History Series / TheBlackAndWhiteMinstrelShow

In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Complaints about the show's racism began popping up by 1963 and only intensified afterward, eventually forcing the programme's cancellation in 1978.

** The first, ''Masquerade'', aired in 1968. Here, the main singers appeared without blackface and the black singers wore whiteface.
** The second, ''Music Music Music'', outright replaced the parent programme in 1969 and had the performers donning no race-based makeup whatsoever. However, this only lasted one series, after which the parent programme returned.

In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Complaints about the show's racism began popping up by 1963 and only intensified afterward, eventually forcing the programme's cancellation in ''1978''.

You can probably see the issue here.

In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Complaints about the show's racism began popping up by 1963 and only intensified afterward, eventually forcing the programme's cancellation... in ''1978'', with the traveling stage show continuing until '''1989'''. Yes, really.

* LongRunner: 31 years between the TV and stage shows, which is way, ''way'' too long for something like this.

** The first, ''Masquerade'', aired in 1968. Here, the main singers appeared without blackface and the black singers wore whiteface, which...didn't exactly make things much better.
** The second, ''Music Music Music'', outright replaced the parent programme in 1969 and had the performers donning no race-based makeup whatsoever. Unfortunately, this only lasted one series, after which the parent programme returned.

In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Complaints about the show's racism began popping up by 1963 and only intensified afterward, eventually forcing the programme's cancellation... in ''1978'', with the traveling stage show somehow continuing until '''1989'''.

* {{Crossover}}: A rather strange one on 12 December 1964, when the programme was invaded by [[Series/DoctorWho Daleks]]. At this point, the Daleks were appearing in their second-ever ''Doctor Who'' story ("The Dalek Invasion of Earth") and had been established as a force to be reckoned with, so here they...took part in dance routines. [[SincerityMode No, seriously.]]

* BlackFace: At the core of the show. Most of the performances featured white male permormers in blackface, along with white females who retained their normal appearance.

In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Growing complaints about the show's racism eventually forced its cancellation... in '''1978''', with the traveling stage show somehow continuing until '''''1989'''''.

Today, the whole thing is a major source of embarrassment to most if not all concerned - especially the fact that it was allowed to run for as long as it did.

** The first, ''Masquerade'', aired in 1968. The main singers appeared without blackface and the black singers wore whiteface, which...didn't exactly make things much better.
** The second, ''Music Music Music'', outright replaced the parent programme in 1969 and had the performers donning no race-baeed makeup whatsoever. Unfortunately, this only lasted one series, after which the parent programme returned.

A weekly VarietyShow that aired on the Creator/{{BBC}} from 1958-78. Inspired by tradition American MinstrelShows, it featured musical performances, mostly by white performers in BlackFace. In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s.

Growing complaints about its racism eventually forced its cancellation, and today it is a major source of embarrassment to all concerned - especially the fact that it was allowed to stay on the air for as long as it did.

[[caption-width-right:350:Oh Dear.]]
A weekly VarietyShow that aired on the Creator/{{BBC}} for two decades from 1958 to 1978. Inspired by tradition American MinstrelShows, it featured musical performances, mostly by white performers in BlackFace. In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Growing complaints about its racism eventually forced its cancellation, and today it is a major source of embarrassment to all concerned that it was allowed to stay on the air for as long as it did.

!!Tropes

* VarietyShow: Each episode featured a range of musical numbers.

* BlackFace: At the core of the show. Most of the performances features white male permormers in blackface, along with white females who retained their normal appearance.

A weekly VarietyShow that aired on the Creator/BBC for two decades from 1958 to 1978. Inspired by tradition American MinstrelShows, it featured musical performances, mostly by white performers in BlackFace. In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Growing complaints about its racism eventually forced its cancellation, and today it is a major source of embarrassment to all concerned that it was allowed to stay on the air for as long as it did.

A weekly VarietyShow that aired on the Creator/BBC for two decades from 1958 to 1978. Inspired by tradition American MinstrelShows, it featured musical performances, mostly by white performers in BlackFace. In its heyday, it was a '''huge''' ratings hit, achieving viewing figures in excess of '''20 million''' in the early 1960s. Suffice to say that it hasn't aged all that well...