Homeschooling the Seventies, Flip Wilson

I loved Flip Wilson when I was a kid. Looooved him. Begged to stay up to watch his show every week and somehow my parents let me. I was six when The Flip Wilson Show ended its four year run on NBC, but I remember it pretty vividly. Apparently, George Carlin was one of the writers, but I think I probably didn't appreciate that at age five, precocious as I was. Flip Wilson drastically cut back on performing after winning custody of his children in 1979, and he passed away at just 64 in 1998. This is my tiny plea that Flip Wilson not be forgotten.

A favorite Flip Wilson joke: "Lots of crazy things happen in traveling. Just last week I was on a train. There was a woman traveling with a baby. UGLY baby! I mean, I'm not one to make comments about anyone's kid -- but this was an UGLY baby. A guy walks down the train -- he's half smashed -- and he stops. And he stares. And the lady says "What are you looking at?" The guy says "I'm looking at that ugly baby." A scene ensues, whereupon the conductor arrives. He says "What's going on here?" The woman says "This man just insulted me!" The conductor says "Now calm down Madam, calm down. We here at the railroad want to make sure that there are no altercations between our passengers and that everyone's trip is as relaxing as possible. Accordingly, if you allow us, please step into the dining car and the railroad will buy you a free meal. And maybe we can find a banana for your monkey."

His most famous character was "Geraldine," and here she is with Ray Charles, and with Muhammad Ali.

RAY CHARLES AND FLIP WILSON

Flip Wilson Show with Geraldine and Muhammad Ali

Comments

[Page]

As long as we're reminiscing about corny routines that still crack us up....how about Nipsey's Russell's description of the hotel that had towels so fluffy, you could hardly close your suitcase?

[elizabeth of course]

My dad tells that joke ALL THE TIME! And he loved Geraldine.

[Amy]

We must be exactly the same age. I remember him vividly as well. Also, my grandmother had a man who cleaned her house once a week and he looked just like Flip Wilson. I used to requests visits with my Grandmother on the days that he was there!