Blacks on TV: II
It is good to see that there are more shows featuring African-American characters; however, 12 of 74 prime-time programs is hardly adequate. There need to be a lot more.
As for the quality of these shows, your article didn’t reveal the fact that most are created by and produced by whites. The title of creator is given to the person who writes the pilot; if that person is black it doesn’t mean that he or she was the initial creator of the plot line and characterizations. The shows are so bad because they are attempts by white producers to create their versions of what a black show should be.
Not until blacks find the money and the will to be the total impetus and creators of new black shows will there be anything that is truly authentic. Simply because there are blacks on the writing and producing staffs doesn’t mean that they have much control.
Incidentally, “I’ll Fly Away” has exactly one principal black character: Lillie, the maid.
ALI WADUD
Los Angeles
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