About this season
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!".
Episodes (26)
1. Episode 1
Aired 16 September 1971
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.
2. Episode 2
Aired 23 September 1971
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.
3. Episode 3
Aired 30 September 1971
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.
4. Episode 4
Aired 7 October 1971
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.
5. Episode 5
Aired 14 October 1971
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.
6. Episode 6
Aired 21 October 1971
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.
7. Episode 7
Aired 28 October 1971
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.
8. Episode 8
Aired 4 November 1971
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.
9. Episode 9
Aired 11 November 1971
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."
10. Episode 10
Aired 13 January 1972
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.
11. Episode 11
Aired 25 November 1971
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.
12. Episode 12
Aired 9 December 1971
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.
13. Episode 13
Aired 16 December 1971
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.
14. Episode 14
Aired 23 December 1971
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.
15. Episode 15
Aired 30 December 1971
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.
16. Episode 16
Aired 6 January 1972
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."
17. Episode 17
Aired 13 January 1972
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.
18. Episode 18
Aired 20 January 1972
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.
19. Episode 19
Aired 27 January 1972
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."
20. Episode 20
Aired 3 February 1972
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.
21. Episode 21
Aired 10 February 1972
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.
22. Episode 22
Aired 17 February 1972
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."
23. Episode 23
Aired 24 February 1972
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.
24. Episode 24
Aired 2 March 1972
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.
25. Episode 25
Aired 9 March 1972
Guests stars Ruth Buzzi, Lee Marvin, Jackie Vernon and Chi-Lites.
26. Episode 26
Aired 16 March 1972
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."