Whether it's reality shows such as Big Brother, Survivor, or Real World, commercials, TV shows like CSI, Lost, The Unit,etc, or movies(Not Another Teen Movie made fun of this topic), there's always that one black guy tagging along with the white friends/people. It's like he's there so Tv networks can say- "hey look at this we support minorities too!" Does anyone else notice this? I think it's kinda funny.
2006-07-31 18:57:42 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
moondroop is right- in black shows a lot of the time they have that one white friend- like the Parkers. On Dave Chapelle he did a skit where all the people on Real World were black and there was one white guy (opposite from reality, needless to say)- it was funny as hell
2006-07-31 19:10:54 · update #1
First off, I want to clear somethin up. I'm not angry about this, I just want to see who else notices this-whether it's in black or white shows. Second, both black and white shows can include more ethnic groups instead of that one tag-a-long guy.
2006-07-31 19:18:53 · update #2
I don't know any black people/minorities who hang out with white people that much. I think the only logical explanation is that the token black/minority character lost all his family and friends in some terrible disaster. Now, whenever he is around anyone who looks similar it reminds him of all he's lost. Thus, he hangs out with white people to protect his psyche, and not be reminded of the tragedy. OK, I'm kidding.
Truly, I think it's not as insidious as racism. I think the marketers are trying to appeal to a broader demographic. The advertisers want all races to buy their products, not just one. In fact, I think life on TV appears more integrated than it is in actuality. Since advertising works, maybe this TV integration will seep into the inner parts of the non-integrated brains out there?
2006-07-31 19:34:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I agree with phwar68 on this one. Like with The Cosby Show...I love that show and everything, but they never had that many white people except Rudy's friend, Peter who was an idiot child. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Is that the way they wanted white people portrayed? I think it's ridiculous to think that everything on Earth has to be divided exactly the same between the races...like TV shows and movies. If "white" shows didn't have a black character on there, people would be screaming racism. Now, you are complaining that there is a black character so I guess you can't win no matter what you do.
2006-07-31 19:11:33 · answer #2 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people in the USA are white, so most TV characters are white. There are some other colors in the USA, too, so some TV characters are other colors.
For this reason,TV shows with mostly white characters are more profitable than TV shows with mostly minority characters. Just follow the money trail for the answers.
Funny? I think the funniest thing is when the main character speaks English, the minority sidekick speaks another language, and they argue with each other while speaking their own languages.
2006-07-31 19:04:33 · answer #3 · answered by Baxter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's so some black people might be interested in watching too.
Just like your favorite movies - they come out as a 2 with a child a woman and two other ethnicities other than the main character from the 1st movie.
Its all marketing - I dont agree with it - but we cant change it. Hollywood is trying to market to everyone at once so they get not necessarily the most satisfied audience but the largest.
2006-07-31 19:04:53 · answer #4 · answered by drewwers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's to show some sort of diversity and to encourage viewers of all races to watch the program/film. It's a way to have everyone identify with at least one character, even if it's just because of race.
I think the funniest thing about it is that, despite what color the 'minority' character is, usually, they are stereotyped to the utmost extreme. Some shows are getting better about it, i.e. Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs.
2006-07-31 19:05:56 · answer #5 · answered by IkkleMerry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because if they dont the reverend jesse jackson will drop mad ninja skills on them. JK..... I know on bet, and shows where the majority of characters are black they always include one white person as well. i guess the networks are just trying to keep from being sued by anyone whether white or black.
2006-07-31 19:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yah-I have. Sort of dumb, huh? But the same thing sort of happens with the all black shows. Where are the white people in them? We are all a bunch of messed up people, aren't we? I guess we just need to be patient and love each other anyway. Sorry!
2006-07-31 19:02:42 · answer #7 · answered by moondrop000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha/ha I was wondering why UPN puts one white person in their black show agenda that is always a dumb person?
Go figure-racism has more than one face.
Keep watching TV to guide you through life bro.
2006-07-31 19:05:37 · answer #8 · answered by phwar68 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mr. Charles,
I hear you.
What is most amusing,
is that by 'tagging´ along
one sole black person,
they are so recognizing
their racism? That is how
I interpret it.
It's the 21st century,
last time I checked.
Sad, isn't it!
Oh well....
Be well, stay well
2006-07-31 19:06:07 · answer #9 · answered by vim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that's exactly why. People would accuse them of being racist otherwise. There's a core of really loud black people who look for racism everywhere, and I think they piss the majority of black people off.
2006-07-31 19:02:28 · answer #10 · answered by Jake 'N' Shakes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋