Amos and Andy

(1928 -1956)

Freeman Gosden & Charles Correll

There is a radio program that was possibly the most influential in the history of American broadcasting.

This program was the first original serial to be devised for the broadcast medium.

This program was the first program to be distributed by syndication.

This program captured the attention of more than forty million Americans, six nights a week, at the peak of its success -- nearly one-third of the nation's total population at that time.

And today, more than seventy years after its premiere, few programs make historians more uncomfortable.

Few programs are more worthy of serious analysis -- and yet many --even most --historians find it impossible to discuss this program objectively.

That program was "Amos 'n' Andy."

Visit Amos 'n' Andy -- In Person, The Origins of a Radio Landmark By Elizabeth McLeod for more information.
 

This show must be considered as what it was - one of the most popular shows in 20th century entertainment - on radio especially, as it even continued on TV with other actors. That white actors played black actors is reason for much of the dismissal of this show's impact on its listening audience. However, for 34 years Amos and Andy held a very singular place in the American old-time radio experience.

In its early prime, the early 1930's, it was common for entire towns to be listening to the show. Stores would close, even movie theatres would stop the film while the Amos and Andy show was played instead for the movie audience. The national audience was estimated at 40 million, and that very large audience was made up of Americans of many races and national backgrounds.

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