Chicago's WGN radio station welcomed a two-man comedy team to its airways when the blackface characters Sam 'n' Henry made their debut on January 12, 1926 fascinating listeners throughout the Midwest. Of course, that is not the names by which they are best known. Two years later, after changing the names to "Amos 'n' Andy," the show became one of the most popular radio programs in American history. Its theme delegated a setting in Manhattan's historic black community of Harlem.
Freeman Gosden ('Amos') and Charles Correll ('Andy') in 1929. |
The show continued to grow in popularity running as a nightly radio serial until 1943. From there, it became a weekly situation comedy (sitcom) airing until 1955. At that time, it was changed to an early evening half-hour program, a nightly disc-jockey program, and was heard over the air from 1954 until 1960. Its final radio broadcast aired on November 25, 1960.
Amos 'n' Andy 1930 |
Amos and Andy was one of the funniest and most beloved television and radio shows of all time. Alvin Childress (Amos), Tim Moore (Kingfish) and Spencer Williams Jr. (Andy) were three of the finest comics of all time. Who can forget hearing "Holy Mackerel Andy!," and " I'se regusted, Andy!" The raw talent and humor that they exuded touched us all, and they will always be fondly remembered. Perhaps someday the networks will end their blacklisting of this popular radio and TV show. The truth is, Amos 'N Andy was no more demeaning to African Americans than The Beverly Hillbillies was demeaning to southern whites. Source: http://www.amosandy.com/
At the peak of Amos 'n' Andy's success, 40 million listeners - a third of America at the time - tuned in six nights a week making it the longest-running and most popular radio program in broadcast history. During the later years of the radio program and into the television series, blacks were depicted in a variety of roles, including successful business owners and managers, professionals and public officials. This placed the core of the shows ahead of its time. Many later comedies realized success as a result of the earlier shows featuring working class characters (both Black and White), such as All in the Family, The Honeymooners and Sanford and Son.
"We believed that once you established your characters, if they're likable, the public will become fond of them. All you have to do to them is put them into recognizable situations. You don't have to have a laugh in every line to be funny." --Freeman Gosden
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