The program, titled Sam 'n' Henry, centered on Sam Smith and Henry Johnson, two poor blacks who migrated from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chicago to seek their fortunes. ![]() By 1925, the pair had moved to Chicago, Illinois, and were producing a radio show on WGN. They met in 1919 while working for an entertainment company that offered its services to amateur and local theatrical groups. ![]() Gosden and Correll were both white performers with roots in the Confederate South. The show also constitutes a prime example of the limited opportunities faced by black entertainers during the first half of the twentieth century. Amos 'n' Andy is now most remembered for perpetuating the stereotypes of black minstrelsy (traveling entertainment). Complaints about its content eventually led to the cancellation of the radio series and the removal of the TV show from syndication. Although the show was extremely popular, many African American groups, led by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), charged that the characters were racist caricatures and demeaning to the black community. (see entry under 1940s-TV and Radio in volume 3) program from 1950 to 1953. The characters later appeared on their own television Created by white performers Charles Correll (1890–1972) and Freeman Gosden (1899–1982), the series revolved around the comedic misadventures of two black characters-Amos Jones and Andrew H. The series, which ran on radio (see entry under 1920s-TV and Radio in volume 2) in several formats from 1928 to 1960, is perhaps the most popular radio series of all time. In the history of American popular culture, no program was both as popular and controversial as the Amos 'n' Andy show.
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