The cast and executives of “Black-ish” did a press conference recently about the upcoming season, and things got uncomfortable after a reporter asked about the percentage of black viewers the show has.
And Tracee had no problems checking the reporter for it either.
Variety writes:
ABC’s “Black-ish” has been praised for its portrayal of an African-American family. But series creator Kenya Barris worries that the focus on that family’s race has overshadowed the universality of the show.
“I will be so happy when diversity is not a word,” Barris said Friday at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour, where ABC brought the cast and creative team of the series ahead of its third season and on the heels of its three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. But Barris appeared to grow frustrated when one reporter asked him what percentage of the show’s audience was black.
“It doesn’t matter who’s watching our show,” he said. “The fact is that they’re watching it. And I feel like every question at every panel … I get so tired of talking about diversity. These are amazing, talented actors and amazing writers who give their all and they don’t have to do this. It’s crowding the conversation.”
Star Tracee Ellis Ross, nominated in July for an Emmy for best comedy actress, turned the question back on the reporter, asking, “Is that a question that you’ve asked other shows that are not predominately of a certain color?”
“Not necessarily,” the reporter said.
“Those questions continue the conversation in a direction that does not help the conversation,” Ross added.
I really understand where they are coming from. They would never ask a predominately white show how many black viewers they have. They are always trying to label shows with predominately black actors as “black shows” and movies with predominately black actors as “black movies” to keep us in a box. It’s very transparent I think.
Diversity shouldn’t even be a topic in 2016. America is not mainly white anymore and never will be again. Hollywood needs to catch up.
Tracee said not today b-tch.
Ok! I love her.
It was a stupid question.
I get it but with them naming the show Blackish, they are going to get diversity questions. This is why I wish they would have chosen a better name.
Thank you… Like duh how are you going to get mad about diversity questions with a name like Blackish cmon son
I respect her for pointing out that these questions aren’t asked of white actors and white shows. Just like white people are never asked about Black Lives Matter.