Transcript thanks to Kym Masera Taborn of the Xena Media Review. This was snipped from a larger article.
Big Things in Little Packages
It remains to be seen just how seriously the Big Four take the diversity initiatives they have negotiated with the NAACP. Whether or not the reforms are vigorously pursued may depend on how well those charged with carrying them out are educated to the value of diversity in television programming. The Big Four networks might take a few cues from some of the little guys on this point.
"Audience reaction has been nothing but positive. People love us going to India, love us going to China, love us celebrating the diverse cultures and the diverse ethnicities," remarks R.J. Stewart, who is executive producer of " Xena: Warrior Princess." The action/adventure series is the highest rated first-run syndicated program on television. Diverse casting has been an element in the show since its debut six years ago.
"I think the diversity in casting on ' Xena' has helped to make it a richer, more entertaining, and exciting experience for our audience. Creatively, it is such a stimulating thing to embrace diversity and celebrate it on ' Xena. ' It has made [producing] the show much, much more fun than if we had been constricted in some way to using only certain types. Diversity is good for the entertainment value of a show. It just makes it more interesting."
Stewart feels so strongly about the value of diversity in casting that he flew into New York from LA especially for the CAPE/NYWIFT seminar and then flew back to the West Coast the next day. He believes that any executive jitters about possibly turning off audience members or sponsors by displaying more diverse programming is largely unfounded.
"The first year on ' Xena, ' we had her meet her old boyfriend, who was played by an African-American actor. There was never a peep from anybody. Nobody complained, nobody suggested that we not do it. We've had African-Americans play heroes. We've had them play villains. Not a single sponsor, not a single network person has said a [negative] word, ever. We've never had a single protest."
It certainly may be possible to successfully inject diversity into a single broadcast project, as Stewart has with " Xena. " But could a whole network program with greater diversity in mind and be successful? Actually, one network has and has done it for a very important audience--children...
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