The White Cloud That Hangs Over the Emmy Awards

Tichina Arnold deserves an Emmy nomination. It's really pretty much as simple as that. In her role as the adolescent Chris Rock's "My way or the highway!" mom Rochelle Rock on the CW comedy series "Everybody Hates Chris" that enters its third season this fall, Arnold is the glue that holds the underrated series together. She possesses a biting wit, charismatic style and superb comic timing.

But even Arnold, who first gained notice as the sassy Pamela on the 1990s Fox sitcom "Martin," understands that barring a major overhaul in the Emmy voter mindset, she hasn't got a prayer. Yet her longshot status is about more than the mere fact that the CW remains invisible to the vast majority of Emmy voters in the TV Academy, who evidently believe the network's initials stand for "Credit Withheld."

The larger reason why Arnold isn't a serious candidate for an honor she's clearly earned could well be her skin color. She happens to be black. The category in which Arnold contends -- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series -- hasn't seen a woman of color nominated since Phylicia Rashad was honored for "The Cosby Show" in 1986. (She lost.)

The last time a black actress won for lead comedy acting? That would be 1981, when Isabel Sanford took home the trophy for "The Jeffersons." It remains the only time in the nearly 60-year history of the Emmys that a black performer came away victorious in the category. Some might see this not only as surprising but perhaps a bit distressing as well. Nonetheless, Arnold remains optimistic that she can become the first actress of her race to earn a nom in the category in more than two decades.

"I'm not saying that we're shut out of this process as African Americans," Arnold emphasizes. "There is no question that our earning visibility and recognition in the Emmys is a tougher process, and more challenging for sure. Nothing worth having is easy to attain. I just think it's interesting that it's been so long between nominations in this category, you know?"

Yes. But wait, there's more.

When was the last time that a black actress was honored with an Emmy statuette for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series? Try never. Not even once. Four black actresses (Debbie Allen, Regina Taylor, Alfre Woodard and Cicely Tyson) have earned nominations, accruing seven nods between them -- the last coming in 1995. But none ever took home the gold.

Black men have fared somewhat better in the comedy and drama series lead acting categories, earning four wins for drama since 1967 (Bill Cosby twice, James Earl Jones and Andre Braugher once apiece) and a pair for comedy (both by Robert Guillaume), though Cosby could also have won for "The Cosby Show" had he not removed his name from Emmy consideration during the show's run.

Actually, an actress of color happens to be a favorite to take the lead comedy Emmy prize this year: "Ugly Betty" star and Golden Globe winner America Ferrera, a Latina. Arnold hopes there is also room on the nomination list for someone a shade darker, believing in her heart that the smallish number of black performers historically earning nominations for series lead more reflects a lack of available quality starring roles than any sort of purposeful voter whitewash.

Moreover, the victories by Jennifer Hudson and Forest Whitaker at the Oscars this year -- coupled with Braugher's triumph for lead movie/miniseries actor for his work in FX's short-lived "Thief" at last year's Emmys -- give Arnold a measure of hope that black actresses could soon bust through into the Emmy lead categories as well.

"It would certainly be nice to see more nominees, but obviously only if we deserve it," she says. "Great roles are there for African American actresses that weren't much available in the past, like mine on 'Everybody Hates Chris.' But the truth is that you still have to fight harder as a performer of color just to get on everyone's radar."

Comments

[Ali]

Although I'm sure that race is an obstacle for the clearly talented star - she also faces the challenge of being on CW. No one from UPN or the WB ever recieved Emmy nominations (Buffy the Vampire Slayers was always well written and well acted and Gilmore Girls's Lauren Graham should have been nominated at least 4 times by now) so why would the CW be viewed any differently?

[Vance]

I completely agree. Tichina deserves a nomination but not only is being on the CW a slap down, I think being a "black" woman will not get her noticed from the generally field of white women on the main three networks. I don't think its overt racism or anything but our subtleties into that do affect who people vote for, and I think Tichina just wouldn't come to mind automatically to the Emmy voters when its time to fill out the ballot and I don't believe it's because she doesn't have talent. Still, on the other hand, Lauren Graham has been passed over every year too, so maybe voters just don't watch UPN/The WB/The CW. Shame...

Still, have there been any Asian nominees in the main categories? We finally have Sandra Oh, but have there been any men? Hmm.. Ill have to check that out...

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

I would like to see CCH Pounder win in the Supporting Actress In A Drama Catagory...She does get nominated sometimes...BUT, never a "win", so far. I think she is a magnificent powerful actress that has NEVER given a bad performance no matter what she is in....But her consistant arresting performance on "THE SHEILD" is one of those magnificent oieces of acting that enriches this whole series....It's time for her and it's time for Ms. Arnold, too!
It will be interesting, won't it?

An aside, kind of: Do you think that the FX Dramas might do better this year Ray? With "RESCUE ME", and "THE RICHES" as well as "THE SHEILD"...these are some very strong shows with wonderful acting as well as writing and directing...Just my opinion.

And I thought it was very telling that the NBC-UNIVERSAL Box of 'for your consideration' which included 18 shows...(Yes, count them-- 18!!!!) did NOT include "Studio 60"...When the rats leave the sinking ship, they leave Bigtime, don't they? I think that it is terrible, that they didn't include this very very worthy show in their huge fat oversized box!
Do you suppose we can do "write ins"...?(lol)

[Fatima]

I am inclined to agree with her. I don't think it is outrright racism by Emmy voters, but just ignorance and lack of respect with the voters. I mean a lot of black sitcoms are terrible. You would never nominate "The Parkers" for any award. But "Everybody Hates Chris" is a show that deserves a lot of nominations. More than just Arnold. I feel like Tracee Ellis Ross should have received a nom now for being a part of the longest running sitcom currently on TV (Girlfriends) She, and the rest of the cast, are as funny as anyone on Sex and the City.

I guess the main problem is there is just not enough material, quality or not, for black actors on television. Film might be evolving (Oscars this year), but television remains stagnant.