I'm not obsessed with race/ethnicity or anything, it just seems weird that it appears that Gus is the only black person living in Santa Barbara. As someone who lived there for six years, that's just not true. Yes, it isn't an "urban" environment but it also isn't an all-white enclave.
Yes, there might be an occasional person of color guest starring on an odd episode but I would have expected the casting to be more diverse considering that the show is set in California.
I was just hoping that Hill would be more of a co-star and less merely Shawn's sidekick. I'm surprised he resigned for another season!
Full Version: Why Is Dulé Hill The Only Person Of Color On This Show?
I never noticed that Gus was the only black person on the show. I just don't care about those things unless its obvious they are trying to be discriminatory.
Also, I don't understand why you think Gus is just a "sidekick." Without the chemistry between Shawn and Gus the show simply doesn't work. He's an integral part of the humor of the show and the solving of the crimes. Can you explain why you feel that way?
Also, I don't understand why you think Gus is just a "sidekick." Without the chemistry between Shawn and Gus the show simply doesn't work. He's an integral part of the humor of the show and the solving of the crimes. Can you explain why you feel that way?
Hi Bubba here, I never notice that either.
I agree with Lady Mahogany...the chemistry between them absolutely MAKES the show.
As a woman of color, I never noticed this. This is a character driven show - point, blank, period.
As a woman of color, I never noticed this. This is a character driven show - point, blank, period.
QUOTE (Liz99 @ Jul 13 2007, 10:27 AM) 
I'm not obsessed with race/ethnicity or anything, it just seems weird that it appears that Gus is the only black person living in Santa Barbara. As someone who lived there for six years, that's just not true. Yes, it isn't an "urban" environment but it also isn't an all-white enclave.
Yes, there might be an occasional person of color guest starring on an odd episode but I would have expected the casting to be more diverse considering that the show is set in California.
I was just hoping that Hill would be more of a co-star and less merely Shawn's sidekick. I'm surprised he resigned for another season!
Yes, there might be an occasional person of color guest starring on an odd episode but I would have expected the casting to be more diverse considering that the show is set in California.
I was just hoping that Hill would be more of a co-star and less merely Shawn's sidekick. I'm surprised he resigned for another season!
I haven't really noticed it before, but I can offer a few possible reasons off the top of my head that, if you combined them, might explain it to some degree.
Probably the best way to create a balanced show is to have a diverse group of characters interacting with each other so that the viewers will have multiple POV to explore. It's best to get as many different traits as possible without making the cast too large. These diversities would include gender, age, life experiences, levels of intelligence, interests, profession, talents/skills, ethnic background, upbringing, ect...
There are only six regular characters on the show, and Shawn is the main one, and his dad is another. Because Shawn is white (or portrayed as white, James Roday's birth last name is Rodriguez), Henry, his dad, is white. Shawn and Henry also represent the opposite ends of the spectrum in their outlooks, personalities, chosen professions, ages and experiences.
Lassiter covers a man in his (later?) prime, ambitious, serious, and also, he's a kind of a subtle stereotype- he's an Irish cop, probably from a stern, serious Irish Catholic family. Unlike Henry, he's still working, unlike Shawn, he takes his job very seriously. Shawn is playing, even when he's working, Henry is working, even after he's technically retired, Lassiter is kind of in the middle. But to be an Irish Catholic stereotype cop, he pretty much has to also be white.
Juliet is young, but she's also female, comes from a family of brothers, all cops and she is the perspective of a young, attractive woman who finds it hard to get respect she deserves and to get people to take her seriously in a professional capacity. Her mirror opposite is Chief Vick, a slightly older, very professional, respected, authoritative, and maternal figure that managed to command respect. No real idea why these two are white, really, but they, like Gus, are sort of bucking tradition or stereotypes.
But with everyone else being white, my guess is that if Dulé's race was at all a factor in his getting hired, it's because they needed to cover the perspective of a person who is obviously not a generic white person to really fill out the cast, but more often I think of Gus as being there for the perspective of a very professional, intelligent, grounded, well educated, ambitious, hard working *young* man, as opposed to Shawn who did not go to college, is kind of a slacker at heart, far from ambitious, fun loving, not very professional or grounded, but still highly intelligent in a different way from Gus or anyone else on the show for that matter.
Also, you have the three different upbringings and backgrounds of Gus, Juliet and Shawn to compare to each other. Shawn was raised by a cop with very high expectations, having it drilled into him from a very early age, his choices made for him if Henry got his way, so he rebelled against it.
Jules was apparently raised by parents whose expetations for their only daughter were much simpler, to be a feminine and social and that's about it, anything she wanted to do, they probably said, 'That's nice dear," and patted her on the head, so she grew up wanting to prove herself and to attain real respect, but because she was only expected to do things like be a cheerleader or what have you, she does have some playful tendencies that were left over from that time. You'll notice that she doesn't freely talk about being at cheerleading camp because she thinks it will undermind her attempts to gain respect.
Gus seems to have been raised by professional people (he had a good nanny whom he had a crush on) who had high expectations for their son, but who left him a lot more freedom to decide just what he wanted to be as an adult, and more freedom to choose his own recreational pursuits (comic books, reading, astronomy) so he's kind of the midway between Juliet and Shawn. Who is incedentally, black. Really, I think the only character whose ethnic background was a crucial factor is Lassiter. Gus may have been, but Lassiter, I'm almost certain about. Gus is also the only character who has almost nothing to do with law enforcement as a main profession. He more or less just helps Shawn out when his real job allows it, which is pretty often, but his main source of income is in pharmaceutical sales. He doesn't come from a law enforcement family, and he doesn't get his paycheck, (or his main paycheck, anyway) from law enforcement. He's very possibly got more education than any other character on the show as well. Lassiter has a degree in Criminology, I think, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think that to do what Gus does, he'd have to have a degree as well, wouldn't he?
All in all, the six main character all have good chemistry and balance.
Other than the six main characters, though, the rest seem to be a fairly balanced mix of ethnicities.
Probably the best way to create a balanced show is to have a diverse group of characters interacting with each other so that the viewers will have multiple POV to explore. It's best to get as many different traits as possible without making the cast too large. These diversities would include gender, age, life experiences, levels of intelligence, interests, profession, talents/skills, ethnic background, upbringing, ect...
There are only six regular characters on the show, and Shawn is the main one, and his dad is another. Because Shawn is white (or portrayed as white, James Roday's birth last name is Rodriguez), Henry, his dad, is white. Shawn and Henry also represent the opposite ends of the spectrum in their outlooks, personalities, chosen professions, ages and experiences.
Lassiter covers a man in his (later?) prime, ambitious, serious, and also, he's a kind of a subtle stereotype- he's an Irish cop, probably from a stern, serious Irish Catholic family. Unlike Henry, he's still working, unlike Shawn, he takes his job very seriously. Shawn is playing, even when he's working, Henry is working, even after he's technically retired, Lassiter is kind of in the middle. But to be an Irish Catholic stereotype cop, he pretty much has to also be white.
Juliet is young, but she's also female, comes from a family of brothers, all cops and she is the perspective of a young, attractive woman who finds it hard to get respect she deserves and to get people to take her seriously in a professional capacity. Her mirror opposite is Chief Vick, a slightly older, very professional, respected, authoritative, and maternal figure that managed to command respect. No real idea why these two are white, really, but they, like Gus, are sort of bucking tradition or stereotypes.
But with everyone else being white, my guess is that if Dulé's race was at all a factor in his getting hired, it's because they needed to cover the perspective of a person who is obviously not a generic white person to really fill out the cast, but more often I think of Gus as being there for the perspective of a very professional, intelligent, grounded, well educated, ambitious, hard working *young* man, as opposed to Shawn who did not go to college, is kind of a slacker at heart, far from ambitious, fun loving, not very professional or grounded, but still highly intelligent in a different way from Gus or anyone else on the show for that matter.
Also, you have the three different upbringings and backgrounds of Gus, Juliet and Shawn to compare to each other. Shawn was raised by a cop with very high expectations, having it drilled into him from a very early age, his choices made for him if Henry got his way, so he rebelled against it.
Jules was apparently raised by parents whose expetations for their only daughter were much simpler, to be a feminine and social and that's about it, anything she wanted to do, they probably said, 'That's nice dear," and patted her on the head, so she grew up wanting to prove herself and to attain real respect, but because she was only expected to do things like be a cheerleader or what have you, she does have some playful tendencies that were left over from that time. You'll notice that she doesn't freely talk about being at cheerleading camp because she thinks it will undermind her attempts to gain respect.
Gus seems to have been raised by professional people (he had a good nanny whom he had a crush on) who had high expectations for their son, but who left him a lot more freedom to decide just what he wanted to be as an adult, and more freedom to choose his own recreational pursuits (comic books, reading, astronomy) so he's kind of the midway between Juliet and Shawn. Who is incedentally, black. Really, I think the only character whose ethnic background was a crucial factor is Lassiter. Gus may have been, but Lassiter, I'm almost certain about. Gus is also the only character who has almost nothing to do with law enforcement as a main profession. He more or less just helps Shawn out when his real job allows it, which is pretty often, but his main source of income is in pharmaceutical sales. He doesn't come from a law enforcement family, and he doesn't get his paycheck, (or his main paycheck, anyway) from law enforcement. He's very possibly got more education than any other character on the show as well. Lassiter has a degree in Criminology, I think, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think that to do what Gus does, he'd have to have a degree as well, wouldn't he?
All in all, the six main character all have good chemistry and balance.
Other than the six main characters, though, the rest seem to be a fairly balanced mix of ethnicities.
Very well put Liv. 
I agree, very well put.
And yes to be a pharm rep Gus would need at minimum a bachelor's degree (but could have more education obviously). Lassiter says he has a master's in criminology, so its possible that either Gus or Lassiter is the character with the most education on the show.
And yes to be a pharm rep Gus would need at minimum a bachelor's degree (but could have more education obviously). Lassiter says he has a master's in criminology, so its possible that either Gus or Lassiter is the character with the most education on the show.
excellent description of the characters Liv!
One other thing that I noticed after watching the Civil War episode is that I think Lasseter represents Shawn's father to a certain extent. Lasseter is a serious cop, Lasseter is emotionally aloof, nothing seems to be good enough for Lasseter, he's very tall (dads always look very tall to children.) You notice how Shawn is always trying to get Lasseter's approval and be buddy buddy (he also pokes fun at Lasseter too but I think he's main goal is to win Lasseter's respect.) Since Shawn never felt approval from his own father, approval from Lasseter would make up for it somehow.
And about the representation question, it would be nice if they had some guest stars who were of different ethnicities on the show -- maybe Margaret Cho or an unknown Asian comedian. Overall though I love how strong the characters are on this show. I'm not white and I never felt like this show was racially unbalanced. In fact, the question of race never was an issue for me watching this show. I have to say that race is a factor for me watching other shows like October Road (everyone looked like everyone's brother or sister!) I just love Dulé and James' zany facial expressions and physical comedy. I love all the other characters too -- Juliette, Lasseter, Henry, the Chief, McNab.
One other thing that I noticed after watching the Civil War episode is that I think Lasseter represents Shawn's father to a certain extent. Lasseter is a serious cop, Lasseter is emotionally aloof, nothing seems to be good enough for Lasseter, he's very tall (dads always look very tall to children.) You notice how Shawn is always trying to get Lasseter's approval and be buddy buddy (he also pokes fun at Lasseter too but I think he's main goal is to win Lasseter's respect.) Since Shawn never felt approval from his own father, approval from Lasseter would make up for it somehow.
And about the representation question, it would be nice if they had some guest stars who were of different ethnicities on the show -- maybe Margaret Cho or an unknown Asian comedian. Overall though I love how strong the characters are on this show. I'm not white and I never felt like this show was racially unbalanced. In fact, the question of race never was an issue for me watching this show. I have to say that race is a factor for me watching other shows like October Road (everyone looked like everyone's brother or sister!) I just love Dulé and James' zany facial expressions and physical comedy. I love all the other characters too -- Juliette, Lasseter, Henry, the Chief, McNab.
QUOTE (ladymahogany @ Jul 13 2007, 10:58 AM)
Also, I don't understand why you think Gus is just a "sidekick." Without the chemistry between Shawn and Gus the show simply doesn't work. He's an integral part of the humor of the show and the solving of the crimes. Can you explain why you feel that way?
I guess I'm repeating myself since I have two posts on Gus. I just feel like he is cast as Shawn's sidekick, always trying to rein in Shawn's over-the-top antics. He's not an independent character like the cops for instance. Gus' life seems to revolve around Shawn's. I understand that Shawn is the main character but every good show has solid, interesting supporting characters not just side characters that exist to set-up Shawn's punch lines.
But I'm repeating myself again. I guess I'm beating a dead horse, so to speak. I just wish they would have some Hispanic characters (which would more realistically reflect the Santa Barbara community) and that they would develop Gus' character more. I say this not from a pc-standpoint, it would just be a more realistic reflection of coastal California and make a more interesting show, I think. It just seems like a really white show and that, to me, equals bland. If there wasn't such good dialogue in each episode, I probably wouldn't watch it at all as the characters are kind of one dimensional.
There, that'll make me a valued member of this online "community"...criticizing the show!
I never noticed it, but nicely put there Liv. You've got some good points.
QUOTE (Liz99 @ Jul 23 2007, 06:32 PM)
I guess I'm repeating myself since I have two posts on Gus. I just feel like he is cast as Shawn's sidekick, always trying to rein in Shawn's over-the-top antics. He's not an independent character like the cops for instance. Gus' life seems to revolve around Shawn's. I understand that Shawn is the main character but every good show has solid, interesting supporting characters not just side characters that exist to set-up Shawn's punch lines.
I guess I just disagree with you there. I dont think he is a side character that only sets-up Shawn's punchlines. I think he is a hilarious character in his own right, and a lot of aspects of his personality remind me of my own. He's my favorite character in the show so I am sorry you see him only as a sidekick. They have been best friends since they were very small though, so there lives both revolve around each other's. Remember the episode Game Set Muuurderer? where Shawn was so lost and dejected without Gus? They complement each other. I don't think Shawn's character works without Gus and vice versa.
I agree with Ladymahogany.
Gus is one of my favorite characters and he's important to Shawn. Gus is not a sidekick, he doesn't exist to set up punch lines and he IS and independent character. Gus is Gus. Just like miss mahogany over here, I find myself most like Gus also. Gus is Shawn's best friend and without each other they would fall apart. They truly bring out the best in each other.
And I still don't understand what the big deal is about race. The whole cast could be aliens from Mars and I would still love this show to bits! I never noticed ethnicities before and I don't think they matter, especially when the entire cast has great chemistry, and are all brilliant actors/actresses. I love these characters and their racial backgrounds would never make me any less of a fan.
And you asked, "Why is Dulé Hill the only person of color on this show."
Well I have to say that I don't think the crew that picked the actors sat down and said. "We can only have a white cheif or we can only have a white Lassiter so toss these other phenomal, even better actors out."
They must have picked the people best for the job. Dulé is an amazing actor/singer/dancer (showbiz world tripple threat). They picked him because he was perfect for the spot of Gus.
I just don't think race was on their minds when they audtioned people. They gathered together a great cast. And that's really all I can say.
Gus is one of my favorite characters and he's important to Shawn. Gus is not a sidekick, he doesn't exist to set up punch lines and he IS and independent character. Gus is Gus. Just like miss mahogany over here, I find myself most like Gus also. Gus is Shawn's best friend and without each other they would fall apart. They truly bring out the best in each other.
And I still don't understand what the big deal is about race. The whole cast could be aliens from Mars and I would still love this show to bits! I never noticed ethnicities before and I don't think they matter, especially when the entire cast has great chemistry, and are all brilliant actors/actresses. I love these characters and their racial backgrounds would never make me any less of a fan.
And you asked, "Why is Dulé Hill the only person of color on this show."
Well I have to say that I don't think the crew that picked the actors sat down and said. "We can only have a white cheif or we can only have a white Lassiter so toss these other phenomal, even better actors out."
They must have picked the people best for the job. Dulé is an amazing actor/singer/dancer (showbiz world tripple threat). They picked him because he was perfect for the spot of Gus.
I just don't think race was on their minds when they audtioned people. They gathered together a great cast. And that's really all I can say.
I haven't noticed it until you pointed it out.
And I know you already mentioned the random appearances in random episodes, but that counts, doesn't it?
And I think the reason why Gus comes across as a side-kick, is because him and Shawn are almost oposite.
Gus is (kindof) shy, and Shawn is... Just Shawn.
That's what happens to me in a lot of my friendships, too.
It just depends on the people.
And I know you already mentioned the random appearances in random episodes, but that counts, doesn't it?
And I think the reason why Gus comes across as a side-kick, is because him and Shawn are almost oposite.
Gus is (kindof) shy, and Shawn is... Just Shawn.
That's what happens to me in a lot of my friendships, too.
It just depends on the people.
There have been other people of different ethnicities on the show.
I don't know what you're watching.
I honestly hadn't noticed it.
I don't know what you're watching.
I honestly hadn't noticed it.
This thread brings up a question I've been wondering about...did I miss an episode or two or have we never seen Gus' parents? Personally I'd love to see an episode with them.
Hi Bubba here, ...
Speaking of Gus' parnets, there will be an episode later on in this season, entitled "Gus' Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy". So there's likely chance we may seen Gus' father and maybe his mother.
QUOTE (Silly_Princess @ Jul 28 2007, 12:01 AM)
This thread brings up a question I've been wondering about...did I miss an episode or two or have we never seen Gus' parents? Personally I'd love to see an episode with them.
Speaking of Gus' parnets, there will be an episode later on in this season, entitled "Gus' Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy". So there's likely chance we may seen Gus' father and maybe his mother.
This was my question last season and its addressed in the Dulé Hill interview. Apparently we will meet his parents, his uncle, and possibly a cousin this season. I can't wait!!!
QUOTE (Liz99 @ Jul 13 2007, 07:27 AM)
I'm not obsessed with race/ethnicity or anything, it just seems weird that it appears that Gus is the only black person living in Santa Barbara. As someone who lived there for six years, that's just not true. Yes, it isn't an "urban" environment but it also isn't an all-white enclave.
Yes, there might be an occasional person of color guest starring on an odd episode but I would have expected the casting to be more diverse considering that the show is set in California.
I was just hoping that Hill would be more of a co-star and less merely Shawn's sidekick. I'm surprised he resigned for another season!
Yes, there might be an occasional person of color guest starring on an odd episode but I would have expected the casting to be more diverse considering that the show is set in California.
I was just hoping that Hill would be more of a co-star and less merely Shawn's sidekick. I'm surprised he resigned for another season!
Well obviously you are obsessed with race/ethnicity, otherwise you wouldn't have brought it up or even noticed like most in here have said. I was born, raised, and still live in SANTA BARBARA. This show has an accurate account of being mostly upper middle class white suburbanites.
Dulé Hill is an excellent comedic actor, much better acting than when he was on West Wing (really boring show that was).
I guess I hadn't really noticed it either.
Great commentary Liv on the characters...seems logical to me.
I think the chemistry between Shawn and Gus is brilliant and the show would fail without either one.
Getting to meet Gus' family is going to be good....we probably haven't met them yet so that the characters till have room to grow and build...can't have them giving up all the secrets so early now can we??
Great commentary Liv on the characters...seems logical to me.
I think the chemistry between Shawn and Gus is brilliant and the show would fail without either one.
Getting to meet Gus' family is going to be good....we probably haven't met them yet so that the characters till have room to grow and build...can't have them giving up all the secrets so early now can we??
QUOTE (latiger19 @ Jul 28 2007, 04:17 AM)
Getting to meet Gus' family is going to be good....we probably haven't met them yet so that the characters till have room to grow and build...can't have them giving up all the secrets so early now can we??
I think that is going to be a lot of fun. Could a cousin be played by Deon Richmond, the actor who played Bud on The Cosby Show?! Dulé' mentioned that he'd like to have Deon on the show in the Series one commentaries (Scary Sherry). That would be brilliant!
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