Vintage tv shows—some things have really changed…
I was watching the Carol Burnett Show recently, one of the more popular skits is a soap spoof called "As The Stomach Turns". The running gag is a guest celeb appearing at the door while other madness is going on.
This time the doorbell rang, and a young, handsome and well-dressed Bernie Casey was at the door. Carol did a double-take and said to someone off-camera, "Why, it’s a Negro ! Hello, young man, are you selling something ? Are you working your way through school ?”
"No," Bernie said, pulling out a gun, "I’m here to rob you !"
Carol calmly gets her purse, saying, "How nice it is to meet someone who’s not a credit to their race ! Here you go, young man !" She hands him money, Bernie thanks her politely and leaves. The audience was roaring with laughter.
My middle sister was watching with me and said, "Do you know how many folks would be out picketing the tv studio if something like that aired now ? It was funny, though !”
"A really different time,” I said.
This time the doorbell rang, and a young, handsome and well-dressed Bernie Casey was at the door. Carol did a double-take and said to someone off-camera, "Why, it’s a Negro ! Hello, young man, are you selling something ? Are you working your way through school ?”
"No," Bernie said, pulling out a gun, "I’m here to rob you !"
Carol calmly gets her purse, saying, "How nice it is to meet someone who’s not a credit to their race ! Here you go, young man !" She hands him money, Bernie thanks her politely and leaves. The audience was roaring with laughter.
My middle sister was watching with me and said, "Do you know how many folks would be out picketing the tv studio if something like that aired now ? It was funny, though !”
"A really different time,” I said.
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