NAACP concerned that TV industry diversity goals remain unfulfilled

(June 12, 2006) An analysis of the 2006 fall television season by the NAACP Hollywood Bureau indicates that while African American actors are in significant roles in drama series, there are no sitcoms on the four major broadcast networks starring African American actors scheduled for the upcoming season.

President Bruce S. Gordon, in letters to network executives, expressed concern that progress in diversifying the television industry appears to be slipping in some areas. Although employment numbers for actors, directors and writers on staff for the 2006 fall season will not be available until November/December, the announced fall lineup gives cause for concern, Gordon said.

While there is some “good news” in the NAACP analysis, Gordon said, “I feel that we are losing important ground. The lack of African American leads in sitcoms is unconscionable. This is historically where many African American actors, directors, writers and show runners have honed their artistic skills and found meaningful employment.” Gordon stated that the NAACP will continue its leadership role in monitoring the media and entertainment industry. He is currently scheduling network meetings to discuss the current situation.

According to the NAACP analysis, cancellation of The Bernie Mac Show by FOX means that for the first time in recent history, there is not a comedy with an African American lead character on the four major broadcast networks, FOX, CBS, NBC and ABC. “When it comes to returning sitcoms and the announced new comedies, African Americans are missing in action,” Vic Bulluck, Executive Director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, said.

On the dramatic front, bolstered by the success of series like ER, CSI, Law and Order, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost, every network can point to shows on their schedule and count diverse roles. When it comes to one-hour dramas, the emphasis is principally on multiethnic ensemble casts. The CBS hit series, The Unit, starring Dennis Haysbert, is currently the only one-hour drama starring an African American male lead on a major network in the fall line up.

In 1999, when the NAACP launched its current diversity initiative in Hollywood, there were seven African American show runners. The show runner's role is critical, as they are senior television producers who hire and supervise the show staff, including writers and technical crews. In 2005 there were 13 African American show runners. It is anticipated that in 2006 there will be eight, due in large part to the merger of UPN and WB by CBS Corp. and Warner Brothers. UPN and WB became part of a new network called the CW that starts this fall.

The analysis concludes that though it is unfair to put the burden of diversity on television on the new CW, at least there you can find a Sunday night block of African American comedies. Still, the detrimental impact of the CW's formation is indisputable. UPN had been the only network to actively program for an African American audience. Five of the eight African-American comedies that aired on UPN did not make the CW fall line up. The harsh reality is that with each cancelled show upwards of two hundred people may lose their jobs.

Gordon said, “If these writers, actors, directors and craftspeople were considered equally for other industry jobs and opportunities, then we would have no issue, but regrettably, this is not the way it works in Hollywood.”

The 2006 Diversity Report by the Directors Guild of America offers a glimpse into the state of ethnic representation at the networks. After examining all episodes of last season's top 40 network dramas and sitcoms, the Guild found that 83 percent of the shows were directed by white men, 10 percent by white women, 5 percent by minority men and 2 percent by minority women.

The NAACP recognizes two groups, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the network executives as those who directly affect diversity. Due to the enormous power and influence that they wield and the top down pressure they can exert, they must be held accountable. The show runners are WGA members and the network executives employ the show runners and empower them to hire.

Gordon said: “We urge the networks along with the Writers Guild of America and all network show runners to look closely at those who are being hired on all scripted shows before the launch of the new fall season. We ask them to pay close attention to those working on their writing staffs as well as, the actors, directors, craftspeople and technicians.” 

See the complete analysis at www.naacp.org.


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