'The Real' celebrates diversity on daytime TV
theGRIO REPORT - While historically, talk shows have centered around white women, the latest in daytime programming, 'The Real,' demonstrates women of color are boldly and enthusiastically taking over the scene...
The tanning of daytime
The landscape of daytime TV has definitely diversified in recent years.
Following Winfrey’s rise, more signs of change came when Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd and Whoopi Goldberg appeared on The View. Later, Williams received her own program, and Aisha Tyler, Julie Chen, and Sheryl Underwood joined The Talk.
Now, with Queen Latifah added to the slate in September, and not one but two additional talk shows without white women, the shades are colorful.
“Talk shows as a whole have changed because they’re not just TV your mama watches after soaps,” observes Braxton. “It’s not just about politics anymore or one person’s opinion. Now, we can talk about beauty, and fashion and boyfriends. It’s different perspectives from different people.”
“There are so many Latino Americans,” Bailon remarks. “Networks are seeing that and it’s opening doors on casting for women like me.”
The Atlanta-based Aspire network launched its first talk show in June called Exhale, a panel of African-American women starring journalist Angela Burt-Murray; comedian Erin Jackson; director, writer and actress Issa Rae; blogger and TV anchor Rene Syler; and actress Malinda Williams (Soul Food).
Exhale airs at night and similarly delves into lifestyle, political and social issues from the perspective of females in different age groups and backgrounds.
For The Queen Latifah Show, the actress aims not only to focus on celebrity interviews and human-interest stories, but to bring firsthand accounts from the community onto the screen.
With such growing variety, the voices are louder, the issues fresher, and the spectrum of insight more distinctive.
“More women in general need to be represented in television,” notes Mai. “I would like to see more of the wonderful cultures behind the Pan-Asian community.”
Embracing their real selves
Particularly for the hosts of The Real, the gig offers a chance to expand their presence in entertainment.
“My transition into a grown-up has been a really natural one,” comments Mowry-Housley, who rose to fame on Sister, Sister, and currently stars in Tia & Tamera on the Style Network. “I never felt the need to get naked to prove to anyone I was an adult, probably because I took a break and went to college. Then I came back with my own grown-up experiences and was myself.”
Love credits her nonstop pursuit of comedy as the drawing board for which she’s illustrated this new position.
“My schedule for the past three years has been: TV tapings Tuesday and Wednesday; I take a redeye Wednesday night to my club gig for five to six shows from Thursday to Sunday; I fly back on Monday; repeat,” she says. “The touring has helped me to see what makes America laugh. We laugh at some sick things!”
Life still being a work in progress, The Real allows its hosts to work out their kinks together.
It’s a list Love admits is “long and mighty.”
Specifically, she’s focusing on, “My career, my life, my Cousin Skillet asking me for money and telling him no!”
Follow Courtney Garcia on Twitter at @CourtGarcia
