BEN VEREEN … COMIN’ AT YA (1975) FORGOTTEN TELEVISION

BEN VEREEN … COMIN’ AT YA (1975) – As famous and celebrated as the multitalented Ben Vereen is, he’s STILL underrated! At least here in 2026 he is, but in 1975 the stage and television performer was enchanting the U.S. like no other black performer since Sammy Davis Jr.

A virtual human whirlwind, Vereen had made a name for himself on the stage in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin and others. He appeared in the films Sweet Charity (as he had on stage) and Funny Lady (ditto).

In 1975 Ben’s performance in the miniseries Roots was still in the future, but most of America was introduced to the incredible entertainer that year during his 4-episode summer replacement series – a variety hour titled Ben Vereen … Comin’ at Ya. 

Vereen hosted the program plus sang, danced and starred in comedy sketches with celebrity guest stars. One of the show’s regulars was the one and only Lola Falana, who always got a show-stopping introduction from Ben. (“Lola Fuh-LAW-Naaa, Lola Fuh-LAW-Naaa.”)

The other regulars were Liz Torres and Arte Johnson, and the opening theme was Magic to Do from Pippin.

THE PROGRAM:

EPISODE ONE (August 7th, 1975) – The Smothers Brothers (Dick and Tom) were the big-name guests, but the most memorable part of the show presented a salute to old-time black stage performer Bert Williams. Bert was a light-skinned black man and wore blackface on stage and Vereen suffered criticism for wearing such makeup despite the historical accuracy.

In my opinion the dramatic sketch could have been expanded into an hour-long one-man show by Ben on PBS. Unfortunately, the blackface makeup and the dialogue touching on racial issues of Bert Williams’ time period were so controversial any possibility of such a one-man show was smothered.

EPISODE TWO (August 14th) – It was a plunge into Seventies Variety Show predictability after the previous week’s promising debut. Singer Wayne Newton was the featured guest, with supporting cast regulars Falana, Torres and Johnson contributing. 

EPISODE THREE (August 21st) – Vereen and Falana managed to fit some dynamic song and dance numbers around hopelessly bland segments with hopelessly bland featured guest Florence Henderson.

EPISODE FOUR (August 28th) – This final episode was a salute to the music of the 1950s with guests Frankie Avalon and Sha-Na-Na. Avery Schreiber and Lee Lund also appeared. Comedy sketches (always the weak link on any 1970s variety show) included a Prom Night bit and a musical version of Little Red Riding Hood.   

FOR MORE FORGOTTEN TELEVISION CLICK HERE.