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→International broadcasts: The “literal” French translation, ignores the fact that French nouns require a gendered article before each and the common place use of “de” prior to an adjective. “Dans la peau d’un noir” does not translate to “In the skin of a black.” That would be wild. “Un noir” vs “noir” is equivalent to English capitalized “Black” vs the color “black.” This is the appropriate word for Black people in France. Translating this as “a black” in reference to Black French people...
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{{Short description|American cable reality television show}}
{{Short description|American cable reality television show}}

{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image =[http://img2.tvtome.com/i/tvp/mL/55381.jpg Black. White. Reality Show on FX]
| image =
| image_upright =
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| genre =[[Reality show]]
| genre = [[Reality show]]
| creator =David J. Maldonado Batista<br>[[R. J. Cutler]]
| creator = David J. Maldonado Batista<br>[[R. J. Cutler]]
| developer =
| developer =
| director =R. J. Cutler
| director = R. J. Cutler
| creative_director =
| creative_director =
| presenter =<!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
| presenter = <!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
| starring =Rose Bloomfield,<br>Bruno Marcotulli,<br>Poetri,<br>Brian Sparks,<br>Nicholas Sparks,<br>Renee Sparks,<br>Carmen Wurgel
| starring = Rose Bloomfield,<br>Bruno Marcotulli,<br>Poetri,<br>Brian Sparks,<br>Nicholas Sparks,<br>Renee Sparks,<br>Carmen Wurgel
| narrated =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme ="Race Card" by Ice Cube
| opentheme = "Race Card" by [[Ice Cube]]
| endtheme =
| endtheme =
| composer =Leigh Roberts
| composer = Leigh Roberts
| country =USA
| country = United States
| language =English
| language = English
| num_seasons =1
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes =6
| num_episodes = 6
| list_episodes =
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer =Ice Cube,<br>R. J. Cutler
| executive_producer = Ice Cube,<br>R. J. Cutler
| producer =Autumn Humphreys,<br>Alexandra Reed,<br>Matt Alvarez,<br>Keith Hoffman,<br>Donny Jackson,<br>Rebecca Lock,<br>Fernando Mills,<br>Andy Robertson,<br>Jude Weng,<br>Nisa Ahmad,<br>Jason Cornwell,<br>Sarah N. Crouthamel,<br>Todd Lubin,<br>Eric Mofford,<br>Keith VanderLaan
| producer = Autumn Humphreys,<br>Alexandra Reed,<br>Matt Alvarez,<br>Keith Hoffman,<br>Donny Jackson,<br>Rebecca Lock,<br>Fernando Mills,<br>Andy Robertson,<br>Jude Weng,<br>Nisa Ahmad,<br>Jason Cornwell,<br>Sarah N. Crouthamel,<br>Todd Lubin,<br>Eric Mofford,<br>Keith VanderLaan
| editor =Andy Robertson,<br>Maris Berzins,<br>Poppy Das,<br>Greg Finton,<br>Yaffa Lerea
| editor = Andy Robertson,<br>Maris Berzins,<br>Poppy Das,<br>Greg Finton,<br>Yaffa Lerea
| location =
| location =
| cinematography =Andrei Cranach
| cinematography = Andrei Cranach
| camera =
| camera =
| runtime =<!-- Reliable source required -->
| runtime = <!-- Reliable source required -->
| company =Actual Reality Pictures
| company = Actual Reality Pictures<br>Cube Vision Productions<br>[[FX Productions]]
| distributor =20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (DVDs)
| budget = $750,000 (estimated)
| budget =$750,000 (estimated)
| network = [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]
| network =[[FX (TV channel)|FX]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2006|03|08}}
| picture_format =
| last_aired = {{End date|2006|04|12}}
| audio_format =
| first_aired ={{Start date|2006|03|08}}
| last_aired ={{End date|2006|04|12}}
}}
}}

'''''Black. White.''''' is a [[reality television]] show on [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. The series premiered on March 8, 2006 and followed two families of three, one [[White (people)|white]], and the other [[Black (people)|black]]. Through studio-quality [[Cosmetics|make-up]], the two families—the Wurgels and the Sparks—traded races and experienced what life is like in the other family's shoes.
'''''Black. White.''''' is an American [[reality television]] series that aired on [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. The series premiered on March 8, 2006, and supposedly documented two voluntary families of three, one [[White (people)|white]], and the other [[Black (people)|black]], in which through studio-quality [[Cosmetics|make-up]], the two families would give off a facade appearance, of portraying a race that isn't their own, for social experiment purposes. It garnered controversy for its subject matter and perceived reinforcement of [[racial stereotype]]s.


The show was produced and created by [[Ice Cube]] and [[R. J. Cutler]]. The series' theme song was "Race Card", performed by Ice Cube and produced by [[Warren G]]. The series ran for five weeks ending with a double episode finale.
The show was produced and created by [[Ice Cube]] and [[R. J. Cutler]]. The series' theme song was "Race Card", performed by Ice Cube and produced by [[Warren G]]. The series ran for five weeks ending with a double episode finale.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The show received mixed responses. Melanie McFarland of the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' stated, "No matter what conclusion you come to after watching FX's six-episode reality series <nowiki>'</nowiki>''Black. White''.' you should be grateful for the care producers RJ Cutler and David Maldonado took in executing it."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/tv/article/On-TV-Black-White-is-uncomfortable-1197650.php#ixzz1jHpwtNJN |title=On TV: 'Black. White.' is uncomfortable, revealing reality TV |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |first=Melanie |last=McFarland |date=6 March 2006 |accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref> Matt Roush of ''[[TV Guide]]'' wrote, "Far from a cheap reality stunt, FX's provocative documentary series ''Black.White''. is an endlessly curious and unexpectedly intelligent social experiment...."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arp.tv/pressarchive/bw_tvguide_030306.html |title=Roush Rave |publisher=Actual Reality Pictures |accessdate=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131153426/http://www.arp.tv/pressarchive/bw_tvguide_030306.html |archivedate=31 January 2013 }}</ref> Charles Page of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' said, "Compared to its obvious inspiration, <nowiki>'</nowiki>''[[Black Like Me (film)|Black Like Me]]'',' it is easy to knock <nowiki>'</nowiki>''Black.White.'',' the new reality TV experiment on race relations on FX—and many people do....Maybe it is. Or maybe it's a rare injection of substance into TV's usual nonsense."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-03-12/news/0603120494_1_white-people-move-racial-black |title=Trading races drama |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |first=Clarence |last=Page |date=12 March 2006 |accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref>
The show received mixed responses. Melanie McFarland of the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' stated, "No matter what conclusion you come to after watching FX's six-episode reality series <nowiki>'</nowiki>''Black. White''.' you should be grateful for the care producers RJ Cutler and David Maldonado took in executing it."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/tv/article/On-TV-Black-White-is-uncomfortable-1197650.php#ixzz1jHpwtNJN |title=On TV: 'Black. White.' is uncomfortable, revealing reality TV |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |first=Melanie |last=McFarland |date=6 March 2006 |accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref> Matt Roush of ''[[TV Guide]]'' wrote, "Far from a cheap reality stunt, FX's provocative documentary series ''Black.White''. is an endlessly curious and unexpectedly intelligent social experiment...."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arp.tv/pressarchive/bw_tvguide_030306.html |title=Roush Rave |publisher=Actual Reality Pictures |accessdate=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131153426/http://www.arp.tv/pressarchive/bw_tvguide_030306.html |archivedate=31 January 2013 }}</ref> Charles Page of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' said, "Compared to its obvious inspiration, <nowiki>'</nowiki>''[[Black Like Me (film)|Black Like Me]]'',' it is easy to knock <nowiki>'</nowiki>''Black.White.'',' the new reality TV experiment on race relations on FX—and many people do....Maybe it is. Or maybe it's a rare injection of substance into TV's usual nonsense."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/03/12/trading-races-drama/ |title=Trading races drama |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |first=Clarence |last=Page |date=12 March 2006 |access-date=7 August 2013}}</ref>


===Criticism===
The show also received criticism from major media outlets. Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2006-03-07-black-white_x.htm |title='Black. White.' Oh, whatever. |newspaper=USA Today |first=Robert |last=Bianco |date=3 July 2006 |accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref>
The show also received criticism from major media outlets. Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2006-03-07-black-white_x.htm |title='Black. White.' Oh, whatever. |newspaper=USA Today |first=Robert |last=Bianco |date=3 July 2006 |accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref>


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|ShortSummary=Two families—one white and one black—come together under one roof in Los Angeles as they prepare to go out in the world as the other race.
|ShortSummary=Two families—one white and one black—come together under one roof in Los Angeles as they prepare to go out in the world as the other race.


Carmen Wurgel, her partner Bruno Marcotulli, and her daughter Rose Bloomfield are presented as the Wurgels,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bellafante |first1=Ginia |title=Reality TV for Those Infatuated With Passing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/arts/television/08bell.html |access-date=14 May 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=8 March 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Kam |title=Brian Sparks–The "Black White" Interview |url=https://aalbc.com/reviews/brian_sparks.htm |website=African American Literature Book Club |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> white middle-class suburbanites from [[Santa Monica, California]].
Despite being called "The Wurgels" (Carmen's name by marriage) the three participants were not exactly a real family in the strictest sense of the term. Film actor (referred to here as a teacher) Bruno Marcotulli portrays Bruno Wurgel; his purported girlfriend Carmen, and her daughter Rose Bloomfield (a child actor who starred on the [[Disney]] television show ''[[Movie Surfers]]'', until she quit shortly after being cast in ''Black.White.'') portray white middle-class suburbanites the Wurgel family from [[Santa Monica, California]].


The Sparkses (Brian, Renee, and son Nick) are a black middle-class family from [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. Brian gains access to white culture when he lands a job as a bartender while in white make-up.
The Sparkses (Brian, Renee, and son Nick) are a black middle-class family from [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. Brian gains access to white culture when he lands a job as a bartender while in white make-up.
Line 122: Line 118:


==International broadcasts==
==International broadcasts==
In [[Canada]], ''Black. White.'' aired on [[CKXT-TV|Sun TV]], an [[independent station (North America)|independent]] [[broadcasting|broadcast]] [[television station]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. In [[Australia]], the show was seen on [[Foxtel]] & [[Austar]] channel [[Fox8]]. It was also broadcast in [[Sweden]] on a public TV channel. A two-part French version of the show was produced and aired on [[Canal+]] in January 2007, named ''Dans la peau d'un noir'' ("In Black Skin").
In [[Canada]], ''Black. White.'' aired on [[CKXT-TV|Sun TV]], an [[independent station (North America)|independent]] [[broadcasting|broadcast]] [[television station]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. In [[Australia]], the show was seen on [[Foxtel]] & [[Austar]] channel [[Fox8]]. It was also broadcast in [[Sweden]] on a public TV channel. A two-part French version of the show was produced and aired on [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]] in January 2007, named ''Dans la peau d'un noir'' ("In Black Skin").


==DVD release==
==DVD release==
Line 136: Line 132:
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Blackface]]
* [[Blackface]]
* [[Whiteface (performance)|Whiteface]]
* ''[[Black Like Me]]''
* ''[[Black Like Me]]''
* [[Race Matters]]
* [[Race Matters]]
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[[Category:FX Networks original programming]]
[[Category:FX Networks original programming]]
[[Category:African-American reality television series]]
[[Category:African-American reality television series]]
[[Category:Cube Vision films]]

Latest revision as of 23:15, 10 September 2024

Black. White.
GenreReality show
Created byDavid J. Maldonado Batista
R. J. Cutler
Directed byR. J. Cutler
StarringRose Bloomfield,
Bruno Marcotulli,
Poetri,
Brian Sparks,
Nicholas Sparks,
Renee Sparks,
Carmen Wurgel
Opening theme"Race Card" by Ice Cube
ComposerLeigh Roberts
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersIce Cube,
R. J. Cutler
ProducersAutumn Humphreys,
Alexandra Reed,
Matt Alvarez,
Keith Hoffman,
Donny Jackson,
Rebecca Lock,
Fernando Mills,
Andy Robertson,
Jude Weng,
Nisa Ahmad,
Jason Cornwell,
Sarah N. Crouthamel,
Todd Lubin,
Eric Mofford,
Keith VanderLaan
CinematographyAndrei Cranach
EditorsAndy Robertson,
Maris Berzins,
Poppy Das,
Greg Finton,
Yaffa Lerea
Production companiesActual Reality Pictures
Cube Vision Productions
FX Productions
Budget$750,000 (estimated)
Original release
NetworkFX
ReleaseMarch 8 (2006-03-08) –
April 12, 2006 (2006-04-12)

Black. White. is an American reality television series that aired on FX. The series premiered on March 8, 2006, and supposedly documented two voluntary families of three, one white, and the other black, in which through studio-quality make-up, the two families would give off a facade appearance, of portraying a race that isn't their own, for social experiment purposes. It garnered controversy for its subject matter and perceived reinforcement of racial stereotypes.

The show was produced and created by Ice Cube and R. J. Cutler. The series' theme song was "Race Card", performed by Ice Cube and produced by Warren G. The series ran for five weeks ending with a double episode finale.

Reception

[edit]

The show received mixed responses. Melanie McFarland of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer stated, "No matter what conclusion you come to after watching FX's six-episode reality series 'Black. White.' you should be grateful for the care producers RJ Cutler and David Maldonado took in executing it."[1] Matt Roush of TV Guide wrote, "Far from a cheap reality stunt, FX's provocative documentary series Black.White. is an endlessly curious and unexpectedly intelligent social experiment...."[2] Charles Page of the Chicago Tribune said, "Compared to its obvious inspiration, 'Black Like Me,' it is easy to knock 'Black.White.,' the new reality TV experiment on race relations on FX—and many people do....Maybe it is. Or maybe it's a rare injection of substance into TV's usual nonsense."[3]

The show also received criticism from major media outlets. Robert Bianco of USA Today wrote:[4]

"The show is being sold on the race-switch trick, but tonight's premiere is built around a far more mundane stunt: putting people you know won't get along into close-quarter situations designed to exacerbate the inevitable conflicts. If you think there's any chance that the two men, Brian and Bruno, weren't cast specifically to clash, or that the producers aren't playing up every conflict, you've never seen a reality show."

"Black. White. is based on two false premises, one more pernicious than the other: that you can understand someone of a different race simply by putting on makeup, and that you need that kind of understanding in order to treat people as the law and morality require."

Lee Siegel of The New Republic commented:[5]

"'Black. White.' is not a provocative study in secret prejudice, followed by growth and awakening. It's a reinforcement of the stereotypes the show claims it wants to examine and expose."

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Episode 1.1"R. J. CutlerUnknownMarch 8, 2006 (2006-03-08)

Two families—one white and one black—come together under one roof in Los Angeles as they prepare to go out in the world as the other race.

Carmen Wurgel, her partner Bruno Marcotulli, and her daughter Rose Bloomfield are presented as the Wurgels,[6][7] white middle-class suburbanites from Santa Monica, California.

The Sparkses (Brian, Renee, and son Nick) are a black middle-class family from Atlanta, Georgia. Brian gains access to white culture when he lands a job as a bartender while in white make-up.
1"Episode 1.2"R. J. CutlerUnknownMarch 15, 2006 (2006-03-15)
A bitter argument erupts between Renee and Carmen over the use of racially charged language. That racially charged language is when Carmen calls Renee a "bitch". Rose is torn over revealing her true "color" to her new friends in the poetry group or maintaining her cover for the sake of the project.
1"Episode 1.3"R. J. CutlerUnknownMarch 22, 2006 (2006-03-22)
The Wurgels and Sparks lock horns over language and behavior. As the friction builds between Carmen and Renee, Carmen turns to an outsider for insight into the black experience. Bruno and Carmen encounter hostility in an all-white country/western bar, and Nick's fascination with the gangster/hip-hop lifestyle raises concerns for Brian and Renee.
1"Episode 1.4"R. J. CutlerUnknownMarch 29, 2006 (2006-03-29)
Emotions run high as the project reveals unexpected truths about the family members. After experiencing racism for the first time, Carmen becomes disheartened with Bruno's obstinate views and expresses serious concerns about their future together. Rose struggles to fit in with her black friends. When Nick states he doesn't mind his etiquette classmates using a racial epithet in his presence, Brian and Renee take steps to educate Nick about his cultural roots, and why he should take offense to this word.
1"Episode 1.5"R. J. CutlerUnknownApril 5, 2006 (2006-04-05)
Tensions grow as the families struggle to find common ground. Rose develops a crush on a friend from poetry class. Renee develops a new friendship with a Catholic mother that transcends race, and Bruno and Brian reach an impasse over their different interpretations of racism.
1"Episode 1.6"R. J. CutlerUnknownApril 12, 2006 (2006-04-12)
Both families share the profound impact the six-week project has had on their lives and begin to reconcile their differences as the journey comes to an end. Rose prepares for her final performance before a live audience at the Slam Poetry event. Nick spends the day with an ex-gang member Kenny G. Renee and Carmen make amends, and Brian and Bruno agree to disagree, but Brian goes out with a bang by calling Bruno a racist.

International broadcasts

[edit]

In Canada, Black. White. aired on Sun TV, an independent broadcast television station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In Australia, the show was seen on Foxtel & Austar channel Fox8. It was also broadcast in Sweden on a public TV channel. A two-part French version of the show was produced and aired on Canal+ in January 2007, named Dans la peau d'un noir ("In Black Skin").

DVD release

[edit]
DVD Name Release Date # of Ep Additional Information
Complete Series September 12, 2006 6 Audio commentary on every episode with cast and crew, Ice Cube's Black. White. Video, Applications and Original Casting Videos, Bruno's Rap, Black. White. Makeup Application, Study Guides DVD-Rom, Black. White. Makeup Slideshow, Rose's Poetry Slam, Black. White. Before. After.

Awards and nominations

[edit]

The series won an Emmy award for 'Outstanding Makeup for a Series (Non-Prosthetic)' in 2006, and was nominated for an Image Award for 'Outstanding Reality Series'[8] in 2007.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ McFarland, Melanie (6 March 2006). "On TV: 'Black. White.' is uncomfortable, revealing reality TV". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Roush Rave". Actual Reality Pictures. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. ^ Page, Clarence (12 March 2006). "Trading races drama". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  4. ^ Bianco, Robert (3 July 2006). "'Black. White.' Oh, whatever". USA Today. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Race Coarse". The New Republic. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  6. ^ Bellafante, Ginia (8 March 2006). "Reality TV for Those Infatuated With Passing". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  7. ^ Williams, Kam. "Brian Sparks–The "Black White" Interview". African American Literature Book Club. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Awards for "Black. White." (2006)". IMDb. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
[edit]
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