Asians on American TV | Asian American Poll

HOW THE TV NETS TREAT ASIANS
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:08:07 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Which U.S. TV network is most Asian-Friendly?
ABC | 24%
CBS | 28%
FOX | 27%
NBC | 21%

Which U.S. TV network is least Asian-Friendly?
ABC | 28%
CBS | 20%
FOX | 26%
NBC | 26%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

"Personally, I would like to see an Asian TV network--women have Lifetime and blacks have BET--while also making sure that Asians are not left out of mainstream coverage and reporting."

That would virtually be impossible since Asians do not share a common language. There are, however, many stations catered to each specific Asian race, like CCTV, PNAX, etc. Besides, International Channel shows various Asian programming. You can watch HK gangster movies and MVH to see Korean videos... or if you are like me, just tune in to see Sue Kim. =)
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Sunday, February 03, 2002 at 11:52:30 (PST)

B. Lee,

I think we're on the same wavelength here.

Several things need to happen before we can have media equity. We need an Asian artists' agenda, if you will.

1. We Asians need to enter journalism and other forms of art, literature, humanities, etc. rather than focusing all of our attention on the sciences.

2. We need more Asian novelists to rewrite Asians. Create our own propaganda if you will I'm not being facetious. In late 18th century Britain, popular literature played a great role in promoting the mores and ethics of Protestant Dissenters, a mere 7% of the population. Jews, Italians, and blacks did it in the last century, so why not us? Let's start writing our own scripts!

3. We need more screenwriters to adapt these novels.

4. We need more independent producers, Asian-American Spike Lees, if you will.

5. More Asian entrepreneurs and corporations willing to sponsor these endeavours.

6. More Asian journalists to promote these endeavours. Even if it's something inane like praising Jet Li's good looks. (Look at the wonders this has done for mediocre WM's like Brad Pitt, who's got no acting talents and looks like a monkey to boot w/ his little squinty watery blue eyes and very short forehead!)

These are just a few off the bat. Let me know what you think.
Asian Dominatrix Sunday, February 03, 2002 at 09:13:31 (PST)

"Did anyone see the most recent issue of People 2002? Not one single Asian in the entertainment business was featured, except Ichiro of the Mariners."

And why should they be featured? Asians are what? 3 percent of the US population? Besides, I think I see an Asian face on TV or in the movies more than 3 percent of the time.
TSJ (Toi San Jai) Eric@KristinKreuk.net Friday, February 01, 2002 at 01:17:43 (PST)

me,

I don't believe in porn since it's degrading to women. And the last thing we need to do is perpetuate stereotypes of Asian women as easy.

But we definitely need more AF's AND AM's featured in mainstream press. Did anyone see the most recent issue of People 2002? Not one single Asian in the entertainment business was featured, except Ichiro of the Mariners. Most of the statements there were cracks about how he's trying to be more Western and learning more about Bob Dylan. The only time the media likes Asians is if they can "orientalize" them.

OK, this is a bit off the topic, but I just read an article in the Chicago Tribune on Wen Ho Lee's signing of his recent book. Again, they used the space to point out how he was "little man" and looked shorter than 5'4". Ever notice how they always like to focus on Asian men being short? (Yet they never seem to point out anything about Asians being average height or tall, like Chow Yun Fat.)Overall, the article was kinda lukewarm; you got the definite impression that if Wen were white, they would have given him a lot more sympathy.

Personally, I would like to see an Asian TV network--women have Lifetime and blacks have BET--while also making sure that Asians are not left out of mainstream coverage and reporting.
Asian Dominatrix Thursday, January 31, 2002 at 09:25:49 (PST)

Darnit, I hope everyone didn't interpret me as a perverted porn-addict. In the American media, Asians (both male and female), have limited roles. We discussed that the American media summarizes Asians as the following.

1. AF will always swoon for an WM
2. WM can trifle with AF like a toy.
3. WF are better looking than AF and more fascinating. WF are the real shiznit.
4. Whole scenario helps elevate the WM into sex god. Even if he is mofo ugly.

One of the limited roles AF's have in
the media are porn stars, which supports (2) and (4) above. Does this have any impact on how Asians are portrayed? Well, if you look at the "What stereotype bothers you most" poll, the sexually available answer tops AF's by a long shot. Several AF freinds tell me mow they're annoyed at how many creepy WM's have this Asian fetish.

So, do you think the media has anything to do with this? And can AF find other roles without going into porn, just as AM can find roles without doing kung fu?
Since this is a forum about media and stereotypes, I thought I could bring this up.
B. Lee Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 19:15:28 (PST)

Asian Dominatrix,

Once Upon a Time in China 1 (1991) (aka Huang Fei-Hung) -
Jet Li, this one is a one of his best martial works. It has a running theme of what it means to be Chinese. It vilifies Americans. If you can't rent it buy the DVD Amazon.com or yesasia.com

That is the one of the best work from HK 90's I know of. Great action, deep symbolism, humourous subplots. It was one of the first HK films I saw in college. Which was unfortunate, because it all goes down hill compared to this gem. I would strongly recommend this film.

You can rent any of Jackie Chan movie produced in HK, he always beats up a white guy just for kicks. Rumble in the Bronx, Who am I, Project A, Gorgeous (plays a rich playboy, beating up white lackey of rival rich playboy).

If you really want to see white guys and Western nations being vilified. You will have to get a China produce film with Jet Li in it called

Zhong hua ying xiong (1986)
... aka Born to Defence (1986)
... aka Born to Defend (1986)

You might have to find a Chinese video store in Chinatown to see this film (it is also avaialable at amazon.com). But this is a you invaded China, raped our women, now I'm going kick some soldiers butt type of movie.

Unfortunatley, making fun of ethnic minorities is not limited to only Hollywood.

AC dropout Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 12:37:28 (PST)

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