Minorities on daytime

[Paul Raven]

This article from SOD in 87 looks at each show and how they deal with minorities.

23 years have passed.How did each show rate from that time?

ALL MY CHILDREN: A

AMC exists in an integrated world. Extras and under-fives are always racially diverse. The show created an extremely popular and viable black romance that endured for years as the characters, Angie (Debbi Morgan) and Jesse (Darnell Williams), matured. More importantly, their story was not back burner, and therefore introduced their families in extended story lines. Even in the aftermath of Jesse's death, Angle remains a major character and the show is exploring a black/white love triangle with her, Cliff (Peter Bergman) and Remy (Eddie Earl Hatch). Remy's interest in black history and culture gives AMC the opportunity to expose viewers to the same values. AMC has always tried to present three generations in balance, so that older characters receive good treatment on AMC. Simple-minded, but emotionally open Stuart Chandler (David Canary) provides direct contrast to his ruthless twin brother, Adam (also played by David Canary), while incidentally presenting some of the problems faced by a person with limited mental capacities. The introduction of AIDS patient Cindy Parker (Ellen Wheeler) and the thorough treatment of her story reflects AMC's serious interest in social issues.

ANOTHER WORLD: B+

The show is currently presenting an interracial romance, and exploring some of the social pressures experienced by the couple both privately and socially. In addition, a viable black community is developing on AW: The introduction of the Lawrence family — Ronnie (B.J. Jefferson), Reuben (Clayton Prince) and Jesse (Dondre Whitfield) — fills a gap on AW created by the departure of Quinn and the Todds. Attorney Zack Edwards (James Pickens, Jr.) interacts with all the major characters in Bay City and has been dating two attractive women. Because they have a number of black characters, AW has been able to deal with racial prejudice directly. The show is still feeling the loss of small-statured, big-hearted Wallingford (Brent Collins), a little person whose comic touches made him a major presence. AW also has given its characters ethnic and social backgrounds that range beyond inherited wealth and position.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: B+

For a long time, Claudia and Brian Phillips (Bianca Ferguson and Todd Davis) filled the token-minority slot on GH. They were strictly back burner and their onscreen activity was fighting. Then there was an aborted Christian/Jewish love story between Jake (Sam Behrens) and Rose (Loanne Bishop). But both those plots fizzled out. More recently, GH broke ground with the interracial romance and marriage between Dr. Tom Hardy (David Wallace) and his black colleague, Dr. Simone Ravelle (Laura Carrington). The show took time to establish back story and family for both characters, and then developed a modern plot in which her parents (upperclass professionals) initially objected to the match. Shortly after the wedding, the newlyweds were forced to directly confront bigotry when a white racist insulted Simone and Tom stepped in to defend her. Currently, Tom and Simone are working through difficult problems that test their commitment and question their racial attitudes. Adding to the tension is Simone's friendship with newcomer Dr. Harrison Davis (Kevin Best), a black surgeon. Already on the hospital staff is Dr. Irma Foster (Dwan Smith), a black psychiatrist. The Laverys' housekeeper, Olin (Beulah Quo), is Asian. Seen on a recurring basis is Martha McKee (Nancy Becker Kennedy), a paraplegic on and off the show. The Asian Quarter plot several years ago was an entire adventure story which focused on an Oriental family's battle with the Asian Mafia. Also, GH likes to give its Middle American town some international flavor by the presence of Italian, Australian and British characters.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: B

ATWT tries hard to demonstrate that white middle-class families are not the only game in town. Introducing a homosexual man, designer Hank Eliot (Brian Starcher), was a first for daytime and ATWT should be commended for taking that step. While their black family, the Franklins, are back burner, they exist in a real world and have been successfully integrated into a number of plots. Attorney Jessica Griffin (Tamara Tunie Bouquett) is a completely developed character — nothing token about her. The show has flirted with the idea of an interracial romance for Jessica, but opted instead to put her with black cop Roy Franklin (Count Stovall). Tom Hughes (Scott Holmes) recently discovered he had fathered an Amerasian daughter, Lien (MingNa Wen), when he was in Vietnam. A teenager, Lien participates in all the story lines that focus on the younger characters.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: B

The recent introduction of the Ramirez family, and black up-scale surgeon Marcus (Richard Biggs), has filled a void that has existed on the show for years. In the past, good cop Abe Carver (James Reynolds) has been the sole representative of minorities. Always a loner, Abe has recently been evolved in a romance with fellow cop Lexie (Cyndi James Gossett). Famous for their anti-heroes, DAYS has always gone for stories about people from the wrong side of the tracks. Ethnic heritage — as in the Brady clan (Irish) and the Kiriakis dynasty (Greek) — has also played a major part in establishing character identity. A few years ago, DAYS presented an entire, well-developed plot line that explored a romance between an Orthodox Jew and a white Protestant. The recent story of Kayla's (Mary Beth Evans) deafness addressed the day-to-day problems faced by the hearing-impaired.

SANTA BARBARA: B

The show's hero, Cruz Castillo (A Martinez) is of Mexican descent, and he is married to the daughter of a well-established upper-class white family. This is a first for daytime. In addition, Cruz's family has been seen and integrated into a number of plots. His heritage has not been made an issue, but it has not been swept under the carpet, either. When Cruz took custody of his baby son, Spanish words of endearment were used to comfort the child. There is currently a hot-headed black cop, Boswell (Russell Curry), whose methods are at odds with Cruz's approach to the law. Not too long ago, the show presented a story about a teenage girl, who was raised by her white mother, coping with the discovery that her father was a black inmate. This past year, Cain (Scott Jaeck) believed he was reunited with his grown Amerasian daughter. Extra and under-fives are racially mixed. But SB is still haunted by the ghosts of the Andrade family, Santana's clan. When the show first aired, much was made of the fact that for the first time a soap was introducing a core family that was Hispanic. Unfortunately, the Andrades have been written off SB.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: C

The Abbotts' black maid, Mamie (Margeurite Ray), still serves breakfast to the clan every morning in a style that is reminiscent of sitcoms of the 1950s. She's smart and savvy, but she's a servant. That would be more palatable if other black characters had been introduced as professionals in this corporate, upper-class universe. The only other black actor seen consistently is Nathan Hastings, who portrays detective Nathan Purdee, Paul Williams's sidekick In the past, Y&R did a story in which Tyrone Jackson (Phil Morris), a black cop, pretended to be white (with the help of makeup) and romanced a gangster's daughter as part of his plan to infiltrate the mob. Just before the wedding, he revealed that he was black and stopped the wedding. Recently, other black characters have left the show, leaving the cast with less racial diversity. On a positive note, actress Chris Templeton, who has a physical disability, has consistently portrayed secretary Carol Robbins as capable and independent. Recently, the character had a full-fledged romance and marriage. AIDS patient, Jessica Blair Abbott (Rebecca Street), had a storybook romance with John Abbott which bypassed many of the real problems persons with this disease face.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: C

Until just recently, there was a complete absence of black characters on this once integrated show. In recent months, OLTL brought on Vera and Dennis to remedy this situation, but both characters are minor at this point. OLTL broke ground with the story of Caria Gray (Ellen Holly), the lightskinned black woman who allowed herself to pass for white in order to achieve success. Her painful self-conflict over this choice and the renunciation of her heritage was dealt with realistically and movingly years before prime time even attempted casual integration. But OLTL now concentrates on elaborate fantasy stories and has left its social consciousness in the 1970s. And when conditions necessitated the departure of Al Freeman, Jr., who portrayed Captain Ed Hall, a longtime fixture in the police department, the part was not recast. The introduction of Cord (John Loprieno) provided an opportunity to delve into his Mexican heritage, but that story never moved beyond a standard tale of illegitimate birth. Viki (Erika Slezak) has an Asian housekeeper, and extras do seem to be racially mixed, but the show is by and large white

GUIDING LIGHT: D

A few years ago, there was a story in which it was revealed that Brandon Spaulding ran off to the Caribbean to be with his black mistress. Alexandra Spaulding discovered that she had a half sister who was black. They had an emotional meeting, but we never saw her again. Considering Alex's passion for family, this seems illogical. Considering the complete absence of blacks on GL, this also seems like the waste of a good character. Alex's black maid, Vera (Frances Foster), dispenses common sense with a comic twist, and their relationship is delightful, but dated. When Lujack's gang was a force to be reckoned with, his black buddy, IQ, provided some racial balance. But IQ went on to pursue a singing career, and now is history. GL does make an effort to cast minorities as extras and under-fives, but that really isn't a substitute for major characters.

LOVING: D

The upper-crust Aldens rule the roost on LOVING. They don't mingle much with anyone besides themselves. Only remnants of the blue-collar and middle-class families — the Vocheks, the Donovans and the Sowolskys — remain. With their departure, LOVING assumed a corporate identity. Even the hillbillies who came down from the mountains, Eban Japes and Lotty, are long gone. Class-consciousness has always been a large part of LOVING, while ethnic heritage has never been stressed. Minnie (Louise Stubbs), Egypt's delightful common-sense sidekick, is the only black visible on a day-to-day basis. Although there is a black police officer, Lieutenant Hindman, in town, he seems to be about the only non-white in Corinth.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: F

Since B&B is set in Los Angeles, appearances by Hispanic and black characters would be logical, but so far none have appeared. The Forresters and the Logans stick to their own kind with a passion. Even minor characters and extras have not broken this trend. Since fashion is a big part of the show, the use of black or Asian models seems natural. So does the introduction of new designers who might shake up this ultra-conservative white world

[DRW50]

B&B - same sh!t, different decade.

This is a real snapshot in time for Y&R and AW. Y&R became much more diverse with the introduction of Olivia and Drucilla, and when Mamie was recast. AW...that B+ seems very kind. I can't ever remember the Lawrence clan ever moving beyond backburner stories -- Zack and Ronnie went out for a while, then she left town. Reuben dated the girl played by Kasi Lemmons for a while, and had a few scenes arguing with his mother, then he went into supporting Josie and the show hinting at a romance, which naturally went nowhere. I don't even remember Jessie. I am also blanking on this interracial romance the show was having at the time. Was this...with Julie Ann? And someone? Who? A cop? I can't remember who he was. If so it was not ever given a lot of airtime and although they did get a happy ending I don't even remember if they left town together oncamera.

That GL diss is a bit stinging, kind of ironic though since I posted about how puzzling their lack of diversity was around this time. I should go back in time and write for SOD.

Good luck getting a soap magazine to do this today.

[DRW50]

I was also going to ask who was this Remy character and how long did he stay on AMC? What did you think of him?

[quartermainefan]

wow, Remy...I remember him sort of. He was a very handsome black gangster or something. He was always in a suit and it was evident he was a person of status.

I can't swear he was a gangster but he wore a suit which in soaps means you are a mogul or a gangster.

[DRW50]

Russell Curry spent about fifteen years on soaps just...being there. Not even aging that much. He was one of two thankless David Grant recasts on GL, then had that pointless role on Sunset Beach where I think without his knowledge he impregnated Vanessa.

[Paul Raven]

Remy was played by Eddie Earl Hatch,who also appeared on ATWT and AW.He was around in 88/89.

[Cheap21]

Daytime had better representation back then. With that said, AMC is at least holding their own. The rest are pretty pathetic

[DeeeDee]

If by holding their own you mean as bad as the rest.

[Leia]

A soap magazine wrote this? The last time I saw any coverage for minoroties. http://tvguide.ca/Soaps/Features/Articles/080226_jamesreynolds_NB.htm

[Cheap21]

lol...slightly better than the rest. I at least see black people on the show on a daily basis and being utilized in story. GH currently has none although that will change soon. OLTL got rid of their black characters. The latinos barely have any presence. B&B only has tokens which they dust off once or twice a month. Y&R, barely uses theres anymore. I dont watch Days or ATWT, so I cant comment on them

[R Sinclair]

The thing is, on shows like AMC and GH, I don't pay attention to black representation and its lack thereof. It's hard for me to describe, but I feel as if any of the stories being told on those shows could work for any ethnicity. While the shows are written and produced primarily by Caucasian Americans, it doesn't feel like a "white person's" show. Yet, with shows like ATWT, Y&R and B&B -- ESPECIALLY B&B... always in the back of my mind, I feel as if the show(s) is being written by white people for white people. Not that I think it's being written intentionally exclusive -- but that it's being written from a limited and singular experience and really has no desire to broaden its horizons.

[DRW50]

I guess that's because there is less of a suffocating atmosphere on the ABC soaps, or because GH has some diversity backstage. In some ways the more restrictive worldview on shows like ATWT was incentive for them to try to become more diverse, which they did for a long time, but they gave up. It's pathetic to think that they wasted story after story on boring Allison (and I don't even really hate her, she's just not worth featuring in major stories), while they had nothing for Jade.

I think AMC makes the most effort to be diverse of the soaps currently on the air but I do roll my eyes when we get another "Sex and the City Fusion fun" statement from the latest headwriting team. You'd think they could move onto Real Housewives or something.

[DeeeDee]

Daily basis is a bit much especially in comparison to their Caucasian peers.

And "being utilized in story" amounts to them repeatedly & offensively being thrown under the bus when not solely existing as tokens.

[DeeeDee]

Guza will use them for 6 months tops then it's backburner and/or fired for them.

OLTL is cowardly by blaming the minorities for the failure of network interference to boost ratings while using them as props for their horrible White characters.

B&B is just inexcusable. A fashion show set in California with NO Blacks, Hispanics, Asians or Gays?

Y&R. UGH. UGH, UGH, UGH.

ATWT is almost as bad as B&B. Jade who? Dallas who?

[DRW50]

I was going to ask anyone who watched ATWT back in 1984-1985 about the characters Tucker and Beverly. I'd seen Tucker (he reminds me a bit of Phillip Michael Thomas), he seems like he was positioned for a long term future, working as partners with Steve. Was he fired or did the actor leave? Iva replaced him in Steve's company?

I'd never seen Beverly until these clips. She worked for Lucinda as a secretary (was this before Jane?) and she was interested in Tucker. She has some fun, flirty scenes with Craig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDo9h1GrHc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3She0D2svZ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6cvRLFUWYs