These shows were filmed in the mid-1970's and left me with a couple original thoughts...
First and foremost is the number of racial jokes made. It really is stunning by today's sensibilities. I was particularly surprised to see them so prominent during the Bob Hope roast. I am certainly familiar with how a "roast" works and expected a certain level of depravity but I was still amazed to see these guys digging at each other then giving each other hugs afterwards.
When Omar Bradley stepped to the mic it suddenly dawned on me. This is how men talk/joke with one another in an army barracks. Then, after basic training these men would be willing to give their life for someone they just called a nigger the day before. That relationship is lost in today's world.
The people on the dais might have all been terrible racist, but at the end of the day the people whom they held racist opinions about were Americans they'd proven to be willing to give their lives for.
As shown in the graph below older generations served at a much higher rate and were forged in this environment which normalized this behavior. Imagine nearly every leader from WWI on had shared this experience and were comfortable communicating this way. One day willing to call someone a WOP or a Spic, the next day lining up at revelry shoulder to shoulder. Aware of our cultural differences but united in the greatness of our nation.
Obviously, that context has been lost to time.
