AUDIO PODCAST 4 1/2 minutes

November 3, 1956. 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A smooth, velvet voice glides through millions of living rooms across America. A Black man in a sharp suit, seated at a grand piano, smiles into the camera and says, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to The Nat King Cole Show.”

For fifteen minutes every week, the world paused. It wasn’t just a variety show. It was a revolution in prime time. A Voice That Crossed Color Lines. By 1956, Nat King Cole was already a household name. His 1940s hits “Straighten Up and Fly Right”,” The Christmas Song”, “Mona Lisa” had sold millions. He was the first African American artist to top the Billboard charts. His voice was in jukeboxes, on radios, in living rooms from Harlem to Hollywood. But television? That was white space. No Black performer had ever hosted a national network TV series. The closest had been guest spots brief, polite, and always on someone else’s show.

Then came NBC. The Show That Shouldn’t Have Worked. The Nat King Cole Show was simple: Nat at the piano. Guest stars. A small orchestra. No laugh track. No gimmicks. Just music. Just class. The guests were legendary: Ella Fitzgerald trading scat lines with Nat Tony Bennett and Pearl Bailey, Harry Belafonte. Even Frank Sinatra dropped by. White stars, black stars together, on equal footing. And America watched. The Ratings Were Great. The Sponsors Were Not. Here’s the cruel twist. The show was a hit. Critics loved it. Viewers tuned in. But no national sponsor would touch it. Ad agencies feared backlash from Southern affiliates. One executive reportedly said: “We can’t sell toothpaste with a Negro on the screen.” Local sponsors in the North supported it. But without national backing, NBC couldn’t afford to keep it. The End Came Quietly After 64 episodes, Nat King Cole canceled his own show on July 27, 1957. He didn’t rage. He didn’t protest. He just said: “Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.” That line became legend.

 A Door Cracked Open the Nat King Cole Show lasted only nine months. But it broke the seal. Within a decade: Diahann Carroll starred in Julia (1968) first Black woman in a lead TV role. Bill Cosby co-starred in I Spy (1965) — first Black actor in a dramatic lead. Flip Wilson got his own variety show (1970) and it topped the ratings. None of that would have happened without Nat.  

The Man Behind the Milestone Nat King Cole wasn’t an activist. He didn’t march. He didn’t shout. He just showed up. Sang beautifully. Smiled warmly. And let excellence do the talking. In 1956, that was radical. Today Clips survive on YouTube. Search: Nat King Cole Show 1956” You’ll see him sing “When I Fall in Love” with a smile that could melt ice. You’ll see Ella and Nat riff like old friends. You’ll see America before it was ready.  Legacy in One Line. He didn’t demand a seat at the table. He built the table. And then he sang at it. November 3, 1956, wasn’t just a premiere. It was a declaration. And now, the music still plays. Listen to “Unforgettable” tonight. Thank Nat King Cole. He opened the door and left it wide open.

Contrary to what some say, this country has come a long way in racial acceptance, showcasing significant progress in various aspects of society, including education, employment opportunities, and representation in politics. Over recent decades, we have witnessed a growing acknowledgment of diversity as a strength, leading to more inclusive policies and initiatives that promote understanding among different cultural groups. This evolution reflects a collective effort to confront and dismantle systemic racism, encouraging dialogue and fostering community engagements that embrace the rich variety of backgrounds that define our nation. Despite ongoing challenges, these strides toward acceptance signal a hopeful journey toward unity and equality for all.

One of my favorite songs is “Unforgettable” with Nat and Natalie. They made a terrific song into a priceless rendition. Click for the song