Showtime’s highly acclaimed drama, Homeland, has rocked the television industry for two suspenseful seasons. The show tells the story of Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody after he returns home from eight years of captivity in Iraq. Carrie Mathison, an ambitious CIA officer, suspects he might be plotting an attack on America and the main tension stems from this unraveling mystery … [Read more...] about TV Culture: Casting Terror in ‘Homeland’
TV Culture: How Scandalous Is “Scandal”?
Warning: Recent spoilers from Scandal included. I am a devout fan of Shonda Rhimes’ latest hit drama, Scandal, and have been involved in many debates surrounding Kerry Washington’s role as Olivia Pope. As the first African American woman to play lead on a primetime television show since 1974, many believe that her character further perpetuates stereotypes about Black women … [Read more...] about TV Culture: How Scandalous Is “Scandal”?
TV Culture: Rookie Blue’s Good Shot of Reality
In its third season, ABC's police drama, Rookie Blue, raised the stakes through a compelling narrative that mirrors recent racial tension in America. In "A Good Shoot," (Season 3, Episode 3) one of the show's most lighthearted characters, Dov Epstein, shoots and kills a Black teenage boy who may or may not have been armed, prompting the community to question whether the … [Read more...] about TV Culture: Rookie Blue’s Good Shot of Reality
TV Culture: Does the TV Industry Need Affirmative Action?
Over the past year, there has been much talk of color-blind casting, and the lack thereof, in primetime television. While Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal, is praised for not considering race when casting a show, Lena Dunham, creator of the new hit HBO series, Girls, was harshly criticized for turning a blind eye to her colorless cast. … [Read more...] about TV Culture: Does the TV Industry Need Affirmative Action?
TV Culture: Is “Mad Men” Racist?
I hopped on the Mad Men bandwagon extremely late. In fact, I started watching the first season just a few weeks ago for a television writing class. Mad Men has done spectacular things for television since its anticipated debut in 2007. The series has garnered praise for its dedicated exploration of vintage New York and its sobering depictions of gender roles in 1960s America. … [Read more...] about TV Culture: Is “Mad Men” Racist?