Quote: zooo @ May 14 2009, 12:23 PM BSTUncle Phil from Fresh Prince!
Was also the voice of Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Uncle Phil got buff.
Comparing TV Schedules 1970s & Now Page 11
Robin and his band of merry, fat, black men.
Including
Quote: sootyj @ May 14 2009, 12:23 PM BSTThey're version of Last of the Summer Wine would be intriguing.
It's called Desperate Housewives.
Quote: sootyj @ May 14 2009, 12:27 PM BSTRobin and his band of merry, fat, black men.
Including
They aint that fat. We're going to have to have Eddie Murphy in a fatsuit. Again.
Quote: Bad dog @ May 14 2009, 11:59 AM BSTThanks Dolly for outlining how the actor was hired, I always (incorrectly, on this occasion) imagine some pc motivated casting. Although, perhaps there is some aspect of that, because they didn't specify white actors, or more likely, they aren't allowed to?
I'm under the impression that it is illegal specify age, gender, ethnicity, etc in job adverts. In the case of acting, it's just a case of common sense that an agent wouldn't suggest someone like Geoffrey Palmer audition for the part of a ninja.
I think they can do age and gender.
Or at least appearance of age. If you know what I mean. In casting calls.
I'm probably wrong though. I'm just going from those public calls for Harry Potter parts to be honest. Heh.
Quote: zooo @ May 14 2009, 12:56 PM BSTI'm just going from those public calls for Harry Potter parts to be honest.
Did you try out for the role? Because I do always imagine you as a female Harry Potter. 
Haha. Thank you kindly.
Oooh, is it 30 Rock lady?
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 1:00 PM BSTWho is your new avatar lady, chip? I feel I should recognise her.
Since I've recieved warnings galore from Aaron about using half naked ladies in my avatars, I've gone back to the classics: Tina Fey.
Quote: Aaron @ May 14 2009, 11:40 AM BSTI can't really tell if this is sincere or not, but yes.
?? It was sincere, Batman is white in the comics! Unless I'm colour blind.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 14 2009, 1:13 PM BSTUnless I'm colour blind.
No, that's not what you are. 
I love these threads which basically consist of about six people making or defending the same points continuously over several hours. This is why I don't bother with bloody Twitter anymore! Now where's that thread about the contents of our pockets. Mmm...
I have no problem with the casting of a large muscular man as Friar Tuck, that is in keeping with the original depiction in the ballad of Robin and the Curtail Friar, and indeed with Sir Walter Scott's depiction in Ivanhoe. I do not necessarily have a problem with him being a black man, so long an explanation, however contrived and perfunctory, is given as to how a black monk became a monk and found his way to the thirteenth century east midlands. (Other depictions notably Robin of Sherwood and Prince of Thieves have had a token Saracen, and been none the worse for it.)
What I struggle with is the depiction of black people in positions of authority in Medieval England (and in Robin Hood they always are depicted in positions of authority, there are no black peasants), not because it is an anachronism, but because it is a lie. Black actors have played Shakespearean monarchs with distinction on the stage, but television is a much more literal medium, requiring less suspension of disbelief, and therefore much more likely to be taken at face value - even tosh like this - particularly by a generation ignorant of history. If young people believe that medieval hotties wore lipgloss, that is sad, but of no real import. But if kids grow up believing that England has always been a racially integrated society, that is a subversion of the truth to serve a social purpose, admirable perhaps in intention, but a lie for all that.
(As an idea of how racially aware the medievals actually were, I point you to Wolfram von Eschenbach's version of the Arthurian Percival legend, in which the hero's mixed race half-brother is depicted as being piebald.)
Quote: john lucas 101 @ May 14 2009, 1:17 PM BSTI love these threads which basically consist of about six people making or defending the same points continuously over several hours.
It's either that or working. And work's no fun since Hot Underage Jap Girl went off to do her GCSEs. 
Quote: Timbo @ May 14 2009, 1:18 PM BSTI have no problem with a large muscular man
Thanks for sharing that.