Black Representation

Black Representation in The Post-Network, Post-Civil Rights

World of Global Media

by

Herman

Gray

Black-Oriented TV Shows

-Primarily sitcoms,

variety shows,

night-time dramas

-Found especially

on Fox, later UPN

and WB

In Living Color

1990-1994 on Fox

1970s: The Post-Civil Rights Era

-presence of black cast members and entirely black casts began to proliferate in the 1970s

Julia 1968-71 (NBC)

Sanford and Son 1972-77 (NBC) Good Times

1974-79 (CBS)

Flip Wilson Show 1970-74 (NBC)

Gray’s Argument:There are fewer “black shows”

- mainly scheduled on newest networks (WB, UPN, Fox)

-mostly sitcoms

-most were long-running shows that had been renewed

-primarily aimed at middle and working-class black Americans

(based on the 1997 TV schedule)

1996 Telecommunications Act

“…gave major US corporations…the green light to pursue mergers, joint ventures, new research and development, and worldwide expansion…[through which] major corporations extended their control.” (Gray, 120)”

Quotes from Gray:

“…the genre of situational comedy--long associated with intimacy, family, romance and domesticity--is a site of some of the most benign but persistent segregation in American public culture”

“Black oriented programming that enjoys a wide reception in black households, seldom if ever register with white viewers”

Segregation on TV?

All in the Family 1971-83 (CBS)

-ranked #1 in Nielsen ratings from 1971-76

The Jeffersons 1975-85 (CBS)

The Cosby Show 1971-83 (CBS)

-ranked #1 in Nielsen ratings from 1985-90

No More “Black Shows”?

Fresh Prince 1990-96 (NBC)

Family Matters 1989-98 (ABC/CBS)

Chapelle’s Show 2003-2006 (CC)

Bernie Mac Show 2001-2006 (FOX)

Sister, Sister 1993-1999 (WB)

House of Payne 2007-now (TBS)

Questions

• How do you think “black shows” have increased/decreased segregation?

• Do you think there should be more “black shows” on television today, and why?