Flip

by Kevin Cook

The rags-to-riches story of a groundbreaking, beloved entertainer

When The Flip Wilson Show debuted in 1970, black faces were still rare on television, black hosts nonexistent. So how did Clerow “Flip” Wilson go from Jersey City grade-school dropout to national celebrity, heralded on the cover of Time as “TV’s First Black Superstar”?

Flip is a candid, entertaining biography of a consummate comedian who changed the face of American popular culture. Kevin Cook chronicles Flip’s meteoric rise through the Chitlin’ Circuit of segregated nightclubs to his breakthrough on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show to his hit variety show, on which he created such outrageous and hilarious characters as the sassy Geraldine and flock-fleecing Reverend Leroy. As one of the biggest stars of his time, he performed and partied with Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and other stars of the 1970s.

Drawing on interviews with family, friends, and celebrities, Cook delivers the inspiring story of a complex man who broke the prime-time color barrier, blazing a trail for generations of African American performers who followed him.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Tv, African American, Business

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2013

About the author

Kevin Cook, the award-winning author of Titanic Thompson and Tommy’s Honor, has written for the New York Times, the Daily News, GQ, Men’s Journal, Vogue, and many other publications, and has appeared on CNN and Fox TV. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flip Wilson changed tv as we know it and you've probably never even heard of him.

Before Sanford & Son
Before The Cosby Show
Before Martin
Before Saturday Night Live
Before The Chappelle Show
Before Key & Peele

There was The Flip Wilson Show.

Flip Wilson's sketch comedy/variety show was the first successful show to be written, produced and to star a black person. Many had tried and failed before him, Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr to name a few. But The Flip Wilson Show was the first to top the ratings and earn instant acclaim.

Flip Wilson inspired a lot of well known comedy legends such as George Carlin and Richard Pryor. It could be argued that without the overwhelming success of The Flip Wilson Show, The Cosby Show would never exist(that's not necessarily a bad thing).

So why then isn't Flip Wilson mentioned with the greats like Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle?

Its a hard question to answer but I tend to think it has to do with the time period in which he rose to fame. The Flip Wilson Show debuted in 1970 and ended 1974. In those few short years comedy and society overall changed. What seemed risky in 1970 was considered tame and maybe even lame by 1974. Hanging out with Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan in 1970 wouldn't raise too many eyes but by 1974 that was considered super suspect. Other comedians both white and black were talking about politics and race relations but Flip wasn't interested in that kind of comedy. Flip wanted "middle America" to watch his show. Somewhere along the way he lost touch with his core audience(black people). Basically the world changed but Flip stayed the same.

I've never seen an episode of The Flip Wilson Show but I knew about him because my dad grew up loving him(my mom thought he was an Uncle Tom). I was shocked to learn just how big a star Flip was. He was a difficult man to know. He seemed to hate women but also he needed their love and attention. He wanted to be a good father but I just don't think he had it within to be one.

I came away from this book with a better understanding of Flip Wilson but I don't think I got to know him...but I don't think anyone ever did.

I highly recommend it!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm 33. The Flip Wilson Show never aired in real time programming for me. However even as a kid I was a sucker for Nick-at-Nite which spawned TV Land and a host of pretty funny variety shows of yesteryear.

This autobiography spans across Flips neglected childhood of unfortunate circumstances, his chitlin circuit tours, his lifetime drug abuse, faithless husbandry, devotion to self and disregard of racial barriers prevalent during this time.

There are also many exchanges and connections with entertainment stars of the past and present. Most notably Richard Pryor, Elvis Presley, Lily Tomlin, Redd Foxx, George Carlin & the Jackson 5

Mirron Willis did the narration;. Author Kevin Cook I thought did a fantastic job with time lining and reflection. Like most, the character Geraldine remains in memory. That she became the monster that haunted him is very similar to how Tyler Perry feels about Madea.

Great read for Flip fans and non-Flips too.

[Pattie O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was one of the few people of my age who didn't watch Flip Wilson while I was growing up - one of the main writers for "The Waltons" went to our church, so that's what our family watched - but my husband grew up with "The Flip Wilson Show" and he strongly recommended the book.

"Flip" is the deeply researched and well-written story of a tortured man, one that gives equal play to his strengths and his demons. It surprised me how HARD the man worked for the success he obtained; you don't often consider the hours and hours of sheer labor it takes to craft a successful comedy routine, much less a one-hour variety show that lived up to Wilson's exacting standards (X number of jokes every Y minutes). The book also highlights his intelligence and hunger for learning, his sharp business acumen, and his intense loyalty to those who helped him along the way. One wonders what his life would have been like if his nightmare childhood in foster homes hadn't left him incapable of maintaining healthy relationships with his partners and children or if he had been able to escape the paranoia induced by years of heavy cocaine use.

As the story progresses and Wilson begins to accomplish things, the author, (who wrote this with a lot of input from one of Wilson's sons), frequently steps back to put these accomplishments in the context of race relations in the US at the time; "Flip" not only tracks the journey of comedian and businessman Flip Wilson, but looks at how black people were treated in the 1950s, 60s and 70s in America.

I'd recommend this book even to those who are too young to remember Flip Wilson just because it is a fascinating, complex and well-told story.

[Rick Mccray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! This book is now in my pantheon of top 5 books I have read all time. This biography is continually compelling and reads like a novel you can not possibly put down. The fact that it is about Flip Wilson, a comedy icon whose memory and relevance is lost to our current generation, makes it even more of a good read.

Jokes...lots of jokes!! The humor in the book is probably my favorite part. The author was very adept at putting jokes into the work in a manner that mimics real life (our conversations at times are unexpectedly hilarious) and it keeps you laughing while you are reading. The story is truly inspirational of how Flip Wilson overcame poverty and abuse to become an incredibly gifted, and wealthy, performer for the ages.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a hilarious history lesson about a man who was motivated and driven to succeed from the depths of his being. Great story and well put together!

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was 7 when Flip’s variety show premiered. While I don’t know if I caught that first episode, I was a fan throughout his 4 year run. I was a dedicated TV watcher, and Flip was one that I watched religiously. He was a king of the catch phrase, which came in handy the next day at elementary school. And I watched his guest appearances on all the other talk shows I watched, like Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas, and Johnny Carson. But when his show disappeared, so did he, at least to me. I always wondered what happened to him, and that’s why I chose to listen to this audiobook.

This ends up being a strange biography, in that Wilson’s life is almost as mysterious to me after reading it as before. He had a difficult upbringing, joining the Air Force and finding his comedic voice there. The author positions him as an inbetweener in comedic generations, learning in a kind of raucous post-vaudeville environment and being at the top of his game prior to the Priors and Carlins, who he helped by giving writing jobs.

The most interesting insight I gleaned from the book is that Flip was the proto-typical early retiree wannabe. He had a plan to reach the pinnacle of his career and get out within 15 years of leaving the air force. And he made investments to make this happen. The author relates that Flip produced his show and was known for pinching pennies, but also for taking the savings and sharing with the production staff of the show. He was a role model for early retirees, except for the drug habit, at least.

The end of the book showed Flip was a successful man in his career who was not successful in his family life. His actions with his family were described as very strange, sometimes living for the moment, like flying to Hawaii on a whim, and sometimes very guarded. You might think these behaviors were his response to shepherding his wealth, but his actions were the same throughout his life.

The book has many funny and interesting anecdotes about Flip’s life. While my question of what really happened to him wasn’t answered to my satisfaction, it was still quite an entertaining book.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done bio of the first African American comedian to have his own big hit TV show. Flip Wilson's gift was to come off as a self-confident and charming guy. But he worked like mad and used a lot of drugs to maintain this persona. His life story is a classic rags-to-riches tale and instructive to any student of comedy or making it in America. Redd Foxx, George Carlin and Richard Pryor guest star.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific biography of the 70s TV superstar. The book is often funny, sometimes sad, and consistently interesting. I listened to the audiobook, which is very well read by Mirron Willis, who, in the sections that quote directly from original comedy material, manages to give a feel of how it might have sounded without doing an impersonation.

[Alvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This zippy little bio gives readers the whole scoop on both Flip, the man, and the worlds he inhabited. Something of Flip's almost supernatural likability permeates the book, rendering even his flaws entertaining.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

LJ Reviews 2013 March #2
Website: http://www.libraryjournal.com

Cook (The Last Headbangers: NFL Football in the Rowdy, Reckless '70s) traces the groundbreaking and ultimately heartbreaking career of Clerow "Flip" Wilson, the athlete TIME magazine called "TV's first black superstar." After an emotionally and physically scarring childhood and a stint in the Air Force, Wilson moved on to the African American-friendly performance venues known as the Chitlin' Circuit, where he took a scholarly approach to comedy. Successful television appearances (many on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show) led to The Flip Wilson Show, a wildly successful variety vehicle that allowed Wilson to spotlight both black and white entertainers. Despite his polished television performance, Wilson's life was rougher off camera. His family saw him mostly on television; the drugs that fueled his creativity also fed his paranoia; talent he launched, such as George Carlin and Richard Pryor, soon surpassed him with their edgier styles. VERDICT Cook crafts a personal and tragic biography, drawing from Wilson's unpublished writings and input from Wilson's son Kevin as well as his contemporaries, including Lily Tomlin and Gladys Knight. Cook also contextualizes Wilson's life against the racially charged atmosphere of the 1950s through the 1970s; this makes the book an important and recommended piece of African American history.�Terry Bosky, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL

[Lee Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-researched, brisk read about the man (and woman--Geraldine!) who was probably my first exposure to African-American anything, growing up as I did in rural Ohio. I was 4 or 5 when his show aired, and I remember loving it, and loving Geraldine especially.

After a horrible, Dickensian childhood, Clerow Wilson joined the Air Force, discovered his talent for comedy, and spent 15 years struggling on the Chitlin' Circuit until he made it to the Tonight Show and his own program. After ending the show (it was still popular after 4 years, but dropping in the ratings), Flip spent most of the rest of his life smoking weed, snorting cocaine, and sleeping with women. A private, mostly solitary man, Flip would often get in one of his Rolls Royces and drive until he felt like stopping. Thanks to a contract which left him the owner of his show, he was wealthy enough to never need work again, and with the exception of a disastrous attempt at "Cosby Show" replication, he pretty much didn't. After hearing a somewhat embarrassing appearance on Howard Stern in the mid-90s, when Wilson talked about (and demonstrated!) his penis pump, I had just assumed he had fallen on hard times, so it was nice to hear he was so well off, even if he was a constant drug user and spotty father. But I didn't lose any respect for him after reading this book; in fact, his variety show work ethic made me admire and love him like my 4 year-old self all over again.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was 9 or 10, Flip Wilson was probably my favorite comedian, and I looked forward to watching his show each week. But then he went off the air, and in the years to come, I rarely gave Flip any thought at all. Kevin Cook, however, remembered Flip Wilson enough to be motivated to write this biography.

The book was fast moving. Too fast moving. I would have appreciated a bit more depth. Not necessarily Robert-Caro-style depth, but I think the book would have been better if it was about 400 pages, maybe, instead of only 227.

Note to animal lovers, especially cat lovers: there's one anecdote that will disturb and perhaps enrage you. I won't recount it here, but you've been warned.

Flip Wilson could sometimes be sweet and generous, but on balance, more often than not, it seems, he was a jerk that I would say people were better off not having in their lives. The ten-year-old version of me would have been very disappointed to learn these details of Flip Wilson's private life, but the current 50-year-old me has become a lot more jaded to this kind of stuff.

[Readersaurus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally readable biography of the funny guy of my childhood, Flip Wilson. I was so excited to see this book come out. We loved his tv show when we were kids. I remember that it was on opposite the Waltons -- When Grandma babysat, we had to do some sophisticated negotiation to get to choose the channel.

It's no surprise that it's a tale of a sad and uncertain childhood. It seems to be the case for so many comedians. Still, Wilson comes off as likable and Cook moves the narrative along at a good clip.

I so wish this book could have ended on Flip's high note -- why do so many celebrity life stories have to peak and then plummet? You can feel the 3 ds coming: disillusionment, drug addiction, death. If only these people who made their audiences so happy could hold on to some happiness for themselves.

[Naomi Krokowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child I heard people saying "The Devil made me do it!" and "What you see is what you get!" and I thought Flip was funny, but I had no idea how groundbreaking the man behind the mirth really was. Cook does a super job placing Wilson in context of the racial tensions of the day. Like so many comic geniuses, Wilson had a terrible childhood. I had such a clear picture of his dedication to "the funny" thanks to Cook, and enjoyed his layered look at a deeply troubled man. He was incredibly loyal to other entertainers he admired, admirably helped the next generation of comic masters on their way up, but he was a real creep to the women in his life. Wilson was fairly lame as a Dad, yet Cook helps you see why that was such a difficulty for him- he loved his kids but didn't know how to show that very well.
Well researched page-turner!

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable insight in to the life of Flip Wilson! From start to finish you learned about his childhood, people who influenced his life as well as many famous comedians and what they went through to get into the business, like Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx etc. I would recommend this book to all who are Flip Wilson fans as well as general readers. His perspective of how to present himself to the public during the time of the 50's and 60's and how other comedians viewed his style. Mr. Wilson had a formula by which he followed to develop his career which conflicted with his home life at times.
His relationship with his children, how he felt about women and his addiction to weed and cocaine are also explored in this book written by Mr. Kevin Cook.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Flip Wilson as a kid but little did I realize that his life was so full of turmoil and strife. The book is well written a fast read and intriguing. We tend to think of Cosby as the king of TV trendsetters but Wilson is right up there and should be given his due.

[Caseen Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Kevin Cook's biography of Flip Wilson. I wish there was a little bit more detail about some of the ventures later in his career (particularly Wilson's SNL appearance), but that's a minor criticism. Overall, it was an excellent look back at one of our greatest comedic personalities.

[Margie Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing and piercing overview of Flip the man and his incredible work ethic. I hope this book inspires a biopic

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well researched biography, sprinkled throughout with Flip's jokes and recaps of some of the more "stand-out" episodes of the show.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lean, heavily-padded bio of a man the author claims was "TV's First Black Superstar." Flip Wilson, of course, was not. He was a transitional variety show host that took some of the boundaries set by Carol Burnett or Sonny & Cher, then applied his own black cultural perspective. He wasn't ground-breaking other than adding his urban humor to the format.

The book, however, sets him up as an icon similar to Bill Cosby. Cosby had already been on TV for years, won Emmy awards, and ended up changing the medium. The two black stars can't be compared.

Beyond the one successful TV show Wilson had, he is shown here to be a serious drug addict from childhood and a horrible father. While it's nice that the author had the cooperation of Flip's family in writing the book, there are so many negative things included about the comedian that it's difficult to walk away thinking positively about the guy. And there are way, way to many unnecessary inclusions of the n word.

While much of the book is well written, the writer didn't have enough material to fill 200 pages, so a large chunk of it goes off on tangents about Cosby or Richard Pryor or Redd Foxx. It becomes more of an overview of black comedians on TV in the 1970s and 1980s. As such it fails, with some incorrect factual information included and a hype about Flip that distorts his position in TV history.

While it's fascinating to read what a sad life Wilson led, the book could have done a better job being an objective account. Instead it turns into a chance for his children to get back at a distant dad while praising him as a fantasy iconic hero.

[Frank McGirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why I chose to read this book requires some explanation...

When I was young, I, like Flip, was fascinated at what made things funny. I would watch people who told jokes and would commit any joke I heard to memory (the jokes I have in my mind are still the one that I knew by the time I was 10).

And my parents had a number of Flip Wilson records.

As an 8 year old, I never understood why my friends didn't laugh, understand, or recognize my Geraldine impressions.

So I always kind of assumed he was an "almost ran," but as the title purports...he was HUGELY popular.

Unfortunately, while the book does take a sentence or two to reflect on it, that issue of "forget-ability" isn't explored much. Instead we get a fairly well-done story of struggle, drugs, success, and decadence...but it too is largely forgettable.

Cook spices up the book by introducing his contemporaries, but those cameos, like I imagine his variety show guests, stole the show.

I'm more likely to remember that Redd Foxx and Malcom X used to work at the same restaurant, and that Ed Sullivan shot Elvis from the waist up, not just because of the swinging hips, but because he though he had a coke bottle shoved down his pants.

[Maurice Tougas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flip Wilson is almost forgotten today, but in his time, there were few bigger stars, and he was certainly the biggest African-American star. Wilson, an engaging comedian, was the first black to have his own TV variety show in 1970 (back in the day when variety shows were huge), and it rose to as high as #2 in the U.S. ratings. Wilson, who grew up dirt poor and worked the 'Chitlin Circuit' of poorly paid black performers, was a transitional figure in American culture. He was black, but not 'too' black, funny but non-threatening. He wasn't radical in the manner of Richard Pryor or George Carlin (two comics he employed on his show), which did not endear him to all of black America. But white America loved him, and he made no apologies for making as much money as he could.
His prime was short lived, and he drifted into drug addiction and peculiar, paranoid behaviour. When he died in 1998 of cancer at the age of 64, his passing was barely noticed.
Biographer Cook has written a solid biography of a once-important star, although he falls into the habit of recreating conversations verbatim that he could not have heard, which I find aggravating. But if you remember the early 1970s, and Wilson, you'll enjoy Flip.

[Kimberly Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching the Flip Wilson Variety Show when I was a little girl, and I loved it. My favorite character, of course, was Geraldine "What you see, is what you get, honey!"--with a snap of the finger. Flip was so ahead of his time, and paved the way for so many comedians today, like Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Tyler Perry. He made dressing up in drag the thing to do, and how groundbreaking was that!

But, like with most comedians, Flip had his fair share of demons to combat--marijuana and coke! He wasn't the best father figure to have around, but I believe he truly loved his children. This was an outstanding book, and if you're looking to learn more about this iconic comedic symbol, this book will give you what you're looking for, honey, in my best Geraldine voice.

There are many things you'll learn about the man that may surprise you, as it did me. I wish he was still with us today, but the legacy he left behind is golden! Way to go, Clerow!

[Anne Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite books since childhood have been biographies. Rarely do I read one I do not like.
This one was a fast read. I loved following Flip's rise to fame. It sadden me to read about his unfortunate upbringing which haunted him and his relationships the rest of his life. He was a troubled soul but my, was he funny! I loved Josephine and her"You better watch out."
The humor and timing of "the devil made me
buy this dress" remains superb in the comedy world. I hope to introduce my daughters to the humor of this funny, funny man.
I also believe as a result of reading this book, that Flip had a kind heart. And was very fond and appreciative of his fans.
I was in LAX back in the seventies. I had just returned to the LA area after a trip back home.
As I was on my way to claim my luggage, Flip Wilson passed. I smiled, waved and said, "Hi, Flip!" In return, he looked at me as a wide grin crossed his face, smiled, waved and said in return, Hi!"
A class act!


The

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful biography of the comedian whose 1970-1974 variety show was a breakthrough for black performers. The show introduced the characters Geraldine and the Rev. Leroy, whose phrases — to use a term from today — went viral in the early '70s. For a short time, the show was "must see TV." The book chronicles Wilson from being raised poor in New Jersey, through his struggling years to make it in show business (with his race as an additional anchor), to his early '70s stardom. It details his heavy pot and cocaine use, his difficulties with women, wives and children, and his decision to give up his show before it tumbled into the ratings pits. It also describes his mentoring of then-startups Richard Pryor and George Carlin, and his lonely last years when he was estranged from ex-wives, children and interest in him returning to television. Worth a listen if you remember Flip from back in the day.

[Kathleen Meacham]

****07102018 adjusted original 05192016 post from 1 star down to 0 stars, since I did not finish this book, and I understand that no stars will not reflect in the books average. When I originally placed it on my Abandoned list I had included the comments below...

I simply could not finish this book. It was an impulse pick up for me on CD at the local library. I anticipated light listening full of interesting details. After starting the 1st of 7 disks, I thought -- this book is going places I do not want to go -- foul language, foul content, anger, bitterness, drugs. So I popped out disk 1 after about 20 minutes and did something I never do -- I went to the last disk to see if things lightened up -- they 100% did not. Bottom-line, this brief glimpse into Flip Wilson's tortured life is saddening, and I just could not bring myself to read it in all the gory details.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good biography on the talented Flip Wilson. Flip was born Clerow Wilson the tenth child to his parents. when he was young, his mother left the family. He was sent to live with his oldest sister who did not treat him well. He found as child he could be funny. He joined the air force at 16 when he left at twenty he wanted to be stage as a comic. He gave himself 15 years to make it into show business. It took him about 13 before he started to make a name for himself. the rest is history. He went on to his own tv show by 1970 creating roles such as Geraldine "the devil made me do it" he was successful for many years. He faced many rough times. he had demons like being a drug addict. but I will always remember as a funny talented man who got me to laugh many times. I would give this book a 3.5.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love the Flip Wilson Show when I was a little kid, so I was anxious to read this book to find out what happened to him. It turns out his rags to riches story is far more interesting than what he did after ending his show. High recommended if you liked the show or are interested in mid-20th century comedians (e.g., Bill Cosby, Red Foxx, George Carlin, Richard Pryor).

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it's better not to know what celebrities are really like. Flip Wilson is a pleasant memory from my childhood. I could have done without knowing about the drug use, promiscuity, and lack of fatherhood skills. But, given his miserable early family years, it is a miracle he was able to survive, persevere, and make us laugh as a nation.

[Mark Holencik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this sentence in another review that really sums it up.

"Flip" is the deeply researched and well-written story of a tortured man, one that gives equal play to his strengths and his demons.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is clearly an inspirational work about a guy who overcame many obstacles including poverty and an extremely difficult childhood.

I highly recommend this work. It's entertaining and very funny. Worth the read!