PC Pressure on CBS, "No Black People on Two and Half Men"

[doodle]

Bigger entertainment story is still Charlie Sheen.. but Samuel Jackson who was imbroiled in controversy while back when his anti-arab war dialog was featured in a documentary on anti arab bias in media is complaining now on lack of diversity on Oscars this year:



Samuel Jackson RIPS Oscars -- No Black Men!?

3/1/2011 4:

LINK (http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/01/sam-jackson-oscars-academy-awards-black-actors-mistake/)

While speculation for replacement of Sheen starts, PC pressure groups are raising old PC objections from couple of years ago when CBS producers were asked "why no black men on two and half men". No response from CBS or Chuck Lorrie back then. Will be intresting to see how TV.com and Chuck Lorrie handle the casting discussion this time around.

On a lighter note, there is another volunteer already ready to take Sheen's spot in case Eddy Murphy is not available:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OreqdN5FLDU

[Dr.3D]

So casting is supposed to be balanced by race?

I'm sure if the people watching the show don't like what they see, they will change the channel and if that happens, questions will be asked by CBS as to what needs to be changed. I'm pretty sure, in a free market, there is no need to balance everything by race.

[doodle]

So casting is supposed to be balanced by race?

I'm sure if the people watching the show don't like what they see, they will change the channel and if that happens, questions will be asked by CBS as to what needs to be changed. I'm pretty sure, in a free market, there is no need to balance everything by race.

Free market true. PC market, not so sure.

Could be falling Obama popularity is playing a role or all random?


Oscars: No Black Academy Award Nominees -
Feb 27, 2011 ... As controversial as the Oscar nominations usually are, there is one issue that stands out more than most. Namely, why are there no black ...
www.bvblackspin.com/.../oscars-no-black-academy-award-nominees/


Black "Thor" actor blasts race debate over casting

By Pamela McClintock and Tim Appelo

Mon Mar 7, 2011 10:42pm EST


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/08/us-thor-idUSTRE7270JB20110308

[specsaregood]

And if they had cast a black man in the role sheen played, the same people would probably be bitching about them spreading the stereotype of the irresponsible black man.

[doodle]

Good point. Don't think any Hispanic folks complained about role of Charlie Harper played by Sheen.

Shows producer Chuck Lorrie had called that character "degenerate".

[dannno]

So casting is supposed to be balanced by race?



Yes, that and sexual orientation.

The show "Greek" took care of that by having a gay black guy as one of the main characters. Great show, tho.

[ItsTime]

There are black people on the show. The kid was dating a black girl and her father and mother were always on the show.

[TruckinMike]

Do "black" controversies like this insult black people? I would have to say it does at least to some degree. It paints blacks as a bunch of whiny cry babies that are just looking for something to squall about. After all, it was just one guy that started all the whining.

TMike

[Freedom 4 all]

That's not just stupid, it's not even true. They had several episodes with black guest stars. There's even an episode with a gay black guest star. OK, I suppose there are no black main characters, but the only real main characters are Charlie, Alan, Jake, Berta and Rose. And if Charlie, Berta or Rose were black, they'd have a conniption about negative portrayal of black people.

[angelatc]

That's not just stupid, it's not even true. They had several episodes with black guest stars. There's even an episode with a gay black guest star. OK, I suppose there are no black main characters, but the only real main characters are Charlie, Alan, Jake, Berta and Rose. And if Charlie, Berta or Rose were black, they'd have a conniption about negative portrayal of black people.

A black maid? Heads would roll.

[Sola_Fide]

A black maid? Heads would roll.

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

[ctnjason]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

when there was an uproar about no black people being on "friends", jay leno did a skit called "homies". It had alotta black stereotypes in it.

[angelatc]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

It would have to be done by a minority. Otherwise it would be racist and offensive.

[Aratus]

some media wag quipped that with the firing of charlie sheen,
the show ought to be called ONE AND A HALF MEN, and yes... if
the media barons split his 2 million dollar an episode paycheck in part
amoung three other thespians of a high degree, they can hire ANYBODY
they want, as they write around his departure as if a troy donahue lead had
one big ski~bum accident on the slopes! like let's think all bandaged up & not able
to speak at all coherently??? put another actor in a mummy costume and have charlie
be a voice over as the total cast contritely emotes on about the fun loving risk taker guy!!!!

[Kregisen]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

Southpark? :)

[heavenlyboy34]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

I seem to recall "In Living Color" doing just that.

[BuddyRey]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

Those goshawful Tyler Perry sitcoms come pretty close.

[Invi]

When is someone going to create a show that intentionally plays on stereotypes?

Drawn Together? I don't think that airs anymore, though. Also, animated. /shrug

[doodle]

There are black people on the show. The kid was dating a black girl and her father and mother were always on the show.

Couple of years ago this show had faced some criticism for not having any black people, so CBS may have bucled under pressure since then. I will need to search old article, this is what I was able to find.

Two and a Half Men: No black people on Two and a half Men
Nov 7, 2007

http://www.tv.com/two-and-a-half-men/no-black-people-on-two-and-a-half-men/topic/8327-873115/msgs.html

This whole thing is a joke issue, but for CBS it might be serious.

[acptulsa]

I thought the three main characters on that show were all related to each other.

If it were to try to cover all ethnic groups in one family, they'd have to have a bigger clan than on The Brady Bunch. And then they'd be under fire for promoting promiscuity and denegrating family values.

[UtahApocalypse]

I don't remember very many whites on Family Matters, The Cosby Show, or Fresh Prince. Did you here the whites bitching then?

No offense but I find most black persons to be the most racist of any group. They claim they want equality but seems to me the want "better" and more.

[doodle]

I thought the three main characters on that show were all related to each other.

If it were to try to cover all ethnic groups in one family, they'd have to have a bigger clan than on The Brady Bunch. And then they'd be under fire for promoting promiscuity and denegrating family values.

If CBS bosses were even half as serious about spreading multiculturalism on TV as they were about starting US war against Iran, they could have found another Webster to play Angus, the 1/2 man in the show:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y6jd5DcZXQ&feature=related

http://hollywoodroaster.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/tv-viewer-opts-for-%E2%80%98webster%E2%80%99-rerun-over-%E2%80%98jay-leno-show%E2%80%99/

[BlackTerrel]

Who is putting pressure on them? I didn't even see a link to anyone saying that?

Doodle - maybe it's because Sheen's mom is Jewish - post that link again in case someone missed it the first 80 times.

[Matt Collins]

Who cares?

There aren't that many white people on BET because white people aren't their target audience! Apparently CBS is going after the white demographic. So what?

Let people market their products to whomever they want to.

[BlackTerrel]

Who cares?

There aren't that many white people on BET because white people aren't their target audience! Apparently CBS is going after the white demographic. So what?

Let people market their products to whomever they want to.

Just to be clear - other than Doodle who said there are not enough black people on Two and a Half Men? Doodle posted a link to some obscure post in a FORUM in 2006 - that he probably wrote himself (in 2006). FAKE ISSUE created by OP.

Instead of falling in line with the "oh what about BET"? "What about the movie White Men Can't Jump" let's take a step back and realize what we're talking about here. This is made up by one dude.

Edit - the all of Google search for "black two and a half men" has two relevant posts. One forum post from 2006 (probably from Doodle) and this post started by Doodle.

[doodle]

BlackTerrel, with name like that you objecting to a race laced focus on a CBS comedy production is quite interesting. While this was just an impulse fluff thread inspired my son of Sheen's mother winning against CBS producers, I'm bit surprised it got many more replies than more serious threads.

Following is real CBS porn thread but yet somehow not getting as many eyeballs as this thread or Chuck Lorrie's vanity cards.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?282962-CBS-spin-that-will-live-in-infamy

[speciallyblend]

No Marijuana Smokers either just a bunch of alcoholics and meth heads!!

[BlackTerrel]

BlackTerrel, with name like that you objecting to a race laced focus on a CBS comedy production is quite interesting. While this was just an impulse fluff thread inspired my son of Sheen's mother winning against CBS producers, I'm bit surprised it got many more replies than more serious threads.

Following is real CBS porn thread but yet somehow not getting as many eyeballs as this thread or Chuck Lorrie's vanity cards.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?282962-CBS-spin-that-will-live-in-infamy

So no one actually put PC pressure on CBS. You just made it up. Gotcha. Why is this in General Politics again?

[BlackTerrel]

Do "black" controversies like this insult black people? I would have to say it does at least to some degree.

I'm more insulted that 20+ otherwise intelligent posters fell for the trap and started complaining about "PC run amok" based on NOTHING.


It paints blacks as a bunch of whiny cry babies that are just looking for something to squall about. After all, it was just one guy that started all the whining.

The only one who is whining here is the guy who started the thread - who probably isn't black.