MovieChat Forums > The Playboy Club (2011) Discussion > Why did they add a black girl?

Why did they add a black girl?

posted 13 years ago by PurpleLemonadeDinosaur
43 replies | jump to latest

I mean, it's kind of obvious they're doing it to make it seem like times in the 60's were all hunky-dory and not racist. But in actuality, the first black Bunny appeared in 1968 I think or maybe early 70's. It would be more tolerable if they had a few more black bunnies, but the sole black girl makes it too obvious they're using her as a token simply because of the time period. And none of the white girls seem to have a problem with her or bring up race.

Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and The Beatles all kissed Bob Dylan's ass.

[–] BlackJAC 13 years ago

Who was both a chocolate Bunny and the first black Playmate: http://www.playboy.com/girl/jennifer-jackson

How dare they do their research, huh?

[–] Yorick_Brown 13 years ago

Obvious they are trying to make it seems like the '60s weren't racist?

The characters herself even says that outside the club the words she hears from folks are anything but 'chocolate bunny'!

If anything, her casting is to show how racist it was back then. She's anything but a token.

This time is ours
Inside a frozen memory of us
And we are motionless, motionless...

[–] PurpleLemonadeDinosaur 13 years ago

Obviously people were racist back then, but I'm talking about the main characters. People don't want watchers to assume characters from the 60's are prejudice.

Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and The Beatles all kissed Bob Dylan's ass.

[–] Yorick_Brown 13 years ago

The other bunnies are all in the same boat with her while there probably are some prejudiced ones too anyway. You don't have to be hostile to be considered a racist.

This time is ours
Inside a frozen memory of us
And we are motionless, motionless...

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[–] PurpleLemonadeDinosaur 13 years ago

Well, I always knew Hef wasn't a racist.

Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and The Beatles all kissed Bob Dylan's ass.

[–] iTunesss 13 years ago

It's because generally people complain a cast isn't diverse enough, and while trying to portray a semi accurate time setting, they needed to avoid the complaining.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either way people would complain.

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[–] GonzoNinja 13 years ago

I think it's funny that they cast the same black bunny from Mad Men. Very odd type casting.

[–] Labraze 13 years ago

"I think it's funny that they cast the same black bunny from Mad Men. Very odd type casting. "

Well, it's possible the actress saw that they were casting for the show, and decided to audition. She probably won them over, and thats how she got the job. In other words, Its not a guarantee that she's on the show just because of her "Mad Men" appearances.

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[–] BlackJAC 13 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1797475/board/thread/188675369?d=188676373 &p=1#188676373 should explain the 100% historically accurate reason why.

[–] Labraze 13 years ago

Why NOT have a black girl? Black people were around, plus there was a Black Bunny in the mid 60s, because one was working with the actreses behind the scenes. Naturi Naughton is talented, so I think she can add something to the show. Hopefully she'll even receive a SL like the other girls. Race is a reality, so its nothing to be so feaful of....I'm glad the show added a black character. I'm even glad there's a Latino actor in the lead role.

[–] gossipgirlrockstar 13 years ago

This is 1960s Chicago not Atlanta. So while there was racism it wasn't as aggressive or so normal. I mean there probably wasn't segregation or anything. I think it makes sense that there is only one black bunny because I doubt, even if they weren't incredibly racist, they felt the need in Playboy to have a bit of diversity themselves. I mean it's not that different from 2011.

I faked rocked your world

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[–] gossipgirlrockstar 13 years ago

What's wrong with the actress? Who would you have preferred?

I faked rocked your world

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[–] HalleLoo 13 years ago

You think Naturi Naughton is "stocky?" Um, Ok....

Om.....

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[–] HalleLoo 13 years ago

I wish people complaining about Naturi Naughton would simply come off it and admit the real problem is not her height or figure. It's that they don't want to watch a black character on the show. I've "read" this same racial igmorance on the boards for the new Charlie's Angels, Game of Thrones, Borgias, etc, etc. Get over yourselves!

Om.....

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[–] JadaDreams 13 years ago

Naturi Naughton is 27, younger than several other women cast as bunnies. The thing that bothers me most is her bad wigs, otherwise, I don't mind her so much. She's fine, everyone's just fine on this show.

David Krumholtz, Laura Benanti, and Leah Renee Cudmore are the only people doing anything special. I'm sure if Jenifer Lewis had more to do, she'd be great, too.

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[–] JadaDreams 13 years ago

Yes, 27 instead of "north of 30." Will do.

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[–] HalleLoo 13 years ago

Naturi Naughton is "stocky"? Oh, OK.... As for how good-looking she is, that is in the eye of the beholder because plenty of men I know think Ms. Naughton is quite attractive and think she's curvaceous, not stocky!

Om.....

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[–] gossipgirlrockstar 13 years ago

I did notice the difference. I was like she's got curves and is short and bubbly. But I wonder, as others have assumed, if she was cast because of her role on Mad Men.

I've discussed with someone else how I imagined Tessa Thompson in the role. Especially after watching her in a short web series called Blue Belle which certain scenes of The Playboy Club have reminded me of. I don't know if she's tall or anything but she's my choice.

I faked rocked your world

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[–] gossipgirlrockstar 13 years ago

If this show lasted it'd be cool to see her on it. We can get another black girl instead of the token one.

I faked rocked your world

[–] jazzontherocks 13 years ago

gossipgirlrockstar- Was that someone else me? LOL I can see Tessa Thompson in a bunny outfit. She would make that character likable and relatable with her sincere smile and playful personality. She probably will get along well with everybody, especially Bunny Janie. If she's not a bunny, I can see her as the new costume designer so she'd be in touch with Carol-Lynne a lot.

Adoring Haley Reinhart.
http://jazzontherocks.tumblr.com

[–] gossipgirlrockstar 13 years ago

Lol. Yes that someone was you. hehe. I hope she would be a bunny on this show if it were to last.

I faked rocked your world

[–] Suriname86 13 years ago

I actually agree with you. Naturi is cute, but there are lots of smokin hot black girls out there they could've casted; it's almost like they purposely casted an actress who wouldn't "outshine" the white playmates.

[–] PTUTSON 13 years ago

Hef was very much ahead of his time and anything involving him was always integrated, from the Club, to the magazine, to the TV show he had back then when he insisted on having Black musical performers.

Also Naturi is not the only Black bunny in the show. I saw at least two others on episode 2, one in a background scence and the other standing in line in an orange costume when they were training.
Yeah Naturi sticks out like a sore thumb when she is standing around with all of those super tall girls, but I like her in this role.

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