Alternate Reality TV

[Apollyon]

I've decided to coin this phrase to describe TV shows which depict an alternate reality where Asian men don't exist and where if they do exist, they can't speak proper English while Asian females magically can.

Supposedly realistic shows set in hospitals for example don't seem to have any Asian male doctors.

An alternate reality New York exists in the show Friends where perhaps some sort of ethnic cleansing has eliminated people of color in a city of over 15 million people.

This is the reality that some people wish to create, that they dream about, that they strive towards with all their thoughts and efforts. If such a reality existed, they'd be tickled pink and greet each new day with a smile. Rainbows and sugarplum fairies would abound and all evil and strife would be banished from this magical universe without people of color, except perhaps available single Asian and other ethnic ladies who are magically born under mushrooms through some kind of parthenogenesis.

At least thats what some people are trying to sell. The problem is, people are actually buying it.

[minorTruths]

I
At least thats what some people are trying to sell. The problem is, people are actually buying it.

The same people who are buying it are probably for the most part the same people who would sell it, and they also won't mind such a fairy tale.

But come on, let's be honest and stop whining...we all know this phenomenon is due to the the dearth of good Asian American male actors out there.
[Please note sarcastic tone]

[Tyger Durden]

Morgan Freeman's agent just called to say his client is interested in the part.

[King4aDay]

Morgan Freeman's agent just called to say his client is interested in the part.

He's also fighting Leonardo DiCaprio for the Akira lead.

[King4aDay]

I've decided to coin this phrase to describe TV shows which depict an alternate reality where Asian men don't exist and where if they do exist, they can't speak proper English while Asian females magically can.

Supposedly realistic shows set in hospitals for example don't seem to have any Asian male doctors.

An alternate reality New York exists in the show Friends where perhaps some sort of ethnic cleansing has eliminated people of color in a city of over 15 million people.

This is the reality that some people wish to create, that they dream about, that they strive towards with all their thoughts and efforts. If such a reality existed, they'd be tickled pink and greet each new day with a smile. Rainbows and sugarplum fairies would abound and all evil and strife would be banished from this magical universe without people of color, except perhaps available single Asian and other ethnic ladies who are magically born under mushrooms through some kind of parthenogenesis.

At least thats what some people are trying to sell. The problem is, people are actually buying it.

I think you're right Apollyon. It's a magical world of "fantasy" where people can just relax and get away from the color.... I mean drudgery of everday life and a bad economy.

[Tyger Durden]

He's also fighting Leonardo DiCaprio for the Akira lead.

Only to be beaten out by Will Smith in the end.

[King4aDay]

Only to be beaten out by Will Smith in the end.

I dunno... is Leonardo a bigger star than Will Smith at this point? I think Leo is probably more popular.

[Tyger Durden]

I dunno... is Leonardo a bigger star than Will Smith at this point? I think Leo is probably more popular.

Because of his role in The Aviator, Di Caprio is most likely seen as the more "serious" actor even though Will Smith did a very good job in Ali. Will Smith's former rapping career may have stigmatized him, for right or wrong, in whether or not he can be taken serious by critics. I thought his role in Ali was very, very good. More likely, it may be that no one takes Spike Lee serious and that impression overshadowed Smith's outstanding job in Lee's film.

Likewise, Di Capri may still be stigmatized by Titanic, The Beach and Romeo and Juliet.

Obviously, I believe the lead roles in Akira should go to people of Asian-descent. James Cameron's planned rendition of Battle Angel should have some leeway though, since it takes place hundreds of years in the future.

As far as sit-coms and prime-time TV shows, Apollyon is correct about the dearth of Asian Male representation.

One can argue that the demographic watching prime-time TV (hence the term "prime") is more widespread than the audience of movie-goers...and, consequentially more influential in how they depict (or fail to) majority/minority and minority/minority relationships.

Apollyon is also correct in that these depictions are borderline-fantasy in nature, possibly a signal that the Media is uncomfortable with some depictions or incapable of showing something more realistic such as Asian Male Doctors in a Hospital-based TV show.

[King4aDay]

Yeah, I think that Smith did a good job in Ali but that was definately the top of his game so far. To be remembered as an outstanding actor he'll have to pull more of that out of his hat. But of course he also achieved good acting in Six Degrees Of Separation. way back.

What did you think of The Pursuit of Happiness? I mean, from the standpoint of the level of acting?

As for Asian male lead actors (not ensamble) I have to say, I can't think of any offhand. I must be missing some though... I really think that members of sites like this should write to hollywood studios about this. I mean, to some degree or other we are all writers, why not write to the people who can actually make a difference?

[Liang]

I've decided to coin this phrase to describe TV shows which depict an alternate reality where Asian men don't exist and where if they do exist, they can't speak proper English while Asian females magically can.



There are also no Asian male doctors in this dimension.

[minorTruths]

Speaking of alternate reality tv and doctors and whatnot, did anyone catch the reality tv show 'Hopkins' the other night. The reality drama is based on the lives of real doctors at John Hopkins hospital I think. I'm not sure. I don't keep track of these things. I only caught a few minutes of it. And you guessed it, nope...no Asians...or Asian patients.

But one of the doctor's background caught my attention. He's not young anymore, in his mid 30's. And he's been married to his childhood school friend he met in 6th grade. They've been together ever since. Wow. How often does that happen.

Anyways, back to alternate reality tv. Yes, boooooo! Hopkins is alternate reality.