When CBS released its 2017-18 fall TV slate and it didn't feature a single series starring a woman in a leading role, the network got put on the hot seat for being behind the times in representing the diverse world we live in. When CBS President Kelly Kahl and Programming President Thom Sherman took the stage at the 2017 summer TV Critics' Association press tour for their executive session, that topic was at the forefront of the conversation.
Since Kahl and Sherman are both new to their positions at CBS, they both inherited a slate that they didn't have complete ownership of. Both CBS execs pushed forward the narrative that change is coming to the most-watched broadcast network, even if it hasn't happened yet.
"We can debate, have a discussion about the pace of the change, but there is change happening on CBS," said Kahl. "We have two shows with diverse leads on the show that we didn't have on the schedule last year, we have a midseason show where the lead character is gay.
"Over the last couple of years, if you look at the number of diverse series regulars, it's up almost 60 percent. The writers we have from diverse backgrounds is up over the last few years, as is directors. We are absolutely moving in the right direction," he said. "We are making progress."
Sherman credits his track record programming shows like Lost and Grey's Anatomy at ABC and The Flash, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin at The CW with the type of diverse slates he's created in the past. The problem with CBS, he says, is that it's a network with many long-running successful shows and "not as much shelf space at times to put new programming on. But we have every intention to have a diverse and inclusive slate."
"Every single drama on our air has at least one diverse character," added Kahl. "We're moving in the right direction. Thom has a great track record with diverse shows."
But the lack of diversity on the screen isn't the only problem CBS is being taken to task on; there's also the problem that these casting decisions are being made by departments on both coasts that don't feature any people of color. "They've been together for a long time," Sherman said, defending the casting teams. "That's the department that it's been. We are cognizant of the issue. We hear you, and we will be looking to expand the casting department."
As for CBS not featuring any TV shows with a female lead, Sherman defended the fall slate by saying none of the female-led pilots were good enough to pick up to series. "CBS did develop female-lead shows last year. We had six pilots with female leads, and the way things turned out, those pilots were not felt to be as good as some of the other pilots and series that were picked up," he said. "That had nothing to do with the female leads. They were fantastic. That is the cycle of business, and that's how it happens sometimes."
As the new leaders behind the scenes, Sherman and Kahl use shows like the upcoming Shemar Moore-starring S.W.A.T. as proof of the change they're trying to affect. They also are looking to expand beyond the procedurals -- and specifically police procedurals -- that CBS is known for.
"We just want to broaden the palatte and do different types of programming. CBS is well-known for procedurals. I think we can look for character-driven procedurals, we're looking for some serialization and we're just looking for big ideas and passion projects from writers, stories they want to tell," said Sherman. "To limit ourselves to what people might think of the CBS brand, we'd like to expand that."
Terri Schwartz is Editorial Producer at IGN. Talk to her on Twitter at @Terri_Schwartz.
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