Newsweek's Samuels: Why Hasn't Hollywood Drawn Inspiration from the Obamas?
According to Newsweek's Allison Samuels, American TV audiences are not "ready for 'super-negros' on the small screen."
Samuels made her complaint in light of NBC's cancellation of it's ratings-plagued spy series, "Undercovers," which featured a black actor and actress in the lead roles as glamorous and deadly CIA agents:
And that’s exactly what Undercovers was: a show about black people doing very “unblack” things. Before anyone gets upset, let me explain. “Super-negro” was a term my family often used while watching old Sidney Poitier movies back in the day. In Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (our favorite), Poitier portrays a black doctor in love with a white, wealthy young socialite during the ’60s. Pretty early in the film, you begin to realize that Poitier’s character is not just any black doctor (an accomplishment in itself for most people then, and now); he’s a black doctor with degrees from several Ivy League universities, an internationally known scholar behind cures of dozens of diseases in Africa and elsewhere. Overkill.
Fast-forward 40 years, and it’s plain to see that Hollywood still hasn’t figured out a way to move beyond that absurd premise. It still can’t just fit us in.
Of course, between NBC's "Chuck," and USA Network's "Burn Notice" and "Covert Affairs," it's possible that TV audiences today feel oversaturated with spy-centered offerings on the small screen, but Samuels failed to consider that point.
The Newsweek writer went on to complain that Hollywood hasn't been inspired by President Obama and the First Lady to look into doing a TV comedy or drama focused on ordinary black Americans:
Not since the The Cosby Show has prime time successfully delivered a show featuring African-Americans leading normal, regular, everyday lives. That show was groundbreaking because it featured us as mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons. Can you name another show like that on the air right now? Not unless you count Tyler Perry’s TBS comedies—but it’s never been an issue for mainstream audiences to laugh at us. The same thing is true of the Chris Rock series Everyone Loves Chris, which enjoyed some success but is no longer on the air, or the cartoon The Cleveland Show. The brilliance of The Cosby Show was that while funny, it also changed the cultural landscape. It presented African-Americans in an entirely different and new context. It moved beyond the stereotypes of the inner city, jail cells, and basketball courts to present a more well-rounded look at who we are.
Somehow, I foolishly thought the election of the first African-American president would foster more interest in those types of African-American stories. Whatever anyone thinks of President Obama today, he and his wife Michelle’s story of true love, family, and achievement is a fascinating tale with a very unexpected and ongoing twist. I was sure their example alone would inspire networks, producers, and writers to burst at the seams with ideas for shows depicting typical African-American couples and families. I was wrong. Unfortunately, NBC miscalculated as well. They expected the prime-time audience to accept African-Americans in extraordinary roles like Undercovers before really having had much of a chance to see us as ordinary people first.
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Comments
No, it's racism!
Submitted by johnsonl on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:02pm.
It's always racism, whether it is or not! So, now we're racist because we don't watch blacks on TV? Seriously?
We Watch What the PC Crowd would not
Submitted by Avitar on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 5:07am.
What really bothers the PC crowd is they can not imagaine enjoying Science Fiction. After all the world is going to end and we will all starve. Some additional research on television is that Republicans like winners and Democrats like losers.
Racism
Submitted by Dirjj on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:07pm.
sarcasm on : " It doesn't matter what TV show is on the Air, they'll still call is racism." sarcasm off
Hey Allison:
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:08pm.
Does this count?
OMG
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:04pm.
Thanks for the chuckle! It certainly does count!
I'd love to see Dave Chappelle and Sharpton get into it
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:51pm.
that would be pay-per-view worthy. Throw in Rev. Jerkson for good measure.
That was funny. I wonder how
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 10:53pm.
That was funny. I wonder how an all-black audience reacts to the sketch...an all-white...and finally a racially-mixed audience. For example, would the whites in a mixed audience be reluctant to laugh? I think it would be an interesting sociological study. Maybe it or a similar one has already been conducted.
Jer
Jer
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:12pm.
Tweaking the absurd is what makes it amusing for all. Don't analyze it; just appreciate the brilliance of the writing. :)
Well, I did all of that, Commander.
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:34pm.
Well, I did all of that, Commander. But then I just couldn't resist a bit of sociological conjecture. And I think this could prove just as revealing, but far less contentious, and ultimately more constructive than were the disparate Simpson-verdict reactions which essentially split straight down the racial fault line..
Jer
She has completely missed it..
Submitted by c5then on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:12pm.
"The brilliance of The Cosby Show was that while funny, it also changed the cultural landscape. It presented African-Americans in an entirely different and new context. It moved beyond the stereotypes of the inner city, jail cells, and basketball courts to present a more well-rounded look at who we are."
I disagree. What Cosby did was present a typical American family that just happened to be black. What most "black shows" present is a comical charicature of a certain aspect of black "culture". It's why they fail.
What we need is a decently written and well acted show that shows people, not steriotypes. There are plenty of good actors who happen to be black. Some of my favorite (of any color) are Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Dwayne Johnson and Morgan Freeman (in no particular order). What they need are good writers.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Cosby
Submitted by Gothampc on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:20pm.
"Not since the The Cosby Show has prime time successfully delivered a show featuring African-Americans leading normal, regular, everyday lives."
Let's discuss The Cosby Show for a minute.
It portrayed a highly successful black couple (he a doctor, she a lawyer). And black people complained that the show was "too white". A black doctor and a black lawyer were not realistic to the black experience in America.
So poor Bill Cosby bowed to the criticism and started making the show more "African" centric. And then black people complained that Cosby was pandering to blacks.
Perhaps if blacks were more receptive rather than critical, there would be more shows for them.
The Cosby show was
Submitted by MidAmerica on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:21pm.
The Cosby show was extremely popular because it was post-racial with a cast that was very good and believable. It showcased a successful two (!) parent family with typical joys and conflicts living the American middle class dream.
Such a show is very bad for the race baiters and their enablers.
In 2008 the country thought it was electing Bill Cosby but it got a watered down Reverand Wright instead.
Upper Middle Class Cosbies Might be the Secret
Submitted by Avitar on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:57am.
The very upper Class Banks family on "The Fresh Prince" also had a very sucessful run even if the characters were drawn near farce. .
"Somehow, I foolishly thought
Submitted by ML Stovall on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:25pm.
"Somehow, I foolishly thought the election of the first African-American president would foster more interest in those types of African-American stories. Whatever anyone thinks of President Obama today, he and his wife Michelle’s story of true love, family, and achievement is a fascinating tale with a very unexpected and ongoing twist. I was sure their example alone would inspire networks, producers, and writers to burst at the seams with ideas for shows depicting typical African-American couples and families. I was wrong. Unfortunately, NBC miscalculated as well."
.........................
Hey, um....Ms. Samuels, have you ever considered the possiblitiy that maybe it takes just a bit longer than a couple of years for a simple idea for a sitcom or drama to get financing and then develop into a completed production with a pilot episode and 2-3 episodes 'in the can', just in case the network picks it up? Oh, you haven't even considered that, huh? Hmm.... well, as you said, it's probably just some good old fashioned red-neck racism, anyway. Good day, now.
Don't think we're not working
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:42pm.
Don't think we're not working on it. It can take several years for a studio to develop a decent script, not to mention the time it can take to secure funding, cast a show, and hire a crew.
Stay tuned.
Now if only Arkansas would hand it over to Hollywood...
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:09pm.
we'd be well on the way.
Just tossin this out there
Submitted by sam12663 on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:49pm.
maybe the show was cancelled because it SUCKED!!
Enough with everything being seen as racial in nature. Dozens of 'white' shows are cancelled every year, where's the crying jag for them?
Impossible!
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 7:59pm.
How could a show on NBC "just suck"?
"Oh, by the way. I was being sarcastic."
- Homer Simpson
Since the sixties what
Submitted by MidAmerica on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:17pm.
Since the sixties what constitutes a 'real' and authentic' African-American would not include Martin Luther King. His goal was to end discrimination not fan the flames of bigotry and hatred to promote himself. He did not see the persons of color as a people apart but a people kept from inclusion.
Today whenever a person of color ties to say they are free to think for themselves they are immediately cast aside by the black community and White Liberals as sellouts and Uncle Toms. That is how the majority of Blacks are kept in bondage. They are not allowed to be individuals. They are a color.
Beautiful people, sucky script?
Submitted by Tomorama on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:39pm.
Actually, Damon Wayans had a very successful comedy that lasted about 5 years and is in syndication that had a middle class black family that was pretty normal and pretty funny.
F**** the A******* that make every thing about race, I am tired of it.
Last night I pulled out my DVD of In Living Color that I have an laughed my a^^ off at the way they skewered ALL in a serious mish mash of sketches.
Dave Chappelle was great at this as well and that is why WHITE FOLKS watched it as well.
I saw the promo's to this and sorry it looked "typical" with the lone exception being skin tone and though the lead female was drop dead gorgeous and the dude was cool, the show had nothing original in it BUT SKIN TONE.
I guess that is supposed to be enough even in 2010.
Chappelle
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 7:24pm.
Remember that one episode where Chappelle played a blind guy who was a white supremacist or something like that?
Totally bizarre, and totally funny.
-Jon
See?
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 8:00pm.
deleted
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 8:01pm.
deleted
See?
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 8:01pm.
That's funny just thinking about it!
Race Race Race
Submitted by ripper58 on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:58pm.
I actually liked "Undercovers", Hot leading lady,Stud leading man, totally unbelievable situations....just my kind of mindless entertainment so I can forget the world for an hour! Race got nothing to do with poor scripts or the time slot for a series! Doesn't this nitwit know that the bottom line in Hollywood is M O N E Y ??????
If the bottom line is money
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 7:33pm.
If the bottom line is money then why do they do the lead ballon ones featuring anti war themes and such?
Making Money Requires Management to Work With Talent.
Submitted by Avitar on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:47am.
I think that they have alarms on the network buildings in New York to prevent anyone with talent from entering the buildings. The networks have not worked with talent for fifty years why would they start now?
The Obamas are a Polarizing Couple!
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 8:38pm.
I blame the Obama's! Their association with Rev. Wright; Michelle's negative comments about this country; Obama's refusal to disclose his religious beliefs, his refusal to pledge to the Flag, his apologies to the world for being an American and for America, and the list goes on...
Obama could be green for all I care, but he has a hard time admitting that he is proud to be an American and what America stands for. The Cosby show was about the strong bond parents can have with their children and the examples we can give to them as a legacy; they often had guests who were from many colors and cultures. It was not a politically driven show.
Sure there is racism in the world, but that is life. Racism exist within subcultures regardless of the color of one skin, ethnic background, looks, weight, sexual orientation, and the list goes on.
Obama was given the chance to change the mindset of people who never thought (myself included) an African American could be president when he was elected. He blew it!
At least get your smears straight, Mr. cheese...
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:00pm.
He renounced Rev. Wright. Michelle explained her comment--it was not anti-American. Obama has indeed disclosed his religious beliefs--he's a Christian. And the pledge refusal?...link please.
Jer
"He renounced Rev.
Submitted by NL207 on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:05pm.
"He renounced Rev. Wright "
He was lying through his teeth, just like he lies about everything else.
Well, that just essentially
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 5:29am.
Well, that just essentially and conveniently shuts down all argument, doesn't it NL? Obama did A. "He lies." He says B. "He lies." He decided C. "He lies".
Cool. I think I'll try that out some time.
Jer
Ok Jer, what is his
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:01pm.
Ok Jer, what is his percentage of telling the truth to telling lies? In another thread it says that Obama lied in a report, not only lied but changed the numbers to fit his reality. Basically, the boy done cried wolf too many times.
If Obama was telling the
Submitted by NL207 on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:02pm.
If Obama was telling the truth when he renounced Rev. Wright, then how come it took him 18 years of listening to Wright's hate filled BVlack Liberation Theology sermons every Sunday to come to the conclusion he should renounce Wright? Why did he do this only when elements of the media questioned his association with Wright? If Obama really did reject BLT during those 18 years, then why did he remain affiliated with Trinity Church?
Obama's actions are inconsistent with his words. Ergo, he is lying. The truth is that he selected and attended Trinity Church because he AGREES with its racist, anti-semitic former pastor.
What kind of lawyer are you that you don't see this?
I think that Jer is a lawyer
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 11:35pm.
I think that Jer is a lawyer and precisely why.
No, Jer.
Submitted by Tenebrous on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:12pm.
Obama "renounced" Wright only when it was convenient. He sat through 20 years of spittle-flecked, hate-Whitey, US-created-AIDS insanity because HE LIKED IT AND AGREED WITH IT. You don't renounce that and change your views in a split-second; Obama said words that duped gulliable people like you, but he sure didn't change his opinions. He still agrees with Wright.
Obama is no Christian. By their fruits ye shall know them -- do you know what that means, Jer? It means look a person to see how well they manifest the central truths of their religion. Obama knows virtually nothing about Christianity. Go see what he says about the sermon on the mount. He's clueless about what it teaches. Obama's concept of Christianity is black liberation theology, which again, is not Christianity; Christianity teaches people to love their enemies, not to spend their lives waging war against whitey.
Basically, Obama says pretty words and lives his life directly opposite those words. Liberals like you swallow the words and blind yourself to his actions, declaring that if Obama says it, it must be so. That's what liberals are hopeless. They have no ability to compare what someone says with behavior, or with what actually is.
And that's why in every post, you walk away smugly self-satisfied while everyone else knows you to be a fool.
Visions and Principles blog
Let's run the possibilities
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:46pm.
1. BO did not know what Wright was about (after 20 years in his church, marrying and baptizing him and his children)
2 He did know what he is about.
Conclusions:
If 1 - he is a moron
If 2 - he is a liar.
Which do you choose?
"He renounced Rev.
Submitted by NL207 on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:05pm.
.
May I offer an alternate explaination
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:42pm.
The show sucked!
I lucked out. I was planning on bidding $1.25 for the Newsweek
Submitted by Rush Fan on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 1:01am.
company, and decided not to bid at the last minute. That turned out to be a wise decision, as some dummy purchased it for one dollar. Thanks to tiresome and clichéd pulp from writers such as Allison Samuels, Newsweek is now worth no more than two cents.
By the way, I'm looking forward to the return of Covert Affairs. Piper Perabo is hot!
TV Advertising Sure Draws On The Obama's Inspiration
Submitted by zeestephen on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 1:15am.
I watch mostly business and political TV programs.
At least 25% of the actors in advertising for major corporations are black.
The racial casting is so self-conscious, I feel embarrassed when I watch it.
Black and Talented and producing for NBC - No Chance
Submitted by Avitar on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:35am.
The spy show "Undercover" failed for some of the same reasons that the movie "Undercover Blues" was not a screaming hit. Both were absurd and pointless sentencing black actor to try to hold up a premise that Denis Quad and Kathleen Turner could not get off the ground was unkind and when you add in the time slot problems of the lead in etc. Well there was racism but it was not the television audience but the television Network.
I mean the No Chance literally. I do not know who might want to do it but there are certainly blacks who could produce successful shows. Chris Judge who played T'lic on "Stargate SG-1" has a truly sharp sense of humor and I would be interested in seeing anything he developed
Wayne Brady would have fit in with the classic comedy writers from television's early days. Michael Dorn the actor who played Worf on Star Trek, I encountered once a corporate setting in the aviation industry, he likes to fly, and he might be a great selection to play a major corporate manager. Think Harrison Ford roles.
Then there are those who already have histories of achievement, Forest Whitaker, James Earl Jones, William Smith etc. Who might not be hungry enough to do weekly TV but have the talent and if they pitch something should be heard.
Women also get short shift even after they have proven themselves. It was noted back in the early sixties that places for intelligent men had almost disapeared from network television. That proccess has been complete for four decades now. Junk the union television writers and hire vets. Or better hire John Ringo or Tom Clancy to hire the writers.
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