in 1954, is getting wide circulation. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. In 1957, Duncan joined Bob Hope's troupe touring U.S. military bases, making him the first African American to be part of that 100-member group. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. We wouldnt have been the same. 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. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Betty White In Person (1987). tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. 1 of 2. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. White . subcat: '', aid: '769722', In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . However, it was during an appearance on Steve Harveys show Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017 that Duncan felt truly blessed when Betty White surprised him onstage. 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. And it only escalated after NBC rolled out the show nationally, with Southern viewers threatening to boycott the network if White didnt remove Duncan from the lineup. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Listen to Betty White. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. She is older than Mickey Mouse. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. 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. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. 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. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. And there was Duncan. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. tude.cmd.push(function() { Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Betty White was one of a kind, and no incident highlights that better than her refusing to give in to demands for a Black dancer to be removed from her show in the 50s. } Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Have something to tell us about this article? BE 100s You never ask me out.. At the time, she faced criticism for including African-American actor Arthur Duncan in the series, and refused to remove him from the show despite a loss in ratings. page_type: 'article', When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. White made a career playing sweet characters with hidden and hilarious grit, and that quality goes all the way back to her first televised variety show, where, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of Duncan because he was Black. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. targeting: { Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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. 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. Women of Power Summit In the documentary, White described that all through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur because he was Black., Added Duncan: People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). cat: 'entertainment', Arthur said, 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. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. 3. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. . White had already spent years trying to break into film and TV and eventually managed to become a co-host of the Hollywood on Film talk show in 1949 and left only to launch her own company. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. Her show was canceled soon after. pos: 'right_rail_1', 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. 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. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 1. 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. She hired a Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, for "The Betty White Show" in 1954, a full three years before the first federal civil-rights legislation since Reconstruction was passed,. "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.". Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. "I'm. env: 'prod', I am one bad ass bitch. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. targeting: { White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. } ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . 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!. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" But his first performance was more than enough for Southern racists to threaten NBC with a boycott if he continued to be part of the lineup. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . B.E. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. He was 97. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasn't universally popular at all. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. 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. Black Men XCEL If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at Reelblack@mail.com and info@reelblack.com with details and it will be promptly removed. 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! I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes subcat: '', env: 'prod', Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. "Los Angeles was more accessible." In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash.