Original title
The Flip Wilson Show
Released
9/17/1970
Origin country
US
Genre
Comedy
Production companies
NBC, Bob Henry Productions Inc., Clerow Productions
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
4
Number of episodes
96
The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".
Guests stars David Frost, James Brown and The Muppets.
Guests stars Roy Clark, Bobby Darin, Stanley Myron and Denise Nicholas
Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Redd Foxx, The Tempatations and Roger Miller
Guests stars Perry Como, Charlie Callas, Denise Nicholas and Lola Falana. Flip becomes his Freddie character, trying to juggle simultaneous dates with Lola Falana and Denise Nicholas. Then he is Geraldine going to psychiatrist Perry Como, which turns into an extended funny sequence.
Guests stars Raymond Burr, Stanley Myron, The Muppets, Loretta Long and Sunday's Child. Raymond Burr joins host Flip as Colonel Chicken in a comedy bit. Then the muppets join Burr in "The Counting and Alphabet Songs." Loretta Long performs "Happy Talk." Sunday's Child sing "Freedom Blues."
Guests stars Louis Armstrong, Charlie Callas, Laura Greene, Pat Morita. Flip brings out Louis Armstrong and shows his administration for the great trumpeter. Then Flip is Reverend Leroy telling a gambling experience at the horse track. Flip and Louis close with a medley.
Guests stars Bill Cosby and Gina Lolabrigida.
Guests stars Robert Goulet, Lola Falana, Robert Klein and Dean Martin. Dean Martin wanders across the hall to chat with Flip. Robert Goulet and Flip debate whether comedians or singers have more sex appeal. Lola Falana works at an unemployment office trying to find Flip a job.
Guests stars Moms Mabley, Marcel Marceau, Arte Johnson and Doug Kershaw. Flip and Marcel chat a bit then do a mime competition. Flip as Geraldine is now a beautician, intent on giving Moms Mabley a new look. Arte Johnson is a nervous bandit trying to get $20 from Flip.
Guests stars Bobby Darin, Charlie Pride and Ella Fitzgerald. Flip is Reverend Leroy preaching against sin when Bobby Darin as the devil gives an opposing viewpoint. Ella Fitzgerald shows off her incredible vocal talents. Flip, Bobby, and Charley perform "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke, (That Cigarette)."
Guests stars Stevie Wonder, Connie Stevens, John Byner and Johnny Brown. Flip and Johnny Brown parodies Holmes and Watson with Connie Stevens and John Byner. Stevie Wonder accompanies himself on the piano. Johnny does his impressions of Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong.
Guests stars Lena Horne and Tony Randall. Flip and Tony Randall are prisoners sharing a cell with Flip annoyed by Tony's fastidious ways. Flip becomes Geraldine as a meter maid trying to give Tony a ticket. Lena Horne interpets The Beatles "Rocky Raccoon."
Guests stars Sid Caesar, Bobby Darin and B.B. King. Flip welcomes Sid Caesar as a hip saxophonist. Then Sid and Flip are a destitute father and his child in a comedic pantomime. B.B. King is introduced to sing his hit "Sweet Sixteen."
Guests stars Burl Ives, Slim Gaillard and Sha-Na-Na. Sha-Na-Na opens with a rendition of "Blue Moon." Burl Ives recites Twas the Night Before Christmas while Flip does a silent recreation in the background while wearing footie pajamas.
Guests stars Bing Crosby, The Supremes and David Steinberg. Flip shops for a lady friend's gift at a store staffed by David Steinberg and The Supremes. Flip and Bing duet a comedic medley of cowboy songs. Flip is Geraldine who's the entertainment at a New Year's party where Bing is the only guest.
Guests stars Steve Lawrence, Zero Mostel and Roberta Flack. Zero Mostel is a crazed street artist who paints Flip in an interesting fashion. Flip and Steve Lawrence are prospective grooms sharing their experiences. Roberta Flack entertains with one of her hits.
Guests stars Muhammed Ali, Lily Tomlin and Bobby Darin.
Guests stars Bill Cosby, Nancy Wilson and Claudine Langet.
Guests stars Joe Namath, George Carlin and Johnny Mathis. Flip and Johnny Mathis sing about animals while their dogs steal the show. Flip's Geraldine character breaks up Joe Namath as a prospective employee at his gym. George and Flip resurrect their news anchor routine.
Guests stars Art Carney and Barbara Feldon.
Guests stars Aretha Franklin, David Frostand and Charlie Callas. Flip welcomes guest Aretha Franklin who sings "Someday" and "Mixed-up Girl." The comedy David Frost tries to ferret out a spy as head of espionage. Then the Britisher dreams of being a waiter at Charley's Diner.
Guests stars Don Rickles, Leslie Uggams and Ray Charles.
Guests stars Diahann Carroll, Tim Conway and Robert Klein. Flip and Tim engage in a high stakes poker game, then Flip as Freddie bartender at a society party attended by Diahann and Robert. Diahann sings "Until It's Time for You to Go."
Guests stars Lena Horne and George Carlin. Flip sings, then does a Q & A with the audience. Flip and George are hip radio personalities in a sketch. Flip, as Reverend Leroy, visits a nightclub run by Lena Horne engaging in friendly banter.
Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Hamid Hamilton Camp and Gaylord & Holiday. Flip invites all his guests to do a little dance at the beginning of the show. Lily Tomlin does her Ernestine the operator, taking a call from J. Edgar Hoover. Flip fixes up lonely co-workers Hamilton and Lily.
Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.
Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.
Guests stars Lucille Ball, The Osmond's and Ed Sullivan. Flip enlists everyone in a Peanuts parody. Ed Sullivan surprises everyone by crooning "Strangers in the Night." Flip's Geraldine is a rival carhop who tangles with Lucille Ball over the affections of Ed.
Guests stars George Gobel, Mahalia Jackson, Joan Rivers and Michael D. Roberts. Flip starts with a shell game con on George Gobel and Joan Rivers, then Joan is a cabbie with Flip as passenger. Flip and George do a corn pone duet then Mahalia Jackson inspires with a gospel number.
Guests stars Raymond Burr, Ruth Gordon and Stevie Wonder. Flip mentions some of his stories don't make it on air. Stevie Wonder accompanies himself on the piano on several songs. Flip as Freddie crashes a opera attended by highbrow types Raymond Burr and Ruth Gordon.
Guests stars Ruth Buzzi, Erroll Garner and Tim Conway. Flips gives advice to a confused Tim in a sketch. Then as Geraldine, Flip is the new secretary in Tim's office, upsetting an uptight Ruth Buzzi.
Guests stars Sugar Ray Robinson, George Carlin and Pat Boone & Family. Flip is a ice cream salesman serving the Boone family, George Carlin and legend Sugar Ray Robinson. Flip and George report wacky news items. The guests spoof To Tell The Truth with Pat, Flip and Ray all claim to be the boxing great.
Guests stars David Frost, The Supremes and Willie Tyler & Lester. Flip and David Frost discuss interview techniques. The Supremes harmonize on "Stoned Love" and "We've Only Just Begun." Ventriloquist Willie Tyler entertains with his dummy Lester.
Guests stars The Smothers Brothers and Melba Moore. Flip tries to warn Melba, an innocent South Carolina girl, about the dangers of visiting the big city. Tom and Dick Smothers do their comedy routine in between songs, accompanying themselves on the banjo and bass fiddle.
Guests stars The Jackson 5, Lily Tomlin and Dr. David Rueben. Flip interviews Dr. David Reuben on his best selling sex book. Lily is a shopper in a hurry who enters Flip's grocery store where a discussion slows her down. The Jackson Five perform a medley with energetic dancing.
Guests stars Dom Deluise, Diahann Carroll and The Muppets. Kermit the Frog claims to be Flip, telling Diahann Carroll a kiss will turn him back. Diahann sings "I Feel the Earth Move." Flip and Dom compete for the same work position. Flip and some Muppets perform "I'd Do Anything."
Guests stars Tim Conway, Andy Griffith and Clara Ward. Flip and Andy Griffith are firefighters who can't prevent the burning of Tim Conway's possessions. Clara Ward and her singers perform a medley of Gospel hymns. Tim attempts to sell Flip a very pricey car.
Guests stars Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner and Lena Horne. Flip and Carl Reiner get economic advice from Sid Caesar's professor. Flip joins Lena Horne in a duet. Flip overhears Lena rehearsing and thinks she needs rescuing but is confused when a real burglar Sid shows up.
Guests stars Phyllis Diller, Tony Randall and Billy Eckstein. Flip's guest Phyllis Diller opens with her standup routine. Flip is a pilot about to sent on a dangerous flight by his boss Tony Randall. Classic baritone Billy Eckstine is joined in a medley of classic tunes by Flip, Tony, and Phyllis.
Guests stars Petula Clark, Roy Clark and Redd Foxx. Flip and Redd trade comedy tips in an one upmanship fashion. Flip, Petula, Roy, and Redd join in performing "Let's Fall in Love" in an old English madrigal style with updated lyrics.
Guests stars Marty Feldman, Melba Moore and Jimmy Osmond. Flip is a bookstore owner who deals with oddball customer Marty Feldman. Flip joins Jimmy Osmond is an old English song "Pitch a Penny." Marty sets up diner owner Flip on a date with Melba Moore.
Guests stars Carol Channing, David Steinberg and The Modern Jazz Quartet. Flip explains how TV works with Carol and David's help. Carol sings "The One Who Done Me Wrong." Flip, Carol, and David are Cold War Spies. The Modern Jazz Quartet sets a mood with a hip number.
Guests stars Ray Charles, Dan Blocker and Clara Ward. Flip is a returning astronaut who needs sex explained to him by Dan Blocker. Flip, as Reverend Leroy, clarifies contest rules to his congregational ladies. Ray Charles has a unique interpretation of "Look What They've Done to My Song."
Guests stars Tim Conway, Bobby Darrin and Redd Foxx. Flip opens with a funny story about prison phone calls. Flip is then a stand up comedian and Redd Foxx a heckler. Tim Conway teaches a class on caring for babies to Flip and Bobby Darin.
Guests stars George Carlin, Aretha Franklin and Dom Deluise. Flip cracks up Dom DeLuise selling him ice cream, George Carlin and Aretha Franklin are also customers. Aretha sings "Rock Steady" with her backup singers. Unconventional reporters Flip and George relay unusual news.
Guests stars Jim Brown, Johnny Cash and June Carter. Flip is Marvin looking forward to a romantic evening when Jim Brown shows up as an overprotective brother. Jim also meets Geraldine when she delivers his chicken bucket. Johnny Cash sings "Me and Bobby McGee."
Guests stars Barbara Feldon, B.B. King and Phil Silvers. Flip interferes with his friend Phil Silver's seduction of Barbara Feldon. Flip attempts to direct temperamental star Barbara in a soup commercial. B.B. King does the tune "Ain't Nobody Home" in his unique style.
Guests stars Sandy Duncan. Jim Nabors and Slappy White. Flip and Sandy Duncan play with Flip's invisible dog. Flip starts a song but Slappy takes over. Sandy solos "Inchworm" then Jim Nabors joins the rest for "Anything Goes." Flip shares a funny ghost story about his friend Deke.
Guests stars Roy Clark, Barbara McNair and Stiller & Meara. Flip pays tribute to cows and milk then is joined by Roy Clark in "Walking the Floor Over You." Anne Meara is a nice Irish girl meeting a suitable Jerry Stiller, who's Jewish. Barbara McNair joins Flip, Anne, and Jerry in singing "It's De-Lovely."
Guests stars Joe Namath and George Carlin. Flip unites with George Carlin to create their newscasters presenting unique news. Flip is taught a new card game by George and Joe Namath. George and Joe host a fashion show with Flip's Geraldine as one of the contestants.
Guests stars Sammy Davis Jr. and Ed McMahon. Flip becomes Marvin who joins with Sammy Davis Jr. to run their own car rental business. Sammy sings and dances Mr. Bojangles. Ed McMahon tries to fix things between Flip and Sammy, a former entertainment duo.
Guests stars Ruth Buzzi, Lee Marvin, Jackie Vernon and Chi-Lites.
Guests stars Tim Conway, Melba Moore and Bing Crosby. In the recurring skit about Charley's Diner Flip greets truck driver Bing Crosby and plumber Tim Conway. Flip is incarcerated, visited by wife Melba Moore. Bing croons "Personality. " Miss Moore sings "Games People Play."
Flip is a stowaway on a ship with Edward Asner and Carol Channing on board. Miss Channing sings "Calypso Pete." Donny Hathaway performs "For All We Know" and "Put Your Hand in the Hand."
Flip's guest Frank Gorshin first impersonates Marlon Brando as The Godfather, then Peter Falk as Columbo. Joan Rivers discusses how terrible it is to be female. Flip becomes Reverend Leroy who speaks about the evils of sin.
Window washer Flip joins a meeting of big businessmen portrayed by Randall, Burns, and Schreiber. Dionne Warwick sings "Anyone Who Has a Heart." Burns and Schreiber plays a psychiatrist and a patient who thinks he's a balloon.
Featuring Albert Brooks, Bill Russell, Johnny Cash & June Carter Opening Doze Off Commercial "Any Ole Wind That Blows" Dave & Danny "Ballad Of Moby Dick" Chess "The Loving Gift" National Anthem Square Dance
Flip portrays Geraldine as she works at a supermarket checkout. Diana Sands bring psychic Kreskin with her so she can know what her date really thinks. Dom DeLuise is Diana's bodyguard when she eats at a diner.
Flip and guests are in a silent movie sketch. Oscar Brown Jr. and wife Jane sing "The Snake," "Dat Dere," and "Afro Blues." Flip and Richard Pryor are producers thought to be planning a murder by eavesdropping waiter Don Knotts.
Flip tells about Leroy the Terrible and gives his guests a long intro. Child musician William Attmore does several routines with Flip. Flip shares a hospital room with Buddy Hackett with Richard as an agent, Ruth the nurse.
Flip and the Pointer Sisters reminisce with the siblings singing about the good old days. Monty serves up Let's Make A Deal with Windom as announcer and Geraldine a contestant. The Pointers return for a rousing scat number.
Flip tries to impress a lady with outrageous tales but Pryor, as his friend Calvin, starts telling even more outlandish stories. Ralph Edwards hosts a This is Your Life with Flip as Geraldine being the show's focus.
Joan Rivers acts as a superstitious gambler who wants Flip's seat at the blackjack table which he's reluctant to give up. Then Flip becomes a street painter trying to make it big with Redd as his subject. Helen sings.
Flip is a street tie salesman and enlists Harry Belafonte to bring in customers. Harry then performs a soulful ballad. Flip becomes Geraldine, going on a Caribbean vacation where she engages with Burns and Schreiber.
Flip does corny vaudeville routines with guests Slappy and Robert then Carol Lawrence does an old time burlesque dance. Carol recreates with Flip, her husband Robert and audience members a Hollywood production number.
Flip explains baseball to Hank Aaron then he directs Lee Grant, a supposedly ordinary housewife, in a TV ad. Hank appears at a BBQ joint run by Flip and Gladys. Gladys and her Pips groove to "Midnight Train to Georgia."
Flip tells of a man trying to get his mother-in-law to leave. Mental illusionist Romark performs with audience participation. Flip, Tim Conway, and Richard Pryor do improve with one chair as a prop.
Flip opens with a Reverend Freddie story, then deals with Tim as a beserk fast food clown. Jerry Stiller is a dentist with Anne Meara his reluctant patient. Aretha Franklin soulfully croons "Mr. Pain."
Flip, in his Reverend Leroy persona, visits old friends Burns and Schreiber who are now monks. Flip tries to include himself in a Fifth Dimension number but they perform "Flashback " without him.
Flip, Anthony, and Roscoe Lee do a bit about mistaken identity at a restaurant. Later Flip is a horse trainer that needs to substitute one horse for another with Roscoe Lee's help.
Chuck Norris's appearance is solely as the karate instructor accompanying a 9 year old black belt who interacts with Flip. Chuck is introduced as his instructor and that is all. Look for quick shot of Michael Jackson (with afro) sitting in audience.
Roy is a customer at Flip's greasy spoon diner. Then Roy sings two songs including "Rolling in my Sweet Baby's Arms" with the Clark Family Band. Flip tries to romance Melba in a record store then she belts out "Don't Rain On My Parade."
Flip opens and closes with a heart felt speech. Flip appears Geraldine at a Las Vegas wedding chapel run by Dennis Weaver. OJ is TJ substituting for Killer as the groom.
Flip does a risque routine about ancient Rome and a special berry. Flip helps best friend Richard with relationship problems when he shows up at 3 in the morning. Steve Lawrence joins Flip's carpool because of the energy crisis.
Don Adams depicts a compulsive gambler who asks Flip to hold $2,000 for him and not return it no matter how much he begs. Redd does his stand up then Flip joins him for a Q&A with the audience.
Don Adams depicts a compulsive gambler who asks Flip to hold $2,000 for him and not return it no matter how much he begs. Redd does his stand up then Flip joins him for a Q&A with the audience.
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