Writes Tim Arango in the New York Times:

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, a psychiatrist at the Jude Baker Children’s Center in Boston and a professor at Harvard Medical School who was a script consultant on The Cosby Show, said in an interview that "there were a lot of young people who were watching that show who are now of voting age." Dr. Poussaint added: "When The Cosby Show first came on, it was a professional, middle-class family. And they said, 'That’s not a black family.' We heard it from blacks and whites. I think that’s why Karl Rove calls it postracial, because it was universal."

Bill Cosby himself spoke with the LA Times and says, "For all those people who said they didn't know any black people like the Huxtables — all I can say is, 'Will you watch the show now?'"

But doesn't this thinking ignore the fact that there are actual successful black families living in America? They're not all make-believe. In fact, it's pretty insulting not to take them into account. On the other hand, if TV shows do tap into the zeitgeist of this country, what does it say that there are zero black families featured prominently on CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox right now? According to the LA Times, only one series — the CW's Everybody Hates Chris — revolves around a two-parent black family. Maybe having the Obamas in the White House will encourage some diversity on television?

Before Obama, There Was Bill Cosby [NY Times]
Talking Obamas, Huxtables with Bill Cosby [LA Times]
How The Huxtables Paved The Way For The Obamas [Politico]

Earlier: How Come All The Pop Culture Moms Are White These Days?

Now we have 90210. And, new on the CW: Privileged. As Robert Bianco writes for USA Today: "What an odd America CW inhabits. As far as CW is concerned these days, we all live in a land where most everyone is white, wealthy and incredibly, well, privileged." But one of the most popular shows on the CW has a diverse mix of racial and socio-economic backgrounds, with men, women, blacks, whites, Latins, gays, straights and "fiercees" all working together: America's Next Top Model.

It's not strange that Tyra's show appeals to women of all demographics — my mom loves it, and it definitely has a strong teen following — because it's campy fun while still showcasing real human personalities faced with real challenges. Not the ridiculous photo shoots: The tasks that teach the contestants things like honesty, confidence and self-awareness. Of course, the makeup and pretty clothes can't be denied.

But makeup and pretty clothes aren't enough, which is why Privileged seems to fall flat. (USA Today's Bianco calls it "a second-rate imitation" of Gossip Girl, with "clunky jokes, overwrought performances and a tone that implies we're actually supposed to care.") As for 90210, Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker calls it the "Sarah Palin" of TV Shows: "Its main purpose is to remind you of a trusty old product while adding some new vigor and soap opera to the cultural discourse." (Meanwhile, Gossip Girl is earning pretty good ratings so far this season.)

But the real question is: Why can't the CW network take some of the multi-culti, LBGT-friendly vibes Tyra brings to America's Next Top Model and sprinkle them in the rest of the whitewashed (except for Everybody Hates Chris) prime time programming? CW network president Dawn Ostroff tells AdAge that she is looking for a new head of reality. And she says: "Our primary goal each season is to develop shows that fit with the CW's brand identity, connect with our core female viewers and help create audience flow across the week. And 90210 accomplished each those perfectly." Hear that? Adopted black kids (who happen to be jocks!) are "perfect."

'Privileged': The Kids Are All White, And Kind Of Shallow, Too [USA Today]
Family Drama, the CW Way [AdAge]
CW Dazzles in Prime With Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill [MediaWeek]
90210 Review [EW]