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CBS NETWORK'S STREAK OF RACISM CONTINUES
http://asbarez.com/115142/cbs-network%E2%80%99s-streak-of-racism-continues/
Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
CBS's "2 Broke Girls" depicts Armenians as thieves
The CBS Television Network continues its streak of racism during its
primetime programming, this time targeting Armenians with a stereotype
that paints the entire community as thieves.
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
In Monday's episode of CBS's moderate-hit "2 Broke Girls," when a new
cappuccino maker is brought into the cupcake store by a co-worker,
he says he bought it for a cheap price from a person who stole it
but sells it at a profit, adding "it's the Armenian way." When the
character is pressed that he is not Armenian, he says "I know. But,
it's the Armenian way."
Incidentally, this not a first for the show or the network!
In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter wrote about the racial stereotypes
peppered in the scripts of "2 Broke Girls" against a Korean character.
This summer, however, saw the most blatant racism from CBS, when
several cast members of its hit reality series "Big Brother" used
racist slurs to describe or speak to fellow African-American and
Asian cast members. The network, at the time, defended its decision
to include those parts, saying it might promote a national discussion
on race.
Ironically, it was on the very same network, where Julie Chen host of
"Big Brother" and a co-host on "The Talk," and wife of CBS President
Les Moonves, revealed to viewers that in an earlier job as a television
reporter, workplace racism forced her to get plastic surgery to
enlarge her "Asian eyes."
Past characterization of Armenians in television shows from FX's
"The Shield," Showtime's "Weeds" and others have sparked a debate
about how Armenians are characterized on television shows, with some
opining that the fact that Armenians are even being mentioned in
mainstream scripts is a step up.
However, we have yet to see a depiction of an Armenian character
in a television show-broadcast or cable-that reflects the history
of the Armenian-American community and the great contribution our
community has had in the advancement of American society. Instead,
our community continues to be portrayed as gang members, thieves and
drug dealers for dramatic and comedic effect.
The number of Armenians in the entertainment industry continues to
grow in an impressive pace both in front of and behind the camera,
yet the depiction of Armenians on TV and films continues to degenerate.
Perhaps, to expect CBS to draw the line at Armenians is a bit too much
given their most recent streak of allowing racism on the airwaves for
quick ratings, but certainly calling them on it will draw attention
to this harmful trend disguised as entertainment.
"2 Broke Girls" is produced by Warner Bros. Television and airs on
CBS on Mondays.
Peter Roth is President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros.
Television Group, and President, Warner Bros. Television. Nina Tassler
is Head of Entertainment at CBS.
Contact CBS: 51 W. 52nd Street New York, NY 10019-6188 1-212-975-4321
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Contact Warner Bros. Television 4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522 CA Tel. 818-954-6000 Fax 212-954-7667
[email protected]
http://asbarez.com/115142/cbs-network%E2%80%99s-streak-of-racism-continues/
Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
CBS's "2 Broke Girls" depicts Armenians as thieves
The CBS Television Network continues its streak of racism during its
primetime programming, this time targeting Armenians with a stereotype
that paints the entire community as thieves.
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
In Monday's episode of CBS's moderate-hit "2 Broke Girls," when a new
cappuccino maker is brought into the cupcake store by a co-worker,
he says he bought it for a cheap price from a person who stole it
but sells it at a profit, adding "it's the Armenian way." When the
character is pressed that he is not Armenian, he says "I know. But,
it's the Armenian way."
Incidentally, this not a first for the show or the network!
In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter wrote about the racial stereotypes
peppered in the scripts of "2 Broke Girls" against a Korean character.
This summer, however, saw the most blatant racism from CBS, when
several cast members of its hit reality series "Big Brother" used
racist slurs to describe or speak to fellow African-American and
Asian cast members. The network, at the time, defended its decision
to include those parts, saying it might promote a national discussion
on race.
Ironically, it was on the very same network, where Julie Chen host of
"Big Brother" and a co-host on "The Talk," and wife of CBS President
Les Moonves, revealed to viewers that in an earlier job as a television
reporter, workplace racism forced her to get plastic surgery to
enlarge her "Asian eyes."
Past characterization of Armenians in television shows from FX's
"The Shield," Showtime's "Weeds" and others have sparked a debate
about how Armenians are characterized on television shows, with some
opining that the fact that Armenians are even being mentioned in
mainstream scripts is a step up.
However, we have yet to see a depiction of an Armenian character
in a television show-broadcast or cable-that reflects the history
of the Armenian-American community and the great contribution our
community has had in the advancement of American society. Instead,
our community continues to be portrayed as gang members, thieves and
drug dealers for dramatic and comedic effect.
The number of Armenians in the entertainment industry continues to
grow in an impressive pace both in front of and behind the camera,
yet the depiction of Armenians on TV and films continues to degenerate.
Perhaps, to expect CBS to draw the line at Armenians is a bit too much
given their most recent streak of allowing racism on the airwaves for
quick ratings, but certainly calling them on it will draw attention
to this harmful trend disguised as entertainment.
"2 Broke Girls" is produced by Warner Bros. Television and airs on
CBS on Mondays.
Peter Roth is President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros.
Television Group, and President, Warner Bros. Television. Nina Tassler
is Head of Entertainment at CBS.
Contact CBS: 51 W. 52nd Street New York, NY 10019-6188 1-212-975-4321
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Contact Warner Bros. Television 4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522 CA Tel. 818-954-6000 Fax 212-954-7667
[email protected]