Episode Detail: African Americans in Television Drama - Inside TV Land
The milestones made by black actors in TV dramas are chronicled, beginning with Ossie Davis in the 1955 adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play “The Emperor Jones.” Also: Bill Cosby breaks the drama color line on “I Spy”; “Star Trek” delivers TV's first interracial kiss; the impact of the miniseries “Roots”; and the NAACP's campaign to increase diversity in network programming. Among those interviewed are LeVar Burton, Ruby Dee, James Earl Jones, Nichelle Nichols, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood and Maya Angelou.