6.0
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Flip Wilson Show (1970)
The Flip Wilson Show (1970)
Overview
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!".
Starring Cast
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Christianity: Positive
Viewer Rating
6.0
Overview
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!".
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The Flip Wilson Show was a mainstream variety show primarily focused on comedy and entertainment, consciously avoiding overt political messaging or ideological advocacy, despite its groundbreaking role in Black representation on television.
The show features a Black host in a role traditionally held by white individuals, marking a significant step in representation for its era. While its narrative content focuses on broad entertainment and does not explicitly critique traditional identities, its very existence and central casting demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Secondary
The show frequently featured Flip Wilson's popular character, Reverend Leroy, a charismatic and often humorous preacher. While comedic, the portrayal was affectionate and celebrated aspects of Christian faith, particularly within the Black church culture, through music and community, without undermining the religion's dignity.
The Flip Wilson Show, a popular variety series from the early 1970s, did not feature identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its comedic sketches, musical numbers, and guest appearances focused on general entertainment without engaging with queer identity or experiences.
The Flip Wilson Show, a variety series, did not feature identifiable transsexual characters or themes. While the host, Flip Wilson, often performed in drag as the character Geraldine Jones, this was a comedic performance of a cisgender woman and did not explore transsexual identity.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Flip Wilson Show was a variety series featuring original sketches and characters. While Flip Wilson famously performed in drag as characters like Geraldine Jones, these were new creations for the show, not pre-existing characters from source material whose gender was changed. This falls under the exclusion for new, original characters or gender disguise within the story.
The Flip Wilson Show was a variety series featuring original sketches, musical performances, and guest stars. It did not adapt characters from pre-existing source material or historical figures with established races, thus precluding any race swaps.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.4
4.6
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
More Like This
Center
6.8
Lego Disney Princess: Villains Unite
(2025)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Progressive
7.2
The Little Guy
(2022)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
6.6
Babylon
(2022)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.9
I Care a Lot
(2021)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
6.7
Once Upon a Deadpool
(2018)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Female Combat: Yes
Center
7.0
Bodies Bodies Bodies
(2022)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
9.7
Wall-E
(2008)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.6
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
(2023)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Progressive
6.7
The Thursday Murder Club
(2025)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Center
7.4
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
(2000)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.2
Holes
(2003)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.7
I Love You Phillip Morris
(2010)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.3
Fried Green Tomatoes
(1991)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
8.6
The Great Dictator
(1940)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
8.1
Sorry, Baby
(2025)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.6
Pleasantville
(1998)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.7
A Different Man
(2024)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
8.4
Knives Out
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
7.3
We Bare Bears: The Movie
(2020)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
6.9
Elemental
(2023)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Neutral