Kissing (Inter-racial) - The first interracial kiss shown on network television appeared on the sci-fi series STAR TREK/NBC/1966-69 on episode No. 67 "Plato's Stepchildren" in November 1968). The plot revolved around a group of aliens called Platonians who over the centuries had lost their immune systems and were therefore susceptible to infection from time to time. In an effort to protect themselves from such incidents, they tried to convince starship Dr. Leonard McCoy, (DeForest Kelley) to stay on their planet and provide medical services for the remaining population. When McCoy refused, the Platonians used their incredible psychokinetic powers to humiliate McCoy's fellow crew members in hopes that these degrading acts would make him stay to save his friends. It was during once such scene that the Caucasian Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) was forced to romantically kiss Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), a beautiful African crew member. Although both Kirk and Uhura tried to resist the psychokinetic manipulation, they finally succumbed to kissing each other. The scene originally frightened the network suits who expressed such concerns as "What will the viewers say?" and "What about the Southern affiliates?" Luckily, the scene was shot, printed and delivered into the living rooms of America. And despite initial concerns, the fan mail was overwhelmingly positive. In her book Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories (G.P. Putnam, 1994) Nichelle Nichols included an excerpt from a fan letter (in Chapter 8) from a white southern gentleman who said he was "totally opposed to the mixing of the races" but really found no fault with Kirk kissing such a "beautiful dame" as Uhura, when he had the chance. Nichelle reported that she was so nervous, she "kept giggling," and the scene required thirty-six takes. Actually the scene was shot at two different angles. One take showed lip contact; the other showed the no-contact kiss as Kirk and Uhura embraced with their backs to the camera (chosen by the suits). So, in reality, according to Nichols "the widely held assumption that STAR TREK features the first interracial kiss in the history of television is absolutely untrue." Other examples of interracial smooching include CBS's IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT as white Police Chief Bill Gillespie (Carroll O'Connor) married black city councilor Harriet DeLong (Denise Nichols) on the series 1994 finale; and NBCs medical drama ER as black emergency physician Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle) fell in love with fellow colleague, a Caucasian British physician. The first interracial couple Tom & Helen Willis (Franklin Cover & Roxie Roker) in prime television appeared on the sitcom THE JEFFERSON/CBS/1975-85. They shared a successful 23 year marriage, plenty of smooching and a beautiful daughter, Jenny Willis (Berlinda Tolbert). Finally, I can't conclude this section on interracial kissing without mentioning the February 19, 1972 episode of ALL IN THE FAMILY when Sammy Davis, Jr. comes to the home Archie Bunker to retrieve a suitcase he left in Archie's cab. While there, Sammy encounters Archie's ideas on race including "If God meant us to be together, He'd have put us together. But look what He done? He put you in Africa and He put the rest of us in all the white countries." Astonished Davis said "Well, You must of told Him where we were 'cause somebody came and got us!" Before Davis leaves he asked to have a picture taken with his new friend Archie Bunker. Just before the camera flash goes off, Davis plants a big kiss on Archie's right cheek.