Where to watch The Beulah Show (1950)

Story

✓ Checked against web sources · 2 Oct 2026

Beulah is a domestic worker employed by the Henderson family—attorney Harry, his wife Alice, and their young son Donnie. Despite her role as a housekeeper, Beulah emerges as the wisest member of the household, repeatedly solving problems and resolving crises that the bumbling Henderson family creates. Her resourcefulness and common sense help her navigate situations ranging from household mishaps to family troubles. Beulah also has a personal life, with her boyfriend Bill Jackson, who runs a fix-it shop, constantly proposing marriage while finding reasons to delay it. Her scatterbrained friend Oriole, who works as a maid for the neighbors, frequently joins Beulah in her schemes and misadventures.

Why watch

• Historic sitcom featuring one of television's first Black leading actresses
• Light-hearted family comedy with clever problem-solving at its heart
• Gentle humor reflecting early 1950s domestic life and relationships

Good for: Viewers interested in classic television history, though the show contains racial stereotypes typical of its era and may not suit all family audiences.

About the series

Produced by Roland Reed Productions for ABC, the series aired from October 1950 to September 1953. It was directed by Richard L. Bare and Abby Berlin among others, and produced by Tom McKnight and Roland D. Reed. The cast included Ethel Waters in the first season, followed by Louise Beavers and briefly Hattie McDaniel. The show was notable for being the first nationally broadcast weekly television series starring an African-American actress in the leading role.

Sources: Apple TV, IMDb, interviews.televisionacademy.com, museum.tv (checked 02 Oct 2026)