Unexpected AA rant

[DiscoStu]

So, I was at a barbeque with a neighbor who has a relative who sometimes lands guest roles in some current shows.  She auditions for pilots, but allegedly "although she is more qualified" these roles keep going to minorities.  In fact, on more than one occasion she has been the number 2 choice!

Frankly with the amount of minorities on syndicated programs being ridiculously low, and the fact that there is so much competition that I believe coming in number 2 is quite a feat let alone doing so twice, all this struck me as unlikely.  So I started to think the explanation that seems most likely to me is that producers are using AA as a scapegoat to remain in good graces with actors they choose not to go with.  Thoughts?  I only mention it here as it reminded me about all the moaning you hear concerning AA in law school.

[LeatherMini]

So, I was at a barbeque with a neighbor who has a relative who sometimes lands guest roles in some current shows.  She auditions for pilots, but allegedly "although she is more qualified" these roles keep going to minorities.  In fact, on more than one occasion she has been the number 2 choice!

Frankly with the amount of minorities on syndicated programs being ridiculously low, and the fact that there is so much competition that I believe coming in number 2 is quite a feat let alone doing so twice, all this struck me as unlikely.  So I started to think the explanation that seems most likely to me is that producers are using AA as a scapegoat to remain in good graces with actors they choose not to go with.  Thoughts?  I only mention it here as it reminded me about all the moaning you hear concerning AA in law school.

I don't think the casting directors are using a AA as a scapegoat. They don't NEED a reason not to hire someone.
Casting directors don't care about hurting feelings. They'll tell you outright "I went with somone shorter/taller/with bigger boobs/with smaller boobs/older/younger/etc."
Unless your friend's relative is auditioning for gangster and prostitute roles, I don't think the roles are actually going to minorities.  She's making that stuff up to feel better about her lack of success in Hollywood.

[George Jefferson²]

LOL @ Hollywood AA.

[Messily]

I've worked in casting, and I agree that she's probably making it up to make herself feel better.  It's also really hard to tell if you're actually the #2 choice for a role -- even if you make it all the way through to reading for producers or the director, it's likely you're still part of a group of three or four potentials.

Also, the "more qualified" part cracked me up.  If only qualifications meant anything in Hollywood. 

[George Jefferson²]

One of the biggest disgraces in television history was the decision to fill the role of Mr. Cooper in "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," a show about an African-American teacher, with an AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN.  Who wants that?

Yeah, I wanted them to replaces it with a show called "buddies." I saw the pilot, it was about 6 white guys who lived in a broken down frat house in Ithaca, NY, at a lower ivy. 3 of the guys were "cool" jocks who played basketball. 2 of the guys were on the football team and struggled with grades. The last guy was a lowly law school hopeful who hid child porn in his basement, secretly pleasuring himself until he graduated and went to Columbia Law, where he was assassinated while riding his bike in riverside park.

[George Jefferson²]

One of the biggest disgraces in television history was the decision to fill the role of Mr. Cooper in "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," a show about an African-American teacher, with an AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN.  Who wants that?

Yeah, I wanted them to replaces it with a show called "buddies." I saw the pilot, it was about 6 white guys who lived in a broken down frat house in Ithaca, NY, at a lower ivy. 3 of the guys were "cool" jocks who played basketball. 2 of the guys were on the football team and struggled with grades. The last guy was a lowly law school hopeful who hid child porn in his basement, secretly pleasuring himself until he graduated and went to Columbia Law, where he was assassinated while riding his bike in riverside park.

Idiot.  Assassinations only happen to important people.

I agree that I am an idiot, though not because of this. I explained in the assassination thread.