Most TV directors still white males

Prime-time TV producers and the major broadcast networks “have failed to fulfill their contractual good-faith obligation to hire more women and minority directors,” the president of the Directors Guild of America said Friday.

The charge from Michael Apted came as the guild released its annual report on the employment of women and minorities as directors on the top 40 prime-time drama and comedy series. During the 2003-04 season, it said, 86% of the episodes reviewed were directed by Caucasian males. And women directed only 7% of the episodes, compared to 11% the previous season, the report said.

Apted singled out several hit shows for criticism, including “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Friends” and “JAG,” calling it “inconceivable” that they hadn’t hired a single female director in the past four years.