a little diversity never killed anyone.....

[writeangel1]

My brother Virgil and I were talking a few days ago after watching Raising the Bar. We were discussing the likelihood of Richard/Roz and Michelle/Balco hooking up. Virgil made the off comment that the 'black guy' (J. August Richards) would never get a love interest that was a part of the main cast. I told him that Richards character, Marcus, had

Comments

[eviinsanemonkey]

I agree, it's definitely sad. Though, there are more shows on now than just the ones you've listed. Criminal Minds has Morgan, Cold Case has Jeffries, CSI had Warrick and now has Ray (well, Morpheus), Numb3rs has David, Heroes has a bunch of minorities...and I'm sure there're others I just can't think of.

But, yeah, its a sad list either way. (though, YAY SOUTHLAND)

[writeangel1]

yeah, there are a number of minority cast members on Crime shows - :D

You would say that Heroes has a lot of minorities? I know that Adrian Pasdar is of middle eastern descent but who else? Mohinder is being written out of the next season and that just leaves the Bennents, the Petrelli's, and the loads of new white-american cast additions.

Southland is awesome - and according to producers Russ isn't dead!!! w00t!

[eviinsanemonkey]

Yeah, that's probably why I miss the big lack of minority cast members elsewhere, since Crime Shows are mostly what I watch...

Well, they did at first, like really early on...but I'm behind now, so there's probably stuff I missed. I didn't know about Mohinder :( that is sad.

I would cry if Russ died...

[rangerinblack]

I honestly dont even think it matters what color a person is. It all has to with the way you represent yourself socially. I still cant understand why people have to make a big deal out of this issue; it shouldnt even be an issue, I think when people stop seeing things in the form of race the world will be a better place. As the UN just declared, we are all one race humans.

Also The CW and TBS have a bunch of all black shows.

[writeangel1]

I agree with you to an extent. Color shouldn't be an issue when casting but it clearly is - one out of every three Americans is a minority and yet there is only one show on network television that is led by a actor who is not white. I also agree about it being about social representation and minorities, especially African-Americans, are rarely shown in more than one light. (if that makes any sense)

The CW canceled both of their remaining African-american led programing this year - and Girlfriends a year before that. But I did completely forget about House Of Payne on TBS, my brother loves that show!

[such_jaunt]

I agree with this comment.

To be honest I don't really even think about it. To me its important who the character is not what colour they are. It is true that colour can influence this but only if they make that a specific trait to a characters background, then it's a question of whether you relate to that or not.

Say the character is a student at college - race doesn't come into it.
But if the character was say a geisha - it would be more important.

So I can see that it can matter but most of the time I don't think it should.

[bodea]

What you're saying is good in theory, but it doesn't change the fact that there is a lack of diversity where tv is concerned. I too worry more about a person's charcater rather than the color of their skin. At the same time, when I turn on the tv or go see a iand 98% of the cast is white, it makes me wonder There are clearly a ton of talented people in the human race that fall into the non white category. So, I should be seeing them on my screen.

[writeangel1]

*added* Do you recommend Leverage? I've been meaning to watch that show since FOREVER.

NCIS - I was going to add it to the list but decided to leave the crime procedurals off as they all have the secondary black detective/cop/coroner. But you are right Vance is an awesome character and I like the arc they've given him (cant wait to see him on NCIS: LA....are they really calling it that? lol)

Oooh, Greys Anatomy suddenly wrote off a lgbt character last season didn't they? tsk,tsk,tsk. Thanks for pointing that out - I dont watch it on a regular basis (only for Christina) so I am kinda out of the loop. I'll make a note of it

[writeangel1]

Shonda treated TR Knight sooo wrong. I'm glad he has moved on and I hope he does well on his next project.

The LGBT Community has the same problem as racial minorities - all too many times they are used as tokens or shown as stereotypes instead of people who happen to be homosexual. And don't get me started on shows(like heroes this upcoming season) who use OMG!LESBIANKISS!!! to get ratings...it's just disgusting. I consider Brothers and Sisters portrayal of Kevin and Scotty's relationship to be one of the best on tv.

[writeangel1]

THIS. You said it better than I did. There are plenty of shows with minority characters but rarely do they have interesting storylines. Oh, and dont get me started on the lack of decent female characters on tv. *shakes head*

The lack of diversity doesn't prevent me from enjoying a good show as long as I can identify with the characters its all good, but I am bothered by it, especially when I see my little children church girls wondering why there aren't any brown skinned girls in such and such movie/show/cartoon.

[bodea]

Bones is awesome. When I'm watching that show I feel the melting pot love! Seriously, they represent just about every race, religion, gender, etc. I've noticed that since I've started watching crime/science related dramas, I don't get the "there's no diversity itch" like I use to.

[areyousaved]

I would add Pushing Daisies to the list! Emerson Cod is by far a main character!

But yeah American television is sad with it's lack of diversity. You're right about British television though, there is plenty of minorities as main characters.

[writeangel1]

I was going to but it was canceled last year! :( I loved me some Emerson Cod - Chi McBride is awesome. He's starring in the show Human Target next year - w00t!

[areyousaved]

Ooh what's Human Target about?

And I so didn't realize these were for ongoing shows cuz I would have been like uhhhh Fresh Prince, Cosby etc. lol