Colorful Casting: The Evolution Of Tokenism In TV
Winston Bishop had a serious glow-up.
by CHLOE HECHTER ★ JUNE 20, 2020
If binge-watching our favorite TV shows wasn’t already our favorite hobby (and hidden talent), the past three months of quarantine-induced Netflix has solidified our television expertise. Whether you’re seeking comfort in classic feel-good sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld, or revisiting your childhood favorites on Disney +, you might notice a common and upsetting theme: these shows all feature a predominantly white cast.
TV and movies often incorporate diversity through a device called tokenism, in which the “token” diverse character is used solely as a means of providing support to a white protagonist or being the singular representative of their entire race. Typically, these characters don’t have real backstories of their own—their purpose is either to crack a wise joke, give advice, or make some kind of quirky remark so that the leading white character can achieve their end goal. For example, on the CW’s iconic early 2000s hit Gossip Girl, some of the only people of color include Blair’s sidekicks, Kati and Iz. Even if you’ve seen the show as many times as we have, you may not remember who they are because their only trait is being Blair’s other friends that remain in the background. Characters like Kati and Iz also exist on shows like Full House and Disney’s Good Luck Charlie.
Credit: gossipgirl.fandom.com
This all being said, television is moving in a more positive direction when it comes to diversity in casting. In light of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman admitted that she “didn’t do enough” for diversity in the show. Beyond the obvious all-white main cast that has recently been criticized for its lack of inclusion, a large majority of the side characters and guest stars were white as well. David Schwimmer, who played Ross on the show, discussed in an interview earlier this year that he was adamant about having his character date women of color. When asked what a modern-day reboot of the show would look like, Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe, answered “well, it would not be an all-white cast, for sure.”
With the goal of representing a more diverse cast within the TV networks, newer cable television sitcoms have been created, all of which are written on the basis of a family of color. Shows such as ABC’s Black-ish and Fresh Off the Boat highlight diversity and the experience of families from different cultural backgrounds. Also on ABC is The Goldbergs, which follows a Jewish family in the 80s.
A particular character in a popular sitcom whose evolution comes to mind is Winston Bishop from Fox’s New Girl, played by Lamorne Morris. To viewers, it seemed as though Winston was thrown into the second episode as a “replacement token black guy” upon Coach’s (Damon Wayans Jr.) departure. In the first season, Winston fed into the stereotypical token diverse character, merely assisting the A and B plots and not having an especially show-stopping plotline of his own. That being said, as the show progressed, Winston became one of the most quirky and lovable TV characters, winning over audiences with his strange affinity for his cat, his love of pranks, and his adorable relationship with Nasim Pedrad’s Aly Nelson.
Credit: theoddeseyonline.com
While watching educational documentaries surrounding topics of inclusion is incredibly important, incorporating the consumption of diversity in your day-to-day entertainment is just as crucial.
Here are a few lighter TV recommendations with inclusive casts:
New Girl (Netflix - 7 seasons)
Fox’s New Girl follows the story of the eccentric and newly single teacher, Jessica Day, as she moves into a loft with three men and tries to navigate love and life in LA. This show features several POC in leading roles, in addition to including several interracial couples as endgame relationships.
The Good Place (Hulu - 4 seasons)
The Good Place is a hilarious dystopian comedy based on Jean-Paul Satre’s existentialist play, No Exit. Alongside Kristen Bell is the main cast of POC featuring Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, and William Jackson Harper in excellent and well-rounded roles.
Sex Education (Netflix - 2 seasons)
If you haven’t seen Sex Education on Netflix already, you’re missing a terribly relatable high school story that features main characters from practically all ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations. This journey of self-discovery doesn’t stop at the white protagonist--it does an impressive job at normalizing stories of POC and LGBTQ+ teens as well.
On My Block (Netflix - 3 seasons)
Taking place in a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood in South Central LA, On My Block follows a group of savvy high school friends as they face teenage issues, pains, and triumphs. Focused primarily on underrepresented communities, this is an excellent example of inclusion in modern casting.
Jane the Virgin (Netflix - 5 seasons)
Led by Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin tells the story of a religious Latina woman who becomes pregnant via artificial insemination through the lens of a satirical take on the telenovela. Featuring a heavily Latinx cast, this show is intriguing, funny, and heartwarming.
Atlanta (Hulu - 2 seasons)
Written by and starring Donald Glover, Atlanta tells the story of a young rapper trying to make a name for himself in the business while navigating real life vs. street life. This primetime Emmy winning series is described to be “breaking boundaries” and is narrated with surreal humor.
Never Have I Ever (Netflix - 1 season)
Written by Mindy Kaling, Never Have I Ever shares the modern-day retelling of a first-generation Indian-American teenager as she struggles with adolescence, boys, and friends, all in the wake of her father’s death. It features a largely diverse cast and tackles themes of culture, sexuality, and mental health.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Netflix - 4 seasons)
Rachel Bloom’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a musical comedy that follows a Jewish protagonist’s pursuit of an Asian-American ex-boyfriend, also featuring a hysterical cast of diverse co-workers, best friends, and clever musical homages to problems that every girl has faced at one point or another.
Television is a growing industry, and given all of the new platforms, there is so much room for progress. Audiences are drawn to content they can relate to, and it is important for everybody to be able to see themselves in their favorite characters. Representation is a critical part of this development, and as the world of TV and film evolves, we hope to see more representation in the seemingly endless new binge-worthy shows on our favorite streaming networks.