Mitzi

TV special celebrating the 25th anniversary of Captain Kangaroo with multiple guest stars.

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".

Filmed in 1983 at Las Vegas's Tropicana Hotel and hosted by Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley, this variety special features a star-studded cast. Performers include Kiley, who sings his show-stopping rendition of "The Impossible Dream," and Tony Award winner Patti LuPone, who belts out "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina." Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Roberta Peters, impressionist Rich Little and mime duo Shields & Yarnell also make appearances.

The best of the Flip Wilson variety show, a mix of skits, musical acts and famous guests.