Stay up to date with what you want to know. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. You never call. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. In the early 1950s, White faced criticism for featuring Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer and singer, on a few episodes of her variety talk show The Betty White Show.. 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. Tell us what you think! Black Men XCEL "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 65 Backyard . Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. "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.". She also told her critics to "live with it.". 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. B.E. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Women of Power Summit The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Jan 1, 2022. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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. ABOUT She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. tude.cmd.push(function() { Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes 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!. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. And there was Duncan. "I'm ready to go now," he said. But this story is true. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Sign up for notifications from Insider! The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. This, along with his earlier inclusion (despite objections) on The Betty White Show in 1954 and with the help of White herself, made him the first African-American regular on a . div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. INFORMATION 1. 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! The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. You never ask me out.. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. Arthur Chester Duncan (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) was an American tap dancer, also called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. 0. aid: '769722', ]); The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Contact 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. 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. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. 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. aid: '769722', Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. 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. . cat: 'entertainment', Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. CNN . When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. 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. 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. This article was published more than1 year ago. targeting: { "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. You never call. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. Live with . as well as other partner offers and accept our. 2. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. (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: [] }; tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. And it was never a question at all.. 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. Oborfacts What can i say? 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. 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,. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS . 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. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Now she wants restitution. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. 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. } Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. They were going to take our show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur, because he was Black., People in the South resented me being on the show, and they wanted me thrown out, Duncan agreed. It was the first award in an entirely new category. See when we celebrated Betty Whites 95th birthday with our 5 fave TV appearances: Steve Harveys Hilarious Version of Ray Charless Georgia on My Mind, 8-Year-Old Girl Tries to Take Steve Harveys Hosting Job, George Lopez Schools Steve Harvey During Celebrity Family Feud. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Management 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. 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. } Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? . Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. ]); White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', . White . This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 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. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. "The first TV show I had ever been on, and I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television," he said. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Be like Betty White. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. He soon moved on to The Lawrence Welk Show in 1964, where he was introduced every week until 1982 as the man whos keeping tap dancing alive.. You never ask me out." 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, recalled Duncan. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Betty White served as both host and producer. 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. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. env: 'prod', This soon led to the show's cancellation. "I'm sorry. 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. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the same year, though its hard to say whether it was a direct result of the outcry or if interest was waning in general. 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. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. "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. 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. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. 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. 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. Duncan was already a regular on the show which featured performances by White and others, interviews, skits and even a kids segment before it was added to NBCs national lineup in 1954. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. . The show. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. You never call. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. ]); 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. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. tude.cmd.push(function() { The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. "I'm. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. You never call, responded White. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Duncan's . Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . 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. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Arthur Duncan. He said it was White who gave him his break. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. cat: 'entertainment', Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. A movie event planned prior to her death to . NBC first aired in 1954. 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. Betty White In Person (1987). In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her show because he was Black A file photo of Betty White. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Her show was canceled soon after. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. tude.cmd.push(function() { Her response: "I'm sorry.