Harmony Refers to Phyllis as "Miss Phyllis" on Thursday's The Young and the Restless
The New Year always brings with it a crop of fresh resolutions. "I'm going to lose weight." "I'm going to put back for a rainy day." "I'm going to spend more time on charitable causes." "I'm going to stop getting stark, raving mad about soap operas."
Not even a full week into 2012, and I've already broken one resolution by getting so angry at a television show I literally felt my blood boil. The maddening soap in question was CBS Daytime's The Young and the Restless, which on Thursday's air show had Harmony, a black female character played by soap legend Debbi Morgan, refer to her white female boss as "Miss Phyllis."
During the head-scratching scene, Ricky Williams asked Harmony about a job at Restless Style, the magazine the recovering drug addict was recently hired to work for. Harmony replied that the person Ricky needed to talk to was "Miss Phyllis, Phyllis Newman." I was so stunned I had to rewind it twice. I was fairly certain I hadn't set my DVR to tape a Hattie McDaniel movie from the 40's, nor an oft-recycled, racially-charged period piece like The Help or The Secret Life of The Bees. No, I was in fact watching a daytime soap opera set in 2012.
To say I became incensed on Twitter is quite the understatement, and to be quite honest, I regret that, because really, what's the point? For years we've been pointing out the passive-aggressive racism this show has exacted on its audience and stars, only to receive eyerolls from those who don't get it, or a myriad of excuses cloaking the sins of The Powers That Be.
I was too young (and there was no Twitter) to get fired up when the late Bill Bell named the Abbott's black maid Mamie; had a brother going around in white face and/or introduced Nathan Hastings as an illiterate thug called "Kong." Even at 13-years-old watching the soap in 1990, I questioned Drucilla not being able to read, when her sister grew up in the same African-American, middle class home—and managed to become a sorority sister and doctor— yet I was too caught up in Victoria Rowell's electrifying performance to focus on the negative aspects of the character.
To Bell's credit, he ended up telling popular, separate-but-equal stories for his black characters in the 90's. The writers who followed him continued that trend right up through the much lamented Lynn Marie Latham stint. Sure, the infamous LML may have destroyed the Abbotts and stripped Y&R of its glamour, but Dru and Neil (Kristoff St. John) at least had front burner stories that were equally as bad as Genoa City's white citizens during her tenure. From the moment Bill Belll's daughter-in-law Maria Arena Bell took over, however, all of that changed.
Even as we were praising MAB for restoring the Abbotts and Newmans, she did nothing for the Winters clan. After months of pressure, she finally scripted a half-baked story where Devon's (Bryton James) aunt Tyra (Eva Marcille) showed up in town with his gospel singng kid sister in tow. When a love story between Tyra and Neil failed to click with audiences, MAB revealed Tyra wasn't in fact Devon's relative and had the pair promptly screw before the character was ushered out of town.
Since that time, the black characters have been relegated to a hot plate behind the back burner, with only a botched triangle between Neil, a woefully recast Malcolm (Darius McCrary) and the monotone Sophia (Julia Pace Mitchell) to pass for diversity. Sure, it can be said that other characters like Michael Baldwin (Christian Le Blanc), Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) and Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) have been shown equal disdain by the current regime, but I don't recall any of those stars admitting they were punished for speaking out with a lack of airtime, like St. John revealed he was on Jamie Foxx's radio show.
If you ask anyone in the industry, you'll hear what a swell gal Maria Arena Bell is. "She isn't a racist," people insist. Maybe not, but she is a sadly out-of-touch, Beverly Hills socialite passing for writer. A true writer is curious about the human condition. Agnes Nixon didn't have to be black woman to write amazing tales for characters of color on Guiding Light, One Life to Live and later All My Children, where she created the iconic characters of Jesse and Angie, in creative conjunction with new Y&R hires Darnell Williams and Morgan. Nixon masterfully interwove tales featuring ALL the people on her canvases, despite their respective races. I keep hearing what a big fan of All My Children MAB was in the 80's. Did she fast-forward all of that?
Nixon has said on numerous occasions in the press she wanted to combat the racial injustices she saw in society via her writing, which is why I will defend her legacy of diversity to the time I stop writing for this blog. Maria Arena Bell on the other hand, doesn't write from a place of curiousity about those who are different from her. She writes as an afterthought to her latest big casting get.
This woman appears to love having the power of being Y&R's Executive Producer/Head Writer/Chief Craft Services Menu Decider, but she doesn't appear to want to be bothered with actually having to have passion for the job, or for storytelling. Her pisspoor treatment of black characters on this show is but one example of that.
Sure, it might not have been MAB who wrote that line for Morgan's character. She's a head writer, not a script writer, and as some have pointed out, it could have been ad-libbed by the actor. However, it was MAB who decided to bring on a daytime legend to play an ebonics-spouting crackwhore. It also was MAB who reportedly insisted on having autonomy in her contract. So in my opinion, the buck stops with her. Does she not watch the footage before it airs? Is she too busy at MOCA?
I must also ask why Morgan agreed to utter such a line? This isn't taking away any of the tremendous respect I have for this phenomenal actress, but again, unless she was starring in a period piece about "colored" maids in the 1960's, there is no way in high hell she should have agreed to refer to a white woman with a "Miss" in front of her first name in The Year of Our Lord 2012. It just ain't fittin'. Watch the offensive exhange below at the 10:00 mark.
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Comments
30 March 2009
45 min 10 sec
oh and don't forget Jamey...molested by our kin folk... *blank stare*
22 January 2008
1 hour 12 min
@Llanview76 I enjoy the Evans family. Sure they have their ghetto moments, but the father and mother are both gainfully employed and sober. He works at the prison (though he should be fired after yesterday's mass, coed prison break), and she's a social worker. There kids have been included in major, interracial plotlines and even though some of their dramatic scenes feel a bit "Raisin in The Sun," no one is on crack or illiterate. They have secrets, lies and scandals just like their Caucasian counterparts, and currently, their granddaughter is pregnant by a Buchanan. That would never happen on The Young and the Rest of Us.
18 August 2009
41 min 11 sec
I love Jamey...and I totally see where he is coming from. If the show was balanced, I don't think this would be such a big issue. But because the show is clearly biased to white characters, then this is what TPTB have to deal with, and it IS justified.
However, I don't think every black character on Y&R is stereotypical. I mean, we got Neil, a business executive who speaks as eloquently as anyone else on the show. We have Sophia (who occasionally does her neck-rolling) but also is a businesswoman. And she doesn't really speak like an ignorant cliche black girl. We have Devon, who though he was raised as a foster kid, is now a music producer. We have Roxanne. They barely show her, but I don't get hoodrat from her either. Olivia, who is a doctor...Nate (if they ever freakin bring him on) is a doctor, etc...
Really, the only 2 black characters that really were cliches are Drucilla and Harmony. And it's never been stated that Harmony can't read. I don't think the problem with her character is her dialogue. I think she adds a lot to the character and I actually enjoy seeing Harmony. I think the problem is that they don't invest in Harmony enough for us to even UNDERSTAND her backstory. I'm pretty dang sure she can read, since she's working for a magazine.
I don't know. I don't want anyone to think I'm defending the show, because I'm NOT. The way they treat the black cast is obnoxious and ridiculous and it needs to change.
1 April 2009
5 weeks 5 days
I admit, I didn't even catch it yesterday, when Debi said it. But I'm going with the side that seems to think DM ad libbed this. I HATE the way she's playing "YO-Harmony"..... it's just not working for me.
But I'll tell you what WAS offensive yesterday, was the guy that plays Ricky calls himself an actor? THAT is problematic.
We could be OLTL fans ya know. In 2 weeks, they'd love to be discussing a scene like this on their TV's.
20 December 2009
3 hours 37 min
i agree with the people who think you are overreacting too. It's a term of RESPECT between boss and employee, who are not always on a first name basis, but not as formal as "Miss Newman". I get "Missed" all day long and I'm a Mrs!
Relax. Not everything is about race...
26 September 2010
1 hour 47 min
Jamey I never said that there weren't many whites who talked like rednecks and used improper English. Believe me, I fully recognize that! I was refering to the question at hand, which is Harmony. Like I said I was trying to place the character in the context of reality in today's world. Please don't try to turn my comment around in a way to paint me as in any way racist or superior. You couldn't be further from the truth.
15 May 2008
1 hour 2 min
Scooter, I guess what Jamey's trying to say is you would think it was a "flub" since you are the same one that think the minorities are show all the time, when they actually aren't.
9 July 2009
1 year 7 weeks
CH-CHING! Jillian just cashed in! Well played Jillian!
4 November 2011
1 year 10 weeks
AND the Evans family has something that's a rarity on daytime these days: a NON-interracial couple (Sean and Vivian). I think tptb go too often to interracial relationships because they don't think viewers will be interested in a couple without a white person in it. Latinos included. Hell, I'm surprised they've kept Vimal and Rama together from beginning to end (although they're little more than supporting players).
22 January 2008
1 hour 12 min
It's a term of RESPECT between boss and employee,
***
I'm just so sure Vogue employees call their boss "Miss Anna" as opposed to Ms. Wintour. I know everything isn't about race, but a new black character played by a soap legend having to call a white woman "Miss" anything in the workplace is about race. Sorry, but it is. Had she called her Ms. Newman, that would have been appropriate. "Miss Phyllis" and she's reciting Mammy's lines in Gone With The Wind.
22 January 2008
1 hour 12 min
Also, if it is simply a term of "RESPECT" (all caps for emphasis), why don't I recall Neil ever being called "Mister Neil" during his various CEO spots in and around Genoa City?
18 August 2011
1 year 19 weeks
Totally think you are overreacting. Where I work, BOTH black and white refer to our boss as Ms and Mr (insert first name).... I've heard this to back and white bosses and I feel this is more of a regional thing, and being that you are familiar with Texas, I am surprised you are reacting this way.
As far as the casting of Debbie Morgan in the role, while I am not enjoying it, I am sort of seeing her point of view. She has been on many a show (mostly playing Angie Hubbard) and this character could not be more different. So, it just could be that she wanted a change, a challenge if you will. Again, not enjoying the character, but it's interesting to see a character that did not have such a wholesome background come out on the other side of it and rebuild her life. That's what I see with her so far.
4 May 2009
1 hour 24 min
I am white. I have an ex who is white who now lives in Georgia. A few years ago, I was visiting for his birthday. We were at dinner with his friends and his mother. One of his friends addressed his mother with "Miss" in front of her first name. I found out later that type of thing is common in the south in speaking to older people as a form of respect. I think that's cool and acceptable.
If intended here as Jamey wrote shame on all of them.
I used to work in an office and there was a bitch who was very difficult and very demanding. I remember once or twice in talking to other people addressing her with Miss because she pissed me off and we were talking shit.
The intention and origin here we may never find out. I hope we can though.
And Jamey I agree 110% about everything you wrote about Agnes Nixon.
22 January 2008
1 hour 12 min
I found out later that type of thing is common in the south in speaking to older people as a form of respect. I think that's cool and acceptable.
***
That is common in the South. I would call an elderly white OR black lady who was a friend "Ms. So and So." However, I wouldn't call my boss, who is younger than me, "Miss _____." I would call them either by their first name or Mr., Ms. or Mrs. followed by their surname. It is racist for an adult black woman to call a white woman in the same age range "Miss," and everyone here doggone well knows it.
27 July 2011
4 weeks 2 days
Thank you for this wonderful post. It's a crying shame when a genre that paved the way for positive portrayals of women and people of color has disintegrated to this level.
Soaps used to be trailblazers. In the 80's, where else on TV could you find a couple like Jessie and Angie? Where else could you find female police commissioners and surgeons and lawyers? Not too many places.
Unfortunately, soaps paved the way then they decided to get off the damn road and go backwards--way backwards in the hills where bath time is once per week and women birth their men's babies and not much else. Now we have the most successful African-American actress (arguably) in the history of this genre, speaking Mamie dialogue. What the f**k?
I applaud you for this post and more people need to take notice of these kinds of portrayals as they are reasons viewers tune out and never tune back in.
It makes me wonder who the writers think they are writing for? They clearly do not know that a soap fan can be a thinking and breathing and passionate member of society.
Once again, BRAVO!
30 April 2009
1 hour 10 sec
I didn't watch this...thankfully. I would be surprised if it was written in the script this way...and I think this is the straw that broke the camels back.
I don't think that Jamey is overreacting.. Why?
For all those that say that it is a term of respect in real life, I agree. But we are talking about Y&R here. When and how often do people regard others with that term of respect? Did Phyllis call Victor Mr. Victor when she was employed? Did Nicki call Kay Miss Kay when she worked for her? Has anyone ever heard Mr. Nick? Miss Victoria? In the context of the show that is Y&R, has this ever happened before? Hell..the kids even call adults by their first names.
So in a world (Y&R) where this isn't said as a form of respect at all, and in a world where the minority characters are treated like crap....what other reaction could someone have? That's about as blatant as you can get.
2 February 2009
5 weeks 6 days
Jamey, I am Caucasian and Asian, put I pass as white, and I have always been treated differently than my brother and sister who identify as and look Asian. I also did African American studies in school, and I am fully aware of the privilege that my appearance brings, especially in relation to my siblings.
That being said, I have been HORRIFIED by what DM has been doing on Y&R. From the hair (do-rags) to the "errrrrrrrrybody", and finally to the "Miss Phyllis", I am thoroughly EMBARRASSED for this pinnacle of daytime. To think that DM herself would ad lib such a racist line is insulting, and I refuse to believe she did that on her own accord.
Perhaps if this was the only evidence of racism on this show, we could overlook it as a strange, awful mistake. But all you need to do is look at the pattern of treatment that AA actors have received on this show:
AA actors slammed/punished for speaking out.
AA actors not given nearly the amount of airtime or quality stories as their white counterparts.
AA actors given storylines around their socioeconomic positions (poverty, illiteracy, drug use) as opposed to being seamlessly integrated into the "A" stories with the other actors.
This is just a few of the things I have picked up on since starting to watch the show not too long ago during the Jabot face cream debacle, so I am sure this doesn't even begin to cover all of the inequities.
There is clearly a pattern here, so I do not buy for one second that this latest injustice happens to be a fluke, and I am very glad that Jamey brought it up. It is truly sickening.
5 July 2008
1 hour 5 min
That was defintley Racist and as for DM not saying something racist. She is not a writer but actor. Actors say dialouge all the time they dont like. That was the case here. But Im more upset that MAB, Sheffer, Hamner wouldlet that line stay in the script
3 April 2009
4 days 7 hours
Maybe in Madison, but I am partial because I lived there and am going back...however, my web soap, in creation, is about the Bohemian class...I just know I am going to be criticized for how glamorous I make them though I have no intent..Stefan, I still have a part for you if you ever want it...
Erik
31 March 2008
1 day 14 hours
Most sad of all, is that the viewer demographics of this show is predominantly Black. I haven't had a Nielsen demo book in a few years, but I doubt much has changed. Now I ask this question: Why are we still watching if the show is perceived as so racist? What perverse pleasure do we derive from such a program? Are we okay with it? Are we so ignorant that we can't see the subliminal messages being thrown our way? Do we just watch and don't give a damn?
I wonder...
12 February 2010
2 days 20 hours
Jamey,
I followed you--and Jillian's---every words on Twitter last night when the BLEEP hit the fan. I decided to do something that I rarely do, which is give Maria Bell the benefit of the doubt and play devil's advocate, rationalizing that perhaps Debbi had ad-libbed the lines.How foolish and short-sighted of me to even contemplate doing something like that!!! Besides, would an African American woman of Debbi's age who was alive back in the 60s during the Civil Right's movement, really demean herself that way, or a character she was playing?
I don't think so.
This is just another reminder that Maria Bell does NOT care about African American characters. AT. ALL.
It's times like this that I am thankful more so than ever that my Victoria Rowell is not on this show. Cause you know she would have read Maria's cartoon ass the business over this sort of foolishness.
Debbi Morgan is the consumate professional, though. She plays her characters 150%......and she doesn't deserve ONE ounce of blame for this. All of the blame lies SOLELY on Hackarena "Turn Blacks into walking stereotypes" Bell! She did the same thing with Malcolm, having him talking like he belonged in some low budget rap video half the time. Does Maria know any REAL African Americans who make less than 6 figures a year?
Cause if she did, she'd know that most of us "poor coloreds" don't speak like that in real life.
7 April 2011
4 hours 24 min
Why is it every time someone states an injustice, specifically, racism, they are told they are "overreacting" or "oversensitive"?
Jamey - Go ahead and thank you for calling out Y&R.
'Miss Phyllis?' Debbie Morgan went from playing a dignified, brilliant doctor as Angie Hubbard on AMC to this? Gimme a break. That's offensive. I am not opposed to a character (of any race) being from humble beginnings but there is no need for self-deprecating, degrading portrayals, especially when the character is Black because there are so few representations of Blacks on television,
14 June 2009
51 min 4 sec
Jamie Aunt Mamie said for you to appologize to them there Newman's befo' she take a switch to you. "Dem Newman's ain't been nothin' but good to us folk and you should be a showin' dem de respec' dat dey deserved. Dem and Mr Abbott been good to us! So you be callin' dem Mr and Miss and sho' yoself da respec' cause I taught ya bedder dan dat! Why Neil Winters went all da way up to the top at Newman. And Mister woulda married me too if'n it weren't for dat witch Ms Jill. And de taught my chil' to read and let my t'other ta be a doctor in their own hospital. Don' be a tellin' me bout no racist nothin'."
Still haven't watched since the day after Diane died and everyone woke up with a guilty look on their face......That ended Y&R for me until Maria and company have been removed.
7 April 2011
4 hours 24 min
@ marknspromo - Excellent post! You said it all.
22 January 2008
1 hour 12 min
Jamie Aunt Mamie said for you to appologize to them there Newman's befo' she take a switch to you. "Dem Newman's ain't been nothin' but good to us folk and you should be a showin' dem de respec' dat dey deserved. Dem and Mr Abbott been good to us! So you be callin' dem Mr and Miss and sho' yoself da respec' cause I taught ya bedder dan dat! Why Neil Winters went all da way up to the top at Newman. And Mister woulda married me too if'n it weren't for dat witch Ms Jill. And de taught my chil' to read and let my t'other ta be a doctor in their own hospital. Don' be a tellin' me bout no racist nothin'."
***
I cannot breathe. You just summed up Mamie's entire throughline.
30 March 2009
6 days 55 min
This isn't the first time Y&R has done this. Ana (the singing BRAT) used to call Saint Lily "Miss Lily" all the time. As is she somehow DESERVED the distinction.
HA!
How come Mamie never called Smilin' Jack "Mister Jack" or Ashley "Miss Ashley?" Because Bill Bell knew better, that's why.
Not only is MAB a stupid bitch but she a racist bitch, too. She can say, "oh but it's a show of RESPECT!" Till the cows come home. Viewers with half a brain know better.
Don't they have a black writer on the writing team now? How come she isn't raising her hand saying, "uh....wait a minute!?"
6 December 2009
2 weeks 2 days
@ marknspromo LMAO...HERE HERE..good job. I saw Jamey your tweet last night when you tweeted and saw it light up with responses, you must've been watching the episode and tweeting and busted because I knew if just wasn't right. I thought when I got up to see it on DC. MAB is closeted racist and doesn't even know it reflecting in her story lines on how they come across on our TV screens and because she doesn't consider herself a racist is what is scary. You would think someone regardless written or ad-lib the editing department should have cut it, or if the director should done another take of the scene. If it was Chris G. another white man that just doesn't get it either, thinking it was OK. It's the fault of MAB on down the line, to CBS, which is again made up of white fat middle age Viagra eating men.
5 February 2009
2 days 11 hours
When I watched yesterday's Y&R, I wondered why DM would say "Miss Phyllis." I found it rather odd and borderline racist. Hell, Harmony may be a low-educated former crack addict, but does she have to resort to dustin the knick knacks of the Abbotts, Newmans, and Chancellors now?
I believe MAB's only knowledge of the African American culture is Tyler Perry movies because she writes no depth for any of the Winters. Luckily, KSJ, DW, and DM are stellar actors because we would have a mess on our hands otherwise. One big Minstrel show on our damn hands. I can see the shot now:
(Harmony, Neil, DW's character, and Sofia are plowing in the fields)
Neil: How this happen? I use to be an executive, now I'm out here pickin cotton with you all.
DW: Those are the breaks, ol boy.
Harmony: We betta stop runnin our mouths and get back to work. Masta say he don't wanna hear us out here
Sofia: Ugh! I needs rest and somethin to eat. I'm HONGRY!
Harmony: Hush now, Sofia. Now ain't the time to be worried bout no suppa! We got awhile out here in the fields.
DW: Sho hope we get some pigfeets tonite.
Sofia: Don't get me started, child! I could eat the whole hog!
(Harmony, DW, and Sofia chuckle)
Neil: Pigfeet?!? Ewww...no thanks. I'll pass.
Harmony: What is it? Mr. Stanford too good for my soul food?
Neil: I think I'll get some takeout from GloWorm.
DW: Not gonna happen.
Neil: What do you mean?
DW: They don't 'low our kind at the GloWorm or any of this fancy places in town, not since Masta took over. He own everything in Genoa City now.
Neil: If you're referring to Victor Newman--
Harmony: Naw, fool! Devon is the masta!
Neil: What? That's impossible.
Devon: (riding up on a horse) Oh, but it's true. I took over Tucker's holdings, decided I'm embracing my rightful heritage, and buying a plantation for you nigras to pick cotton. And ain't that MR. DEVON, YoHarmony?!?
21 February 2011
1 year 23 weeks
I've always called my bosses whether they are black, white, purple or green, Mr. or Miss so and so. Jamey would it have been an issue if it were reversed? My children always address adults by Mr. Bob or Miss Jen and I do the same... it was the way I was raised. So, it may have something to do with the character and no the color of the characters skin. I for one don't buy for one minute that DM would deliver that line if she felt it was racist.
5 February 2009
2 days 11 hours
When I watched yesterday's Y&R, I wondered why DM would say "Miss Phyllis." I found it rather odd and borderline racist. Hell, Harmony may be a low-educated former crack addict, but does she have to resort to dustin the knick knacks of the Abbotts, Newmans, and Chancellors now?
I believe MAB's only knowledge of the African American culture is Tyler Perry movies because she writes no depth for any of the Winters. Luckily, KSJ, DW, and DM are stellar actors because we would have a mess on our hands otherwise. One big Minstrel show on our damn hands. I can see the shot now:
(Harmony, Neil, DW's character, and Sofia are plowing in the fields)
Neil: How this happen? I use to be an executive, now I'm out here pickin cotton with you all.
DW: Those are the breaks, ol boy.
Harmony: We betta stop runnin our mouths and get back to work. Masta say he don't wanna hear us out here
Sofia: Ugh! I needs rest and somethin to eat. I'm HONGRY!
Harmony: Hush now, Sofia. Now ain't the time to be worried bout no suppa! We got awhile out here in the fields.
DW: Sho hope we get some pigfeets tonite.
Sofia: Don't get me started, child! I could eat the whole hog!
(Harmony, DW, and Sofia chuckle)
Neil: Pigfeet?!? Ewww...no thanks. I'll pass.
Harmony: What is it? Mr. Stanford too good for my soul food?
Neil: I think I'll get some takeout from GloWorm.
DW: Not gonna happen.
Neil: What do you mean?
DW: They don't 'low our kind at the GloWorm or any of this fancy places in town, not since Masta took over. He own everything in Genoa City now.
Neil: If you're referring to Victor Newman--
Harmony: Naw, fool! Devon is the masta!
Neil: What? That's impossible.
Devon: (riding up on a horse) Oh, but it's true. I took over Tucker's holdings, decided I'm embracing my rightful heritage, and buying a plantation for you nigras to pick cotton. And ain't that MR. DEVON, YoHarmony?!?