Goodbye Amos 'n' Andy

Hulu has put up this provocative 1983 documentary, hosted by George Kirby, focusing the rise and fall of the Amos and Andy television show. It begins by discussing the white performers who created the radio show, but moves quickly to the all-black television show that followed it, and makes the case for Amos and Andy as a flawed but ultimately redeemable chapter of black history.

I’m a little less sanguine about the 20th century descendants of the minstrel show, but then who am I to argue with Jesse Jackson (and man does he look young in this). Whatever your feelings, this is a fascinating documentary.