Riverdale : I'm all for Ethnic mixing…but PLEASE!!

A skinny black Mr. Weatherbee.
An all black Pussycats (Valerie was sufficient).
And from the looks of it, an Asian Reggie.

If they wanted more 'color' here's the route;

Chuck Clayton, the coaches son whose in the comics could have been included.

And since Dilton Doiley and Moose's girlfriend Midge were third tier characters they could have been Asian with no serious compromise to their characters.

Except maybe for the stereotyping of the genius Asian boy or the shy Asian girlfriend.

Agree completely

There's also a Latin Veronica.

Or maybe they can just be trying to keep the cast and show as realistically diverse as their audience members are but who knows; I see where you're coming from. But although I too was shocked by the amount of minority characters it was also a pleasant surprise because it seemed somewhat realistic to me because that's exactly how the world around me is- diverse and ethnic

As a lifelong reader of Archie comics, I for one do not agree. As in the iteration that is Riverdale we're already having a sexual relationship with a hot, young, music teacher of a Geraldine Grundy I'd say "diversification" of the cast is less of a raucous change-up than that.

But more than being ok with it I'd almost hazard to say it was a necessity in the interest of presenting the town despite it's location and stature as a decidedly NOT backwater bumpkin hillbilly redneck haven of a Riverdale. Personally, living in an area of the midwest rampant with such places, I'm pleased to find that the "multi-cultural" representation of the show enables one to take in the fictional setting intended to be inherently "peculiar" without the geopolitical realities of the racist rebel-flag waving provinces of Trump's America red states creeping in and tainting my escapist dark drama television experience. Especially concerning canon characters of authority, wisdom or antagonistic tendencies such as Weatherbee, Pop Tate, and Reggie respectively. But maybe the benefit of that perspective is exclusive to only me?

Strangely enough though I DO have a problem however with Moose and Kevin's hair colors But anyway also only two episodes in I'd say it isn't safe to bet that Chuck won't show up or that Dilton and Midge won't later play larger parts in the season/series.

Interesting that you fail to address the OP's main point, as many posters tend to ignore this particular argument when it's been presented. One cannot defend the changing of ethnicities of these long-established characters for the purpose of diversity when it was already in the comic books to begin with. Why did Josie have to be changed from a redheadwhich she's been since the 1960sfor the sake of including an African-American element in the show when Chuck and Nancy already fit the bill? Why make Mr. Weaterbee a Black man when Coach Clayton is already therein the comics and in the show? Why did Veronica have to be Hispanic when Ginger Lopez would have been a perfectly adequate character to utilize? No one has been able to give any logical reasons as to why the most logical route was not taken or why changing any of these characters is justified, because if it was simply about reflecting diversity, these decisions were not necessary.

One could argue maybe it was to "reflect diversity" among the CENTRAL characters? As to not have the "ethnic representation" distributed solely among "third-tier" characters (as one could argue it was in the comics). Those of us who don't have a problem with it have suggested several other possible (and possibly additional) reasons, however of course none of us are part of the production so we can only speculate based on the various reasons of why we don't have a problem with it.

Again, Riverdale is from conception an already rather drastically different take on Archie from square one, so naturally those of us who don't have a problem with the dare I say "bleeding-heart Hollywood liberal color-washing" of it's traditionally "all-white, all-American" cast of characters are raising an eyebrow that that's the change that those of you who do have a problem with it our zeroing in on

Beyond and well before the show Riverdale the Archie intellectual property as it now stands has already gone and been going through various changes, as well as one could argue "updates", and even non-canon "side-step" additions to the "Archie comicsverse" featuring much more radical material and elements than say Riverdale's "Asian Reggie".

Before any Archie purists (laughable to assume any even exist) were to complain about "diversification" of the cast in a perfect example/only the most recent of said non-canon "side-step" additions to the "comicsverse" (as Riverdale is hardly meant to be the new, the one, the only, de facto rebirth of the franchise) it seems something like Archie beating his dad to death with a baseball bat in Afterlife with Archie or Jughead having his spine ripped out in the even traditionally-styled Archie vs Predator are the kind of deviations that should have held up your complain train well before getting this far, especially given that those instances even occurred in Archie's native format of comic book.

But maybe you did file those complaints on appropriate forums relating to those titles

Last time I checked neither Josie nor Mr. Weatherbee were main characters, in fact Josie was a part of a whole other comic series separate from Archie. Besides, why couldn't they beef up Chuck's part in this series since they did so with both Josie and Cheryl, both of whom are not near as prominent in the comics as Reggie who is a peripheral character in this series.

The changes in Josie are particularly disappointing since the man who created her based her appearance on his wife Josie.

Totally agree with the OP. I don't mind diversity, or changing existing character's ethnicities, but these days, it seems to be done just to meet a quota.

Archie Comics, unlike other comic publishers, has actually been at the forefront of diversity, routinely adding minority characters and making them popular in their own right.

What upsets me the most is Kevin Keller, who is a three-dimensional character in the comic books, and is here turned into the stereotypical cliched gay best friend.

Chuck's in the show if you didn't notice.

Weatherbee and Josie are third tier characters, and making Reggie asian changes nothing. You're just complaining just to be complaining.

So they're using Chuck and Coach ClaytonAfrican-American representationcheck! You still have not answered the OP's argument.

They're complaining because they're racist.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

So you're completely ignoring the central argument once againnice.

This is why IMDB is taking down its message boards. These days its riddled with alt-right nazi losers who love to complain when something is not all white.

So either you're purposely ignoring everything I've said or you simply cannot read. Nowhere did I say anything against having any characters of ethnic or racial minorities; what I've done is question the need to change characters who have at least fifty years of history in favor of simply implementing minority characters that already exist. Just because you have no logical counter to this argument does not make it okay to cry "racism" where there is none.

---

This is why IMDB is taking down its message boards. These days its riddled with alt-right nazi losers who love to complain when something is not all white.]

---

Why can't we talk about race without everyone bringing racism into it?

I happen to be a black man and I myself hate it when characters' races are changed.

Changing a character's race sends the message that writers don't want to do the work to come up with an original character with original history. They just want to piggyback on existing characters instead of creating new ones.

It also sends the impression that minorities won't watch anything unless their own race is it. I have been reading Archie comics ever since I was a kid and I have never had trouble relating to the characters just because their skin color was different from my own.

What I admire is when writers take the time to create original characters. Don't make Peter Parker hispanic, create Miles Morales instead. Don't make Jack Bauer a black man, create Eric Carter instead. It is such a simple solution that pleases everything that I don't understand why no one does it.

---

Because it's a big part of who they are.

---

I've asked you before how their skin color is a "big part of who they are." Again, you've failed to explain this.

---

As I'm sure you know, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie were all part of a band. If the need for this was so great, they simply could have used the Archies, so no, that is not a good reason to make unnecessary changes to characters.

---

No, they could not, because this is obviously obviously a different take on the story and the characters don't have that kind of friendship right now.

If the majority of the characters in the comics were black, I would not have a problem with Chuck's race being changed, just as I don't have a problem with what they're doing on the show now.

---

It is such a simple solution that pleases everything that I don't understand why no one does it.

---

With remakes, such as Riverdale, people aren't generally expecting original characters with original histories. Remakes tend to feature the same characters, sometimes with a new take included.

On a side note, I don't think that the Carter/Bauer comparison applies, because 24: Legacy is a continuation, not a remake.

Personally, when I see a character's race changed, I don't usually feel like the writers are being lazy, but I guess that's a matter of individual reaction.

---

With remakes, such as Riverdale, people aren't generally expecting original characters with original histories. Remakes tend to feature the same characters, sometimes with a new take included.

---

With adaptations, people expect a certain amount of faithfulness to the source material. Riverdale, while being a good show, is nothing like the comics I grew up with as a kid. It's not just race either. The Archie comics were for kids. Riverdale was not. It's the equivalent of Mickey and Minnie starring in 50 Shades of Grey.

Completely agree. It's nothing like the comics I grew up reading. I was put off by the concept at first, but I'm surprised to find it pretty engaging. I guess the bottom line is that a lack of faithfulness isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I agree with everything you wrote - finally somebody gets it.

Reboots are just a cheap-a$$ way of media companies milking well-known franchises while destroying the original characters.

I get the update but why not just create new characters for the times in which we live instead of ripping-off what went before?

I totally understand why people are pissed about Josie.

I'd be seriously pissed if Storm from X-Men was suddenly non-black and male.


Hate-watching says more about the viewer than it does about the show.

Uh, no. We know non-white people watch stuff that hardly has non-white people in it. I mean, hello! That's most of television and tv right there! If we didn't, we wouldn't have much of anything to watch. It's white people that make a fuss and act all crazy when they don't see enough white people included in something. We've already proven we can relate to characters whether they're our race or not. It's white people that have yet to prove that and it's Hollywood that believes they can't. And this thread further proves that because they're not just talking about race, they'tr complaining about it. They're complaining that the show included more non-white characters than they wanted. They felt one was enough, why you got two?! <_<

This whole show is based on the Archie Comics. Ain't nothing about the characters in this show is original when they took the characters straight from another source.

---

It's white people that make a fuss and act all crazy when they don't see enough white people included in something.

---

White people make a fuss when there's not enough white people?

No, you're right. That's exactly why shows like Family Matters, Fresh Prince, Jeffersons, etc. became such huge hits! Even currently with Empire and 24: Legacy. All became white people make the fuss.

Oh please.

No one is saying a show has to be "all white people all the time."

What we're saying is: DON'T CHANGE EXISTING CHARACTERS!! If you want to include more diversity, by all means, but CREATE NEW CHARACTERS. Don't change existing ones.

---

This whole show is based on the Archie Comics. Ain't nothing about the characters in this show is original when they took the characters straight from another source.

---

If you ever actually read Archie Comics, you'd know that this show is nothing like the source material. It seems to me that with all the changes they already made, even discounting race, they could have gone further and created original characters.

---

It's white people that make a fuss and act all crazy when they don't see enough white people included in something.

---

You're absolutely right. They put up the biggest stink for no reason, they are the whiniest most poor excuses for human beings. Their hypocrisy is always laced with racism, when you call them out on it they become so extra and defensive trying to argue reverse-racism aka something that cannot exist. Let them wallow in their self pity. While the world is progressing and moving on, they can remain in their filth wailing to deaf ears.

---

This whole show is based on the Archie Comics. Ain't nothing about the characters in this show is original when they took the characters straight from another source.

---

It's a damn show it isn't gospel. Just as like when Hollywood makes movies based on the Bible and cast a bunch of bland vanilla types, even though history tells us that Egyptians were not white or bearing pale skin, yet are accepted because white: ain't nothing about those films original.

As soon as you guys realize the show is inspired by characters based on someone's vision the sooner we can all move on. Why you guys choose to argue moot points is ridiculous. Anybody can come up with fanfiction to tell the world, it does not make it true. The script, setting, acting etc are all make believe.

Get over it and stop being so sensitive.

9 more days.

Somehow I doubt you bigots crapping your panties over the color of fictional characters are the actual demographic this show is shooting for. Glad these message boards are shutting down. Go back to Stormfront.

Typical. The bleeding hearts immediately scream Racist the minute someone states that changing the main characters was unnecessary because the comic cast was already diverse.

If they complain that its because the minorities were all secondary characters then it would have been a simple matter to give them quality screen time on the show.

Do you have a problem with KJ playing Archie when he's not white?



There is no Flash without Iris West.

He's part Samoan, fine. But I'm talking about extreme changes.

Josie and Melody of the Pussycats and Mr. Weatherbee for example.

Valerie was already black and she was always depicted as the most well-rounded of the girls. The other two were two-dimensional feisty redhead and ditzy blonde.

But now they are all black with 'attitudes'. Which is just as profiling.
In the old TV show Valerie was depicted as the most sensible one in the group without being a sassy, posturing, streetwise black chick.
But now in her brief appearance she was seen as just sullen.

Wow. You managed to make yourself sound even more racist than you already did. Bravo.

You voted for Trump, didn't you?

There is no Flash without Iris West.

What are you talking about? The guy's even dying his hair to play the part! Why is it that Archie's appearance is the only one that matters?!

Since he's white passing, you have no problem.

That's my point.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

I have no problem because they've made him adhere to Archie's appearance in the comic book. If he looked nothing like Archie then I'd have a problem.

So you've made the necessary complaints about Ms. Grundy?

There is no Flash without Iris West.

That's not what Ethnic Mixing means. Using different raced actors than the original source material.
I'm as white as powder, but have no problem with the alterations. I do find large cast shows with only white actors to be boring visually.
Thank You BlackIrisWestAllen, I was just going to say that if you have no problem deviating from the visual source material with a young hot Miss Grundy, but you have a problem with a black thin Mr. Weatherby.

---

To Love and win is the best thing. To Love and lose, the next best.

---

I didn't mention Grundy because the discussion here was specifically about the need for diversity, but since you brought it up, I think Ms. Grundy was a bad decision as well. They should have used another character for the storyline. As far as Grundy being younger, the show seemed to youthen all the adult characters across the board, so I don't know why they'd leave her the same.

omg just stfu trynna shove the word racist down everyone's throat. They're not racist for thinking that

RACIST.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

---

omg just stfu trynna shove the word racist down everyone's throat. They're not racist for thinking that

---

Yep, everytime this issue is adressed, there's always some moron to use that word. Pot calling the kettle black Sorry, african american

Shut your racist ass up.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

Exactly. Josie wasn't even PART of the main Archie series while Chuck and Nancy were. Cheryl is not a major character either, and she's featured more prominently in this series than Reggie.

I didn't like young Miss Grundy either.

What was wrong with a strict-but fair-school older teacher like Prof. McGonagall from 'Harry Potter'? That's what Miss Grundy is suppose to be.


Now I'm going to beat you all to the punch;
You'll now say; So why didn't you include her to begin with?
Then I reply; I simply forgot about her.
Then you gleefully retort; SO! You get all bent out of shape about ethnic change but not age change?

So I shall say this; Just because I overlooked one thing doesn't discredit my topic.

BULLSH!T!

And know it is.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

Who cares. You don't shove mixity into everyone's throats, just for the sake of it. It has to have a purpose, other than for quota's sake.

Right on!

I'm happy your racist ass was upset enough to make a thread about this.

Right on!

There is no Flash without Iris West.

The only racist ass here, is you.

Thanks, Esau.

There is no Flash without Iris West.

Seriously? Throwing "mixity" into people's throats? You sound like you're 5. News flash idiot, black people exist, East Asian people exist. There are millions of them in this country. They go to school too. They sing in bands too. They live in places like Riverdale too. I don't know if you ever realized it, but this was never an all white country and it will never be. I know when I walk outside I see people from all over the world. White people, black people, East Asian people, Latino people, mixed race people, South Asian people, West Asian and Muslim people. If you don't like it or don't want to see it represented in a modern day tv show, you can leave this country or, hey, not watch the *beep* show at all. Whichever is easiest for you.

And I'm surprised your asses are in here complaining about Veronica. The girl looks white. You know you rocking hard on some racial purity bs when you're even complaining about a white Hispanic girl.

News flash dumbass, the world don't revolves around racial quotas. There are some places where you meet very few asians, blacks, arabics. Others, where you meet none of these ethnicities. It's called reality, not the daydream world the government makes you believe is real.