Obama Changing TV As We Know It

Jen Smith
Fancast.com

Obama has inspired our nation, but has he inspired our airwaves as well? According to the NY Times, TV studios are now focusing more on lead black actors in dramas—something that hasn’t been done much in the past. For instance, Ben Silverman of NBC says that he has been trying to spotlight more development of shows with a minority as the lead.

“We were going after this regardless, but I don’t think you can deny the power that Barack Obama brings in magnifying this direction in our world,” he said. “We’ve all been colorblind for years, but the results don’t necessarily match up to our intentions.”

Let’s look at the facts: black actors have often been the lead in comedies. Take for example “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons,” “Martin,” and—of course—”The Cosby Show.”

But if you look at black actors who have played a major role in dramas, it’s always been as a part of a supporting cast. “ER” has featured Angela Bassett and Eriq La Salle, Dennis Haysbert played the president on “24,” and “St. Elsewhere” helped Denzel Washington rise to spectacular fame. However, none of these roles had the title of Lead Actor.

If one were to look at the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series for 2008’s Emmy Awards, they’ll see a list full of characters with white leads: Boston Legal, Damages, Dexter, House, Lost, and Mad Men.

While many of these shows do, in fact, offer minorities in a supporting role (except for Mad Men), perhaps it’s time for the Obama affect to spread to our favorite programming.