The biggest hits on prime time, network TV this season reflect America's ethnic diversity—on screen and behind the cameras. How to Get Away with Murder, Fresh off the Boat, Jane the Virgin and Empire don't just feature black, Hispanic and Asian actors in major roles. They're good shows — produced by ethnically diverse crews of producers and writers. With help from social media, they've drawn the live audiences dear to advertisers, and they've delivered high ratings across the board. But skeptics say this has happened before, and Hollywood's executive suites are still dominated by white men. How long will it last?
Diversity Is Selling Again in Prime Time
More
- Rosenberg on why Hollywood can't do better on race
- Rosenberg on Empire's Cookie Lyons as TV's best new female character
- Ralphe Bunche Center of African American Studies' 2015 diversity report
- Chu on Eddie Huang as Asian Americans' Richard Pryor
- NPR's Eric Deggens on whether 'Empire' breaks or bolsters black stereotypes
- The Business' interview with Danny Strong, creator of 'Empire'
Credits
Guests:
- Alyssa Rosenberg - Op-ed columnist, Washington Post - @AlyssaRosenberg
- Darnell Hunt - UCLA Bunche Center for African American Studies - @BuncheUCLA
- Arthur Chu - Salon - @arthur_affect
- Robin R. Means Coleman - vice president and associate provost for diversity and inclusion at Northwestern University, co-author of “The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder To Oscar” - @MeansColeman