RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to Grey's Anatomy?

[Keith Johnson]

Good point. That's why I was asking for an opinion, because I'd quit
watching. Still think Homicide had the most realized Blacks on TV in a
coon's age...

-Original Message-
From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 09:20
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to Grey's Anatomy?


I Like Washington, and see this role as an opportunity for him.  But...
that could be lust talking.  :)

Stealth diversity..  I like that term.  I do not necessarily have a
problem with stealth diversity..  For many artists of color, it might be
the only way to get high profile, break out roles.  the same for many
producers, writers and directors of color.  I've seen the shows with
true diversity last only 6 six and bottom of the list ratings.  In the
long run it does not do much good.  If Grey Anatomy becomes an ER,
(which seems extremely likely) Washington, that Black actress, and the
Asian actress might find themselves with stable employment with a high
profile role that actually requires them to act, allows them to take
some of the offers of movies that they now will get, enough money to
produce their own stuff if they want, and also will present them with
opportunities for other juicy parts.

If you look at the career paths of Omar Epps,  Eriq La Salle , Ming-Na
and maybe a few other ER alumni of color, ER may have contributed to
some milestones in their careers.  I think being on a top 10 show, in a
part where you are not playing some stereotype could definitely do some
positive things for an actor's career.

So, while I have a few criticisms and reservations about Grey's Anatomy,
I am glad in is thriving.

Tracey
-Original Message-
From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 12:10 AM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to Grey's Anatomy?


From your response and Tracey's, I guess ABC's pullling stealth
diversity, using white-oriented marketing to pull in the mainstream.
Like I said ,all the commercials focus on the whites. And I'm still
troubled by magazine and other media coverage like TV Guide, which
completely ignores the Blacks. Isaiah Washington's a good actor, but
something about him often seemed to get him villain roles. He was a
villain in Romeo Must Die, and a couple other films I saw. I saw him
in an interesting movie a few years back with Mirando Otto (Eowen from
Lord of the Rings), where he falls in love with a white South African
played by Otto. He was a villain in Exit Wounds too. But Washington's
done a lot of work, almost 40 films! Could we be looking at another Sam
Jackson? check out his filmography:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913460/

Also, I have to give him my props, as he's a fellow Texan! -Original
Message-
From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Kelly Wright
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 22:07
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to Grey's Anatomy?


I like Grey's Anatomy, it is a perfect companion to Desparate
Housewives but if I miss either, it is not a tragedy.  When the show
first came on I mentioned the 'bizarro world' aspect of it --where the
blacks were ostensibly in charge and were, in essence, oppressing the
downtrodden white characters.  I am sure the show's creators had to make
many compromises.  For instance, one of the four interns was supposed to
be a black man but I guess that was too much diversity for the suits
that run ABC.  Television is a cruel master and an incredibly difficult
place for a person of color to get a foothold.

There has been much to do about Everybody loves Raymond coming to a
conclusion after nine seasons.  One of the hubbubs when the show was
getting off the ground was that they didn't want Italian Ray Barone's
wife to be too ethnic.  By that Les Moonves (who is married to an
Asian woman as is Rupert Murdock)didn't want Ray's wife to be Italian or
Jewish.  They originally wanted someone like Meredith Baxter Birney.  If
Ray Romano can't get an Italian wife in a show based on his life on a
show he co-created and co-executive produces, what chance does a black
show producer have?

That said, let me say I thoroughly enjoyed the episode of Grey's
Anatomy where Anna Maria Horsford played an old scrub nurse who was
dying and even though her illness was terminal and the hospital could do
nothing to save her the administration was letting her stay until she
died.  This episode showed the humanity of all the black totems and
taught the callow young white interns something about caring and
community.

As an aside, I have never been an Isaiah Washington fan.  I loathe
almost every character I have seen him play including his debut in Spike
Lee's Girl 6 where despite substantial screen time he is credited
simply as the Shoplifter.  But I saw him

RE: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened to Grey's Anatomy?

[Keith Johnson]

Title: Message





From 
your response and Tracey's, I guess ABC's pullling stealth diversity, using 
white-oriented marketing to pull in the mainstream. Like I said ,all the 
commercials focus on the whites. And I'm still troubled by magazine and other 
media coverage like TV Guide, which completely ignores the 
Blacks.
Isaiah 
Washington's a good actor, but something about him often seemed to get him 
villain roles. He was a villain in "Romeo Must Die", and a couple other films I 
saw. I saw him in an interesting movie a few years back with Mirando Otto (Eowen 
from "Lord of the Rings"), where he falls in love with a white South African 
played by Otto. He was a villain in "Exit Wounds" too. But Washington's done a 
lot of work, almost 40 films! Could we be looking at another Sam Jackson? check 
out his filmography:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913460/

Also, 
I have to give him my props, as he's a fellow Texan!

  
  -Original Message-From: 
  scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of 
  Kelly WrightSent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 22:07To: 
  scifinoir2@yahoogroups.comSubject: [scifinoir2] Re: What happened 
  to "Grey's Anatomy"?I like "Grey's Anatomy," it is a 
  perfect companion to "Desparate Housewives" but if I miss either, it is 
  not a tragedy. When the show first came on I mentioned the 'bizarro 
  world' aspect of it --where the blacks were ostensibly in charge and were, 
  in essence, oppressing the downtrodden white characters. I am sure 
  the show's creators had to make many compromises. For instance, one 
  of the four interns was supposed to be a black man but I guess that was 
  too much diversity for the suits that run ABC. Television is a cruel 
  master and an incredibly difficult place for a person of color to get a 
  foothold. There has been much to do about "Everybody loves Raymond" 
  coming to a conclusion after nine seasons. One of the hubbubs when 
  the show was getting off the ground was that they didn't want Italian Ray 
  Barone's wife to be "too ethnic." By that Les Moonves (who is 
  married to an Asian woman as is Rupert Murdock)didn't want Ray's wife to 
  be Italian or Jewish. They originally wanted someone like Meredith 
  Baxter Birney. If Ray Romano can't get an Italian wife in a show 
  based on his life on a show he co-created and co-executive produces, what 
  chance does a black show producer have? That said, let me 
  say I thoroughly enjoyed the episode of "Grey's Anatomy" where Anna Maria 
  Horsford played an old scrub nurse who was dying and even though her 
  illness was terminal and the hospital could do nothing to save her the 
  administration was letting her stay until she died. This episode 
  showed the humanity of all the black totems and taught the callow young 
  white interns something about caring and community. As an 
  aside, I have never been an Isaiah Washington fan. I loathe almost 
  every character I have seen him play including his debut in Spike Lee's 
  "Girl 6" where despite substantial screen time he is credited simply as 
  the "Shoplifter." But I saw him the other day on "The View" touting 
  "Grey's Anatomy" and he was lovely. He looked great, loved his mama 
  (as came out in an anectodote) and he simply adored his pregnant wife of 
  nine years(who was black and in the audience). This man has been 
  horribly miscast. I hope to one day write something worthy of his 
  silky elegance.~rave!--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, 
  [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I tuned into this show because I'd heard a 
  Sister was the creator and main writer. She spoke at length with Tavis 
  Smiley about the diverse cast (three Blacks and an Asian) and how the 
  stories often center around guests of color. That may be true, but I 
  haven't seen anything that really differentiates this from other shows 
  I've seen that focus on the whites. The star's in a love affair with 
  the doc played by Patrick Dempsey, the buxom nurse (who used to be on 
  Roswell) has gotten some storylines, including one that had her 
  stripping to her underwear in front of her co-workers. The Asian 
  nurse is apparently pregnant. Frankly I quit watching after two 
  episodes because nothing convinced me the Blacks would get major 
  treatment. From what I can tell they're more like window dressing to 
  the white characters.  I notice that among the Blacks we 
  have what are becoming familiar caricatures: the older doctor who 
  ostensibly runs the place. But like Fancy on NYPD Blue, it reminds me of 
  the device where you create a leader who's Black, then push him to 
  the background...a mean doc who's shepherding the newbies. She comes 
  onscreen, barks at the youngsters, then stalks off...and Isiah 
  Washington's arrogant, self-centered genius, who reminds me of Eric 
  LaSalle's character on "E