3. 3
The Past
Spike Lee’s Bamboozled
Multiple examples of the
negative portrayal of African-
Americans in last 50 years
Similarities to today’s
sitcoms?
5. 5
The Present
Purpose of TV Shows
Prized Demographics
“Upfront” Presentations
Dramas vs Sitcoms/Reality TV
6. 6
“Basically, network TV goes out
and creates a bunch of pilot
shows. They’re basically
practice shows...
SOURCE: NPR’s Talk of the Nation, “After Chaotic Year, Dramas Play at
TV Upfronts”: Eric Deggans, TV/Media critic, St. Petersburg Times
7. 7
[E]ach network could create
something like 30 pilots, and
they may only pick ten. Ten is a
lot, if they pick ten.
SOURCE: NPR’s Talk of the Nation, “After Chaotic Year, Dramas Play at
TV Upfronts”: Eric Deggans, TV/Media critic, St. Petersburg Times
8. 8
So that’s a pretty low batting
average to spend an average of
a million, maybe $2 million a
pilot, and then only pick up a
fifth...that you actually produce.
SOURCE: NPR’s Talk of the Nation, “After Chaotic Year, Dramas Play at
TV Upfronts”: Eric Deggans, TV/Media critic, St. Petersburg Times
9. 9
“Come to think of
it, I saw a white
judge on Law &
Order last night!”
— Grizz
30 Rock: “Racism is Back.”
10. 10
The Future
What is TV Tokenism? Is it real?
If so, is it a problem?
If it is a problem, what, if anything, should be done?
How does it mirror the tokenism in our society?
What are some other examples you can cite?
11. 11
“Networks scrambled to create
more diverse casts after being
criticized by the NAACP three
years ago.”
SOURCE: “US Watches TV in Black and White”, Duncan Campbell in
The Guardian, 2/6/03
12. 12
Result? “TV Tokenism”
Dramas: Main Character is white or white-looking
Main Character is center of story-line (obviously)
Main Character is complex and can be morally
ambiguous (conflicted)
Main Character receives bulk of screen time
13. 13
Result? “TV Tokenism”
Dramas: Supporting Character is a “token” minority
Supporting character may be in a prestigious and/
or “buddy” position
Supporting character is rarely complicated
Supporting character receives little screen time or
relegated to subplots, only
50. 50
“Black characters elicit
especially negative nonverbal
responses, such as facial
expressions & body language,
from other characters.”
SOURCE: Tufts Journal, “Lessons in Black and White” (January 6, 2010)
51. 51
“...and viewers exhibit more
racial bias after exposure to
such negative responses.”
SOURCE: Tufts Journal, “Lessons in Black and White” (January 6, 2010)
52. 52
“The takeaway message is that
bias can be contagious and
can be transmitted through
nonverbal behavior.”
SOURCE: Tufts Journal, “Lessons in Black and White” (January 6, 2010)
53. 53
Questions for Discussion
Is TV Tokenism real?
If so, is it a problem?
If it is a problem, what, if
anything, should be done?
What are some other
examples you can cite?
How does it mirror the
tokenism in our society?
54. 54
Thanks.
Kerry Brennan,
John S. O’Connor,
& the Bolos Girls
Songs:
Public Enemy: “Burn, Hollywood, Burn”
Wilco: “Kicking Television”