The Quest for Color on Network TV

More than two years after the four major networks promised to increase minority representation in their prime-time lineups, the recently unveiled fall TV schedule is sparking fresh debate about whether the networks have made significant progress.

Executives at ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox last week pointed out how most of the new dramas and comedies coming this fall feature at least one minority character, and several new ensemble dramas feature minorities--primarily African Americans--in key roles.

ABC, which came in for the harshest criticism last season from advocates pushing for more diversity, also renewed “The George Lopez Show,” a comedy about a Latino family that premiered in the spring to modest ratings. Several pilots with predominantly minority casts were developed.

In addition, executives are giving high marks to a series of minority showcases sponsored by the networks this year that were designed to increase their exposure to what they said was a relatively small talent pool of performers. More showcases for blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other minorities are being planned.

Opportunities for actors of color do exist beyond the major networks. The WB and UPN have scheduled several new series featuring minorities, with the WB ordering “Greetings From Tucson,” a sitcom about a Latino family, while UPN has scheduled “Half and Half,” about two black half-sisters living in the same apartment building. An updated version of UPN’s “The Twilight Zone” will be hosted by black actor Forest Whitaker. Several cable series also feature predominantly minority casts, including Showtime’s “Soul Food” and “Resurrection Blvd.”

Yet while the WB and UPN, as well as cable, have developed minority-themed series, a coalition promoting more minority representation on television has focused on the four major networks, which, after a season in which they offered no minority leads in their new programs, signed agreements with the coalition in 1999 pledging to increase minorities in front of and behind the camera.

From that perspective, only two of the 26 new fall series on the four major networks feature a minority in a leading role, and both of those will air back-to-back Wednesdays on Fox (“Cedric the Entertainer Presents” and “Fastlane”). None of the families at the center of nine freshman comedies and dramas are minorities. The only minority-themed family drama on the horizon revolves around a Latino clan that sells narcotics, which is planned for midseason on NBC.

Although showcase participants auditioned for pilots, none of the some 300 actors and actresses who took part in the showcases landed regular roles on any of the new fall shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

The announcement of the fall schedule followed a report by Children Now, a nonprofit child research and action organization, which concluded that the networks have made minimal progress in furthering prime-time diversity. The study said that last season’s sitcoms were the least diverse of the last three years.

“We’re very disappointed,” said Karen Narasaki, leader of the coalition, which includes the NAACP, the National Latino Media Council, American Indians in Film & Television and the Asian Pacific Media Coalition, referring to the new fall lineups on the four major networks. “We were looking for growth, and there isn’t any. We have concerns to the extent that there are no central or lead minority characters on the new shows. Yes, there are blacks and Latinos on some of the shows, but the numbers on Asians and Native Americans are dismal.”

Narasaki, executive director of the National Asian Pacific Legal Consortium, pointed to CBS’ “Presidio Med,” a new drama about a San Francisco-based hospital: “There are no Asians on a series that is based in a city that is one of the main population points for Asians.” (The drama does have two minorities in the main cast--Anna Deavere Smith and Oded Fehr.)

As for the effectiveness of the showcases, Narasaki said she was unhappy that no one had been cast from those forums. “The showcases increased the exposure for a lot of people, but somewhere between the pilots and the shows that got picked up, something happened,” she said. “The showcases are not reflected in the shows.”

NAACP President Kweisi Mfume added that while there has been an increase in on-air roles for minorities, little or no progress has been made behind the camera. “There’s been no real progress for putting more minorities on writing staffs, or in the directing ranks,” he said. “And there’s no movement on the corporate boards.... While there has been some progress, it’s really about who can make the decisions that a series can go on the air.”

Despite Narasaki’s concerns over the new schedule, others in the coalition praised the networks’ efforts, particularly the showcases.

Jerry Velasco of the Hispanic Media Coalition, which is keeping the statistics on Latino actors, said, “These showcases are the most effective way for actors of color to get noticed.”

Narasaki said the coalition would release its annual report card grading the networks on their diversity efforts next month. The NAACP is also scheduled to issue its own study this summer.

Network officials said they feel confident that the initiatives are being honored and that the showcases would eventually foster more diversity. They said that casting of regular, recurring and guest roles will take place throughout the summer, which could very well result in more progress.

“We will be filling out casts with minorities as we go forward into the season,” said Josie Thomas, CBS’ head of diversity.

Mitsy Wilson, head of diversity initiatives for Fox, pointed to the strong reception last season to “The Bernie Mac Show” and the drama “24,” which featured a story line revolving around a black presidential candidate.

Similarly, Carmen J. Smith, ABC’s vice president of talent development programs, said that the network is “totally committed to diversity, and we’re very excited about what is going on with the showcases.” Out of 88 participants in ABC’s events, 59 read for roles in pilots, she noted.

“This is a slow process, and things are just not going to change overnight,” added Marc Hirschfield, NBC’s executive vice president of casting. “The most exciting part about what we’re doing with the showcases is providing opportunities that simply did not exist before. Now so many of these performers are in the mainstream, where they were sitting on the sidelines before.”