I'm not going to play the race card here; I'm white, and didn't consider my race to be slighted. If blacks did, they're free to speak for themselves.
The programme has to be placed in perspective, and as a piece of light entertainment during the 1950's, it appealed to the wartime generation in Britain as most had had some direct and indirect contact with, and influence from, the hundreds of thousands of Yanks stationed in Blighty.
Telly took itself much more seriously in those days, and more professionally too. And there is no doubting the very meticulous standards of production, choreography and singing.
However, for those of us who came after the war, this formula was already out-of-date. For those weaned on 'The Animals' 'The Yardbirds' and a host of other bands and artists rising in the early 1960's, who had something to say with which we could identify; the Minstrals, were the most turgid, oleaginous 50 minutes of our young lives.
In recognition of their enormous popularity with the generation at which they were targeted, I've grudgingly offered 6 stars. Speaking only for myself I'd give them one.
It's a generation thing.
The programme has to be placed in perspective, and as a piece of light entertainment during the 1950's, it appealed to the wartime generation in Britain as most had had some direct and indirect contact with, and influence from, the hundreds of thousands of Yanks stationed in Blighty.
Telly took itself much more seriously in those days, and more professionally too. And there is no doubting the very meticulous standards of production, choreography and singing.
However, for those of us who came after the war, this formula was already out-of-date. For those weaned on 'The Animals' 'The Yardbirds' and a host of other bands and artists rising in the early 1960's, who had something to say with which we could identify; the Minstrals, were the most turgid, oleaginous 50 minutes of our young lives.
In recognition of their enormous popularity with the generation at which they were targeted, I've grudgingly offered 6 stars. Speaking only for myself I'd give them one.
It's a generation thing.