Why was there never a black angel? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Rookielove · 12-16-2013, 05:31 PM

Sometimes looking at the show, I wonder why there was never a black angel on the show. Did all the Angels have to be white?

Steve_uk · 12-16-2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookielove

Sometimes looking at the show, I wonder why there was never a black angel on the show. Did all the Angels have to be white?

But wasn't that just the Reagan and Thatcher Zeitgeist,the subliminal message that black people were second class citizens? I must say I enjoyed Nicole Scherzinger on X-Factor UK and had she been around in the 1970s she would have been perfect for the role.

shotzette · 12-16-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookielove

Sometimes looking at the show, I wonder why there was never a black angel on the show. Did all the Angels have to be white?

Pushing diversity was not an agenda item in the mid 70s (especially in an Aaron Spelling production) when the show started. A few years later, "Diff'rent Strokes" was cutting edge because it showed a white man adopting two black sons. I think back then having non-blond white girls was diverse enough.

Rookielove · 12-16-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

Pushing diversity was not an agenda item in the mid 70s (especially in an Aaron Spelling production) when the show started. A few years later, "Diff'rent Strokes" was cutting edge because it showed a white man adopting two black sons. I think back then having non-blond white girls was diverse enough.

Well, it didn't necessarily have to be about diversity. Just real life. In real life, blacks and whites work together and are friends, even back in the 70s. I think it would of been great to see a black angel.

I could see Jayne Kennedy or Pam Grier as an angel.

bliss · 12-16-2013, 11:16 PM

The closest we'll get to a "Black Angel" on the original show is street smart Tanya Roberts.

shotzette · 12-16-2013, 11:23 PM

I would have liked to have seen Pam Grier and or Jayne Kennedy as angels.

MacLeaper · 12-17-2013, 12:01 PM

There are a number of talented African-American actresses that were around in the 1970s that could have done the job well. I would definitely agree with Pam Grier as a choice. Nichelle Nichols could have been great in such a role too.
If the show had decided to have a black Angel that would be fine with me. And I'm not saying that anyone was suggesting this, but sometimes these kind of racial musings come off to me like a suggestion of some sort of racial inequality or bias that must exist simply because the show either chose to or wound up not having any people of a certain race on the show.
We could also ask why there weren't any Asian Angels or Native American Angels or Hispanic Angels or Arabic Angels, etc.
Unless the show has a specific race in mind for a particular character, I think the best idea is to just do an open casting call for whoever fits the role (in this case, obviously they would at least want a female. A male Angel would have just killed the whole premise.

)
And from there, just go with whoever is the most talented and deserving of the role, regardless of their race.
Advertisers are particularly careful about this, trying to make sure to keep a balance of races represented in their commercials, so no race feels slighted or feels like it's not being represented enough. (Because certainly the stores want everyone to come shop there.)
While I certainly value people of all backgrounds and races because we're all made in God's image and all are infinitely important to Him (and should be to each other as well), I also for that reason don't like the suggestion that a group of people is not "diverse" if it's only the same skin color represented. I think all people are diverse because everyone is unique and special. And even if they all came from the same area and had ancestry from the same place, it doesn't mean that they're not unique as individuals.
(Sorry- I don't mean this as an affront to anyone- it's just something I've come across in culture in general that gets kinda irksome to me.)
Well- if it's any consolation, the Charlie's Angels movies and 2011 TV series had a greater variety of racial heritages represented. [In fact, the 2011 TV series did have a black Angel!

] (Though I think it's important to remember that our racial categorical terms are pretty broad sometimes and don't always cover exactly all the many places of ancestry that make up our biological backgrounds.)

Zoneboy · 12-17-2013, 02:41 PM

I think Teresa Graves would've been a great choice among the others already mentioned.

Rookielove · 12-17-2013, 11:17 PM

Oh, yeah. I think Teresa Graves would of been a good choice as well.

She kinda looks a bit like Whitney Houston.

Kasey · 01-05-2014, 11:10 AM

Actually when Kate Jackson left and producers were searching for her replacement Jayne Kennedy was in the running but her 5'10 stature when standing next to "the dimunitive Cheryl Ladd" cost her the job. Also, Shari Belafonte-Harper tried out and "there was something very engaging about her" [despite her inexperience] but the producers decided to go with Shelley Hack who beat out Connie Sellecca and Barbara Bach [who almost landed the part but her resemblance to Jaclyn was too strong].

I've always thought that Jamie Lee Curtis, had she been ten years older, would have been perfect to replace Kate. She had the ability to show some spunk, had the unique voice and can play anger well that would have given her character that 'edge' compared to the more calm Kelly and fun-loving Kris.

Rookielove · 01-19-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasey

I've always thought that Jamie Lee Curtis, had she been ten years older, would have been perfect to replace Kate. She had the ability to show some spunk, had the unique voice and can play anger well that would have given her character that 'edge' compared to the more calm Kelly and fun-loving Kris.

Good point about Jamie Lee Curtis.

I also think Margot Kidder or Pamela Sue Martin would be great replacements for Kate.

king of comedy · 01-20-2014, 08:54 AM

They had a black actress in the reboot and Lucy Lu was in the 2 movies. That is diversity.

cleverfun3000 · 01-20-2014, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

They had a black actress in the reboot and Lucy Lu was in the 2 movies. That is diversity.

Rookielove · 01-28-2014, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

They had a black actress in the reboot and Lucy Lu was in the 2 movies. That is diversity.

Yes. I know there was a black angel in the reboot, but I was referring to the 70's version that was way more popular and ran for 5 years. The reboot was cancelled.

Torgo · 01-28-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

Hardly, since the OP was obviously talking about the original series.

12-16-2013, 05:31 PM	#1
Rookielove Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2011 Location: America Posts: 235	Why was there never a black angel? Sometimes looking at the show, I wonder why there was never a black angel on the show. Did all the Angels have to be white?

12-17-2013, 12:01 PM	#7
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	There are a number of talented African-American actresses that were around in the 1970s that could have done the job well. I would definitely agree with Pam Grier as a choice. Nichelle Nichols could have been great in such a role too. If the show had decided to have a black Angel that would be fine with me. And I'm not saying that anyone was suggesting this, but sometimes these kind of racial musings come off to me like a suggestion of some sort of racial inequality or bias that must exist simply because the show either chose to or wound up not having any people of a certain race on the show. We could also ask why there weren't any Asian Angels or Native American Angels or Hispanic Angels or Arabic Angels, etc. Unless the show has a specific race in mind for a particular character, I think the best idea is to just do an open casting call for whoever fits the role (in this case, obviously they would at least want a female. A male Angel would have just killed the whole premise. ) And from there, just go with whoever is the most talented and deserving of the role, regardless of their race. Advertisers are particularly careful about this, trying to make sure to keep a balance of races represented in their commercials, so no race feels slighted or feels like it's not being represented enough. (Because certainly the stores want everyone to come shop there.) While I certainly value people of all backgrounds and races because we're all made in God's image and all are infinitely important to Him (and should be to each other as well), I also for that reason don't like the suggestion that a group of people is not "diverse" if it's only the same skin color represented. I think all people are diverse because everyone is unique and special. And even if they all came from the same area and had ancestry from the same place, it doesn't mean that they're not unique as individuals. (Sorry- I don't mean this as an affront to anyone- it's just something I've come across in culture in general that gets kinda irksome to me.) Well- if it's any consolation, the Charlie's Angels movies and 2011 TV series had a greater variety of racial heritages represented. [In fact, the 2011 TV series did have a black Angel! ] (Though I think it's important to remember that our racial categorical terms are pretty broad sometimes and don't always cover exactly all the many places of ancestry that make up our biological backgrounds.)
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12-17-2013, 02:41 PM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,375	I think Teresa Graves would've been a great choice among the others already mentioned.
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12-16-2013, 11:16 PM	#5
bliss THAT GIRL Senior Member Join Date: Apr 26, 2009 Posts: 1,000	The closest we'll get to a "Black Angel" on the original show is street smart Tanya Roberts.

12-16-2013, 11:23 PM	#6
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	I would have liked to have seen Pam Grier and or Jayne Kennedy as angels.

12-17-2013, 11:17 PM	#9
Rookielove Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2011 Location: America Posts: 235	Oh, yeah. I think Teresa Graves would of been a good choice as well. She kinda looks a bit like Whitney Houston.

01-05-2014, 11:10 AM	#10
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	Actually when Kate Jackson left and producers were searching for her replacement Jayne Kennedy was in the running but her 5'10 stature when standing next to "the dimunitive Cheryl Ladd" cost her the job. Also, Shari Belafonte-Harper tried out and "there was something very engaging about her" [despite her inexperience] but the producers decided to go with Shelley Hack who beat out Connie Sellecca and Barbara Bach [who almost landed the part but her resemblance to Jaclyn was too strong]. I've always thought that Jamie Lee Curtis, had she been ten years older, would have been perfect to replace Kate. She had the ability to show some spunk, had the unique voice and can play anger well that would have given her character that 'edge' compared to the more calm Kelly and fun-loving Kris.

01-20-2014, 08:54 AM	#12
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	They had a black actress in the reboot and Lucy Lu was in the 2 movies. That is diversity.