This special was also an intended pilot for a possible series.
According to George Schlatter, a screening was held for the Black Panthers chapter in Watts because NBC was concerned about whether the special would be offensive to African-Americans. The Panthers loved the special. But after it aired, NBC did not want to pick it up as a series because they felt if they had to cancel the series that they would be accused of racism.
Songs: Joe Tex sings 'Show Me A Man That's Got a Good Woman' and 'Skinny Legs and All;' Lou Rawls sings 'Movin' On Up' and with Nipsey Russell 'Tell It Like It Is;' Hines Hines and Dad sing 'The Beat Goes On;' the Chambers Brothers perform 'I Can't Stand It;' Martha Reeves & the Vandellas sing 'Down By the Riverside;' and the Soul Sisters - 'Tell Mama.'
The show ends with all guests onstage for a Broadway song and dance number performing songs from 'My Fair Lady' in a soul style. The songs are: 'Ascot Gavotte;' 'Show Me;' and 'I Could Have Danced All Night.'
The only shared credit of Teresa Graves and Chelsea Brown, who despite both being regulars on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967) had never both appeared in a single episode of the legendary sketch comedy show.