Good point. That's why I was asking for an opinion, because I'd quit watching. Still think "Homicide" had the most realized Blacks on TV in a coon's age...
-----Original Message----- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor) Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 09:20 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to "Grey's Anatomy"? I Like Washington, and see this role as an opportunity for him. But... that could be lust talking. :) Stealth diversity.. I like that term. I do not necessarily have a problem with stealth diversity.. For many artists of color, it might be the only way to get high profile, break out roles. the same for many producers, writers and directors of color. I've seen the shows with true diversity last only 6 six and bottom of the list ratings. In the long run it does not do much good. If Grey Anatomy becomes an ER, (which seems extremely likely) Washington, that Black actress, and the Asian actress might find themselves with stable employment with a high profile role that actually requires them to act, allows them to take some of the offers of movies that they now will get, enough money to produce their own stuff if they want, and also will present them with opportunities for other juicy parts. If you look at the career paths of Omar Epps, Eriq La Salle , Ming-Na and maybe a few other ER alumni of color, ER may have contributed to some milestones in their careers. I think being on a top 10 show, in a part where you are not playing some stereotype could definitely do some positive things for an actor's career. So, while I have a few criticisms and reservations about Grey's Anatomy, I am glad in is thriving. Tracey -----Original Message----- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 12:10 AM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to "Grey's Anatomy"? >From your response and Tracey's, I guess ABC's pullling stealth diversity, using white-oriented marketing to pull in the mainstream. Like I said ,all the commercials focus on the whites. And I'm still troubled by magazine and other media coverage like TV Guide, which completely ignores the Blacks. Isaiah Washington's a good actor, but something about him often seemed to get him villain roles. He was a villain in "Romeo Must Die", and a couple other films I saw. I saw him in an interesting movie a few years back with Mirando Otto (Eowen from "Lord of the Rings"), where he falls in love with a white South African played by Otto. He was a villain in "Exit Wounds" too. But Washington's done a lot of work, almost 40 films! Could we be looking at another Sam Jackson? check out his filmography: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913460/ Also, I have to give him my props, as he's a fellow Texan! -----Original Message----- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kelly Wright Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 22:07 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to "Grey's Anatomy"? I like "Grey's Anatomy," it is a perfect companion to "Desparate Housewives" but if I miss either, it is not a tragedy. When the show first came on I mentioned the 'bizarro world' aspect of it --where the blacks were ostensibly in charge and were, in essence, oppressing the downtrodden white characters. I am sure the show's creators had to make many compromises. For instance, one of the four interns was supposed to be a black man but I guess that was too much diversity for the suits that run ABC. Television is a cruel master and an incredibly difficult place for a person of color to get a foothold. There has been much to do about "Everybody loves Raymond" coming to a conclusion after nine seasons. One of the hubbubs when the show was getting off the ground was that they didn't want Italian Ray Barone's wife to be "too ethnic." By that Les Moonves (who is married to an Asian woman as is Rupert Murdock)didn't want Ray's wife to be Italian or Jewish. They originally wanted someone like Meredith Baxter Birney. If Ray Romano can't get an Italian wife in a show based on his life on a show he co-created and co-executive produces, what chance does a black show producer have? That said, let me say I thoroughly enjoyed the episode of "Grey's Anatomy" where Anna Maria Horsford played an old scrub nurse who was dying and even though her illness was terminal and the hospital could do nothing to save her the administration was letting her stay until she died. This episode showed the humanity of all the black totems and taught the callow young white interns something about caring and community. As an aside, I have never been an Isaiah Washington fan. I loathe almost every character I have seen him play including his debut in Spike Lee's "Girl 6" where despite substantial screen time he is credited simply as the "Shoplifter." But I saw him the other day on "The View" touting "Grey's Anatomy" and he was lovely. He looked great, loved his mama (as came out in an anectodote) and he simply adored his pregnant wife of nine years(who was black and in the audience). This man has been horribly miscast. I hope to one day write something worthy of his silky elegance. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I tuned into this show because I'd heard a Sister was the creator and main writer. She spoke at length with Tavis Smiley about the diverse cast (three Blacks and an Asian) and how the stories often center around guests of color. That may be true, but I haven't seen anything that really differentiates this from other shows I've seen that focus on the whites. The star's in a love affair with the doc played by Patrick Dempsey, the buxom nurse (who used to be on Roswell) has gotten some storylines, including one that had her stripping to her underwear in front of her co-workers. The Asian nurse is apparently pregnant. Frankly I quit watching after two episodes because nothing convinced me the Blacks would get major treatment. From what I can tell they're more like window dressing to the white characters. > I notice that among the Blacks we have what are becoming familiar caricatures: the older doctor who ostensibly runs the place. But like Fancy on NYPD Blue, it reminds me of the device where you create a leader who's Black, then push him to the background...a mean doc who's shepherding the newbies. She comes onscreen, barks at the youngsters, then stalks off...and Isiah Washington's arrogant, self- centered genius, who reminds me of Eric LaSalle's character on "ER". He gets a few lines where he helps himself by being a real human to his charges, then off he goes. They all seem to do little more than provide plot points for the scared doctors to be, yet have little in the way of fully fleshed out roles themselves. > > Maybe I'm wrong, but I just feel the hoped-for strong usage of the people of color isn't materializing. This seems to be borne out by all the coverage I've seen: not one commercial on TV shows the Black actors, instead focusing almost exclusively on the star and her lover, with a little bit of coverage given to the other non-Blacks. TV Guide recently did an article on the show that included a two- page spread of photos of the "stars that make it hot". Not *one* of the Blacks was pictured! > > Am I off base? Are the Blacks used effectively? Do the guest stars consist of people of color with strong roles? Anyone watching this? Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.12 - Release Date: 5/17/2005 Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Has someone you know been affected by illness or disease? 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