Betty White Refuses Racist Boycott

In 1954, as The Betty White Show went national, Betty White faced criticism from Southern television affiliates for regularly featuring Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her variety show. Those stations threatened a boycott unless she removed Duncan from the program. White refused and replied, "I'm sorry. Live with it," and responded by giving Duncan even more airtime. Although the show started as a ratings success, its time slot kept changing, and NBC quietly canceled it by the end of 1954.

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