CBS Prime Is Proof of Net's Inclusive Intent

摘要

IT WAS A MUCH-DIFFERENT LOOK for CBS's primetime when the network showed off new programs at the TCA Summer Press Tour last month. CBS has made a point of increasing diversity on both sides of the camera, and shows such as the comedies Happy Together, God Friended Me and The Neighborhood all have African-Americans in the lead role, while drama Magnum P.I. features a Latino actor as the show's namesake. Contrast CBS's summer TCA sessions with those two years before, when then- entertainment president Glenn Geller fielded a barrage of pointed queries from reporters asking why the network was so darn white. Geller pointed to minority cast additions and directors, but acknowledged that CBS needed to do more in terms of cast leads and showrunners. "We need to do better and we know it," Geller said. To be sure, it's a difficult time for CBS. Leslie Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS Corp., stepped down after reports of sexual wrongdoing. Jeff Eager, longtime executive producer of 60 Minutes, exited after threatening a CBS News reporter who was looking into allegations of harassment against Eager.