Have Networks Diversified?

As a result of the agreement reached 16 months ago to increase diversity on the major television networks, the new fall shows on NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox will feature a slightly more multicultural look. Of the 22 new shows premiering on the four major networks, two have minority leads--one is a comedy about a minority family, the other a dramatic thriller with an ensemble cast. Most of the new dramas and comedies have at least one minority character.

Despite the increased minority representation, the multiethnic coalition that pressed the diversity initiatives is dissatisfied, saying the four networks did not go far enough.

“We’ve all seen the figures in terms of what’s happening in front of the camera. The progress is incremental,” said Alex Nogales, head of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “It wasn’t just about actors, it was about writers. Writers are very important. Without writers, you retain these stereotypical characters. We thank the studios for their candor in terms of giving us information, but that’s not what we signed.”

The initiatives were sparked in 1999 when the networks unveiled a slate of new prime-time shows, none of which had a minority in a leading role. Later this week, the coalition is expected to release report cards for each network critical of the fall schedules. And off the studio lots, some minority writers and producers are also grumbling that while a few nonwhite actors are featured in the fall shows, the overwhelming majority of lead actors in new dramas and comedies remains white.

One producer who was formerly in charge of television projects for a major studio expressed disillusionment with the results: “There has been no wholesale change, not the kind of progress that should have come about considering all the discussion about diversity that took place. If it hasn’t happened by now, it isn’t going to happen.”

Fox’s head of diversity, Mitsy Wilson, understands that discontent, but she is more optimistic. “Have we made progress? Absolutely,” she said. “Do we still have a lot of work to do? Absolutely . . . , we’re not where we need to be.”

Executives at CBS, NBC and Fox overseeing implementation of the diversity initiatives describe strategies that range from rewriting legal standards in order to break down barriers at Fox, to the establishment of showcases for ethnic talent at NBC. All have initiated recruitment programs for African Americans, Latinos, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and other minorities.

The picture at ABC was more shaky. John Rose, the head of diversity at the Disney-owned network, said he was not involved in the development or casting of any new shows. As of Friday, he still had not seen all the new fall series, which were shown to advertisers and the media in New York last week. And he was uncertain how many minorities had been cast in the network’s new shows.

The just-announced new prime-time series are significant as the first to emerge from a full programming development cycle since the networks hammered out individual agreements with the minority coalition. Though pointing to progress, the diversity chiefs--all brought on as one component of the agreements--said they are in the earliest stages of trying to effect changes in the network and studio culture.

Paula Madison, vice president of diversity at NBC, said: “There are conversations going on, and it is very important. There is certainly a commitment on our part to improve.”

Network prime time is one of the last bastions of popular culture not reflective of society’s increasing multiculturalism. Though commercials, daytime soap operas, talk shows and children’s networks such as Nickelodeon have prominently featured actors of many races, programming on the four major networks has been noticeably less inclusive. Dramas, such as “Law & Order” and “ER,” set in workplaces often feature integrated casts, but comedies tend to revolve around casts of white characters or black characters who have little meaningful contact with those who differ from them culturally.

The new schedules of shows do indicate some gradual shifting. Though there is increased visibility for African Americans, other minorities--particularly Native Americans--have not fared as well in the push to recast the look of prime time. Josie Thomas, head of diversity for CBS, said she was aware of complaints about the lack of groups other than blacks.

“I can appreciate those concerns, and there are some areas we need to work harder at,” said Thomas. “I recognize that the other communities are not reflected as well, and there will be opportunities to address that when we go through the tweaking of the casts in the next several months.”

Indeed, the months between the May schedule announcements--which are designed to persuade advertisers to buy time on new series--and the new season’s launch are typically used to make changes in casting and writing staffs.

“What happened in this case, I believe, is that African Americans were in the pipeline earlier than other minorities,” said Madison. “[They] led the charge, and they are now reaping most of the benefits. As time goes by and we have more outreach, viewers will be able to see more ethnic groups that are reflective of society.”

The upcoming season afforded the first opportunity since the initiatives were signed for the diversity chiefs to be fully involved in the pilot process, in which the networks evaluate massive numbers of pitches and scripts, ultimately choosing which ones get developed, and then which are picked for prime time.

Madison, Wilson and Thomas each had a group of advisors who kept them in the loop in several areas, particularly casting. They participated in auditions and casting sessions, read scripts and screened pilots. Madison said she took NBC leaders and producers into meetings about diversity and discussed with them the impact of casting: “I wanted to show how roles with no specific ethnicity attached could be played by anyone.”

All six of NBC’s new shows have people of color in their casts, Madison noted, reversing a tradition that has seen many of the network’s urban comedies, such as “Friends,” “Frasier” and “Will & Grace,” cast only with white performers. Two of NBC’s new dramas--”Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “UC: Undercover”--have African American producers on staff as well.

Those NBC series include “Emeril,” starring the outrageous Food Network chef, in which his stage manager is black; “Scrubs,” a hospital comedy that features a black first-year medical student; and “Crossing Jordan,” a drama starring Jill Hennessy as a medical examiner who works alongside a black doctor. The network also had several projects that were developed but did not make the schedule, such as dramatic vehicles for Vanessa L. Williams, Jimmy Smits and comic Debi Gutierrez.

Madison said she is especially focused on the inclusion of more Native Americans on shows. An NBC performance space designed to expose new talent to network executives and TV series producers last week featured several minority entertainers. Internships and other outreach programs are under consideration.

At Fox, Wilson has assembled her own team of diversity executives into subgroups, including one who recruits and another who develops talent of color.

The network ran into problems after more than 300 multiethnic writers were encouraged to send in scripts. Wilson discovered that nearly 100 of the scripts had to be disqualified because the writers did not have representation with a talent agent, which Fox requires.

Wilson made sure Fox modified its requirements.

“The Fox legal department created a release form that enabled [unsigned talent] to submit to us,” said Wenda Fong, Wilson’s executive director of diversity development. “From that, many of our creative executives were reading scripts from people they never would have been able to. . . . These are gems in the rough.”

Wilson or a member of her team sat in on each of the weekly development meetings at the network, as well as meetings with agents who were trying to secure work for their clients.

“[Fox Entertainment President] Gail Berman sent out a letter to all the production companies that we wanted to increase diversity,” Wilson said. “[Fox Entertainment Group Chairman] Sandy Grushow followed up with a letter just for casting directors.

“There has been a heightened awareness, and now it’s coming from the creative directors, which means it’s truly becoming organic. But, that said, this process is still going to take a while. I think this new lineup reflects that.”

Fox’s new shows include “The Bernie Mac Show,” the only new comedy on any of the four networks with a predominantly black cast. A thriller, “24,” features Dennis Haysbert as a presidential candidate marked for assassination. “The Tick,” about a not-too-bright costumed superhero, includes a Latino crime-fighter.

Thomas, CBS vice president of diversity, pointed to several new shows with diverse casting, including “The Education of Max Bickford,” co-starring Regina Taylor; “Wolf Lake,” starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Graham Greene; and “The Agency,” co-starring Rocky Carroll.

While diversity chiefs at CBS, NBC and Fox say they were involved in most stages of the development process, Rose, ABC’s vice president of human resources, characterized his role as more of a trouble-shooter and contact for the multicultural activists.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with a number of casting directors, but I’m not part of the entertainment department, so it’s not my job to sit in on casting meetings and script meetings,” Rose said. “My background is in the business side, not the creative side.”

None of ABC’s new shows features a minority in a starring or prominent role. The network has renewed “My Wife and Kids,” a situation comedy that joined the schedule midseason and stars Damon Wayans.

“I’ve met separately and as a group with the diversity coalition. I’ve journeyed to their home cities,” he said. “Some people think a diversity executive should have responsibility for what actually gets on the air. I see my job as a coach . . . taking people who have roles to play, making sure they’re in the right places and know what to do so they can contribute to the team effort.”

Meanwhile at CBS, Fox and NBC, the diversity chiefs were returning to the tables to push for more changes before the new shows begin premiering in September.