MTV and “White People”
MTV ’s provocative documentary “White People,” a collaboration with Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas, could very well be one of the most controversial projects the net has done. The trailer on YouTube generated nearly 1.8mln views as of Thurs morning, receiving more than 3 times the amount of “thumbs down” versus “thumbs up.” Some critics slammed the show for racism and shamming white people. The documentary follows 5 white millennials with different backgrounds (e.g. white guy in black-majority college, white girl in Indian Reservation) as they experience and discuss the issue of race and white privilege. Vargas, a creator and host of the show, told us that it’s important to show the stories of young people who are already living what will ultimately become real life: a country in which whites are the minority. Vargas, a former Washington Post reporter who was born in the Philippines and raised in the US from the age of 12, revealed in a NY Times Magazine story in 2011 that he’s an undocumented immigrant. The show is part of MTV’s ongoing “Look Different” campaign, launched last year to illuminate biases on the basis of race, gender and sexual orientation. “When we set out to make the documentary, it was a top priority to make all participants feel safe to honestly share their experiences,” Vargas said. “I was amazed by how forthright young people were not only in opening up, but in challenging the pre-conceived notions they’ve carried for the vast majority of their lives.” Despite the often uncomfortable subject, Vargas wants to make people feel comfortable in openly discussing ways to move the race debate forward. “The Millennial generation believes in fairness and equality more so than any past generation in this country’s history. We hope this will open doors to push the dream of a fair and equal society into a reality.” – Joyce Wang
“ Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” season 3 premiere, Saturday, 8pm, Hallmark. The net’s first original is back to reclaim its ratings crown. Season 2 cemented Hallmark in the #1 spot at 8pm, averaging 2.5HH/436K women 25-54. The series’ proven formula of gorgeous seaside scenery, a good-looking cast and a sermon/minute continues. Oh, toss in that Judge Olivia ( Andie MacDowell) must make a ruling—should she stick with current beau/journalist Jack ( Dylan Neal) or shed her judicial robes for the hot, new D.A. (Colin Ferguson)? Such problems. — “Ray Donovan,” Sunday, 9pm, Showtime. On the other end of the spectrum from “Cedar Cove” is this gritty series about a fixer and his complicated life. Katie Holmes joins as the scion of a wealthy family. She yearns to be as tough as Ray ( Liev Schreiber). The real tough, though, is Ray’s dad (the wonderful Jon Voight), whose masterful performance is reason enough to watch. — “Impastor,” Wednesday, 10:30pm, TV Land. The reverend ( Michael Rosenbaum) is an irreverent con man, but his congregants are easily duped and, unfortunately, are stereotypes. Otherwise “Impastor,” whose storyline nearly makes it a dark comedy, is effective. Rosenbaum has his moments. — “Stealing History,” Sunday, noon ET, Ovation. An outstanding investigative doc about smuggled antiquities, wealthy collectors, scholars and goat herders. It’s an amazing story well told. – Seth Arenstein
