11.02.2009

My Television Trends and Black Media

I've noticed that a lot of the television shows I like have a very common trend: They all are premised around an "extraordinary" (quotes intentional) male lead character:

Burn Notice, Psych, Curb Your Enthusiasm, House, The Office, Dexter, Californication

But none of the lead actors in those shows are black. Is there really no market for an extraordinary black lead on a quality TV show? And not Meet the Browns... Sadly, I can't even think of an actor to do it, the only recent show of any quality that comes to mind is the Bernie Mac Show, though I may just be misinformed.

And to clarify, there are other shows that have black people, but of shows that have stronger male leads, none (of the ones I watch) are black.

Am I missing something?