Because of today’s social climate, our COMM 409 lectures often lead to discussions about diversity (in all facets) and its unethical and ethical representation in media. Traditionally, issues of diversity focused on race alone, but sexual, religious, and gender-based diversities are all coming further into play in light of the modern push for equality.
In August 2016, CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller was under fierce attack by the Television Critics Association reporters for the network’s lack of diversity both on and off the screen. Because of the harsh criticism he faced, CBS made an active effort at the next Television Critics Association meeting to highlight their new drama Doubt (premiering the following February). Doubt not only features a pair of Active-American actors in key roles, but a transgender woman (Orange Is The New Black’s well known Laverne Cox) as well. The show revolves around the troubles faced by minorities (whether it be racial, gender-based, etc.) in the workplace and life in general. Some criticized Geller and CBS for only making this push in an effort to defend the criticism they faced just a few months prior. Upon being grilled for the first time at TCA in August 2016, Geller stated “we need to do better,” repeatedly, regarding this lack of representation. I believe that CBS only made this effort to product and promote Doubt because of the negative press that they received. Would they still have put the show out and promoted it to the same audience that criticized them, had the TCA never drew attention to the issue?
It is important to acknowledge that, regardless of their motivation, CBS did air Doubt and was successful in their goal of representing diversity on several fronts. However, one cannot help but focus on their motivation and wonder whether or not this show was scheduled to be released so soon after the Television Critics Association’s comments and the negative publicity that followed. Even if this was the case, CBS did a fantastic job of correcting and acknowledging their mistakes, and it is that kind of comradery that all people in the media industry should understand and abide by themselves. Owning up to potentially critical mistakes is essential and crucial in retaining audiences while also expanding to new ones. In many cases discussed in class, the media resists doing so, and eventually finds themselves in a position difficult to recover from. I believe that, generally speaking, CBS handled their specific situation appropriately.
References
Birnbaum, D. (2016, May 18). CBS Boss Glenn Geller Defends Lack of Diversity on Fall Schedule. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/new-cbs-shows-diversity-white-male-leads-glenn-geller-1201777931/
Chan, R. (2016, August 11). CBS Responds to Concerns About Lack of Diversity on TV Shows. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from http://time.com/4448169/cbs-president-says-network-needs-to-do-better-on-diversity/
Malone, M. (2016). Rough Time for Geller, “Star” Treatment for Fuller. Broadcasting & Cable, 146(28), 4. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=117472856&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Malone, M. (2017). When In “Doubt,” Double Down on Diversity. Broadcasting & Cable, 147(5), 18. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=121118763&site=ehost-live&scope=site