Network TV Diversity Lacking In "Virtual Whiteout" Of Television

LOS ANGELES — Nearly a decade after the NAACP condemned a "virtual whiteout" in broadcast TV, the civil rights group said major networks have stalled in their efforts to further ethnic diversity on-screen and off.

Television shows of the future could be even less inclusive because of a failure to cultivate young minority stars and to bring minorities into decision-making positions, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said.

The effect on the country could be profound, Jealous said.

"This is America: So goes TV, so goes reality. We don't think it's any accident that before we had a black president in reality, we had a black president on TV," he said, referring to the chief executive portrayed by Dennis Haysbert on Fox's "24."

A "critical lack of programming by, for or about people of color" can be traced in part to the lack of minorities who have the power to approve new series or make final creative decisions, said Vicangelo Bulluck, executive director of NAACP's Hollywood bureau.

In a report due to be released Thursday, the NAACP calls on networks to revisit a 2000 agreement to diversify the ranks of actors, writers, directors and executives. It also seeks to establish a task force with network executives, the NAACP and other civil rights groups.

The report raises the possibility of political action if progress is lacking, including a boycott against an unspecified network and its major advertisers or class-action litigation against the networks and parent companies.

Particularly disturbing, Jealous said, is the course charted by the CW, born of the defunct UPN and WB networks that had featured a number of black-oriented series including "Moesha" and "The Steve Harvey Show."

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"Those two networks provided an opportunity for young talent of color in this town. ... They merged into a network which appears to have systematically cut programming targeted to communities of color," Jealous said.

CW's lineup includes white-oriented shows "Gossip Girl" and "90210," although it also airs the black sitcoms "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game."

A movie star such as Will Smith emerged because he could gain early exposure in the TV comedy "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Jealous said.

CW declined comment on the report, as did ABC, NBC and Fox. CBS received a request for comment late Wednesday and did not immediately respond.

On the heels of the 1999-2000 fall lineup of new shows that lacked any minority actors in lead roles _ then-NAACP head Kweisi Mfume called it a "virtual whiteout" _ the NAACP and Asian-American, Hispanic and Indian civil rights groups formed a coalition to lobby networks.

Broadcasters agreed to create minority recruitment and training programs and to chart minority hiring among actors, writers, directors and managers.

The coalition groups have charted their progress with annual reports, although the NAACP has not always participated, often finding sharp underrepresentation of minorities in front of and behind the camera.

The four major broadcast networks have made "important strides" in increasing diversity, the new NAACP report said, including filling lead roles with actors such as Haysbert, starring in CBS' "The Unit," and Laurence Fishburne, now on CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

However, using figures compiled by the networks and industry guilds, the NAACP found a less rosy picture overall.

The number of minority actors in prime-time shows has remained flat or even dipped in recent years, decreasing from 333 in the 2002-03 season to 307 in 2006-07, according to the report. The number of minority writers working during the 2006-07 season was 173, a drop from the 206 employed during the previous season, the report said.

Reality programming has dampened employment prospects for minority actors and writers, as it has for whites, but shows like "Survivor" and "American Idol" do offer a benefit: They are likely to be more diverse in casting than most scripted series, the NAACP noted, providing a truer national portrait.

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On the Net:

http://www.naacp.org

Comments

[ArloBigwater]

Banal shows about whites = banal shows about blacks, or hispanics, or anyone else.

If the rush to add black commentators to network discussion forums whether they have anything of real interest to add or not is any indicator, we'll be seeing a new wave of bad black drama far too soon.

[rogerse]

You know, the NAACP seems to be as irrelevant as Al Sharpton at this point.And just like those whining feminists who still insist women are under-represented and under-paid.

[harriettubman]

If anyone has seen what the new generation of producers is creating over the last decade then they know why diversity is a non-issue on TV. Soap storylines are in the trash. Reality shows are the thing now and who wants to see a camera following around some rich, rude family with no couth?

A creative mind knows how to produce, write and create for everybody but not the producers of late.

[jemiltd]

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a conduit through which legitimate, new producers and screenwriters had the opportunity to gain access to the small screen. As I writer, I would love to have an opportunity that wasn't contingent upon who I knew. Currently, the industry continues to use the same writers and producers over and over, expecting different results, and because reality shows are cheap, they will continue to cram them down our throats.

[talkall]

Don't worry be HAPPY...In a short time the networks will go the way of the big 3 automakers.

[cbates]

What gets my goat about diversity on TV is that we just came through a historic moment in America where an African American was elected Potus and I have not gotten a professional non bias reaction on the network nor cable stations from an African American. As a Black man I feel numb with this whole thing. It is sort of like watching a movie where all the music from the 60s and 70 s I grew up listening and dancing to is being played or used in a movie I have no clue as to why it was even filmed.

Cnn and the comedy channels have gone out and gotten two comedians to do what we have always been characterized as, funny and entertaining people. Even the little guy from PC hasn't had anyone to give a taste of reality.

[cbates]

My real non vulgar comments about this opportunity are being censored by the overseer. My concern is how things are being distorted and when we participate in this so called discussion or blog nothing will be accomplished other than the stealing of ideas and the diffusion of yours and my energy.

Where are the diverse, real and honest exchanges on the election of our new POTUS. We have had comments by folks from Jamaica, the right wing and paid writers and none from the community that is being represented by and or created the new POTUS. The media in all of its forms is a sham!!!!

[cbates]

What gets my goat about diversity on TV is that we just came through a historic moment in America where an African American was elected Potus and I have not gotten a professional non bias reaction on the network nor cable stations from an African American. I have seen Rev. Wright belittled and thrown under the bus, I have seen Rev. Jackson discarded, I have seen Rep Louis marginalized, I have seen Rep. Jackson Lee marginalized, I have seen Rep Stubb die in this process, and Rep Meek lose all credability. As a Black man I feel numb with this whole thing. It is sort of like watching a movie where all the music from the 60s and 70 s I grew up listening and dancing to is being played or used in a movie I have no clue as to why it was even filmed.

Cnn and the comedy channels have gone out and gotten two comedians David Allan Greer and D.L. Hughly yo do what we have always been characterized as, funny and entertaining people. Even the little guy B. Maher hasn't had Mos Def back since he gave Bill a taste of reality.

[cbates]

What gets my goat about diversity on TV is that we just came through a historic moment in America where an African American was elected Potus and I have not gotten a professional non bias reaction on the network nor cable stations from an African American. I have seen Rev. Wright belittled and thrown under the bus, I have seen Rev. Jackson discarded, I have seen Rep Louis marginalized, I have seen Rep. Jackson Lee marginalized, I have seen Rep Stubb die in this process, and Rep Meek lose all credability. As a Black man I feel raped and numb with this whole thing. It is sort of like watching a movie where all the music from the 60s and 70 s I grew up listening and dancing to is being played or used in a movie I have no clue as to why it was even filmed.

Cnn and the comedy channels have gone out and gotten two comedians David Allan Greer and D.L. Hughly yo do what we have always been characterized as, funny and entertaining people. Even the little guy B. Maher hasn't had Mos Def back since he gave Bill a taste of reality.

[jemiltd]

As a writer who has attempted to break through the glass ceiling, heck, just walk through the door of this industry, I can tell you that this industry just has no interest in discussing new ideas or material, because they will only consider work done by those who have already made it behind the secret doors. I have been told repeatedly that I have to know someone to get inside, even though I have managed to make it past the gatekeeper on occasion. The executives have lived off of the whole concept of using non-reality reality shows (most of which are hours of footage reshaped into a show by writers and editors and someone is usually chosen to play the villiain -- thus the Omarosas of reality television are concocted) It is a lazy and cheap way to fill an hour with voyeuristic hype, giving the 15 minutes to those who become the Elizabeth Hasselbecks of TV. It will be interesting to see if the NAACP does anything more than complain about it.

[harriettubman]

The producers have run out of ideas anyway. They're searching for any white person they can find to do another reality show. They can't think of anything to write about that would feature blacks, Asians or Hispanics. Just take a look at the lousy writing for Soap Operas these days--everybody's blond, skinny and looks alike.

[Knowledgeseeker]

NAACP is right on point with this one....TV need to be more diverse, It is not reflecting what America really is. however minorities continue to be a major buying power in country. we have every right to demand more diversity on television.

[countfloyd]

The NAACP should have been picketing the award shows over the lack of recognition for "The Wire" for several years now. It has been one of the best shows ever done and featured a large number of black actors, several of which who could have been up for awards. So who gets nominated for best ensemble cast this year by the Screen Actors Guild; "House" and the "The Closer" both of which are dominated by one actor.

[Itsmyland2]

House and the Closer have very diverse casts even if there is a more central character who is white.

[harriettubman]

The NAACP is under new leadership with better judgement. The past 10 yrs they were addressing ridiculous issues.

[Suzique]

This group is well past it's use by date. When my daughter was younger the most racist show on TV was "Prince of Bel Aire" or some such title. I am impressed with the actor Will Smith today, but back then, if you substituted black for every white comment the show would have been off the air in a heartbeat. Ever think the reality tv dreck has something to do with it? There are few "real" shows on anymore.

[TheNuff]

What? I don't think there was even talk about white people on that show. Just like there is no talk about blacks on "Friends"

[1murillo]

Arguing that because we have shows with all black casts then it's OK to have shows with all non-black casts is short-sighted. There is space for various type casts, but our present networks don't understand the wealth waiting to be developed. If this were the NCAA or NFL, millions of dollars would be spent to recruit world wide.

Very often African-American characters are substituted into non-threatening upperclass situations (Prince of Bel Air is a perfect example).

A race-based 'Friends' or 'Seinfeld' v. 'Prince of Bel Air' comparison can either conclude that the non-black casts of the former are similar to the all-black cast of the latter. Or, looking one level deeper, we see that opportunities - for actors, directors, wealth, careers - afforded by the former two, vastly outnumber the latter.

Is there a need for diversity? Yes. But 'diversity' is neither a quality reason nor goal for any endeavor. The diverse views must be brought together to create a product worthy of presentation and continued improvement.

[harriettubman]

I must've missed those shows. I didn't see any of that.

[DCCommuter]

If one network produces a MEGA-HIT show with a black cast, then the other networks will do copy cat shows. The only thing the networks care about is making money! I am reading a book now called P.G. COUNTY. It is basically an African America soap opera. I bet that it would be a hit show, like Desparate Housewives is.

[SamiSam]

I will say what I've been screaming for years. Television should look like the US. There should be some mandate that the percentages of minorities on shows should mirrior that (or come close to) the actual numbers in society based on where the shows take place. It makes zero sense for shows based in NYC or LA to not see more blacks, Asians, or Latinos. We (people of color) or becoming the majority. It's no coincidence that viewership has decreased over the years. People are tired of looking at people who don't represent them.

That's why I liked "Greys Anatomy" when it first came on. It's so diverse, it was a pleasure to see. All shows or at least half of the shows should be more like that.

[harriettubman]

First you have to have producers who can write for "everybody". Why must a show be all white in the first place? I could never get into Friends. I tried watching it but it was just so boring for me. Same with 90210. People need choices.

For years the lousy Nielsen ratings said black folks didn't watch TV and disregarded shows that were successful in the black & Latino communities. Now House of Payne by Tyler Perry, on cable, has taken off and skyrocketed to #1 in minority communities.