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The residents of Oakdale, Salem, Llanview, and Harmony sure have a lot on their hands. For
generations they’ve endured boat and warehouse explosions, diabolical terrorist plots, violent
kidnappings, extramarital affairs, incestuous relationships, and masterful corporate deceptions. But
amazingly these small town characters somehow seem to still embody idyllic, wholesome, middle-
American values and ethics.
But what doesn’t always appear to be clear is if any of these residents and the daytime dramas in
which they’re encased truly understand or embrace cultural, ethnic, spiritual, or sexual diversity in its
most vibrant form.
Would an out and proud Latina lesbian fit into the close-knit fabric of Genoa City? Would an elderly
Asian man be respected in the chummy neighborhood of Port Charles? And would the spiritually
conservative towns of Pine Valley or Springfield accept a Buddhist bisexual, his Catholic wife and
their biracial children?
And what about the corporate entities within these towns? Would corporate moguls such as Victor
Newman, Lucinda Walsh, or even LA based Eric Forrester implement a corporate diversity policy
inclusive of all sexual, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual diversity?
Since its inception, the daytime soap opera has supposedly focused upon the daily complexities of
middle-America. However, a closer examination leaves one to wonder if issues of cultural, ethnic,
spiritual and sexual diversity have been left out of the writing and production loop of these daytime
series.
generations they’ve endured boat and warehouse explosions, diabolical terrorist plots, violent
kidnappings, extramarital affairs, incestuous relationships, and masterful corporate deceptions. But
amazingly these small town characters somehow seem to still embody idyllic, wholesome, middle-
American values and ethics.
But what doesn’t always appear to be clear is if any of these residents and the daytime dramas in
which they’re encased truly understand or embrace cultural, ethnic, spiritual, or sexual diversity in its
most vibrant form.
Would an out and proud Latina lesbian fit into the close-knit fabric of Genoa City? Would an elderly
Asian man be respected in the chummy neighborhood of Port Charles? And would the spiritually
conservative towns of Pine Valley or Springfield accept a Buddhist bisexual, his Catholic wife and
their biracial children?
And what about the corporate entities within these towns? Would corporate moguls such as Victor
Newman, Lucinda Walsh, or even LA based Eric Forrester implement a corporate diversity policy
inclusive of all sexual, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual diversity?
Since its inception, the daytime soap opera has supposedly focused upon the daily complexities of
middle-America. However, a closer examination leaves one to wonder if issues of cultural, ethnic,
spiritual and sexual diversity have been left out of the writing and production loop of these daytime
series.
| There are currently 9 daytime soap operas airing on network television |
| Returning in Spring 2006 to: The Dish Network, Channel 223 Time Warner Cable "The Healthy Living Channel" PRIME TIME Every Thursday evening 10pm Eastern, 9pm Central, 8pm Mountain, 7pm Pacific Additional Cable Outlets: Comcast, Adelphia, Charter |
Copyrighted 2006
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can
be reached directly at http://herndondavis.com
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can
be reached directly at http://herndondavis.com
| Empowering The World's Diversity |
In December 2004, Black Enterprise Magazine published an expose highlighting the diversity or lack
thereof both in front of and behind the camera of daytime dramas. From journalist, Carolyn M.
Brown’s study, the overall conclusion of diversity was not very favorable.
With such core families existing for generations, it makes it harder to add a diverse mix of characters
according to Jennifer Turner, a then ABC executive in daytime programming “This is something that
has hampered introducing new characters that are persons of color” she admitted.
However, the gap between the demographic diversity of viewers in comparison to the diversity of the
behind the scenes production team such as writing and casting is stunning.
For instance, the number #1 rated daytime drama, the Young and Restless has an estimated 15 million
African-American viewers world-wide and at times has had up to seven African-American contract
players. However, the soap still has yet to hire a black writer.
Amazingly, this doesn’t even compare to the lack of diversity at the rest of the CBS line-up. Soap
opera powerhouses such As The World Turns, Guiding Light, and The Bold & Beautiful are all
ranked in the top 10 of black daytime viewership.
But sadly, if one were to tune in and watch either of these dramas, they would find only two African
Americans, zero Latinos and no Asian characters on As The World Turns. Over in Springfield at
Guiding Light, they would find three African-American faces, one Latino, and zero Asians.
On The Bold & the Beautiful, probably the most glamorous daytime soap on television and ironically
the sister soap to the #1 rated, The Young Restless, there are zero African-Americans, zero Asian,
and only two Latino characters. For a show based in the highly diverse mega-city of Los Angeles, it’
s more than a bit shocking to see such little diversity represented within its ranks.
thereof both in front of and behind the camera of daytime dramas. From journalist, Carolyn M.
Brown’s study, the overall conclusion of diversity was not very favorable.
With such core families existing for generations, it makes it harder to add a diverse mix of characters
according to Jennifer Turner, a then ABC executive in daytime programming “This is something that
has hampered introducing new characters that are persons of color” she admitted.
However, the gap between the demographic diversity of viewers in comparison to the diversity of the
behind the scenes production team such as writing and casting is stunning.
For instance, the number #1 rated daytime drama, the Young and Restless has an estimated 15 million
African-American viewers world-wide and at times has had up to seven African-American contract
players. However, the soap still has yet to hire a black writer.
Amazingly, this doesn’t even compare to the lack of diversity at the rest of the CBS line-up. Soap
opera powerhouses such As The World Turns, Guiding Light, and The Bold & Beautiful are all
ranked in the top 10 of black daytime viewership.
But sadly, if one were to tune in and watch either of these dramas, they would find only two African
Americans, zero Latinos and no Asian characters on As The World Turns. Over in Springfield at
Guiding Light, they would find three African-American faces, one Latino, and zero Asians.
On The Bold & the Beautiful, probably the most glamorous daytime soap on television and ironically
the sister soap to the #1 rated, The Young Restless, there are zero African-Americans, zero Asian,
and only two Latino characters. For a show based in the highly diverse mega-city of Los Angeles, it’
s more than a bit shocking to see such little diversity represented within its ranks.
From ethnic and cultural diversity to issues dealing with sexual diversity, the soaps haven’t fared
much better in this department either. The online magazine www.Afterelton.com recently explored
the issue of gay characters in daytime soap operas in a March 23, 2006 article.
Journalist, Karman Kregloe chronicled the history of the evolution of daytime gay/lesbian characters
from loveless and AIDS diagnosed to integral players. Up until recently, there were only 9 major or
recurring gay/lesbian characters on daytime television since 1982.
The ABC network led the pack with 8 of the 9 characters spanning the soaps of One Live To Live,
General Hospital, and All My Children. In addition, the CBS network explored a gay storyline with As
The World Turns back in the late 80’s.
Today the integral or recurring gay/lesbian count has just gone up to 11 as two teen characters, each
hailing from strong core families explore their sexuality. General Hospital and As The World Turns
have stepped up to the plate once again around such gender exploration issues.
Kregloe points out that “Both As the World Turns and General Hospital made it a point to have several
prominent characters deliver pro-gay speeches. Clearly, those behind the shows want to
communicate a very gay-tolerant message to their audiences.”
However, it’s one thing to explore the coming out process, but a totally different thing to explore
issues of racism, classism, and homophobia all emanating from the same character. In the past 25
years since gay/lesbian characters have been jumping out of the closet, there haven’t been any
gay/lesbian characters of color who’ve explored the intersection of race, ethnicity and sexuality until
this year when Passions introduced a lesbian storyline surrounding Simone, an African-American
woman.
much better in this department either. The online magazine www.Afterelton.com recently explored
the issue of gay characters in daytime soap operas in a March 23, 2006 article.
Journalist, Karman Kregloe chronicled the history of the evolution of daytime gay/lesbian characters
from loveless and AIDS diagnosed to integral players. Up until recently, there were only 9 major or
recurring gay/lesbian characters on daytime television since 1982.
The ABC network led the pack with 8 of the 9 characters spanning the soaps of One Live To Live,
General Hospital, and All My Children. In addition, the CBS network explored a gay storyline with As
The World Turns back in the late 80’s.
Today the integral or recurring gay/lesbian count has just gone up to 11 as two teen characters, each
hailing from strong core families explore their sexuality. General Hospital and As The World Turns
have stepped up to the plate once again around such gender exploration issues.
Kregloe points out that “Both As the World Turns and General Hospital made it a point to have several
prominent characters deliver pro-gay speeches. Clearly, those behind the shows want to
communicate a very gay-tolerant message to their audiences.”
However, it’s one thing to explore the coming out process, but a totally different thing to explore
issues of racism, classism, and homophobia all emanating from the same character. In the past 25
years since gay/lesbian characters have been jumping out of the closet, there haven’t been any
gay/lesbian characters of color who’ve explored the intersection of race, ethnicity and sexuality until
this year when Passions introduced a lesbian storyline surrounding Simone, an African-American
woman.
Despite public commitments to diversity by daytime drama producers, an observer only has to look
at the recent 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held here in Los Angeles as actual proof of that
commitment.
The evening was co-hosted by three people who were accompanied by four live performers, along
with over a dozen presenters. However, only one person within this flurry of individuals was a
person of color, Renee Goldsberry of One Life To Live.
Next, there were only three actors of color who were even nominated for the major daytime drama
acting categories. None of the three actors won.
Further, behind the camera winners of the evening lacked diversity as well. As they each graced the
stage as a team to accept their awards; neither the production team of The Ellen DeGeneres Show,
the writing team of The Young and the Restless nor the directing team of General Hospital was there
a person of color within their entourage.
However, the executive producer of The Learning Channel special, “A Baby Story” was Terri
Johnson, a black woman who accepted the show’s award on behalf of her staff. Further, Kevin
Clash, a black man won an award for his role as Elmo in PBS’ Sesame Street, although his
acceptance was not televised. In addition, The Tyra Banks Show won a non-televised award for
Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Drama Series.
Finally, if an observer had taken a broad, sweeping look inside the Kodak Theater throughout the
evening of the Daytime Emmy Award Show, what exactly would they have seen?
Their eyes would have taken in a sea of actors, producers, and writers from all 9 daytime dramas
and 7 nominated talk shows, but they would have been hard-pressed to find any Latino, Asian, or
Black faces within this sea of talent adorned in designer evening gowns and tuxedos.
All of this begs the final question of whether daytime television is truly as diverse as, and a mirror
reflection of, the everyday America we see, live, and breathe. At this point it would appear that
daytime television has a very long way to go before it achieves the degree of diversity which is
inherent across every spectrum of society.
at the recent 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held here in Los Angeles as actual proof of that
commitment.
The evening was co-hosted by three people who were accompanied by four live performers, along
with over a dozen presenters. However, only one person within this flurry of individuals was a
person of color, Renee Goldsberry of One Life To Live.
Next, there were only three actors of color who were even nominated for the major daytime drama
acting categories. None of the three actors won.
Further, behind the camera winners of the evening lacked diversity as well. As they each graced the
stage as a team to accept their awards; neither the production team of The Ellen DeGeneres Show,
the writing team of The Young and the Restless nor the directing team of General Hospital was there
a person of color within their entourage.
However, the executive producer of The Learning Channel special, “A Baby Story” was Terri
Johnson, a black woman who accepted the show’s award on behalf of her staff. Further, Kevin
Clash, a black man won an award for his role as Elmo in PBS’ Sesame Street, although his
acceptance was not televised. In addition, The Tyra Banks Show won a non-televised award for
Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Drama Series.
Finally, if an observer had taken a broad, sweeping look inside the Kodak Theater throughout the
evening of the Daytime Emmy Award Show, what exactly would they have seen?
Their eyes would have taken in a sea of actors, producers, and writers from all 9 daytime dramas
and 7 nominated talk shows, but they would have been hard-pressed to find any Latino, Asian, or
Black faces within this sea of talent adorned in designer evening gowns and tuxedos.
All of this begs the final question of whether daytime television is truly as diverse as, and a mirror
reflection of, the everyday America we see, live, and breathe. At this point it would appear that
daytime television has a very long way to go before it achieves the degree of diversity which is
inherent across every spectrum of society.
| Daytime Emmy Awards Answer The Question of Diversity |
| Gay Characters Grow in Daytime |
| Soap Opera Diversity: People of Color and Gays Still Lacking by: Herndon L. Davis |
| Renee Goldsberry One Life To Live |
| Christel Khalil The Young and The Restless |
| Bryton McClure The Young and The Restless |
| Nominated But No Emmy Gold |
| The Newest Gay Teens of Oakdale and Port Charles |
| Van Hansis As The World Turns |
| Ben Hogestyn General Hospital |
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