This episode of the podcast series covers the importance of Entertainment Media and Diversity. Specifically, this conversation focuses on representation in entertainment media through the lens of reality TV. This topic is especially relevant now because CBS--the network home to some of the most popular reality competitions including "Big Brother," "Survivor," and "Love Island,"--recently announced a new mandate that all future casts will contain at least 50 percent Black, indigenous and people of color. In this episode, we interview UNC students to discuss their perception of representation on reality TV and entertainment media more generally. Our discussion explores what students feel should be changed or improved regarding representation in entertainment media. Listeners will learn about the history of diversity in TV, identifying biases, and first-hand experiences in the industry. Guests include Naeha Prabhu and Olivia DeRienzo
From the guests
“There aren’t a shortage of people of color who want to play these games, it’s just a matter of actually casting them. I hope mandates like the one at CBS show other networks that having more diverse casts only make the shows better so that the change is about to come about organically on other networks and platforms.” — Naeha Prabhu
“I think the word mandate just adds this element of force and I never want to feel like anything in my work is forced. But in the end, what I want is for our backstage and onstage casts to be diverse. To give a voice to people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, and any other underrepresented groups, in the way that they deserve and have deserved for so long. If a casting mandate will get us there, then I am all for it.” — Olivia DeRienzo