In the history of American popular culture, no program was both as popular and controversial as the Amos 'n' Andy show. 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. 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. Brown. The characters later appeared on their own television

(see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) program from 1950 to 1953. Although the show was extremely popular, many African American groups, led by the National...