In a sharp contrast, an ABC show that returned for the third
season is the Shark Tank, a show
where investors meet entrepreneurs. As of May 5th, 2012, the
unscripted show airs at a prime time hour, 8:00 PM on Friday nights and,
according to Sara Bibel
of website TV By The Numbers, is rated the
Number #1 show for adults 18-49 during
the that programming slot. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/05/tv-ratings-friday-fringe-grimm-the-finder-blue-bloods-csi-ny-down-shark-tank-up-as-entire-abc-line-up-rises/132553/
Credit: Screenshot
of Episode 313, CBS’ Shark Tank show
http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/photo-details/episode-313/959095
http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/photo-details/episode-313/959095
Cast, left to
right: Mark Cuban, Daymond Jones, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec
Unlike the
sitcom The Big Bang Theory, the
premise of the reality type show is to allow inventors, business people
and everyday folks the opportunity to present and pitch their best business
ideas and products to real-life investors for capital towards their businesses.
The Shark Tank
first aired in the fall of 2009 and is written by Mark Burnett and co-produced
by Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin. It is considered a quasi-reality
show, because the investors are true, self-made millionaires and billionaires
and the pitches are real but edited to fit with within the shows’ one hour slot
time. And though it is entertaining to watch people from diverse backgrounds try
to prove the value of their products and business ideas to the capital
investors, it is important to note that the investment deals they cut with the “Sharks”
are real. Since some of the budding entrepreneurs have gone on to become more
successful with their conceived products with the financial help and business
support of the Shark Tank investors, the interests in the show has increased.
Four of the capital investors are of European descent and
self-made business moguls: Season #3 guest "Shark" Mark Cuban is a software and
sales entrepreneur, Kevin O’Leary, a publishing software inventor, Barbara Corcoran, a real-estate tycoon, and Robert Herjavec, another high-technology designer.
But true to Hollywood typecasting, ABC decided there must be an ethnic minority
within the cast of the show to prove there is “diversity”.
Daymond John is an African-American businessman who agreed with
ABC to be one of the full-time “Sharks”
in the Shark Tank. He is self-made
billionaire who owns a clothing line called FUBU
(For Us, By Us) and high stakes in other lucrative businesses. He who worked diligently
for many years trying to design and manufacture his brand of fashionable clothing
by learning about sewing, fashion, and trends while using his business savvy to
strike deals with public figures in the hip-hop world to promote the products. Though
all five of the “Sharks” worked hard to create their empires, it is doubtful
that the other four “Sharks” did not have to face the same adversity Daymond did
because they are all of European descent, which is still considered the ruling
class of business and power in America.
Unlike The Big Bang
Theory, his “Shark” colleagues do not harass Daymond about his race or culture.
He is not the comic relief of the television show and considerably more
conservative and stoic than the other “Sharks” in the shows. Daymond is
consistently professional. In each episode, he tends to listens more and say
less than the other aggressive “Sharks”. If Daymond decides to negotiate with a
potential business partner, he does so in a confident, even manner without emotion. His calm
demeanor, assertiveness and maturity make him shine when the “Sharks” raise
their voices, schmooze or become condescending in short-term attempts to intimidate
the prospects and each other. In fact, the other "Sharks" recognize his business savvy
and sometimes offer to combine capital offers with him in effort to stake partnerships
with the new entrepreneurs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIzCKrv9pqAURL
(begin at 9:51, end at 11:54) Later, Daymond diligently follows up with his new business partners. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskfRWpgcN4
Daymond John is an anomaly in prime time television: even
though he is a minority, he is the polar opposite of the African-American man
that Hollywood tends to include in their shows as comic relief or the TV show's scapegoat. In American prime time network history where Caucasian-based
groups hold the power and capital in a television show, it is one the first times that a racial minority has earned a
seat where he has equal control over potential business transactions. This
enduring status as a smart “Shark” has helped Daymond become a role model for
enterprising African-Americans and other minorities who have only seen
Caucasians in control of high-end business transactions. Daymond has and
continues to give lectures and write books about branding and becoming a
successful entrepreneur today. He speaks to minority business groups and
conducts interviews with news reporters about his own experiences, his role on
the Shark Tank and what is expected
of budding businesspeople who are seeking capital from investors. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ2ZaXbnS60
Daymond is available for private business consultations and encourages women
and minorities to take advantage of his help. http://daymondjohn.com/speaking/
Though he might be a tough “Shark” on television, he has found a way to give
back to the community by mentoring and advising those who seek it.
As for his prime time TV “Shark” persona, he is the polar opposite
of the negative, racial stereotype that Hollywood has given the character “Raj”
in The Big Bang Theory. While “Raj”
is limited to whom he can speak to and the power status he can rise to because
of his race, Daymond John is a respected businessman on the same equal footing as
his Shark Tank colleagues.Daymond has an equal
opportunity to grasp at any great, marketable ideas that come across the table as
well as befriend and partner with the same powerful people that approach as the
rest of the "Sharks". Thus, according to to the theory Marxist thinker Gramsci, Daymond
John has evaded being a victim of cultural hegemony. Instead, he has become part of the upper class that holds the power, wealth and decision making
in the world of American business.
Comparing Racial
Stereotypes in Prime Time Network Television: The Big Bang Theory versus Shark
Tank
Racial Minority of TV Show
|
One who is the comic/relief or scapegoat
|
One is who is harassed by TV colleagues about his race and
culture
|
One is who methodically “silenced”
|
One who holds equal
power and status as his TV colleagues
|
“Raj”
The Big Bang Theory
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Daymond
Shark Tank
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
It would seem that Hollywood has finally allowed a successful
African-American to pause the ethnic stereotyping for an hour during prime time
programming and is being rewarded for it by gaining new, excellent ratings.
Because of ABC’s Shark Tank’s sharp uptick
of success, it would follow that in the future of television, minorities will
be given more opportunities to finally break the racial stereotyping that Hollywood
has long perpetuated.
In conclusion, television shows, whether they are prime time or reality-based, influences audiences in various ways. Throughout the years, there has been a great deal of controversy and criticism surrounding the portrayal of people of color. There is a consistent pattern of most television shows in which ethnic groups accept being the stereotypical characters they are assigned, which in turn are watched by the viewers. At this point, the viewers are prone to also accept the fictional characterization of minorities to be true. This can deeply affect how viewers identify and interact with other races and ethnic in real life situations.Popular shows Flavor of Love, The Bachelor, and The Big Bang Theory include characters and contestants who make the acceptance of racial stereotypes appear politically correct and even justify the superiority of Caucasians by playing those roles for TV shows. Unfortunately, there have been few obvious improvements made in American television to erase those stereotypes, and in some cases minorities are characterized in an even worse light than ever before. However, ABC more recently took a risk by busting the Hollywood norm of typecasting and created the show Shark Tank; a quasi-reality TV show that features African-American billionaire Daymond John who professionally haggles with four other Caucasian "Sharks" for control of new businesses presented by entrepreneurs. A racial minority is finally being shown on prime time television as a successful, model citizen. Hollywood should take note that the incredible popularity of Shark Tank absolutely proves that viewers want to see other races and cultures be shown as equally successful and have access to the same opportunities as their Caucasian colleagues in American television.
No comments:
Post a Comment