PBS News Hour

Harry Belafonte’s historic week as ‘Tonight Show’ host

In the midst of the 1968 Civil Rights protests, activist and singer Harry Belafonte took over ‘The Tonight Show’ for a week, becoming the first Black person to host a late-night TV show. His guests included Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, months before they were assassinated. Director Yoruba Richen and producer Joan Walsh revisit that historic week in a new documentary “The Sit-In.”

Harry Belafonte’s historic week as ‘Tonight Show’ host

8m 29s

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