Welcome Back!!!!
So, with this week being memorable in the history of the U.S. with President Obama's second inauguration on last Monday, Officially sworn in last Sunday.
With that said, I figured this would make a great first posting, and something that has been on my mind for a while now.
Thought: In Cinema and Television, How many Black Presidents have there been?
So as the movie buff and video games/pop culture/media researcher, that I am, I take notice from the small to major things, especially when it comes to gaming, film, and television. So before 2008, I would kind of just sit and think about it (Pre-President Obama) why aren't there any black men that are presidents in film and television. I mean, I know there were a couple, Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock, is all I could think of off hand. But by it now being the second term for President Obama (because I respect his office and position, unlike some people in this country), how many times have there been a black president. Considering I am not sure how many movies have came out during the first term (I'm sure I can get the stats and facts of it later.) that involved movies with an actual president role, but I'm pretty sure there weren't any black dudes. Think about it, as Katt William stated in his comedy special so eloquently (Katt Williams "Date a President" Skip to 2:55 in the clip.)
all the presidents have been white. //Caucasian if you feeling PC// So of course if anybody wanted to dare not step outside of the norm like few have, the argument could have been made that, "Oh well we never had a black president...yada yada yada". Oh but we do now, so nowwwww what's your excuse. Go ahead, I'll wait!!!!!
This lead to my search to see who and how many black men have had the role of "President" and this is what I came up with from gathered sources.
***Movies***
 |
James Earl Jones: Douglass Dilman, (The Man, 1972, On Netflix)
(Yes Mr. Darth Vader and Mufasa himself) |
 | ||
Chris Rock: Mays Gilliam, (Head of State, 2003, On Netflix)
|
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| Danny Glover : Thomas Wilson. (2012 The Move, 2009, On Netflix) |
Morgan Freeman: Martin Trumbull (Speaker of The House) (Olympus Has Fallen, 2013)
(Acting President, see the movie ;) *no longer playing*
Jamie Foxx: James Sawyer (President)(White House Down, 2013, see the movie ;-)
***Television***
 |
| Richard Pryor: Richard Pryor Show (1977) |
 |
| Dennis Haysbert: 24 (2001) |
 |
| Dave Chappelle: The Chappelle Show (2004) |
 |
| DB Woodside: 24 (2007) |
 |
| Blair Underwood: The Event (2010 |
 |
| Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele: Key and Peele Show (2012) |
 |
| Jay Pharaoh: Saturday Night Live, SNL, (2012) |
Christopher B. Duncan: The First Familty (2012)
I have to also give an Honorable mention to the very first portrayal and the first animated cartoon.
1933 – Rufus Jones for President: Sammy Davis Jr. (Short film)
This is the earliest known film portrayal of a Black president. This was also Sammy Davis Jr.’s film debut.
1987 – Spiral Zone: Episode – The Imposter (Animated Series)
1980’s cartoon with the first and only portrayal of a Black president in cartoon form.
Ok, ok, ok, I stand corrected. There has been 1 movie, and 1 television show, and 2 comedy portrayals.
So what does this mean to me, well, before 2008, in film there have been very few Directors, Producers, Screen Writers, that decided to use a black man as a MPotus (Movie POTUS). Why, I don't know, yet, but please believe I will find out. It probably won't be anytime within the next couple of years, but I will eventually.
In Television, Has been more daring to do so.. I say daring because when it comes to television shows such as 24 or the The Event, these are recurring roles, unlike film, and so these roles, especially for good shows, run for seasons and seasons, so you can see the characters more frequently. When it comes to the self titled or sketch comedy, they take it upon themselves to portray themselves in this role. I would assume, because there has not been until now, a Black President, and then those after have wanted to give a different light to the president period.
What I hope to (continue to) do, is take note over the years to come, and see if while President Obama is still in office and afterwards, if the number of black presidents portrayals will increase. Tune in next time.
These are my thoughts, What are yours?
Let me know if I have missed anyone.
Dare to Share!
Alfre Woodward: State of Affairs (2014)
1933 – Rufus Jones for President: Sammy Davis Jr. (Short film)
This is the earliest known film portrayal of a Black president. This was also Sammy Davis Jr.’s film debut.
1987 – Spiral Zone: Episode – The Imposter (Animated Series)
1980’s cartoon with the first and only portrayal of a Black president in cartoon form.
Ok, ok, ok, I stand corrected. There has been 1 movie, and 1 television show, and 2 comedy portrayals.
So what does this mean to me, well, before 2008, in film there have been very few Directors, Producers, Screen Writers, that decided to use a black man as a MPotus (Movie POTUS). Why, I don't know, yet, but please believe I will find out. It probably won't be anytime within the next couple of years, but I will eventually.
In Television, Has been more daring to do so.. I say daring because when it comes to television shows such as 24 or the The Event, these are recurring roles, unlike film, and so these roles, especially for good shows, run for seasons and seasons, so you can see the characters more frequently. When it comes to the self titled or sketch comedy, they take it upon themselves to portray themselves in this role. I would assume, because there has not been until now, a Black President, and then those after have wanted to give a different light to the president period.
What I hope to (continue to) do, is take note over the years to come, and see if while President Obama is still in office and afterwards, if the number of black presidents portrayals will increase. Tune in next time.
These are my thoughts, What are yours?
Let me know if I have missed anyone.
Dare to Share!
Sources and Images
http://blogs.indiewire.com/
http://www.kontraband.com/
Images
James Earl Jones, The Man http://cache.boston.com/
Morgan Freeman, Sum of All Fears http://img.poptower.com/
Chris Rock, Head of State, http://images.politico.
Terry Crews, Idocracy http://thefirstreel.
Danny Glover, 2012 http://static.tvguide.
Sammy Davis Jr. Rufus Jones run for President http://songbook1.
Richard Pryor, Richard Pryor Show. http://cdn.ebaumsworld.
Dave Chappelle, The Chappelle Show http://
DB Woodside, 24 http://1-ps.
Blair Underwood, The Event http://collider.com/wp-
Key and Peele, Key and Peele show, http://www.shockya.com/
Jay Pharaoh, http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mediaite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNL-e1347766719236.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/snl-premieres-jay-pharoah-debuts-a-new-unworried-about-romney-obama/&h=210&w=320&sz=14&tbnid=fr1PTN29pbxI8M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=137&zoom=1&usg=__5ol7f1wGzqqOM2kx2yvy_3E8bcw=&docid=1BYgrDOyiltMUM&sa=X&ei=r08FUfK-A5K49gSdvIC4AQ&ved=0CEcQ9QEwAw&dur=520
Jamie Foxx: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=546066768772529&set=pb.434977616548112.-2207520000.1372696241.&type=3&theater
Morgan Freeman: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=556553161032492&set=pb.503790042975471.-2207520000.1372696066.&type=3&theater
Christopher B. Duncan http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/3392/First_Family4434343.jpg
Alfre Woodward http://www.nbc.com/sites/nbcunbc/files/files/styles/nbc_gallery_slide/public/images/2014/9/29/Alfre_Woodard_as_President_Payton.JPG?itok=4fkgfS9x
Great topic...something I never really thought of honestly! I am curious to see, as well, how many black portrayals will come up (movie or sitcom) in the next 3-4 years. I even wonder if there will be a biography in the makings soon...things that make you go HMMMM
ReplyDeleteOh! Don't forget about The Fifth Element!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I doubt the numbers would change that much. Folks have been real reluctant to accept the President in real life. And since art so often imitates life (or is it the other way around...?), I bet there'll be chocolate presidents sprinkled in here an there.
Brandi, I bet there will be a biography. But depending who makes it, it might not show the Prez in the best light. But I'm a cynic like that. :-/
I didnt forget about the Fifth Element, but for this situation he was the president of the World, not the US. The World Craig!!!! lol.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great topic!!! I hadn't given this any thought. I too am curious to see if there is an increase in black men playing the role of a president.
ReplyDeleteI will stay tuned!
Very interesting topic. I definitely agree with the fact that African-American males are rarely seen in a position of power such as a presidential role in movies/films/television. Also, many times they're shown as a joke or as a comedy and not so much seriously as they would do when a caucasian plays such a role. I guess a black president is only good for legalizing weed and making fried chicken the national food of choice. I wonder if they'll ever have a woman (black or white) playing such a role in the near future. Would be interesting to see.
ReplyDeleteWell, as for Television there has been two females I know off hand, one being Genna Davis in "Commander in Chief" and Katherine "Kate" Burton in "Scandal, Season 2" when she went from VP, to President for very very brief moment in the show, but still counts, haha. But we shall see. Stay tuned, and thanks for checking out the blog, Be sure to Follow Me, Thanks :)
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