CBS Rebooted a Prime Time Hit, Magnum P.I., starring Jay Hernandez, a Latino, portraying a Latino background and experience, yet no Latino writers hired. Really?
Los Angeles — As part of Latin Heat’s Weekend Roundup, the industry media (Deadline, Variety) report that CBS’s Magnum P.I., who made history when it made Jay Hernandez it’s new Magnum, a role made famous by Tom Selleck in the 80’s, has no Latino writers even though the new Magnum has a Latino background… which will influence the show. Executive Producer Eric Guggenheim said they are “not denying the fact he’s Latino. It’s something we plan to acknowledge throughout the season.”
Reporters asked the show’s Television Critics Association panel on Sunday on the Latino writer inquiry, and, Showrunner Peter Leskov said,“Are there any Latino writers in the room?”
One TV critic persisted and Lenkov finally acknowledged there were not, adding, “Not for any reason other than, when staffing a show, it’s incredibly hard to find writers.”
Are you kidding with us? Should someone introduce them to the WGA/w Latino Writer’s or Diversity Committee?
But later, the TV critic did learn that of the show’s seven writers, four are men and three are women. That’s the extent of CBS’s diversity. No Latinos in the writers room. Additionally, The Wrap reported that Lenkov also pointed to the fact that, on the show, the role of Higgins is gender-swapped in the reboot, this time being played by the British-born woman Perdita Weeks. “I thought it was a boys club, the original show”
Latin Heat picked up a couple of Posts that warrant our spotlightt:
Latinx Cynic • on Aug 5, 2018 7:02 pm
Unbelievable! It’s August 2018 and Peter Lenkov can still get away with saying “it’s incredibly hard to find writers.” Translation: we didn’t really care about having at least one token Latinx writer on staff. Give me a friggin’ break! I wish the critic would have have asked if they actively solicited submissions from Latinx writers and how many Latinx writers they met with before deciding that having a Latinx writer on staff was so impossible. Thanks, CBS. Way to make giant strides in the diversity department.
Verite L. • on Aug 5, 2018 7:02 pm
If you wanted to find Latinx writers, you could contact the WGA’s Diversity Committe, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, or managers and agents who rep Latinx writers. You could call Kurt Sutter and ask where they found Latinx writers for the upcoming “Mayans MC.” You could look on imdb and find shows with Latinx characters and see if any Latinx writers are credited who might be looking for a new writing gig. Look how easy it was to figure that out, and I’m not evenan EP. Just admit that diversity or even having a writer who is knowledgeable about the main character’s culture wasn’t a priority for you, instead of pretending talented people of color are so hard to find.
Read Luis Reyes’ excellent article on Jay Hernandez being cast in an iconic and beloved role in Magnum P.I. CLICK HERE.
Magnum P.I. will air Mondays at 9 p.m. this fall on CBS, leading in to Bull.
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