DENNIS HAYSBERT - BLACK FAMILY IN WHITE HOUSE, NONE ON NETWORK TV

BLACK FAMILY IN WHITE HOUSE, NONE ON NETWORK TV

As an African American prepares for his inauguration as president of the United States, the Los Angeles Times observes today (Wednesday) that no American broadcast network is airing a single show featuring a person of color in a central role. (An arguable exception is the role of Dennis Haysbert in CBS's The Unit. ) Responding to requests by the Times for interviews, each of the major networks declined and instead submitted statements detailing their commitment to diversity. (CBS did not respond.) Felicia D. Henderson, creator of the Showtime classic Soul Food, told the newspaper, "I've pitched these projects with main black characters and have been told, 'We just can't see that,' or, 'No one will watch that,'"

03/12/2008