Big Chuck Opens Up His Variety Show Vault: “The Flip Wilson Show”

Flip Wilson was one of the most popular comedians of the late 1960s and 1970s.  He was given his own variety show on September 17, 1970.  It was a hit and ran for four years (94 episodes).

He brought many of his zany characters on the show with him, including his famous Geraldine act.  Wilson portrayed the sassy Geraldine Jones in a wig, dress and tall high heels.  Geraldine was on every episode of the show.

Flip was a big music lover in real life and he brought that affection to his show.  Many of the great singers of the day appeared on the Flip Wilson Show including The Jackson 5, Melba Moore, Sammy Davis, Jr. Ray Charles and Roberta Flack.

Wilson died in 1998 at the age of 64.  Here he is with the person he called "his favorite guest."  This clip dates from 1970.