Flip

The Inside Story of TV’s First Black Superstar

By: Kevin Cook

Narrated by: Mirron Willis

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.

©2013 Kevin Cook (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Drawing on interviews with family, friends, and Wilson’s colleagues, journalist Cook delivers a candid and entertaining look at Wilson’s meteoric rise.… Cook’s fiercely honest biography captures the tumultuous and winning personality of the man who introduced many memorable characters to the world and who paved the way for black comedians such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Tyler Perry." ( Publishers Weely)

"In this frank but somewhat sympathetic biography, Cook recounts how the comedian constantly practiced his art through the 1950s and ’60s and achieved his dream of fame in the early ’70s only to be eclipsed soon after by younger, bolder comedians.… A well-told story of a man desperate to succeed in the rapidly changing world of American entertainment." ( Booklist)

Flip, what a life...

I liked the story. I found it to be a very honest and blunt story of Flip a Wilson's life. However the honesty left me a bit sad because Flip had demons that he didn't deal with; like his relationship with his mother, his relationship with his children, and the fact that he would get high with his children and involve them in his drug activity, and his relationship with women – which was clearly impacted by his relationship with his mom. I'm sorry his estate was not better protected too that his children received such a small amount of money. I know what he stated his wishes were, but I would hate to think that he in tensional he left a son with disabilities in so much need.

I could not turn it off

this was an exciting if before we go descriptive book. I felt like I had actually watched the movie. and the story stay with me well after I finished the book.

Good read that filled in a lot of holes

Well done but tragic story about a very talented comedian who was never comfortable with himself nor his talent. If you were a fan of him in the 70s, and/or were a fan of young comedians during that era, you will thoroughly enjoy this.

Enjoyable but Annoying

This was an amazing story at a brilliant and brave man that carved the way for future black entertainers. Flip’s attention to detail and his natural intelligence is a tribute to his success. The man reading the story had an amazing voice and very enjoyable to listen to until his repeated habit of adding an S to several words was distracting and annoying. Too bad.

Entertaining.

This is a story of a man the was a comedy maverick who pulls his way out of a loveless childhood. Funny and colorful