CBS Prez Says The Network Doesn't Deserve to be Out of the Doghouse Yet

CBS president Nina Tassler

"I don’t expect to be out of the doghouse yet." 

That was the response CBS president Nina Tassler gave AfterElton when asked about her network's slightly improved inclusion of GLBT characters this season. The network's track record last year resulted in an "F" from GLAAD which prompted to Tassler to say at the time "We're not happy with ourselves."

At last summer's Television Critics Association Press Tour, Tassler pointed to The Good Wife, *@!$ My Dad Says and Rules of Engagement as shows that would be adding GLBT characters. The Good Wife has had Alicia's gay brother Owen appear twice, while Tim Bagley has appeared in five episodes of SMDS, and Sara Rue has played a lesbian character in two episodes of Rules of Engagement.

As Tassler says, it isn't nearly enough to get them out of the doghouse.

When it's pointed out to Tassler that she's been telling AfterElton about her network's commitment to GLBT diversity ever since we first interviewed her back in 2008, and has given almost the same answer every time she's asked about the subject, yet somehow nothing ever changes under her watch, Tassler  said, "I don’t expect to be out of the doghouse yet until we continue to add more gay characters. And the point is, we encourage people to do that. When and how they are incorporated in scripts, there’s no point where we get a piece of material and say, 'Oh, my God, there’s a gay character – change it.' Quite frankly, the message we send out is: please bring us a diverse cast, not only in terms of sexual orientation, but ethnic diversity as well. That’s the message we sent out, and I’m very outspoken about it."

If that is the case, why aren't creators bringing CBS shows with diversity? Tassler doesn't know, but says "You want to say [that] to the creative community, 'Look at your casts, look at your ensembles.' Because they’re going to have a welcome environment when they bring it to the network."

Tassler also says the network has made institutional changes to promote the diversity she says the network wants. "Every year, we do diversity showcases, because we try to cultivate and reach out into the talent pool, to try to reach actors of different ethnic backgrounds. This year, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender was added to the diversity showcase, so we can launch a full-court press, so can get more talent, make more network executives aware, bring more new talent to the stage, so casting directors and producers and managers can see them. We’re trying on both the top and the bottom level. I have a very strong personal commitment to this, to find that place where we are making more of a noticeable difference. I won’t be happy until then."