Movies | March 18, 2009 | 19 comments

Where Are The Black Leads On Network TV?

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/arts/television/18minor.html?_r=1&ref=arts

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St_Alia_10191
"“I don’t know what to say to these networks that don’t put on shows with black leads,” said Larry Wilmore, who has a recurring role as the “senior black correspondent” on Comedy Central’s “Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and who was an executive producer on “The Bernie Mac Show,” which ran for five seasons on Fox.

Minority talents “are faring better in dramas as part of ensembles than as leads,” Mr. Wilmore said.

“I don’t think there is anything sinister going on,” he continued. “It is just an unfortunate coincidence and situation.”

In a report issued last December, the N.A.A.C.P. said that the number of minority actors in regular or recurring roles on three of the four major networks had decreased markedly in the 2006-7 television season from their peaks several seasons earlier. Only ABC showed an increase in the number of minority roles during that time, according to the report, which lamented the “gross underrepresentation of minorities” in scripted entertainment.

The networks say they are addressing the issue both in front of and behind the cameras. Paula Madison, an executive vice president at NBC Universal who oversees its diversity efforts, said Hollywood tended to draw a fair number of aspiring writers and directors from film schools and graduate programs that are themselves not greatly diverse. NBC Universal has worked to counteract that by providing extra money for shows that add minority members to the writing and production staff.

“We are at the point where more and more people of color are working at higher levels,” Ms. Madison said. “That is making us more effective at having diversity in the room at the beginning, and in seeing diverse projects coming in the door.”"
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19 comments // Where Are The Black Leads On Network TV?

  • mutedmajority
  • Nettle
  • Nettle
  • morirjedi
    • 0
      morirjedi  

    • guess being on the back of the bus is better than walking. things won't change until the "old guard," is gone and we get some fresh ideas. it worked for cosby and chappell.

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  

    • I simply don't watch enough "scripted" television to notice this. I watch the news a lot (and Don Lemon is my favorite on CNN!) cartoons [adult swim] and shitty reality TV (my guilty pleasure).

    • 2 years ago
  • St_Alia_10191
    • 0
      St_Alia_10191  
    • Image
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      Oh shitty reality tv. It sucks me in every time. Tool Academy was the most recent one that got me hooked. To get back to the article, I posted another article a couple weeks ago which talked about how reality television is the most ethnically diverse genre on tv today.

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • Nettle
  • malathion
    • 0
      malathion  

    • i never watched "Martin" back in the day - i thought it was "stereotyped" - but now since BET has re-runs during mid-afternoon i watch it nearly everyday . i really can't explain why .

    • 2 years ago
  • padraicshaun
  • realitychick
    • 0
      realitychick  

    • Yes, quality not quantity. Affirmative action should now be removed since we have a black/mulatto president--he speaks to all, doesn't he?

    • 2 years ago
  • vlpmonty
    • 0
      vlpmonty  

    • It's about quality, not quantity. No more "House of Payne." I would like to see a different facet of African American culture, one that everybody can relate to no matter their skin color.

      Honestly, we aren't that much different from one another. What truly separates us is our culture experience and that's what Hollywood should focus on.

    • 2 years ago
  • stacey2303
    • 0
      stacey2303  
    • vlpmonty:

      There will never be a show that everybody can relate especially a black show..Our cultural experiences is what makes us different from one another..thats why theres different shows on TV now..

    • 2 years ago
  • vlpmonty
  • awc1
  • evoleon
  • evoleon
    • 0
      evoleon  

    • USA, black population about 13%. Why don't people work to be the best and not thrown to the top because of their skin color. Society tells people to complain until you get what you want. I deserve a job, even if I am under qualified? That's a nice way of thinking about things, who needs to work hard when I can just pressure people into getting my way.

    • 2 years ago
  • SANMedia
    • 0
      SANMedia  
    • evoleon:

      Agree, but I don't think black people see it that way...

      If white people are generally racists, NBA teams wouldn't look like the way they do and we wouldn't have a mixed race president. But I guess it's a bit easier to pull a racism card when things don't work out for them.

    • 2 years ago
  • vlpmonty
    • 0
      vlpmonty  
    • evoleon:

      SANMedia, you comment as if NAACP speaks for the whole African American community. Most of the race card comments come from an older generation who responds to today's situation from their point of view. They say what they say because of their life experience and that's how their comments should be viewed, and not as how every African American feels and thinks. For me, a lot of what is being said by the media, black or white, I do not agree with. But, until my generation finds its voice in today’s media, all of us will have to deal with our parent’s perspectives.

    • 2 years ago
  • Sexirobot
  • awc1
    • 0
      awc1  

    • I agree. I believe some of us simply may not have enough courage to step up. I once pursued an entertainment career but was simply "suckered" by a "talent scout". I haven't given up on this quest. Just don't trust the companies doing the hiring or scouting.

    • 2 years ago
  • JohnA
    • 0
      JohnA  

    • Even with a black President, black still cling to affirmative action practices. The entertainment industry should hire more blacks whether they are talented or not.

    • 2 years ago
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