Am I too black to watch the CW?

[NinjaJack]

Hey I was never a huge fan of the UPN sitcoms, but there were pleanty that I actually liked to check out. The thing is they use to come on throughout the week. But as of the recent WB merger all teh black sitcoms come on one night. What gives?


Why do I feel like the execs thought it would be better to squeeze the shows with "obviously" the same demographic into one night?



inquiring minds wouldl like to know.

[BCVM22]

What I want to know is whether you're serious with the question in the title of the thread.

[veemonjosh]

If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you were Shark....

[Tash]

Why do I feel like the execs thought it would be better to squeeze the shows with "obviously" the same demographic into one night? We've all had to deal with our favorite shows suffering in the ratings. It's often best to just tape the show in case it gets pulled.

[NinjaJack]

What I want to know is whether you're serious with the question in the title of the thread.


I am serious, to a point. Why is that the black shows seems to be shoe horned into one night instead of being spread out throughout the week as was with before?

[maczero]

I am serious, to a point. Why is that the black shows seems to be shoe horned into one night instead of being spread out throughout the week as was with before?
Hasn't it pretty much always been that way. I'm pretty sure Girlfriends, Half & Half, and two other black sitcoms destined for mid-season cancellation were pretty much the standard Monday night line-up on UPN for years.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with it. Post merger, a lot of people thought that the CW would dump the black shows. So if you like those shows, be thankful that they're still airing at all.

[bigddan11]

CW has one night set aside for comedy. Period. Since most of the shows with blacxk stars are comedy shows, then that's why they are on one night. When you look at the CW's schedule though, they try to put shows with similiar styles together. For example, Thursday is paranormal night with Smallville and Supernatural, reality shows rotate between Tuesday & Wednesday with encores on Sunday, and Friday belongs to the WWE.

[Master Moron]

CW has one night set aside for comedy. Period. Since most of the shows with blacxk stars are comedy shows, then that's why they are on one night. When you look at the CW's schedule though, they try to put shows with similiar styles together. For example, Thursday is paranormal night with Smallville and Supernatural, reality shows rotate between Tuesday & Wednesday with encores on Sunday, and Friday belongs to the WWE.

Yeah, it's not the black shows that are being put together on one night, it's the comedies.

[Tobias]

Except for Reba, which got buried on Sunday nights for the final season.

[staticblue]

Although the question referrs to the CW, this type of thing is generally done on all networks. Networks will take all the black shoes and place them on one night, designating it the "black night" . The big networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX) have practiced this type of thing for years. the same can be said for the little networks ( UPN, WB) As far as the "most black are comedies" excuse, this may be the case for CW at the moment, but there have been instances where this wasnt the case. The networks do this on purpose.

[Mikintosh]

Except for Reba, which got buried on Sunday nights for the final season.

But the CW really hated that show (as it didn't fit their teen target demo) and only kept the show alive because of its good ratings. Which I assume didn't last on sunday.

[Tobias]

The show was ending, regardless. The show did surprisingly good for the death slot CW gave it at midseason. I believe Reba got higher numbers than 7th Heaven despite only having a 13 episode run with 2 new eps every Sunday.

[Prof Ultimate]

But the CW really hated that show (as it didn't fit their teen target demo) and only kept the show alive because of its good ratings. Which I assume didn't last on sunday.
They kept the show because the WB renewed it months before the networks merged, and they would have been stuck having to pay 20th Century Fox the balance of the contract had they not brought it back.

[Nexonius]

Well, Aliens In America is not a black sitcom and it's on Monday.

[90'sCartoonMan]

I figured it was easier for them to put all half hour shows together. Put more shows on in one night, or something like that.


Networks will take all the black shoes and place them on one night, designating it the "black night" . The big networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX) have practiced this type of thing for years.

Do half those networks even have black shows?

[Master Moron]

But the CW really hated that show (as it didn't fit their teen target demo) and only kept the show alive because of its good ratings. Which I assume didn't last on sunday.

No, they kept it alive because they were contractually obligated to keep making it.


Do half those networks even have black shows?

My sentiments exactly. Fox put Bernie Mac on the same night as The Simpsons or Malcolm and the Middle. They didn't have any other black shows to pair it with. ABC had My Wife and Kids a few years ago, but I don't think that's still on. I can't think of any shows on CBS or NBC that would be defined as "black".

You know, isn't this whole idea of defining a show as "black" a little ridiculous? I mean, what about shows like Lost that have a multiracial cast? Do people really watch shows just because of the race of the characters?

[maczero]

My sentiments exactly. Fox put Bernie Mac on the same night as The Simpsons or Malcolm and the Middle. They didn't have any other black shows to pair it with. ABC had My Wife and Kids a few years ago, but I don't think that's still on. I can't think of any shows on CBS or NBC that would be defined as "black".

You know, isn't this whole idea of defining a show as "black" a little ridiculous? I mean, what about shows like Lost that have a multiracial cast? Do people really watch shows just because of the race of the characters?Nothing ridiculous about it. Shows with a predominantly black cast are often labeled as black shows. These shows aren't meant to appeal to the black audience simply because they share the same race as the characters. The appeal is more about culture and shared experiences. Doesn't mean non-blacks can't appreciate the show. Besides minorities have been tuning in regularly to shows that feature predominantly white casts for years. This is just the opposite.

Also, back in the day (mid 80's to the early 90's). It was very common to group ethnic comedies together.

[SonGoku V3]

Do half those networks even have black shows?
I think people used to consider Thursday night's on FOX "Black Night" in the mid 90s when the line up was Martin, Living Single, and New York Undercover (which was more urban in its casting and backdrop, but still considered "Black" with lead actor Malik Yoba and it's soundtrack/guest singers such as Mary J. Blige).

In fact, I think Chris Rock might have been the one who made a big reference to it by asking "Are Thursday nights the only time Black people watch TV?!?" in reference to that line up.

[staticblue]

Nothing ridiculous about it. Shows with a predominantly black cast are often labeled as black shows. These shows aren't meant to appeal to the black audience simply because they share the same race as the characters. The appeal is more about culture and shared experiences. Doesn't mean non-blacks can't appreciate the show. Besides minorities have been tuning in regularly to shows that feature predominantly white casts for years. This is just the opposite.

Also, back in the day (mid 80's to the early 90's). It was very common to group ethnic comedies together.

You made my point exactly. Also, in reference to the lack of "black" shows on the big networks, thats also a big problem that plagues television to this days. Television shows with a predominately black cast dont generally do well because they are labled as shows for black people instead of shows that have a cast that is mostly black. of the big 4 networks, there are no shpws that currently air with a predomionately black cast. Dramas have suffered even worse. Dramas that share a cast of majority blacks dont tend to do very well for very long. As a matter of fact, black television actors have found that in order to survive on television, the have to join "ensemble" casts. Look at shows such as "House", "The Shield", etc.

[Sharklady]

Just watch whatever you want to.

The day you make choices based on what your demographic group is supposed to prefer, is the day you've handed part of your life over to someone else.

[Blackstar]

Well, Aliens In America is not a black sitcom and it's on Monday.

What the heck is Aliens in America?

[Nexonius]

What the heck is Aliens in America?



A new show coming Monday mights on The CW.

[NinjaJack]

Just watch whatever you want to.

The day you make choices based on what your demographic group is supposed to prefer, is the day you've handed part of your life over to someone else.

Thats not exactly how it works.

You see the reason blacks watch other blacks on television and film is because frankly we don`t offten see ourselves on televison in the leading role period. It also relates to how you could have years of fantastic black actors in film and television but only three best actor wins at the Oscars in 40years.


As a black man it`s always good to see Hollywood willing to pass the ball not just to me but to everyone. The Fresh Prince and Family Matters and Good Times did not succeed because the entire cast was black, but on the content of the series. We see this in most mainstreme television series and movies that do not feature an ethnic cast. But by today's standards as soon as a studio releases a "black film" it has to be pigeon holed.

Because of this problem we`re getting Big Mama's House and Norbit and the like where black women are big, loudmouth streotyped monsters portrayed like they were during the whole "Mammy"" days 50 years ago.


This culture is changing and I know that the people here,wherever they trace their orgins, seem to be good natured folk. But studio heads are not like us, they tend to fear change and love to stay at the status quo.

[90'sCartoonMan]

As a black man it`s always good to see Hollywood willing to pass the ball not just to me but to everyone. The Fresh Prince and Family Matters and Good Times did not succeed because the entire cast was black, but on the content of the series. We see this in most mainstreme television series and movies that do not feature an ethnic cast. But by today's standards as soon as a studio releases a "black film" it has to be pigeon holed.

That's what's important, making a good series. And don't forget the Cosby Show. I'm just hoping someday we get shows whose cast is so diverse those labels will become obsolete.

[Master Moron]

You made my point exactly. Also, in reference to the lack of "black" shows on the big networks, thats also a big problem that plagues television to this days. Television shows with a predominately black cast dont generally do well because they are labled as shows for black people instead of shows that have a cast that is mostly black. of the big 4 networks, there are no shpws that currently air with a predomionately black cast. Dramas have suffered even worse. Dramas that share a cast of majority blacks dont tend to do very well for very long. As a matter of fact, black television actors have found that in order to survive on television, the have to join "ensemble" casts. Look at shows such as "House", "The Shield", etc.

I don't really understand why you think a show should have a predominantly black cast. I mean, America is not a predominantly black country. If a show's cast represented the general population then the cast would not be predominantly black. I don't know the percentages off the top of my head, but it would be much less than 50%. Isn't it better to have a racially diverse cast than to have one race that is over represented?

I also feel the need to add to this discussion the fact that Taye Diggs, a black man, almost always seems to be cast in a lead role in the shows he's in. However, all the shows he stars in seem to bomb. I'm a little curious if people aren't watching the shows he's in because he's black or if they just don't like the shows. Of course, keep in mind that even when a show has a black lead role, the cast is almost never predominantly black, nor should it be.

[M?sterious]

If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you were Shark.... not me. Though honestly I can agree somewhat with the guy.


Hey I was never a huge fan of the UPN sitcoms, but there were pleanty that I actually liked to check out. The thing is they use to come on throughout the week. But as of the recent WB merger all teh black sitcoms come on one night. What gives?


Why do I feel like the execs thought it would be better to squeeze the shows with "obviously" the same demographic into one night?



inquiring minds would like to know. Yes, they are doing exactly what you're thinking. They're fitting all the black-oriented sitcoms into one night while the 'others' are more widespread. I have no clue why they're doing it, doesn't seem like it helps anything, the black sitcoms should be widespread as well.

[Memphis Bleek]

I don't really understand why you think a show should have a predominantly black cast. I mean, America is not a predominantly black country. If a show's cast represented the general population then the cast would not be predominantly black. I don't know the percentages off the top of my head, but it would be much less than 50%. Isn't it better to have a racially diverse cast than to have one race that is over represented?

There is a tendency from the media to label a show with a non-white main character as "urban." Even if every character on the show is white, it's "urban." How many shows are actually racially diverse?


I also feel the need to add to this discussion the fact that Taye Diggs, a black man, almost always seems to be cast in a lead role in the shows he's in. However, all the shows he stars in seem to bomb. I'm a little curious if people aren't watching the shows he's in because he's black or if they just don't like the shows. Of course, keep in mind that even when a show has a black lead role, the cast is almost never predominantly black, nor should it be.

Taye Diggs started in shows that lack originality or had a weak premise. "Day Break" was dubbed Black Groundhog Day; Kevin Hill had him adopting his baby cousin or niece and him balancing his career. It could have been an interesting low-budget film but not on-going regular series.

[Akelexre]

I don't really understand why you think a show should have a predominantly black cast.

I don't think that is what he said.

The concern at hand is that shows which happen to have a majority African-American cast are often pigeonholed into the category of, "black shows", thereby limiting their market appeal and potential audience straight out of the shoot. Different shows cover different topics and need to have different casts: a show set in rural Minnesota is going to have a different cast then one set in Baltimore city, for example. A show following early 20th century Irish immigrants will probably have a primary cast made up of different ethnicities then a show following a modern family in the ATL, etc. So its natural that some casts are composed of an ethnic minority or majority and aren't proportionally representative of the general population.

The heart of the issue, I've always felt, is that shows and movies which happen to revolve around African-Americans (the people, history, culture, etc.) are shoved into that corner called, "Black ___." It is an odd practice, as no one ever labels a show like, "Friends", for just one example, a, "white show." If the cast is all/almost all white, we think the show is one that just happens to have all white people in it, not necessarily a, "white show." However, if the cast is all/almost all black, we don't think of it or treat it as a show that just happens to have all black people in it, we call it a, "black show." I've never liked that.

[Master Moron]

The heart of the issue, I've always felt, is that shows and movies which happen to revolve around African-Americans (the people, history, culture, etc.) are shoved into that corner called, "Black ___." It is an odd practice, as no one ever labels a show like, "Friends", for just one example, a, "white show."

They don't? I remember the media talking about how there were no minorities in the cast all the time. I also remember black comedians making jokes about how white it was.


Taye Diggs started in shows that lack originality or had a weak premise. "Day Break" was dubbed Black Groundhog Day; Kevin Hill had him adopting his baby cousin or niece and him balancing his career. It could have been an interesting low-budget film but not on-going regular series.

I always found it silly how some people refused to watch Daybreak because a ten year old movie had a similar premise. I mean, even if the premise was similar, everything else about the show was completely different.

[Akelexre]

They don't? I remember the media talking about how there were no minorities in the cast all the time. I also remember black comedians making jokes about how white it was.

Well, ok, its not FORMALLY called that.:evil:

Just to back up that particular point of my original post: In the particular case of Friends, we make jokes about it, but its not treated by the network, advertised and promoted as, etc. a, "white show" just like all the other shows out there with an exclusive or primarily white cast. Friends is just a particularly blatant example and was one of the first to come to mind, but there have been and are (and will be, I'm sure) a ton of shows out there that would be labeled as, "white shows" if we were applying the same standard that we give when a show has an all or mostly black cast. ie, You'll never pick up a tv guide and read an article with the headline, "Newest White Shows For The Fall."

The rest of my original post stands.

[MegaJ]

Not to mention that Friends is just a rip-off of Living Single.

Speaking of Living Single, have any of you noticed the trend of FOX, the WB and UPN having predominately "black" shows before ditching them for more mainstream fare?

[M?sterious]

Ah yes, I've noticed some black sitcoms that are no longer on UPN have made there way on BET, I wonder will this become of the others that are being taken off of UPN.


These people know no race, it's all about the cash and ratings.

[NinjaJack]

Not to mention that Friends is just a rip-off of Living Single.

Speaking of Living Single, have any of you noticed the trend of FOX, the WB and UPN having predominately "black" shows before ditching them for more mainstream fare?


Ha, like the WB, man it wasn`t always about the teen dramas

[Nexonius]

From 1995 to 2002, it was good for WB. Then, the crappy shows come in. Everwood and Supernatural are good, though.

[staticblue]

Well, ok, its not FORMALLY called that.:evil:

Just to back up that particular point of my original post: In the particular case of Friends, we make jokes about it, but its not treated by the network, advertised and promoted as, etc. a, "white show" just like all the other shows out there with an exclusive or primarily white cast. Friends is just a particularly blatant example and was one of the first to come to mind, but there have been and are (and will be, I'm sure) a ton of shows out there that would be labeled as, "white shows" if we were applying the same standard that we give when a show has an all or mostly black cast. ie, You'll never pick up a tv guide and read an article with the headline, "Newest White Shows For The Fall."

The rest of my original post stands.

Imagine my suprise when I came back to this thread to reply to my response, and Akelexre did it for me with the EXACT SAME points I was going to make. Thanx kele:D. But with that said. you can take what she said, remove Friends, and add any other show with an all white cast (Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens) and still have an equally strong point.

My point wasnt that a show should have a predominately black cast. My point was that shows with a predominately black cast are seen as "Black shows" instead of shows that happen to have black people as the prime cast.
Master Moron, if we followed your logic of casting television shows based on the general population of the U.S., then I have a feeling African Americans would probably be more under represented than ever.

There is defintely nothing wrong with a show that has a racially diverse cast. as a matter of fact, you find that you get a broader audience that way, but blacks should also be able to watch television shows that they feel they can relate to (Everybody hates Chris, All of Us) Just like whites (Seinfeld, Friends) and Hispanics (George Lopez) Its just nature.

I never watched Daybreak, but its funny you bring it up. I wonder how people are going to react to Reaper, seeing as how it looks like a TV version of Ghostbusters at first glance.

[Prof Ultimate]

Of course, keep in mind that even when a show has a black lead role, the cast is almost never predominantly black, nor should it be.

Hmmm...how would this sound if we reversed it?

Of course, keep in mind that even when a show has a white lead role, the cast is almost never predominantly white, nor should it be :confused:

That really isn't the case now is it? It's pretty much the 'norm', or the way Hollywood chooses to do things.

And the aurgument isn't about portionality. A show reflecting the statitical demographic s of the country. It's about fairness and doing what's right. Blacks and Hispanics as groups watch more television that whites. They choose not to discriminate in their viewing choices. So why is it they are penalized for doing what's right, while the network/studio execs deny employment to actors, writers, producers of color, while rewarding viewers with tons of programming, who won't do the same?

That's the frustrating thing about all this. :crying:

[Azrael24]

Um...sorry but where are u getting that blacks/Hispanics watch more tv than white people? i find that hard to believe

[maczero]

Um...sorry but where are u getting that blacks/Hispanics watch more tv than white people? i find that hard to believe
I've heard it before regarding blacks. Don't ask me where?

[Prof Ultimate]

Um...sorry but where are u getting that blacks/Hispanics watch more tv than white people? i find that hard to believe

Moreover, African-Americans can boost ratings simply because they watch far more television than most other ethnic groups.
The average African-American watches almost 77 hours of TV during an average week, or about 24 hours more than non-blacks.http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/apr03/apr14/4_thurs/news1thursday.html

An) old article (2003), but the only one I could locate at the moment

[Chris Wood]

I'm just amazed to hear there are so many people watching CW. I can't say I ever have.