Actors Need A Break...

There has been a long-running contention that certain TV shows in countries around the world do not represent the general, cultural population.  Not only in terms of the characters, but actors too.  TV is seen as an educational medium, although it does have its dissenters.  People are and always have been influenced by TV, not only events shown in programmes, but how these are perceived and portrayed on TV.  Albeit in documentaries; drama, or even soaps.

It has long been held that many Australian soaps do not cater to ethnic minorities in their cast.  In the UK, black and Asian viewers of these soaps talked about the "White Australia policy" of these shows as far as scouting and casting for actors.  Former Home and Away actor, Jay Laga'aia launched a scathing attack on the producers of this soap for wanting his character, Rev Elijah Johnson, off the show.  He Tweeted, "As someone who lost his job on Home and Away because they couldn't write two ethnics that weren't together, I'd like the chance to ply my trade."

The producers denied this was the reason and told the Sun Herald in Australia that he was written out as his character's storyline "had reached its natural conclusion."  Though it must be asked how stories involving a man of the cloth could be concluded.  There aren't many reverends in shows on TV these days, religion is side-stepped a lot for many reasons, whatever country we're in.  It could also be argued that certain other character's storylines and plots have reached their logical conclusions too.  Yet they appear on shows like permanent fixtures; never really doing much of anything.  The producers went on to say, "Jay's comments are offensive.  We have great regard for Jay and his work on Home and Away during the last two years."

This news comes on the trail of the other rival Aussie soap, Neighbors, introducing its own Asian family in the form of the Kapoors.  Ajay, (Sachin Joab) a local councilor, who was accused of corruption and now his wife, Priya, (Menik Gooneratne) has been made Acting Principal of Erinsborough High.  As well as including their daughter, Rani (Coco-Jacinta Cherian).  The question being how long will their storylines continue?  Said executive producer, Susan Bower on their inclusion and arrival; "viewers already know them because of their role in the community and link with other characters and their cultural background is secondary...we have had many individual characters who have been representative of Australia's diverse cultural landscape...to have a family of Indian and Sri Lankan heritage join the neighbourhood is very exciting."

The inclusion of an Indian family to neighbours also heralded uproar back in December 2011, as racist remarks were left on the Neighbours' website from fans finding out the Kapoor's would become show regulars.  Neighbours' staff had to remove offending material and racist remarks, stressing "racism and small mindedness won't be tolerated."  Actor Sachin Joab who was born in Melbourne and is of Indian descent put this down to a "lack of eduction."  And that "having a show that shows different families coming together can only be good for the community."  Strangely enough no such racist comments were posted from British fans of the show.

In 2008, Neighbours was accused of being "too white" and led to the inclusion of Korean exchange student, Sunny Lee (Hany Lee).  Bower also blamed Australian ads for showing a distinct lack of having ethnic actors.

Jay who was also in Water Rats and Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, feels children's TV in Australia is far more progressive and "commercial TV should take a leaf out of children's TV in this country. We are a rainbow nation in kids."

Haven't we come far enough in time where TV, well media in general, should be without borders and colours.  We should be able to watch drama which is accessible to everyone and include all cultures and minorities, as much as anyone else.  No group should take precedence over another.

The same criticism is not limited to just Aussie TV, last year British TV and particularly drama, Midsomer Murders, was under attack for not having any black/Asian characters in the cast.  Though it's a fact that many minorities will live in urban and city areas and not venture out to the countryside.  The show was accused of not reflecting the ethnic consensus of the UK.  Anthony Horowitz commented, " ...in a village in Midsomer, all outsiders are equally unwelcome whatever their colour.  It was a foolish observation to make because colour is not an issue." Anyhow British shows do represent ethnic minorities even though sometimes this is seen as a token gesture, other times they are usually portrayed as stereotypical.  Such as Asians owning shops and grocery stores.

In the twenty-first century it is disturbing to see that progression and ensuring equality reaches the TV screen still needs a long way to go yet.  TV is capable of having a positive effect and impact in leading the way forward for ethnic characters.  Maybe one day, they will headline major dramas and other types of shows.