Canada may not have “truly embraced diversity.” That’s the rather specious conclusion drawn in an article published in the Hollywood Reporter. And what do they use to reach that determination? Apparently, Canadians weren’t watching “Empire.”
 
The show, which features a mostly black cast, centres on a record mogul’s music “empire,” and the intrigue within his family and artists. It includes a lot of hip hop and rap music as part of the often soap-opera-like plot.
 
According to the piece, the drama – which is a huge hit in the U.S. - went over like a lead balloon in places like Britain, Germany and Australia, playing to miniscule audiences. The author and Fox, the producing network, instantly assume that’s because the nations that bought the show aren’t interested in programs featuring black actors. And then the story turns its attention to the Great White North.
 
“In Canada, broadcaster Rogers Media moved Empire off its free-TV network City after season two ratings dipped to 208,000 viewers, shifting the second half of the season to its online streaming service Shomi.
 
Adds [Marion Edwards, president of international TV at Fox]: "Having a diverse cast creates another hurdle for U.S. series trying to break through; it would be foolish not to recognize that. We are telling our units that they need to be aware that by creating too much diversity in the leads in their show means … problems having their shows translating to the international market."
 
I’m stunned by them instantly playing the race card to explain why the show is flopping here. If there’s any country on the planet that’s more focused on diversity, it’s Canada. How they could come to the idea that because a program like “Empire” (or “Black-ish,” another example used in the article) doesn’t rate well, must be because we don’t embrace ethnic casts (a subtle euphemism for racism) is beyond me.
 
Although it’s pointed out later in the piece that some other shows featuring ethnic casting are big hits here, they explain it's only because they also feature white actors.
 
It’s a completely idiotic conclusion and it’s more than a bit insulting. I happen to like Empire and watch it every week. (It’s back on the air on Fox Wednesday night after a winter hiatus.) But I don’t much care for Black-ish, not because of who’s in it, but because I don’t find it amusing and there are only so many shows you can watch in a week.
 
That doesn’t make me – or you – racist. If anything, I’m a discriminating viewer. And nothing more.

'Empire' Flops Overseas as Foreign Viewers Resist Hollywood's Diversity Push