Hetero White Males underrepresented on British TV

[Galloism]

Today I learned that Robin Hood: Men in Tights needed to be historically accurate.

Terrible film. Almost as bad as that don't call me Shirley film.

Please schedule yourself for an appropriate flogging. Thank you.

[LiberNovusAmericae]

Terrible film. Almost as bad as that don't call me Shirley film.

Please schedule yourself for an appropriate flogging. Thank you.

It wasn't even the type of film I was even thinking about. I was thinking about very realistic historical fiction or movies actually based on true events, not some trash comedy film.

[Gormwood]

Please schedule yourself for an appropriate flogging. Thank you.

It wasn't even the type of film I was even thinking about. I was thinking about very realistic historical fiction or movies actually based on true events, not some trash comedy film.

Get the scourge...

[Dogmeat]

Please schedule yourself for an appropriate flogging. Thank you.

It wasn't even the type of film I was even thinking about. I was thinking about very realistic historical fiction or movies actually based on true events, not some trash comedy film.

Presumably we should file and knock out actor's teeth as well. Hire no one taller than 5'5". Have everyone go without bathing for a few months. And, oh yeah, stop casting attractive people.

There's just a ton of things that are inaccurate about medieval movies, but it's not random which ones people fixate on.

[Proctopeo]

It wasn't even the type of film I was even thinking about. I was thinking about very realistic historical fiction or movies actually based on true events, not some trash comedy film.

Presumably we should file and knock out actor's teeth as well.

CGI.

Hire no one taller than 5'5".

While people were shorter in the past, tall people did exist. There were just less of them.

Have everyone go without bathing for a few months.

Contrary to popular belief, people did indeed bathe semi-frequently in Medieval Europe, though it did depend on where and when. Something taking place during the Black Death would indeed see infrequent bathing, but the Vikings bathed once a week, and monks were some of the cleanest of all.

That, and we can use make-up to make people look like the stereotypical unwashed peasant. Or unwashed noble.

And, oh yeah, stop casting attractive people.

This misconception is just silly. Did attractive people just not exist until the Renaissance?

There's just a ton of things that are inaccurate about medieval movies, but it's not random which ones people fixate on.

It sure looks that way... if you A) believe in silly misconceptions and B) forget that the ethnicity of actors is much more obvious (and not as easy nor as practical to compensate for with make-up) than hygiene.

It's not random, yes, but being one of the very few obvious inaccuracies, there's not much else to "fixate" on.

[Fartsniffage]

This misconception is just silly. Did attractive people just not exist until the Renaissance?

Not until way after then really. Life was back breakingly hard. Disease and skin conditions were rampant. No micro-stitching to avoid scars from injuries. Lots of young pregnancy. Etc, etc.

Rare was the person who made it to their 20's with their looks intact, even among the nobles.

[San Lumen]

How are they underrepresented? Shouldn't television reflect the demographics of the country? To be clear i do not believe in diversity for the sake of it. if someone is best for a role they ought to get it regardless of skin color with some exceptions

I feel white males are somewhat overrepresented. here in the US we have a show called The Bachelor. Since the show's inception it has always been a white male. It would be nice to see a black or asian man as the bachelor or any minority for that matter.

[Crylante]

I thought groups being overrepresented was OK because it was because they were there based on merit?

Or at least that's the argument I hear with regards to literally everything else where heterosexual white men are overrepresented.

Edit: I also think something that's slightly more important to take from this is the severe underrepresentation of disabled characters, given that representing disability in the media might have a positive impact on society's treatment of people with disabilities, but sure, moaning about how many gays and black people there are on television is another thing we can do.

[Crockerland]

How are they underrepresented? Shouldn't television reflect the demographics of the country?

Well, if you actually bother to read the fucking post, this exact question is answered by the first few sentences of the OP.

Ethnic minorities and gay people are significantly over-represented on British television, according to a new study. Black and ethnic minority (BAME) people account for about 13 per cent of the national workforce but secure 23 per cent of on-screen role, the statistics show.
Over-representation is particularly stark on drama programmes where ethnic minority actors win more than a quarter (26.4 per cent) of parts, as well as children’s TV (30.3 per cent) and comedies (24.9 per cent). Lesbian, gay and bisexual people nearly twice as likely to appear on television – where they take 11.9 per cent of roles – than would be expected by their estimated 6,4 per cent share of the national population.

[The Archregimancy]

This misconception is just silly. Did attractive people just not exist until the Renaissance?

Not until way after then really. Life was back breakingly hard. Disease and skin conditions were rampant. No micro-stitching to avoid scars from injuries. Lots of young pregnancy. Etc, etc.

Rare was the person who made it to their 20's with their looks intact, even among the nobles.

I think you're both in danger of oversimplifying the issue.

Clearly 'attractive people' existed through history; otherwise people wouldn't have been attracted to each other. However, standards of attractiveness - which are both subjective and socially structured - would have varied according to culture, period, fashion, and status. It would be as misleading for us to assess a 12th-century Byzantine noble (of either sex) by modern Western standards of attractiveness as it would for your average Paraguayan Guarani to assess an urban Thai resident of Bangkok by South American indigenous standards of attractiveness.

It can be instructive on that point to assess historical photographs for attractiveness, and see at which date point you start considering the photographed individuals to meet something approaching modern standards of attractiveness.

[Vassenor]

Not until way after then really. Life was back breakingly hard. Disease and skin conditions were rampant. No micro-stitching to avoid scars from injuries. Lots of young pregnancy. Etc, etc.

Rare was the person who made it to their 20's with their looks intact, even among the nobles.

I think you're both in danger of oversimplifying the issue.

Clearly 'attractive people' existed through history; otherwise people wouldn't have been attracted to each other. However, standards of attractiveness - which are both subjective and socially structured - would have varied according to culture, period, fashion, and status. It would be as misleading for us to assess a 12th-century Byzantine noble (of either sex) by modern Western standards of attractiveness as it would for your average Paraguayan Guarani to assess an urban Thai resident of Bangkok by South American indigenous standards of attractiveness.

It can be instructive on that point to assess historical photographs for attractiveness, and see at which date point you start considering the photographed individuals to meet something approaching modern standards of attractiveness.

Like how obesity has gone from a status symbol to something people ridicule, to cherry pick and rather drastically oversimplify an example.

[Loben The 2nd]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

[Proctopeo]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

In the olden days, when food was scarce, being overweight (not so sure on obesity, but overweight) suggests that you're wealthy or powerful enough to have ample food.

In the modern days, especially in the developed world, food is abundant, so obviously, having lots of food isn't very special.

[Cannot think of a name]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

This isn't a puzzler. Work it out for yourself.

What would an obese person have a lot of that maybe someone of low status might not? What difference in metabolism might there be between someone who toils all day versus someone who lives in luxury?

I feel like you could have answered this question yourself just by taking a moment to think about it.

[Loben The 2nd]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

In the olden days, when food was scarce, being overweight (not so sure on obesity, but overweight) suggests that you're wealthy or powerful enough to have ample food.

In the modern days, especially in the developed world, food is abundant, so obviously, having lots of food isn't very special.

even back then if i were a fucking dirt farming serf, i'd call the local noble a fucking lard ass'd cunt.

in public.

then run away from his guards.

cuz you know.

lack of free speech.

[The Black Forrest]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

In the olden days, when food was scarce, being overweight (not so sure on obesity, but overweight) suggests that you're wealthy or powerful enough to have ample food.

In the modern days, especially in the developed world, food is abundant, so obviously, having lots of food isn't very special.

Indeed. Plump did have an attractiveness.

Ridiculing them is the mark of a simpleton. Especially; if they are trying to correct that.....

[Fartsniffage]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

In the olden days, when food was scarce, being overweight (not so sure on obesity, but overweight) suggests that you're wealthy or powerful enough to have ample food.

In the modern days, especially in the developed world, food is abundant, so obviously, having lots of food isn't very special.

My brother is currently working as a GP in a predominately Asian area. He has real issues talking to them about the fact they're fat as fuck because the more recent arrivals can only see it as a good thing.

Makes treating the myriad of issue that weight causes very difficult and then they blame him for not fixing their gout or diabetes or whatever. So very much still a thing in developed countries, albeit it depends on the person you're talking to.

[Cedoria]

Unless the film or show is trying to be a highly accurate depiction of history, I do not have a problem with this.

I mean, if anyone is seriously getting their historical facts from Dr. Who, or Shakespeare, then I think they may be a lost cause anyways. Most films have bent history for decades, changing the facts for entertainment value. Why not change up some of the characters too?

Should white actors have less opportunities than minority actors?

Who says they do? Having less roles might mean they're simply not good enough for the roles being offered...

If there's equal opportunity but not outcome as conservatives say, is that an issue?

[Bear Stearns]

why the fuck would obesity be a status symbol at fucking all?

In the olden days, when food was scarce, being overweight (not so sure on obesity, but overweight) suggests that you're wealthy or powerful enough to have ample food.

In the modern days, especially in the developed world, food is abundant, so obviously, having lots of food isn't very special.

When food is abundant, obesity is a marker of sloth and a lack of self-control.

Or as obese call it, "genetics".

[Bear Stearns]

Should white actors have less opportunities than minority actors?

Who says they do? Having less roles might mean they're simply not good enough for the roles being offered...

If there's equal opportunity but not outcome as conservatives say, is that an issue?

See professional sports

[San Lumen]

How are they underrepresented? Shouldn't television reflect the demographics of the country?

Well, if you actually bother to read the fucking post, this exact question is answered by the first few sentences of the OP.

Ethnic minorities and gay people are significantly over-represented on British television, according to a new study. Black and ethnic minority (BAME) people account for about 13 per cent of the national workforce but secure 23 per cent of on-screen role, the statistics show.
Over-representation is particularly stark on drama programmes where ethnic minority actors win more than a quarter (26.4 per cent) of parts, as well as children’s TV (30.3 per cent) and comedies (24.9 per cent). Lesbian, gay and bisexual people nearly twice as likely to appear on television – where they take 11.9 per cent of roles – than would be expected by their estimated 6,4 per cent share of the national population.

And why does it matter what the ethnicity of someone on tv is?

[Risottia]

I'll offer a comment to here in line with the "Socialism is when the government does things and the more things it does the socialister it is." to explain this phenomanae in the UK over the last couple of years

I love how you just proved that David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson are actually agents of the Fifth Communist Internationale.
Iosif Vissarionovic approves.

[The East Marches II]

Well, if you actually bother to read the fucking post, this exact question is answered by the first few sentences of the OP.

And why does it matter what the ethnicity of someone on tv is?

You should told us television should reflect demographics and insist on parroting that line for most things. Why the sudden change in opinion? :^)

[San Lumen]

And why does it matter what the ethnicity of someone on tv is?

You should told us television should reflect demographics and insist on parroting that line for most things. Why the sudden change in opinion? :^)

It shouldn’t reflect demographics exactly. There are some cases where diversity would be great. I’d like to see any minority as The Bachelor

[Ors Might]

You should told us television should reflect demographics and insist on parroting that line for most things. Why the sudden change in opinion? :^)

It shouldn’t reflect demographics exactly. There are some cases where diversity would be great. I’d like to see any minority as The Bachelor

I’d recommend finding a better show, tbh.