Do you agree with the Doug Banks Morning Show about the show Friends?

Question

On the "DBMS" they are always talking about how on the show friends there are no black friends. When I hear them talking about this I just want to call and point out that:
1st of all this is a show that started to draw veiwers to CBS and away for FOX's "Living Single" which is a show about black friends and roomates. So it was a show about white friends
2nd of all the show did not act like black people of people of other races did not exist, the had guest stars of all races on the show.
3rd of all I think back to shows like "Martin" where it started off with one white guy who played a stupid stoner and later on Martin Lawrence but on make-up to play the white guy who was nothing but a "RUNNING" stereotype from the way he dressed, talked, and danced. And I think that we as a black people would have a fit if this happened on a "white show" but on a "black show" it is very funny.Than we turn around and have something to say about not have a a "black friend" Is it just to complain?

Answer 1

I think there is a point there, but you're correct in saying that there seems to be a bigger hoopla over "Friends" being too white than over a show like "Martin" being "too black".

When UPN premiered some ten years ago, it was touted as the first African-American friendly television network. While it did have some successes, last year UPN decided to merge with the "whiter" WB network. It seems, theferore, that even with a network that features a relatively large percentage of programming aimed largely at a black audience, many blacks prefer to watch shows that are, well, pretty white.

I think that the actor Morgan Freeman put it best during a '60 Minutes' interview when he stated that he does not believe that he should be considered a good "black actor". Rather, he said he just wants to be considered a good actor, period. I think too much is made of the color issue. While it is wonderful that blacks do excel in so many areas, it is somewhat derogatory and perhaps even racist to keep touting the "black" card. Why must we always think in terms of two separate societies? Why can't we value a person's qualities without always having to make light of skin color? Isn't THAT inherently racist?

"Friends" was funny regardless of the fact that it didn't feature many black performers. Would it have been as funny with black actors? Of course. The idea that all blacks are about rap, hip-hop, dancing, and basketball is purely racist. A show like "Martin" was as bad because it featured white people in stereotypically "white" roles as it was for featuring blacks in stereotypically "black" roles. "Cosby" was funny precisely because it almost never focused on the race issue. It had crossover appeal because it was about people who just so happened to be black, rather than about black people.

Having said that, I think it is not an exagerration to state that there probably is an audience out there that would prefer to watch an all-white cast, just as much as there is an audience that would like an all-black cast. I am sure that if money is involved, producers will deliver shows that will follow the "Friends" platform of a largely white, urban Yuppie cast (most NBC shows have also been largely white. "Seinfeld" rarely had black actors).

In any case, we still live in a country that divides largely along race lines. The fact that this division is at least partially voluntary is revealed by the fact that many people voluntarily choose to watch a homogeneous racial cast.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not black so I wonder if my opinion is wanted here :).. but here's my 2 cents anyway.

Friends is a pretty good show - decent humor for most part and I enjoy it just as much as I enjoy black humor in the Cosby show. I like shows that concentrate on making people laugh rather than seeing the need to get diverse and bring in a black guy or white one just for the sake of diversity.

So yeah, in short - I dont think DBMS has a point. If programme producers/directors had to think about so many things - like the correct representation of each ethnical group - then humor would have to take a back-seat.

Answer 3

They are just making a big deal out of everything (as usual). On Friends, they SO did have black people. What about Gabrielle Union in the 7th season? And how about Charlie in the 10th season? There may be no BLACK Friends but they do have black characters. Let's see them start complaining about the Backstreet Boys not having a black member.

Answer 4

Not at all. It's not the unannounced part that would annoy me, personally; although i know it's a pet peeve for the vast majority of people. My husband's friends and family all show up randomly at our house unannounced and i've gotten used it. What would annoy me is that they come when your husband isn't even there to tend to them, leaving you to shoulder the burden of caring for them. It's not your job to entertain them and provide them with food and drinks; they're your husband's friends and it's his job. It would be one thing if he was there to hang out with and take care of them, but he shouldn't expect you to do it just because his friends can't find a better hang out. I find it odd that they are so insistent on coming to your home when they know he isn't around anyway. I think you're completely justified. If i were you, i would be telling my husband that it's not my job to care for his friends. I would let him know that i couldn't care less if they come whenever he's around, but that i would rather they not come when they knew he's not there.

Answer 5

I'm not black but I understand. I'm white. I can't help it but I listen to power92 and WGCI and when I listen to the music people look at me funny. I was born and raised in GI and I only moved out to Valpo because my mom moved me. I know about hardship. I know about hustlin for what I got. Is it right for people to judge me as a stupid white person and I shouldn't listen to that type of music. I'm not being racist. I just was pointing out something.

Answer 6

Yes, I think it is just to complain...some people obviously have too much time on their hands and need to use their energy in more constructive ways.

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

You are right on it.

Answer 9

u are so right