Friday Final Gripe for the Week

For my final gripe of the week I will try and be as reader-friendly as possible given the subject matter of today's entry.

One day this past week I was looking around at a local thrift store, a sort-of-heaven for unwanted or used items that can still be used. They had a little section for VHS tapes (VHS pretty much now going the way of the do-do bird). Pretty interesting titles, mostly Disney or other children's features. But one tape did catch my eye...a VHS tape of a 1978 television special called "Amos N' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy". I tempted myself to buy it (it only would cost me all of 2 bucks). Maybe today I will.

I mention this because about three years ago "Amos N' Andy" did make a triumphant comeback of sorts on the now-defunct Trio cable network. They devoted an entire prime-time schedule to this seemingly forgotten-but-well-remembered franchise. First, they aired the documentary, covering a brief history of the series, and including a complete episode of the old 1950s CBS series. This was followed by the 1930 "Amos N' Andy" movie, "Check And Double Check", produced by RKO Radio Pictures.

Now I have to say that for me, it was a joy to see A & A back on the television screens, if not for only one night. After this one look, I can truly say this was one television show that richly deserved to be back on TV, despite the fact that certain powers-that-be drove CBS to pull A & A from circulation in 1966.

A & A sure has had an interesting, legendary history. Long story short...A & A was originally a radio series that ran from the late 1920s to the 1950s in different formats and incarnations. The show about two African-Americans making their way in the world was created by two caucasian actors, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. Right from the start, there was controversy about its many stereotypes and African-American depictions, through newspapers and other media of the time (remember, back in the old days there was no Internet for people to speak their minds).

Then came the 1930 movie, with Gosden and Correll, in make-up that transformed them into African-Americans.

Surviving the protests thus far, A & A made its transition to television in 1951. Running two seasons worth of 78 episodes, the series version featured a cast consisting entirely of African-Americans to make A & A even more authentic. Though obviously not as popular as CBS' later "I Love Lucy", audiences tuned in every week. But as quickly as A & A came on the air, more certain forces protested the show, and the series was eventually cancelled in 1953.

But CBS continued to distribute the show in rerun syndication, where it found its biggest audience of the times, much the way the original "Star Trek" found its audience after its cancellation in 1969. Finally, the same certain forces caused CBS to withdraw the series completely in 1966.

Fast forward to today, where bootleg videos of the series continue to circulate. But here's where the bright spot comes to light...if it weren't for the faith of the fans, if it weren't for the fact that
forward-thinking people saw the A & A series for what it really is, a series that was ahead of its time, and holds a place in television history, Trio would not have saw fit to air the A & A festival.

Trio really went through a lot of trouble to show us A & A in 2004. It was clear that all the negative stuff that has been said about this great series over the decades should and must take a back seat to those people who appreciate a legendary piece of television. It is this piece that paved the way for popular African-American shows of the 1970s (like "Sanford and Son" and "The Jeffersons"), the 1980s (with "The Cosby Show"), and even present-day shows (such as "My Wife and Kids" and "Everybody Hates Chris").

Most important, Trio's rebroadcast taught us that televison history, for better or worse, must not be forgotten. I am happy that "Amos N' Andy" was introduced (for at least one night) to 21st Century viewers.

It should be noted that all the trademarks and copyrights on "Amos N' Andy" are held by CBS. It is my hope that Paramount Home Video/CBS DVD will see fit to officially release this great series sometime in the future.

With that, have a great weekend, and be sure who to pray for in church this weekend. Talk to you Monday!

NEXT TIME: A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Effort