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Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Betty White served as both host and producer. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. 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. It has since been updated. subcat: '', In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. targeting: { Privacy Policy 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. env: 'prod', I did something a little different, Duncan told her. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Contact 1956) . Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. In a 2018 documentary honoring Bettys illustrious career, Arthur said, I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television. Betty herself wasnt blind to the outrage, but she wouldnt let the commotion, or as she said, the ruckus sway her in the least. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. . 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. ABOUT 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. . Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". The show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. 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. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider In a heartening example of life coming full circle, 55-year-old Arthur Duncan was still tap-dancing when the son of his former mentor approached him with a project. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Getty Images. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. 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. "Los Angeles was more accessible." 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', SistersInc. env: 'prod', So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. You never ask me out," per People. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Her show was cancelled afterwards. Oborfacts What can i say? Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Watch The Betty White Show (November 29th, 1954) 1 Video 3 Photos Family Music Talk-Show Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. 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. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. You never ask me out.. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. 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. White . Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. 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. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. You never call. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. 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. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Listen to Betty White. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty White's variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television,. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered show business at age 13, when he was a member of a dance quartet that performed at McKinley Junior High School in Pasadena, California. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. One particular way in which Ms. White refused to bow to systemic racism was by insisting Arthur Duncan, a Black dancer, remain on her 1950s show, The Betty White Show.. White explained the controversy in the documentary, "All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur because he was Black," said White. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. . Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. She also told her critics to "live with it.". } ). So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. According to the 2020 book Betty White on TV, the show failed to attract sponsors and was cancelled on Dec. 31, 1954 despite a desperate plea by White to NBC execs. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. That solved everything at the time.. Rest well, Betty. You never call, responded White. pos: 'right_rail_1', However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. I am one bad ass bitch. He was 97. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 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. Betty White: . As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. cat: 'entertainment', The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Betty White, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland Star, Dead at 99 During the Little Big Shots episode, Harvey surprised Duncan by bringing White on the show to catch up with her old. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . You never ask me out.. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. cat: 'entertainment', "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. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. CNN . Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. Duncan gave Underwood flowers to congratulate her return to tap dancing.In 2020, Duncan was inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame of the American Tap Dance Foundation. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', INFORMATION 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. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. aid: '769722', In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { (Video: Reuters). page_type: 'article', Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. White continued to resist the pressurecoming from stations in the South and used Duncanmore, until the show was canceled in 1954 the same year segregationin public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Her response: "I'm sorry. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. He is a Black Tap Dancer. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. 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!. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Be like Betty White. 0. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. But this story is true. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Registry of Corporate Directors. Duncan went on to have alustrouscareer inshow business and gained fame for being the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show,according to The Library of Congress. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. 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. Tell us what you think! divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. Betty imbued charm, wit, and sincerity at each and every turn, always ready to poke fun at herself and those around her, eager to uncover both the humanity in comedy and the comedy in humanity. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show.Betty responded with Im sorry. Shed been a progressive since day one, and its because of people like her that we were able to delegitimize hateful sentiments that had dominated the country in those years. 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, the then-83-year-old said. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, The Betty White Show., Image Via Film screenshot/Wikimedia Commons. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.