It’s 2009 and we’ve come a long way, baby, but according to the NYT, the roles on major network TV have dipped dramatically for African-Americans. Thankfully, that’s not the case for cable.
The fade to black phenomenon, however, didn’t derail the recurring screen dreams of actress Jada Pinkett Smith who’ll executive produce and star in TNT’s “Hawthorne. “ The multi-talented dynamo and wife of Will assumes the role of Christiana Hawthorne, Richmond Trinity Hospital’s “don’t take no medical mess” Nursing Director. Based on the buzz, you’ll definitely want to tune in for the June premiere, molded in the dramatic vein of Gray’s Anatomy and ER.
And Smith isn’t alone as Vivica Fox and Kelly Rowland have also joined the primetime pack. Following the VH1 Fashion Show flop, actress Vivica Fox returns to the reality block, hosting TV Land Prime’s “The Cougar.” Fortysomething Fox, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s former eye candy, cannot cop an innocent plea when it comes to looking for love in immature faces. Starting this month, Fox strikes the older woman/younger man dating match each Wednesday at 9pm CST.
A boob- enhanced Kelly Rowland will be side dish-served to designer Isaac Mizrahi on Bravo’s latest reality entrée, “The Fashion Show.” The pairing signals a rebound for Destiny Child’s Rowland whose Matthew Knowles management camp departure gained steam before reports of being released by Columbia Records surfaced recently. Who knows what’s next musically for Kelly, however, parlaying her celebrity into another performance platform could keep the singer’s fame train on track. The reality series makes its fashionable splash on May 9th at 9pm CST.
Although CNN broke with D.L. Hughley, Fox has snagged funny woman Wanda Sykes to host a late night talk show a la Real Time with Bill Maher beginning either this fall or January 2010. Let’s hope Fox executives don’t pull the 9-episode plug like they did with Wanda At Large.
The NYT article detailing the decline in starring roles for African-Americans on network TV appears here:
At one time, we runneth over at the networks and all their affiliates. You're right, now you have to get out a microscope to find them, almost.
ReplyDeleteIt is more of them than us so never think you can see an equal balance in the stats.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Unlike network TV, cable's doors swing wide in the reality genre so black faces, regardless of gender, are everywhere. Although there are a few exceptions, I think the larger issue for network TV boils down to lack of appeal for mainstream audiences which automatically translates into few roles for people of color. I had hoped BET's presence would flip the script but programming on the formerly black-owned cable channel continues to perpetuate racial stereotypes
ReplyDeletehow much future is there for network tv?
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting question. I think network TV will continue to snag mainstream audiences due to its programming appeal. However, with the advent of more diverse programming and a larger roster of dramatic series on cable, the loyalty channels will likely turn since viewers are known to be fickle. TV was once America's favorite pasttime but an array of electronic entertainment has increased the competitive field.
ReplyDelete