Like most people, I don't really watch TV ads anymore if I can help it.

[Burney]

However, I happened to catch a few ad breaks the other day and noticed that something very odd has happened to them.
Basically, the number of non-white actors in adverts has now become ridiculous. Virtually every family in ads is either completely non-white or mixed race. All-white families are now a very rare sight in such ads. 82% of this country is white, but to look at advertising, you would imagine this figure were less than 50%. I've long got used to laughing at the silly, ahistorical black characters turning up in historical dramas, but I couldn't help but find something a little sinister about the false idea of the country we're now being sold.

[7sisters]

Where have you been for the last five years B ?
It’s actually the Asians who are hugely under represented. Black folk are all over the gaff, cool and trendy see. while Asians appear to be totally over looked.
Some firms are becoming so hip, they’re even starting to embrace Jafaken, or Multi Ethic London speak in them.. KFC naturally, and who can forget those ads during the World Cup ?
Outside of broadcast journalism, our Asian brethren might as well not exist..

[Arsenal Alcoholic Review]

The only place these days you're allowed to see an all white heterosexual cast is on Jeremy Kyle.

[7sisters]

Allowed :hehe:

[Burney]

Where have you been for the last five years B ?
It’s actually the Asians who are hugely under represented. Black folk are all over the gaff, cool and trendy see. while Asians appear to be totally over looked.
Some firms are becoming so hip, they’re even starting to embrace Jafaken, or Multi Ethic London speak in them.. KFC naturally, and who can forget those ads during the World Cup ?
Outside of broadcast journalism, our Asian brethren might as well not exist..

Well as I say, I've barely watched any ads for years. I think it was only during the World Cup that I did happen to notice them and was shocked as a result. It's a fair point about the asians, but I guess nobody sees them as a fun bunch or wants to be like them.

[Arsenal Alcoholic Review]

Or watching Burnley FC.

[Burney]

Or watching Burnley FC.

They've just singed Joe Hart I'll have you know.

[Arsenal Alcoholic Review]

They've just singed Joe Hart I'll have you know.

https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/

I actually genuinely wouldn't be surprised if The Guardian did a piece on that.

[Burney]

https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/

I actually genuinely wouldn't be surprised if The Guardian did a piece on that.

I'm a bit worried about Ben Gibson's colour, tbh. Has he been drinking too much Ribena?

[barrybueno]

I'm a bit worried about Ben Gibson's colour, tbh. Has he been drinking too much Ribena?

He desperately needs some cyan and yellow in him imo

[Ash]

However, I happened to catch a few ad breaks the other day and noticed that something very odd has happened to them.
Basically, the number of non-white actors in adverts has now become ridiculous. Virtually every family in ads is either completely non-white or mixed race. All-white families are now a very rare sight in such ads. 82% of this country is white, but to look at advertising, you would imagine this figure were less than 50%. I've long got used to laughing at the silly, ahistorical black characters turning up in historical dramas, but I couldn't help but find something a little sinister about the false idea of the country we're now being sold.

If you were the director of a drama and there was a chance to cast an excellent actor in a role that they would be very well suited to play, would you feel completely comfortable in refusing them that opportunity soley because of the colour of their skin? I know there's the whole 'looking the part' thing, and that there may not have been many black people around in certain points of space-time, but it sounds a bit dodge to me.

[Burney]

If you were the director of a drama and there was a chance to cast an excellent actor in a role that they would be very well suited to play, would you feel completely comfortable in refusing them that opportunity soley because of the colour of their skin? I know there's the whole 'looking the part' thing, and that there may not have been many black people around in certain points of space-time, but it sounds a bit dodge to me.

Yes, I would. For the same reason I would feel comfortable not casting a woman in a male role or vice versa. As a director, I would consider it my primary role to engage the viewer and not jar them out of the drama by inappropriate casting decisions that are being made for reasons other than the best possible dramatic outcome. Historical dramas by their nature are predicated on a time and place. That means that one must be respectful of that time and place when casting.

Now of course one could argue that in the past it has been the norm to cast white actors as Othello. However, no-one in their right mind would consider doing that today - and with good reason, as it makes a farce of the thing. My argument would be that if that logic applies one way, it also applies the other.

[7sisters]

But by way of compensation, you can’t fail to notice that the role of high court judge / chief of police and other senior ranking positions are quite often played by black actors .. I’ve nothing against the use of positive ethnic role models. I think the only time I was truly overtaken by cynicism was when the world and all humanity was saved by two Jews and a black guy. Independence Day ? Only in Hollywood. :hehe: