Eastenders - Episode with only black characters

summer_ste · 21/12/11 - 17:17

A couple of years ago I remember there was an episode in which all the main characters were black. I was just wondering if this was a deliberate move by EE to have an "all black cast" episode, or if it was just a coincidence that all the characters who were needed for that episode happened to be black?

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 17:22

summer_ste wrote: »

A couple of years ago I remember there was an episode in which all the main characters were black. I was just wondering if this was a deliberate move by EE to have an "all black cast" episode, or if it was just a coincidence that all the characters who were needed for that episode happened to be black?

it was on purpose i think...

Syn22 · 21/12/11 - 17:22

Don't know but I can remember not even noticing.

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 17:25

The BBC claimed it was a coincidence but frankly I dont see how it could have been. Seeing as most of the ep was about racism and it was a soap 'first'.

I guess they thought they would come under fire if they said they did it on purpose, or if they said they didnt so just said they didnt as that would be less inflamatory.

It coincided with the McPherson Report on institutional racism in the Met so I guess they didnt want to be seen as having a dig at the police?

summer_ste · 21/12/11 - 17:25

Syn22 wrote: »

Don't know but I can remember not even noticing.

I remember all the things I don't notice too.

Syn22 · 21/12/11 - 17:40

summer_ste wrote: »

I remember all the things I don't notice too.

Before it was newsworthy of course.

Mozza111 · 21/12/11 - 17:43

they had an all female episode a few years ago, but i didn't realise till i read it on here

OhWhenTheSaints · 21/12/11 - 17:50

Thing is, if they had an episode of all white people, it'd be racist...

snickerdoodle · 21/12/11 - 17:53

OhWhenTheSaints wrote: »

Thing is, if they had an episode of all white people, it'd be racist...

well people actually did complain..

OhWhenTheSaints · 21/12/11 - 17:56

I can see why. I happen to think that blacks and whites should be treated the SAME...Equal rights is great but that doesn't mean putting black people above white people. It means giving BOTH races equal opportunities and discriminating against either one.

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 17:59

Sometimes affirmative action is justified, and I think this episode of EE was one such time. Black characters are underrepresented and it was a great episode, interesting to hear about Patricks time in the 1950s.

I'd much rather watch that then Tyler Moon making a cup of tea.

OhWhenTheSaints · 21/12/11 - 18:01

NeutronstarNeko wrote: »

Sometimes affirmative action is justified, and I think this episode of EE was one such time. Black characters are underrepresented and it was a great episode, interesting to hear about Patricks time in the 1950s.

I'd much rather watch that then Tyler Moon making a cup of tea.

Hmmm I suppose you're right.

jagged_death · 21/12/11 - 18:03

NeutronstarNeko wrote: »

Sometimes affirmative action is justified, and I think this episode of EE was one such time. Black characters are underrepresented and it was a great episode, interesting to hear about Patricks time in the 1950s.

I'd much rather watch that then Tyler Moon making a cup of tea.

What do you mean "underrepresented"? In proportion to what? The general population or the actual ethnic make-up of that area of London?

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 18:06

summer_ste wrote: »

I remember all the things I don't notice too.

Anyway, I thought the episode was quite unnecessary. It was obviously done on purpose. I remember the episode being quite an interesting one, but I didn't see the point of the whole "Oh look, every character is black, isn't that great!" thing. It was somewhat patronizing.

MelSingleton · 21/12/11 - 18:08

Odd that some people are speculating whether it was a coincidence. It was no coincidence - it was planned that way (I mean, the script was written, the actors called in to tape their scenes, etc. These things aren't just random.) The show's press office did say that the episode "has an all black cast on screen."

This review describes the contents of the episode. The episode's story explicitly addresses race. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/feb/25/eastenders-black-tv-review

Deeper examination of the episode http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1153903/BBCs-black-episode-EastEnders-watched-8-4million-viewers.html

News on the episode's ratings http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/feb/25/tv-ratings-eastenders-black-cast

Seamus2008 · 21/12/11 - 18:39

The thing is, the BBC didn't advertise it as an "all black cast", for them it was a normal episode.
In the context of the storylines, it made perfect sense and I was shocked that some people complained about it. :eek:

It's only the press who exagerated it though. To be honest, EastEnders made soap history once again and I reckon TPTB handled it very well.

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 19:37

OhWhenTheSaints wrote: »

Thing is, if they had an episode of all white people, it'd be racist...

Why?

Kyle123 · 21/12/11 - 19:40

I didn't notice it at the time either! Only when people mentioned it on here!

gentleguy · 21/12/11 - 19:42

OhWhenTheSaints wrote: »

Thing is, if they had an episode of all white people, it'd be racist...

thereare always episodes with all white people so i dont get your point. whites are the majority.

Eve3275 · 21/12/11 - 20:27

Wasn't it done for Black History Month or something like that? It was boring anyway, IIRC - too much Chelsea and Theo. As for the all female ep mentioned earlier on in the thread I can't say I even noticed it, considering the men take a back seat 90% of the time in EE anway.

ManOfEast · 21/12/11 - 20:45

I can't remember caring tbh.

thejoyof_pat · 21/12/11 - 20:50

Seamus2008 wrote: »

The thing is, the BBC didn't advertise it as an "all black cast", for them it was a normal episode.
In the context of the storylines, it made perfect sense and I was shocked that some people complained about it. :eek:

It's only the press who exagerated it though. To be honest, EastEnders made soap history once again and I reckon TPTB handled it very well.

This. I thought it was a great but I have always loved Patrick so anytime he is EE I pretty much lap it up, he is fantastic

I also didn't really notice until I heard about complains...I don't why their was tbh

:rolleyes:

madetomeasure · 21/12/11 - 20:52

OhWhenTheSaints wrote: »

Thing is, if they had an episode of all white people, it'd be racist...

Absolutely as they do with the Indian TV channels and Black only magazines in the US - not racist at all - I think we led to believe that it's educating us :rolleyes:

[Deleted User] · 21/12/11 - 20:53

I can't believe anyone complained. It was appropriate for the episode.

madetomeasure · 21/12/11 - 21:07

NeutronstarNeko wrote: »

Sometimes affirmative action is justified, and I think this episode of EE was one such time. Black characters are underrepresented and it was a great episode, interesting to hear about Patricks time in the 1950s.

I'd much rather watch that then Tyler Moon making a cup of tea.

Sorry I disagree, and it's called positive discrimination which merely serves to fuel the fire further

madetomeasure · 21/12/11 - 21:08

SheepSheepBa wrote: »

I can't believe anyone complained. It was appropriate for the episode.

Maybe it's because if it was an episode about 'white supremacy' everyone else would have been up in arms.

Hey there!

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