Friday, October 23, 2015

Tribute: Leslie Uggams



The Leslie Uggams Show took over the time slot of the cancelled Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on Sundays at 9 pm. This was the first variety show headed by an African-American since The Nat "King" Cole Show in the 1950s.

The series boasted an integrated cast and crew which was a rarity in network television. A memorable feature of the series was a recurring sketch called "Sugar Hill" about a blue-collar family. Uggams and her construction worker husband lived with her mom, brother and hippie sister.

The show was placed against rating's champ Bonanza, the show didn't stand much of a ratings chance. It aired for half of a season, before being replaced by The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.






Before Good Times, John Amos was a writer on The Leslie Uggams Show in 1969. The following year, he played Gordy Howard, the TV weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show for 14 episodes (1970-1973).
 

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