Television Casting May Feel Obama Effect

New York Times:

It may say something about the state of American television that there is one more black president-elect of the United States than there are black actors with individual lead roles in a network television drama.

But after years of ensemble dramas sprinkled with nonwhite supporting actors, the excitement surrounding the election of Barack Obama could help to open doors for more minorities in leading dramatic roles, executives from television production studios said.

Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment who oversees the network's television studio, said that he and the head of the diversity initiative for NBC Universal, Paula Madison, have been pushing for projects starring minorities.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[christianmama4change]

I'm still shocked SNL does not have any black female cast members and has only one black guy. Way past time to diversify. If anything, all white shows look odd to current Gen Xers and millenials, they are used to daily interractions with folks of different ethnicities.

[PeteSake]

Think the Obama effect might have an impact on the cast of SNL? The practically all-white cast for 30 years is getting on my nerves.

[rmetz74]

I hope so, but maybe in a different way than you're thinking...

(And be warned, this will probably result in a particular poster freaking out in respose, so apologies in advance for that.)

White actors dominate the improv classes and groups that feed SNL... The Groundlings, Second City, Acme, etc. In the same way that there are far more non-white faces in society than on tv, the number of minority actors/comics working their way up the ranks in the improv circuit isn't proportionate to other industries.

I have my own opinions about why that may be, but whatever the reason, I hope it changes. As for Obama's inflience, I think it may take a generation, but I think it will make a lot of opportunities seem not so far away for non-whites.

[robXdion]

You need to let it go and stop the passive-aggressive teenager act. You acted nastily over a simple comment and got told off. Deal with that. And all the deletions from the mods can't help you.

[jean22]

I really don't think it's that complicated to hire Black actors. Are folks in that industry really so uncreative that they can't think of a way to find talented Blacks unless they're part of the improv circuit?

I think the lack of representation of Blacks on SNL or any of the other shows you listed has a lot less to do with "improv classes" etc. and more to do with the idea that 1) either Blacks are not their targeted demographic or 2) the industry's old assumption that they don't HAVE to hire Blacks to win the support of Blacks. A long held belief in not just the entertainment industry...but nearly EVERY industry because for so many years it was somewhat valid. Most Black folks born in the 1960's and beyond however, find that idea repulsive. I for one don't watch 99% of the programs on TV because either African Americans are absent or negatively portrayed .

[Bariis]

They need a good Obama impersonator and cut that Armisen dude out of it.

[granamica]

Someone posted downline about opening it up to other minorities as well. Had to log in to reply so sorry for not crediting the poster.

I live near Canada so I can see their Tv. They had this show, may still, called Little Mosque on The Prairie. It is kind of silly in execution but the basis is great. It shows a lot of different types of muslims and their relating to Canadian ways. Some women are more strigent some aren't. Some are Arab, some aren't. Would that show even fly here? Our problem is that we allow for very simplistic views of those who are not white. And as a mix of white and Native and Mexican, it is rather disheartening.

We need to see the variety of people and the variety of how they live to really come to understand that we are really not that psychologically different.

[rmetz74]

It's interesting to see all the conspiracy theories popping up here.

I've been working in tv for 10 years. Every day there are tons of casting notices put out for "any ethnicity except caucasian." I've lost many big roles because it came down to me and a minority actor and they always prefer "diverse casting". Studios have had special casting programs for new minority actors for years. There are other factors.

First, there just aren't as many trained minority actors are there are white ones. I went to one of the schools that feeds this industry, and we had one non-white actor in our class of 22. (And it wasn't a result of rampant bigotry... I helped with admission auditions for years, and very few minority students applied.) Second, the studios do what has a history of making money. The reality is that there are only a handful of minority actors with a track record of turning the kind of profit that justifies leading a series - and many of those actors don't want to do tv. And third, many minority-led shows, are packaged to target minority audiences specifically. (I did a role on 'Eve', built around a minority character - but the show was on a network targeting minorities, by design.)

I'm not saying the studios don't have some responsibility... But studios follow the audience - always. If people want more minority-led programming, they should make a point of tuning in to what's already there.

[robXdion]

Minority actors probably can't afford go to a "school the feeds the industry". That doesn't mean they aren't out there trying for roles. And a big problem seems to be if they are involved in a role, it must be tailored to appeal to a "minority audience" instead of a human audience. And that minority audience appeal is developed from an outsider's perspective. A recipe for disaster. For example, studio heads weren't involved in developing the 'Cosby Show'. Studios do what has made money in the past based on a majority perspective (stereotypes) instead of milking humanity out of actors in unstereotypical roles. They're allowing the audience to lead them and their script instead of artistically leading the audience. Profit is their master, not product. The fact is they lack the vision to see minorities beyond what they think they know of them. And that's the oldest cliched story in Hollywood.

[Myshkin57]

"Minority actors probably can't afford go to a "school the feeds the industry"."

If that's correct, then something should be done about that. However, if what rmetz74 says is true then there is a legitimate reason why there are not more minority faces on TV. I'm not sure if that is the reason, but it could be. While there might be a problem with opportunities for school funding, it is not the industry proper that is to blame if the situation is as rmetz says.

[rmetz74]

There is a lot of misinformation in there.

It is a huge and insulting cliche to suggest minority actors can't afford the same school as whites. There were many, many minorities in other programs in the same school - carrying the same costs. My parents were both public school teachers, and you don't know what school I'm talking about. You're projecting inequities that are simply inaccurate.

The suggestion that studio executives were not involved in the development of The Cosby Show is just bizarre. It was developed in the same process and system as every other network show. It just had supportive studio executives. It may spoil your simplistic view of the industry to recognize that they exist, but they do. And I assure you, the people on The Cosby Show were just as interested in financial success as the people on Lost.

As for "milking humanity out of actors", please explain what that means. Actors learn very quickly that they're working in a business first. Those who want to only worry about the art will choose to leave it as a hobby, rather than a profession. And yes, studios allow the audience to lead their choices. They all do, on every project. Sometimes that means trying something they've never tried before, sometimes it means giving people more of the same. Of course profit is their master. It's capitalism. But jumping to that meaning they have a narrow view of minorities is as stereotypical as the behavior you accuse them

[jean22]

It's been 25 years, I've seen every episode of the Cosby show and STILL will sit down and watch a show I've seen 20 times before I'd watch some of the insults masquerading as comedy on tv today.

[Rhia]

Dennis Haysbert gave integrity and coolness as the president in 24.

[robXdion]

Yes he did. That character made the series what it is. It hasn't been the same since he resigned and/or got assassinated. You can only watch Kiefer Sutherland look down his gun sights so many times.

[JScott]

And he's doing those insurance commercials.

[TR12]

yup
no one has really filled his shoes as the succeeding president
I think its the smooth baritone

[johnnygoodwud]

lawrence fishburne, interesting fella. i was an extra in his 'hoodlums' movie, a 20's inspired gangster piece shot in chi-town yrs. ago

[SabrinaFair]

All of the networks are playing catch-up now in terms of diversity. CBS recently announced an initiative to diversify it's daytime drama casting. Hopefully, this will change the usual stereotypical casting and story lines found on these programs.

The entertainment industry has a long way to go indeed. The election of Barack Obama has forced this industry to finally take a good hard look at itself. They must now realize that our country is far more diverse than portrayed on television and in film.

[rmetz74]

Not exactly. They've been investing in those kinds of initiatives for years, and things have gotten a lot better. The studios know they're not full reflecting the diversity of the public. But the public hasn't yet demanded that they step it up.

I'm a woman, and I avoid shows and movies that don't offer good roles for women. I also won't shop at Wal Mart. People need to start looking at their entertainment consumption the same way proactive consumers look at their purchasing power.

Studios will always follow the money. We just have to put it where we want it.

[rockyb26]

well they could start by first just putting minorities on popular white shows. i mean look at friends, seinfeld, etc. all of the huge sitcoms lacked color and hardly anyone called them out on it. couldn't they have had black, hispanic, and asian associates at least? i mean it was new york city.

[Sandy248]

Perhaps studio heads in television and movie studios need to understand that it's ok to cast a black ACTOR in a role instead of a SINGER. It's amazing how they they think that just because a person makes a music video they are automatically a singer or they justify this silly casting practice by claiming they have to use singers to draw white audiences. I think that's bull.

[pthesmith]

I don't like this approach. Just write good scripts and cast AA's in lead roles. Don't design for AA's. Good grief!

... one step forward, two steps back... one step forward...

[Judyisacutie]

Sometimes the networks get it wrong. Nothing is more nauseating that watching an old stereotype in a pilot (like that Fox show Do Not Disturb that just got canceled). They should just do more shows like 24 or The Unit or Grey's Anatomy with realistic characters who happen to be minorities.

[Giada]

I have seen at times the production machine as striking forward in diversity, while taking two steps backward. My family is so culturally integrated, we openly chide in the fact we are missing Asian and Middle East as the only two cultures.

Election night I switched between 3 channels and was aware of the BBC, which was primarily old white boys, and two cable stations, one of which held a diverse panel.

Initiate, repeat ...becomes the new norm.

[mrmxyzptlk]

"...the BBC, which was primarily old white boys..."

Can we please all agree to stop referring to adult white males as "boys"? It's insulting. Unless, of course, it is now also acceptable to use the term "black boys" to refer to African-American men.

[Thinklongterm]

While we're on this topic...why hasn't a major white female lead been kissed by a Black male in a movie? or had sex on screen? Remember Will Smith kissing Charleze Theron? They never even showed them kiss. Halle Berry got bent over a couch by Billy Bob Thorton. Sure they put Angelina Jolie in a movie with Denzel but he couldn't get with her because he was paralyzed. How convient. Jessica Alba is not white so don't try to claim her as such. Hollywood is out of touch with the real world and thats why their TV shows suck. However I wonder how many top white actresses would take the risk of commiting career suicide if the kissed or had sex with a black man on screen?

[robXdion]

I didn't want to go there and get all of my posts deleted. But since you got thru, you must understand Hollywood only recognizes interracial relationships between black/asian/latina women and white men. It's psychologically disturbing to the white male establishment to portray it any other way. They have to be the default male fantasy of every ethnicity of women. Jane Alexander had her career ruined in "Great White Hope" with James Earl Jones. Ellen Barkin was destroyed with "Bad Company" with Lawrence Fishburne. Instead of portraying events as they usually happen, even Will Smith got in on the act with a switcharoo in "Lakeview Terrance", knowing full well graveyards and prisons are filled with black men who were harassed by white cops because their significant others were white. But that wouldn't sell too well. Even "Hancock" was disgustingly allegorical in a sad stereotypical way. But he's grinning because it seems to justify his personal choices and it pays.

[Thinklongterm]

You know I didn't realize Will Smith was a producer on LVT. Just looked it up. Wow. No wonder the movie tanked. When was the last time a white man was lynched for dating or looking at a black woman? Thats really weak.

[timetorevolt]

Another fact..If Obama had a white spouse, he would not have been elected senator let alone POTUS.

[chronic]

Wow, just a year ago many said a black man would NEVER be elected President of the United States.

[rockyb26]

agreed. he would have taken flack from both sides. whites because that's the age old stereotype of black men ("always after our wholesome, innocent white women") and black women because of the age old "black men get rich and powerful then go get a white woman"

[jazzman]

Bring on the Hispanics and Native Americans as well. It's time to open this up beyond black and white. You can add Asians and Arabs into that mix. We need to see all of America represented on our screens.

[robXdion]

Very true. But the sad thing is it comes down to profitability. And that depends on whether or not the white majority can watch another ethnicity and identify with their full humanity without relying on stereotypes. So far, they are very reticent to do so. Spike Lee's efforts at pointing this out only draws resentment and deeper entrenchment. Now they can't run away from it and dismiss such arguments as some sort of affirmative action racist equivalency.

[hiprogloho]

To this day there are caucasian ethnics who fall somewhere in the middle and aren't lilly white or All American who have always suffered a lesser TV presence than blacks. They are still only in lowbow stereotypical roles while others make great strides to secure positive, fair and equal representation. For media to be truly diverse or inclusive it has to be blind to more than color.

[robXdion]

Who would that be? Poles? Irish? Scandinavians? Welshmen? What's missing, their accents? Because the appearance is generic and that was never lacking.

[S1m0n]

Omar Sharif springs to mind.

[ShyShea]

I've noticed that shows featuring an interracial couple always tend to either end up on the chopping block or eventually they break the couple up. It's like they're scared of offending some idiot who has a problem seeing people of different ethnicities falling in love.

And why did they cancel Big Shots?! I thought Michael Varten and Nia Long had major chemistry.