For the past 15 years, the CBS Showcase has been giving shine to up and coming talent in Hollywood. As the title of the yearly event entails, it gives the chance for performers to showcase their acting chops in a comedic space. It’s a fast-paced comedy variety show echoing Saturday Night Live with a hearty helping of musical elements. Last week, the tradition continued as 20 players took the stage at the El Portal in North Hollywood for the yearly CBS Diversity Showcase — but diversity wasn’t always the focus of the showcase.
Tess Paras, who served as director of this year’s show alongside director Stephen Guarino and head writer Tien Tran, was a performer in the 2014 CBS Showcase. She admits that it was once widely known for being problematic and stereotypical in the way it portrayed its performers.
“That was the norm back then and it remained unchallenged,” Paras tells Deadline.
Tess Paras, who served as director of this year’s show alongside director Stephen Guarino and head writer Tien Tran, was a performer in the 2014 CBS Showcase. She admits that it was once widely known for being problematic and stereotypical in the way it portrayed its performers.
“That was the norm back then and it remained unchallenged,” Paras tells Deadline.
- 1/21/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS has announced the 20 performers who will participate in its diversity sketch comedy showcase for 2020. The showcase will begin its six-show run on Jan. 14 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles.
Beginning 14 years ago, the showcase was created to spotlight diverse talent, and it has developed into a hybrid comedy show with live performances and original writing. The showcase is attended by executives, showrunners, and casting directors from CBS and other networks as well as talent agents and managers from across the entertainment industry.
To date, 418 multitalented actors have appeared in the showcase, with notable alumni including Kate McKinnon, Tiffany Haddish, Diona Reasonover, Justin Hires, Geoffrey Arend, Nico Santos, Nicole Bayer and Ego Nwodim. Recent performers from the 2018 and 2019 showcases have booked shows such as “All Rise,” “Bob Hearts Abishola” and “Carol’s Second Act.”
Here are the performers in the 2020 showcase:
Aida Osman
Credits: “Wild ‘N Out” (MTV), “Group...
Beginning 14 years ago, the showcase was created to spotlight diverse talent, and it has developed into a hybrid comedy show with live performances and original writing. The showcase is attended by executives, showrunners, and casting directors from CBS and other networks as well as talent agents and managers from across the entertainment industry.
To date, 418 multitalented actors have appeared in the showcase, with notable alumni including Kate McKinnon, Tiffany Haddish, Diona Reasonover, Justin Hires, Geoffrey Arend, Nico Santos, Nicole Bayer and Ego Nwodim. Recent performers from the 2018 and 2019 showcases have booked shows such as “All Rise,” “Bob Hearts Abishola” and “Carol’s Second Act.”
Here are the performers in the 2020 showcase:
Aida Osman
Credits: “Wild ‘N Out” (MTV), “Group...
- 1/7/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
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