Originally posted by FMFIs it "one of those things" that you forgot to add the Cosby Show or All in the Family/Jeffersons?
How is it that Cheers, Frasier, Friends and Seinfeld - four of the hugest TV sitcoms that American TV has ever produced - managed to churn out 40 or 50 full length series between them, at 24-26 episodes each, without - for all intents and purposes - having any significant black characters in any of them? Is it 'just one of those things' or was it a deliberate calculation?
- Joined
- 07 Jan 08
- Moves
- 34575
Originally posted by FMFIn favor of The Cosby Show? Mebbe...if I was black I would have chosen to be on Cosby.
You are suggesting that top US sitcoms Cheers, Frasier, Friends and Seinfeld might have managed to collectively churn out 40 or more full length series without having any significant black characters because "...a black actor chose to go to another tv show"?
Originally posted by FMFI only watched less than two episodes of the last three, but I don't recall seeing many characters who were Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Romany/Gypsy, GLBT, wearing glasses, deaf, blind, Little People, in a wheelchair, on crutches -- lots of groups aren't covered that you see in everyday life. Personally, I can't think of a self-respecting African-American character who would hang out with the cast of Seinfeld.
How is it that Cheers, Frasier, Friends and Seinfeld - four of the hugest TV sitcoms that American TV has ever produced - managed to churn out 40 or 50 full length series between them, at 24-26 episodes each, without - for all intents and purposes - having any significant black characters in any of them? Is it 'just one of those things' or was it a deliberate calculation?
Originally posted by pawnhandlerI wasn't asking for endorsements of the shows. I was asking whether the shows' lack of inclusiveness - "lots of groups aren't covered that you see in everyday life", as you pointed out - was just one of those things or if it was - in each case - a deliberate commercial calculation.
I only watched less than two episodes of the last three, but I don't recall seeing many characters who were Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Romany/Gypsy, GLBT, wearing glasses, deaf, blind, Little People, in a wheelchair, on crutches -- lots of groups aren't covered that you see in everyday life. Personally, I can't think of a self-respecting African-American character who would hang out with the cast of Seinfeld.
Originally posted by FMFFirst of all, sitcoms only become "huge" because of their ratings. The casts are chosen before anyone knows whether the show will even last a season, let along become huge.
How is it that Cheers, Frasier, Friends and Seinfeld - four of the hugest TV sitcoms that American TV has ever produced - managed to churn out 40 or 50 full length series between them, at 24-26 episodes each, without - for all intents and purposes - having any significant black characters in any of them? Is it 'just one of those things' or was it a deliberate calculation?
There are plenty of all white sitcoms, plenty of all black sitcoms and plenty of mixed ones. Yes, other than the Cosby Show, most of the major hits have been white dominated, but that's because of the ratings.
You want to argue that people like watching whites more than blacks? I don't know. Maybe, but that has nothing to do with any "deliberate calculation" on the part of the networks or casting agencies. The ratings are beyond their control. You don't think the producers of the Bernie Mac Show would have liked to have seen their shown turn into a huge sitcom?
So, to answer your question, it's just one of those things.
- Joined
- 07 Jan 08
- Moves
- 34575
Originally posted by FMFThat is am interesting question. I tend to be quite cynical about this sort of thing. Money and power dictate things like television shows, and the money and power represents what is behind the use of that money and power. I'm surprised that it took so long for networks like Fox news to come about.
So, then. Black people in 'Black sitcoms' and white people in 'White sitcoms', and a baffling lack of stuff in between. Is it 'just one of those things' or are these deliberate calculations?
But is it a deliberate calculation to not have the 'in between'? I guess I'm a poor judge on that, I watch so little television these days and haven't had much interest in it in the last 20 years or so. I might watch a couple of hours a week - I think the vast majority of the garbage on television is drivel and it doesn't matter to me what the color of the actors are; garbage smells all the same to me.
1 edit
Originally posted by BadwaterAmen, brother! Garbage in garbage out. TV is a wasteland of drivel. Reading is much better.
That is am interesting question. I tend to be quite cynical about this sort of thing. Money and power dictate things like television shows, and the money and power represents what is behind the use of that money and power. I'm surprised that it took so long for networks like Fox news to come about.
But is it a deliberate calculation to not have the 'in b doesn't matter to me what the color of the actors are; garbage smells all the same to me.
..when i am at home depot ( in the paint department ) i find that when i pass by the 5 gallon drums of black paint i don't seem to want to laugh but when i get to the gallons of white primer paint i just can't stop screaming...why do you think this is so ?...what is it about primer that just makes you want to sing and dance and kick up your heels ?...
Originally posted by reinfeldMaybe you're high on it.
..when i am at home depot ( in the paint department ) i find that when i pass by the 5 gallon drums of black paint i don't seem to want to laugh but when i get to the gallons of white primer paint i just can't stop screaming...why do you think this is so ?...what is it about primer that just makes you want to sing and dance and kick up your heels ?...