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xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 06:46 AM Jun 2014

The Shocking Lack Of Diversity On This Week’s Sunday Shows

http://thinkprogress.org/media/2014/06/15/3449155/sunday-shows-men-june-15/



The Sunday political talk shows have drawn repeated criticism for filling their lineups with disproportionately white, male guests. But if this week’s lineup is any indication, the shows aren’t working too hard to fix the disparity.

Between CNN, Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC this Sunday, there were no women or people of color featured as the main, solo interviews of the show. Even in the roundtable discussions that follow the featured interviews, the participants were unrepresentative: Eight women joined the roundtables, while 15 men were part of the conversation.

Of the 38 total guests between the one-on-one interviews and the roundtables, there were five people of color. None of the shows had on more than two women, or more than two non-white guests.

The lack of diversity is simultaneously most and least surprising on a week in which foreign policy has dominated the news cycle. All of the shows featured discussion of the ongoing unrest in Iraq. And while international news may seem like an area ripe for diverse perspectives, the U.S. foreign policy establishment is overwhelmingly male.
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The Shocking Lack Of Diversity On This Week’s Sunday Shows (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP
What is shocking is that someone is actually writing about it liberal N proud Jun 2014 #1
indeed. nt xchrom Jun 2014 #3
What is shocking is that anyone actually watches them. TheCowsCameHome Jun 2014 #9
Well, they have these nice old white haired men on them that provide such provocative commentary liberal N proud Jun 2014 #10
I don't bother to watch them, most are pretty lame and I always feel I'm watching a propaganda RKP5637 Jun 2014 #52
I used to watch them expecting the big "bombshell" TheCowsCameHome Jun 2014 #58
+100. Even MORESO that members here do it. closeupready Jun 2014 #15
Both Lindsey Graham and John McCain are tools of the Military Industrial Complex warrant46 Jun 2014 #33
"Press the Meat" longship Jun 2014 #2
This is why I say Fox News is not the problem JustAnotherGen Jun 2014 #4
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #5
Diversity is important so viewers can be exposed to a wider range of opinions and points of view. Snarkoleptic Jun 2014 #7
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #13
Yes, by all means, you are absolutely correct. Snarkoleptic Jun 2014 #16
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #19
Whoa, ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #22
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #25
No I asked you to think for yourself. ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #29
Yes, but so can people of all skin colors and people with vaginas. whathehell Jun 2014 #21
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #24
Because not everyone has the same point of view as White people ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #26
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #28
Doesn't everyone's point of view deserve to be heard? ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #32
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #35
A very disingenuous question yes? ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #36
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #37
So you don't think the lack of diversity shows that we ARE NOT picking ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #40
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #43
"If we already have white guys with a wide range of opinions & points of view.. whathehell Jun 2014 #30
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #34
Maybe not, but "having a 'different skin color and a vagina has kept whathehell Jun 2014 #39
No kidding, but simply being possessed of a dick and white skin doesn't either.. whathehell Jun 2014 #41
Ooooo, scare quotes ... GeorgeGist Jun 2014 #11
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #14
It's tough to get a balanced discussion going when the panels look like this... Snarkoleptic Jun 2014 #17
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #20
We've been picking white men for decades. ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #27
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For decades ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #38
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #44
For decades White Men have been about 46% of population but 100% of whathehell Jun 2014 #42
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #45
Oh yes, it's all changed & we're "post racial" and "post misogyny", no doubt whathehell Jun 2014 #46
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #47
Um, I'm afraid you're going to be met with LOTS of disagreement there, lol whathehell Jun 2014 #48
You want a monolithic culture? ismnotwasm Jun 2014 #23
Look to the companies who own the networks. LuvNewcastle Jun 2014 #6
Exactly Scarsdale Jun 2014 #49
Definitely! I was just thinking earlier,I bet a lot of the MIC are opening their wallets waiting for RKP5637 Jun 2014 #53
big media is in campaign mode Doctor_J Jun 2014 #8
My dream Meet the Press is Ichingcarpenter Jun 2014 #12
Wow. Now that's an idea. Baitball Blogger Jun 2014 #18
MTP had an interesting exchange with Laura Ingram was told this was not her talk show. Thinkingabout Jun 2014 #50
It has always been this way, and has been noticed SheilaT Jun 2014 #51
Yep, been that way since my youth a long time ago, usually a bunch of old white guys RKP5637 Jun 2014 #54
I have not watched any of those shows in a good twenty years, SheilaT Jun 2014 #55
Yep! Agree very much! n/t RKP5637 Jun 2014 #56
I wonder if there is another way of looking at this? kristopher Jun 2014 #57
Watch msnbc AndreaCG Jun 2014 #59

liberal N proud

(60,302 posts)
1. What is shocking is that someone is actually writing about it
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 06:50 AM
Jun 2014

This lack of diversity in these propaganda machines has been normal since early in the bu$h regime if not before. It has taken nearly 15 years for anyone to actually pen an article highlighting it.



I call Face the Nation, the Lindsey Graham and John McCain show, if one isn't on the other is and the rebuttal is zero.

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
52. I don't bother to watch them, most are pretty lame and I always feel I'm watching a propaganda
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:59 AM
Jun 2014

machine.

TheCowsCameHome

(40,163 posts)
58. I used to watch them expecting the big "bombshell"
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 04:46 PM
Jun 2014

It NEVER, EVER happens, always a load of warmed-over bull and doublespeak.

That applies to both parties.

I'd rather take a long walk and enjoy my Sunday morning.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
15. +100. Even MORESO that members here do it.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:37 AM
Jun 2014

Week after week. Which doesn't stop them from complaining, lol.

warrant46

(2,205 posts)
33. Both Lindsey Graham and John McCain are tools of the Military Industrial Complex
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:00 AM
Jun 2014

The only thing different is Joementum Limpmann is no longer in the Trio singing the Song

longship

(40,416 posts)
2. "Press the Meat"
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 07:03 AM
Jun 2014

And one can interpret meat in the metaphoric way. In fact, one should probably do precisely that. No (few) women allowed.

JustAnotherGen

(31,683 posts)
4. This is why I say Fox News is not the problem
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 07:16 AM
Jun 2014

The Fox News viewers are simply not watching what is on the 'Big' Three Networks.

The networks might be even more to blame than Fox news for the high volume of low information people running around screaming Benghazi!!!!!!

Response to xchrom (Original post)

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
7. Diversity is important so viewers can be exposed to a wider range of opinions and points of view.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 07:52 AM
Jun 2014

The Sunday shows are overwhelmingly pale, stale and frail.

Response to Snarkoleptic (Reply #7)

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
16. Yes, by all means, you are absolutely correct.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:40 AM
Jun 2014

I'm certain there is an old white guy somewhere in the Fox Newz bullpen who can be trotted out in order to discuss the subtleties of race relations based upon his deep cultural understanding of the issue.

Have you interacted with DUer MIRT?
I'm certain you will soon meet.

Response to Snarkoleptic (Reply #16)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
22. Whoa,
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:48 AM
Jun 2014

You're missing a significant portion of the dynamic in race relations, White privilege, and a lot of last century history that affects present day events.

Now try a thought experiment and answer you own question.

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #22)

Response to whathehell (Reply #21)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
26. Because not everyone has the same point of view as White people
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:55 AM
Jun 2014

Or Male people, or wealthy people--diversity gives us a richness of human experience.
Where did you get the idea everyone thinks the same way?

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #26)

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #32)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
36. A very disingenuous question yes?
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:06 AM
Jun 2014

Have you done something significant that a talk show would be interested in?

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #36)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
40. So you don't think the lack of diversity shows that we ARE NOT picking
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:13 AM
Jun 2014

Interesting people of color? Or gender? What about Gay, or intersexed--- without their sexual orientation being the topic?

They got nothin'?

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #40)

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
30. "If we already have white guys with a wide range of opinions & points of view..
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:58 AM
Jun 2014

why do we need to have guests of all skin colors or vaginas just for the sake of it"?

To maybe give THEM a chance to offer their opinions?...You never know, they just MIGHT

like a chance to participate.

Response to whathehell (Reply #30)

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
39. Maybe not, but "having a 'different skin color and a vagina has kept
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:11 AM
Jun 2014

millions OUT of Public Conversation AND political power and if it weren't for The Civil Rights

Movement and the Feminist Movement they would STILL be kept out of both.

As for diversity, the fact is, women and People of Color HAVE had different life experiences

due to centuries of prejudice. If this is "news" to you, I can only ask what

Egalitarian Fantasy World you've been living in.

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
41. No kidding, but simply being possessed of a dick and white skin doesn't either..
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:15 AM
Jun 2014

and this fantasy "color/ gender blind" world you seem to believe exists doesn't.

Response to GeorgeGist (Reply #11)

Response to Snarkoleptic (Reply #17)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
27. We've been picking white men for decades.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:57 AM
Jun 2014

With the occasional exception, diversity is fairly new, and as the chart shoes, not well implemented

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #27)

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
38. For decades
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:10 AM
Jun 2014

No one was interested in what the black population had to say because of overt racism. Or any other person of color.

Or women for that matter Just white men.

Latinos make up 17% of the population. Where are they?

Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #38)

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
42. For decades White Men have been about 46% of population but 100% of
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:19 AM
Jun 2014

of voices heard in this and other countries.

Response to whathehell (Reply #42)

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
46. Oh yes, it's all changed & we're "post racial" and "post misogyny", no doubt
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:36 AM
Jun 2014

Take a look at the number of Hate Groups listed by the Southern Poverty Law

Center, not to mention the rape statistics which are growing and

I think you'll gain a different point of view, and, btw, If white women are now the 'largest

voting demographic', that's no thanks to white men..They are apparently

just not voting as regularly.

As for other countries, yes, we are concerned about them, but since we are not

citizens of those countries, we're limited as to their political choices.

Response to whathehell (Reply #46)

whathehell

(28,969 posts)
48. Um, I'm afraid you're going to be met with LOTS of disagreement there, lol
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:46 AM
Jun 2014

but I'll let you fight that one out with the rest of the membership.

LuvNewcastle

(16,820 posts)
6. Look to the companies who own the networks.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 07:22 AM
Jun 2014

Probably all of them have some investment in the war machine, so they're going to choose people who want us to go back into Iraq. White male Republicans fit that bill. Some might say that my thoughts are paranoid or conspiracy-oriented, but I think it really is that simple. A few people in this country have already made billions off of war in Iraq and they want to make more. Our corporate-owned news is nothing but propaganda; I don't think it's any better than RT, really. It's worthless, and it's just a shame that anybody at all watches it. All it does is confuse people.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
49. Exactly
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:48 AM
Jun 2014

Surely the networks could find people in DC who do not share the opinions of McCain and Graham? Why are they given so much airtime? Remember when President Obama wanted to address the nation, all the networks REFUSED to give him airtime? Yet, these warmongering clowns are on weekly. They could save $$$ by simply asking people "What do you think McCain and Graham will discuss this week?" Answer "How wrong the President is about EVERYTHING. How McCain could have done a better job, along with the Wasilla Wendingo, Palin at his side" Little Johnny is never questioned, just spouts off and gets red in the face, fake smiles, and everything is great. Bob Schieffer should retire, take his good friends with him.

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
53. Definitely! I was just thinking earlier,I bet a lot of the MIC are opening their wallets waiting for
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 10:04 AM
Jun 2014

a flow of cash to start soon so they can take another dip into the money chest.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
8. big media is in campaign mode
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:11 AM
Jun 2014

Between now and Nov the opinions will range from center-right to fascist.

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
12. My dream Meet the Press is
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:26 AM
Jun 2014

My dream Meet the Press is

to see a Meet the Press roundtable with Luke Russert, Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush and Megan McCain

talk about diversity let alone genes!

Baitball Blogger

(46,575 posts)
18. Wow. Now that's an idea.
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:44 AM
Jun 2014

Can you imagine a breakfast clutch panel filled with minority members? There are some truths that need to be heard.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
51. It has always been this way, and has been noticed
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:54 AM
Jun 2014

in the past. Especially by those who are not middle aged white men.

It's almost insulting and rather patronizing that all of a sudden everyone -- or at least everyone here -- is shocked, just shocked that there's only middle aged white men on these shows.

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
54. Yep, been that way since my youth a long time ago, usually a bunch of old white guys
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 10:11 AM
Jun 2014

sitting around pontificating. This morning I was trying to get some information about what was going on in Iraq, and all were talking their own crap, some analyst they drag out of the closet. I turned it off. I learn more on DU than I could ever hope to gain from crap TV news shows. And news anchors, I wish they would just report the facts, than making the show about them.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
55. I have not watched any of those shows in a good twenty years,
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 10:23 AM
Jun 2014

maybe more. And I never did watch them very regularly. I also rarely if ever watch what is considered mainstream news. It helps that I don't actually own a TV. I get what entertainment and news I want from the internet. Or the radio. Every morning I wake up to Amy Goodman. That station (KSFR in Santa Fe, NM) also has the BBC on before and after Amy. I feel as if I'm actually much more well informed than most people I know.

kristopher

(29,798 posts)
57. I wonder if there is another way of looking at this?
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 10:28 AM
Jun 2014

It would be interesting to see the results of number crunching that compares the distribution of wealth by gender/race with the observed diversity on the talk shows.

My guess is that it would match better than straight demographics.

And to be clear - I think that would indicate a problem.

AndreaCG

(2,331 posts)
59. Watch msnbc
Mon Jun 16, 2014, 08:24 PM
Jun 2014

Steve Kornacki and Melissa Harris-Perry have very diverse commentators. They always have thoughtful discussions in their two hour blocks Saturday and Sunday

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