Apparently racist ballet show ...

[zemo]

You know, I haven't seen one black ballet dancer in my life. I mean, I have never went to see a show, admittedly. But I have seen them on tv, in shows, advertising, what have you. Never seen a one. I can absolutely understand wanting a more diverse cast in this.

Also, sorry Morrison_Lad, but coming here of all places and posting about someone complaining (not demanding in a shower of spittle and righteous fury) that a show isn't diverse, which it clearly isn't, and expecting people to share your disbelief, that is kind of naive.

[JohnBehling]

Why is it so outrageous to hope for a diverse cast?

Exactly. One hopes it would be the norm by now.

[Kevin T Brown]

Shonda Rhimes, who is some kind of a TV exec, complained on Twitter that "Bunheads" was not diverse. Her kid couldn't feel good watching the show without a black dancer? Really? How about watching for the dancing?

OTOH, I don't get to see "Bunheads" because I don't get ABC Family. So, that sucks.

Agreed. This show, which I think is quite charming, is as "racist" as The Cosby Show was...

[Ray G.]

It takes place in a tiny, upscale California town. Here's the thing - shows should reflect reality, but not every reality is diverse.

[Weeto]

Things are much different nowadays than they were in the 80s and early 90s when there were numerous shows which had almost an entirely black cast with the occasional token white.

This was meant to balance things out at a time when many shows had almost all white casts but it has got to a position now where some shows have been branded racist because they have a predominately white cast while the same people don't bat an eyelid if a show has a totally ethnic cast.

Ethnic minorities are properly represented in TV and movies now, possibly even above comparison levels in terms of the racial ratio but programme makers are very thoughtful of having a diverse cast list.

Look at the number of Black and Asian actors that have appeared in period shows in recent times, even though society wouldn't have been nearly as diverse in those days but to provide a mirror of modern multiculturism.

I understand that it is important to promote good relations between different cultures and ethnicities but it is a bit rash to say that a show is racist purely for having white lead actors. Things like this can even be caused by casting locations as some areas have few minority groups while others are predominately ethnic.

If you were casting a show in LA or Detroit you would expect a totally different cast than you would get in Maine or North Dakota.

I don't know much about Bunheads (location or anything like that) but it might have been cast in an area with a low ethnic population.

[Ray G.]

Things are much different nowadays than they were in the 80s and early 90s when there were numerous shows which had almost an entirely black cast with the occasional token white.

This was meant to balance things out at a time when many shows had almost all white casts but it has got to a position now where some shows have been branded racist because they have a predominately white cast while the same people don't bat an eyelid if a show has a totally ethnic cast.

Ethnic minorities are properly represented in TV and movies now, possibly even above comparison levels in terms of the racial ratio but programme makers are very thoughtful of having a diverse cast list.

Look at the number of Black and Asian actors that have appeared in period shows in recent times, even though society wouldn't have been nearly as diverse in those days but to provide a mirror of modern multiculturism.

I understand that it is important to promote good relations between different cultures and ethnicities but it is a bit rash to say that a show is racist purely for having white lead actors. Things like this can even be caused by casting locations as some areas have few minority groups while others are predominately ethnic.

If you were casting a show in LA or Detroit you would expect a totally different cast than you would get in Maine or North Dakota.

I don't know much about Bunheads (location or anything like that) but it might have been cast in an area with a low ethnic population.

It's in a sleepy town in Coastal California. Basically west coast Stars Hollow.

[Ray G.]

Why is it so outrageous to hope for a diverse cast?

I don't think it is at all. However, I think Rhimes' public, accusatory tone towards a woman who really didn't do anything wrong besides create a show that reflected the small town its set in was kind of uncalled for.

[t.c.johnson]

Agreed. This show, which I think is quite charming, is as "racist" as The Cosby Show was...

Keep in mind, Shonda never said the show was racist.

[Pia Guerra]

The story is set in a sleepy coastal Cali city which is no excuse for not including some diversity. As for actual filming locations, it's shot in LA, exteriors shot in Hermosa Beach.

[t.c.johnson]

It takes place in a tiny, upscale California town. Here's the thing - shows should reflect reality, but not every reality is diverse.

So.....there aren't any black people in upscale California towns?