The Black and White Minstrel Show (partially found BBC TV series; 1957-1978): Difference between revisions

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[[File:The Black & White Minstrel Show.jpg|thumb]]
Between 1957 and 1978, the BBC in the United Kingdom broadcast a now largely unseen / lost program called '''The Black & White Minstrel Show'''. As part of a variety show, singers would put on black face paint and perform  songs from a variety of genres as part of a modern (for the time) update to the old american Minstrel shows.
Between 1957 and 1978, the BBC in the United Kingdom broadcast a now largely unseen / lost program called '''The Black & White Minstrel Show'''. As part of a variety show, singers would put on black face paint and perform  songs from a variety of genres as part of a modern (for the time) update to the old american Minstrel shows.
{{InfoboxLost
{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>The Black & White Minstrel Show</center>
|title=<center>The Black & White Minstrel Show</center>
|image=The Black & White Minstrel Show Title.jpeg
|imagecaption=The opening title card for the early 60's series.
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Lost/Found'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Lost/Found'''</span>
}}
}}
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[https://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/people-nation-empire/make-yourself-at-home/minstrels History Of The BBC : The Black & White Minstrel Show]
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/people-nation-empire/make-yourself-at-home/minstrels History Of The BBC : The Black & White Minstrel Show]
[https://www.tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=The+Black+%26+White+Minstrel+Show&type=lostshow TV Brain Lost Shows Listing]
[https://www.tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=The+Black+%26+White+Minstrel+Show&type=lostshow TV Brain Lost Shows Listing]
{{NSFL|Racist Content}}

Revision as of 02:06, 7 November 2018

The Black & White Minstrel Show.jpg

Between 1957 and 1978, the BBC in the United Kingdom broadcast a now largely unseen / lost program called The Black & White Minstrel Show. As part of a variety show, singers would put on black face paint and perform songs from a variety of genres as part of a modern (for the time) update to the old american Minstrel shows.

The Black & White Minstrel Show Title.jpeg

The opening title card for the early 60's series.

Status: Partially Lost/Found

The show was extremely popular, getting 21 million viewers at its peak. It would get many awards during its time, including the first ever Golden Rose of Montreux / Rose d'Or to be awarded in 1961 along with many Golden Discs for creating best-selling soundtrack albums throughout its lifespan.

The show though was particularly controversial for its racial elements; starting from the late 60s, people would frequently write to the BBC calling for it to be pulled off the air, most notably in 1967 as part of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination. It also was not always popular with its performers either: comedian Lenny Henry, who made his television debut in the show in 1976, would go on to state that he regretted acting in it. Conductor George Mitchell also wished to do the show without the controversial makeup. In 1968, he tried "Masquerade" with carnival masks and in 1969, "Music Music Music" with the performers just appearing as themselves. However, neither idea took off.

Preservation Status

In 1978, after 11 years in the air, the BBC ended the television version of the show along with its variants on radio and stage, which lingered until 1989. Existing episodes were not repeated nor issued on home media, with many ending up being wiped along with other BBC shows of the era. This resulted in 100 original episodes lost, with what remained being held under very high amounts of protection with only the occasional clips or audio recordings surfacing now and then.

Links

History Of The BBC : The Black & White Minstrel Show TV Brain Lost Shows Listing

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This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its Racist Content.