logo
Power Rangers writer says casting Black and Asian actors as Black and Yellow Rangers was ‘mistake'

Power Rangers writer says casting Black and Asian actors as Black and Yellow Rangers was ‘mistake'

Independent08-04-2025
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Tony Oliver has said it was 'such a mistake' to cast a Black actor to play the Black Ranger and an Asian actor to play the Yellow Ranger on the first two seasons of the 1990s superhero show.
The series, which debuted in 1993, starred Walter Emanuel Jones as Zack Taylor/Black Ranger and Thuy Trang as Trini Kwan/Yellow Ranger.
He continued: "It was my assistant who pointed it out in a meeting one day, that we had made the Black character the Black Ranger and the Asian character the Yellow Ranger. It was such a mistake.'
Oliver went on to point out that 'Thuy was not our original Yellow Ranger.'
In the original pilot for the series, the Yellow Ranger was played by Audri Dubois, who quit the show following a pay dispute. Trang was added to the cast and edited into the pilot before it aired.
Behind-the-scenes footage included in 'Dark Side of the Power Rangers' shows that the cast, if not the writers, were aware of the stereotypes at play. In one scene, Jones says to the camera: 'My name's Walter Jones, I play Zack. I'm Black, and I play the Black Ranger. Go figure.'
When the series was rebooted as a movie in 2017, the characters were recast. A Black actor, RJ Cyler, played the Blue Ranger while an Asian actor, Ludi Lin, played the Black Ranger. Latin pop star Becky G played the Yellow Ranger.
However,
Writing for The Independent at the time, Kaan K said: 'As a queer person who grew up in a 'straight' culture, you can imagine my excitement when I read online that the newest Yellow Power Ranger was going to be gay...
'I went to the cinema with high hopes – the director called the Yellow Ranger's 'coming-out' scene 'pivotal', after all. Finally there would be a cute girl who the Yellow Ranger falls for, I thought, just like there have been so many heterosexual romances in Power Rangers in the past.
'So you can imagine my disappointment when her 'queerness' was left so ambiguous that you could have easily left the cinema thinking she was straight.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out
The best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out

Time Out

timean hour ago

  • Time Out

The best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out

Full moon parties, rooftop clubs, and beachside bonanzas – Asia's sure not short of nightlife. But if you're looking for the one definitive stop to let your hair down, then look no further than our list of the best nightlife cities in the world. We quizzed thousands of readers in hundreds of the world's best cities and asked them to rate the quality and affordability of their nightlife scene. From this, we picked out the top scorers and turned to our nightlife experts and editors to pitch in their votes. Time Out sussed out the 20 best cities in the world – and three Asian cities are really shaking things up after the sun goes down. First is Shanghai, China's biggest city – both for business and going out after dark, it seems. It ranks No. 4 on the global list, making it Asia's party central. Locals love it, giving the city's nightlife an approval rating of 89% – the highest of any in the survey. It's also the most affordable on the list for entertainment, with a solid 72% of locals saying a night out at the movies, theatre, or live music show is either 'cheap' or 'free'. But what makes Shanghai's nightlife truly special, though, is its accessibility. Sammi Sowerby, editor of Time Out Shanghai, highlights diverse and eclectic spots like Cedar Kitchen, Goodman, and Ferra Bar, which will surprise revellers with a great night out. Clocking in at No. 10 is Mumbai, the heart of India's Bollywood industry. All that glitz and glam has clearly spilt over into a vibrant nightlife scene packed with stunning rooftop bars, entertaining drag shows, boisterous karaoke nights, and on the chill end, laid-back neighbourhood bars. Mumbai locals gave the city's nightlife scene the third-highest rating of all cities on the list – and say it's one of the cheapest places for a night out too. Finally, Bangkok, the third and last Asian city to make it to our round-up of the best nightlife destinations. It ranks No. 13, with a scene that Time Out Thailand head of content, Laurie Osborne, says is "gloriously fractured, with tribes forming around hyper-local, community-driven spots". What that means: a wave of shophouse bars, craft beer taprooms, and an experimental queer scene catering to niche subgroups. Best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out: Shanghai (No. 4) Mumbai (No. 10) Bangkok (No. 13) Check out the full list of the 20 best cities in the world for nightlife.

7 dining spots to check out in the CBD, including a new opening
7 dining spots to check out in the CBD, including a new opening

Time Out

time3 hours ago

  • Time Out

7 dining spots to check out in the CBD, including a new opening

Mensho X For fast Japanese ramen Singapore gets first dibs on Mensho X – the fast-casual offshoot of cult ramen brand Mensho Tokyo – and its very first bowl is being served up at Six Battery Road. Helmed by ramen maestro Chef Tomoharu Shono, the new 46-seater reimagines the ramen experience for the modern city dweller: quick, soulful, and bursting with flavour. Start with the toripaitan ramen with egg yolk, where delicate, housemade noodles soak in a creamy, mushroom-infused chicken broth and are crowned with luxe touches like a molten egg yolk and sake kasu-marinated kurobuta pork ribeye chashu that's been slow-cooked for 12 hours. Try this For something different, try the Mochi Mochi Mazemen – a dry-style bowl of thick, chewy noodles dressed in a savoury seasoning blend, and served with a side of vegetable broth. It's topped with that same tender pork chashu, plus mushrooms, lard, and nori. Time Out tip: Enjoy a complimentary first serving of kaedama (extra noodles) with every ramen or tsukemen order – mazemen dishes not included. #01-02 Aniba For Middle Eastern cuisine with European and Asian twists Head to this hidden gem, which is accessible via a private lift. Delight in dishes like katayef, traditional Lebanese semolina pancakes or the signature pani puri with yogurt-yuzu foam, hamachi tartare, tomato confit, and lime kefir. All this while soaking in panoramic views of the Singapore River and the city skyline. Try this Enjoy complimentary welcome drinks during lunch and with a round of nibbles during dinner. To redeem, simply launch your CapitaStar@Work app or present your Staff ID when you arrive. This promotion is only valid for groups of up to six, and not on public holidays, eve of public holidays, blackout dates (private events), or special event days. #05-03 Tomahawk Contemporary Steakhouse For juicy Western-style steaks Carnivores, take note: Tomahawk Contemporary Steakhouse is the go-to spot for wet-cured tomahawk steaks. The two-week curing process ensures unbeatable juiciness, tenderness, and flavour, while a blend of Asian herbs and spices adds an extra punch. For the grand finale, your steak is carved tableside with a handmade knife dramatically heated in flames for a show-stopping touch. Try this Indulge in the new pasta and rice dishes such as the signature smoky, spicy Chilean seabass paella, squid ink lobster risotto, and Caramel Carnivore – angel hair pasta with onions caramelised over three hours in a tangy balsamic sauce and served with pork shoulder meatballs. Raffles Prestige Members can also enjoy 15 percent off the total bill and complimentary use of its private room for a minimum of 4 people. #01-03 Anjana Kitchen For hearty Indian dishes Spice up your mealtime with bold Indian flavours such as the fiery mutton chukka – a rare find in Singapore. For a feast, the tandoori platter tantalises with chicken malai kebab, chicken tikka, pudhina tikka, tandoori prawn, fish tikka, and chicken seekh kebab. Prefer something meatless? The vegetable thali and gobi Manchurian have you covered, while samosas and bajjis make for perfect light bites. Try this If there's one dish worth working up a sweat for, it's the signature chicken masala. The chicken is irresistibly tender, expertly cooked in a fragrant blend of traditional spices. And if you want to take it up a notch, order the pepper version. Enjoy 10 percent off the total bill if you work at Six Battery Road. #01-04 MP Thai For delectable Thai dishes There's a reason the Jurong outlet of this vibrant restaurant bagged a Michelin Bib Gourmand award – but trust us, the Six Battery Road outpost is just as stellar. Expect the same bold Thai flavours, generous portions, and wallet-friendly prices that made it a hit. Indulge in crowd-pleasers like the rich green curry chicken, aromatic tom yum chicken, and spicy basil minced chicken. And with the restaurant's signature warm Thai hospitality, you'll leave with a satisfied belly and a smile. Try this For an irresistible combo, order the Thai crab laksa, made with authentic crab meat sauce, and pair it with the deep-fried pork which is a local favourite from southern Thailand. The restaurant's best-selling red ruby makes for a sweet finish with water chestnuts and coconut milk straight from the source: Thailand. Get more bang for your buck when you get the set lunch which sets you back from $15.90. #01-06 Brunetti Oro For quick Italian bites This charming pasticceria in Melbourne has branched out to our shores with an expanded menu, dishing out savoury pastries, paninis, pizza and pasta – all handmade to perfecto. Get your caffeine fix with coffee done the Italian way, where its single-origin Brunetti x Lavazza Arabica beans are roasted in Torino and expertly brewed to create velvety espressos, creamy cappuccinos, and subtly sweet affogatos. Add in the stunning Singapore River backdrop, and you've got a winning combo. Try this Its set lunch starts from $16.80 and comes with a choice of side salad or soup. Make it extra cheesy with pasta dishes like fettuccine carbonara, and ham mac and cheese, or tomato-based classics like linguine pomodoro, penne al beef ragu, and aglio olio with a choice of chicken or tiger prawn. And what's an Italian meal without a coffee treat – the crema di caffe is a thick, creamy iced drink that also doubles as a delicious dessert. Starbucks For sweet and savoury treats If you're pressed for time, Starbucks makes the perfect pitstop for grab-and-go bites that go beyond the basics. Alongside your coffee fix, tuck into sweet treats like the Starbucks pure matcha yuzu cake, and lemon meringue cheesecake, or opt for something savoury with the chicken luncheon, and tamago and cheese brioche bun. Try this For something refreshing, sip on the latest iced shaken lattes, made with rich, full-bodied espresso and shaken, chilled, and mellowed with the sweetness and oat milk to power you through the day. #01-05 For even more perks, download the CapitaStar app, link your preferred Mastercard Credit or Debit card on the app, and pay with your linked card to earn STAR$ when you dine at the restaurants. Rack up your STAR$ for eCapitaVouchers and exclusive shopping and dining rewards. Find out more here.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner and 'The Cosby Show' made kids with learning disabilities feel seen
Malcolm-Jamal Warner and 'The Cosby Show' made kids with learning disabilities feel seen

NBC News

time5 hours ago

  • NBC News

Malcolm-Jamal Warner and 'The Cosby Show' made kids with learning disabilities feel seen

As tributes to Malcolm-Jamal Warner pour in following his drowning, fans and disability advocates are recalling the impact of seeing Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable being diagnosed with dyslexia as a teen on 'The Cosby Show.' The character's learning disability was actually based on Bill Cosby's own son, Ennis Cosby, who had the condition. 'I think the turning point for Theo was when they diagnosed him with dyslexia,' Warner said in a 2023 interview with DCP Entertainment. People with dyslexia struggle to understand written language, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Children diagnosed with this learning disability can work with an expert to bolster their reading skills. A study from 2024 indicated that educators often fail to identify African American children with dyslexia. A missed or delayed diagnosis means students do not receive early interventions to help them with their reading skills and academic performance. This also affects their self-esteem, with many children with undiagnosed dyslexia thinking of 'themselves as 'dumb,'' the study said. In the episode from 1989, Theo's parents seem happy that he received the diagnosis because they finally had an explanation for his academic struggles — and a way to address them. The plot line also touched on the emotional impact children and teens experience when they have difficulties reading. 'I'm not dumb, right?' Warner explained about the joy Theo experienced after his diagnosis. 'We can work this out.' Warner also revealed that throughout his life people shared with him how that episode changed their lives. 'People still tell me that it's because of your show that I found out that I had dyslexia,' he told DCP Entertainment. Valissa Thompson, a social worker and disability advocate, says that Theo's diagnosis with dyslexia was 'one of the first disability depictions [she] saw on TV.' 'They did a really good job that was really respectful,' she told 'Particularly of the '80 and early '90s ... people who are different and [have] disabilities — specifically invisible disabilities — may not have always been portrayed as kindly or thoughtfully.' She added that Theo's story highlights the difficulty many families face with obtaining a dyslexia diagnosis. 'Even in a well-to-do family, like the Huxtables represented, something like an invisible disability can go under the radar,' she said. 'That was very critical to show as well. Even when you have parents who went to college, [one] who's a doctor, they are not able to catch everything.' It also shows the reality many Black families especially face. 'It's not surprising that Theo went undiagnosed,' she explained. 'We have an ... under-diagnosis problem among our Black kids in society, whether back in the '80s or in the 2020s.' Thompson hopes that as people reflect on Warner's work and his role as Theo, they consider the power of showing realistic and fully-fleshed out disabled characters. 'We need more intentional representation. And when I say intentional, I mean the representation that doesn't lead harshly into the stereotypes of helplessness or being a villain,' she said. 'Just being nuanced like Theo. He was the average teenage boy.' Many fans on social media agreed that Theo's diagnosis with dyslexia offered one of the first, if not the first, nuanced portrayals of a Black teenager with a learning disability. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that some saw themselves in Theo. 'Theo Huxtable's struggle with dyslexia represented so much to Black boys who struggled in school,' he wrote on X. Others pointed out how important Theo's diagnosis was to the character's academic and professional success later on. 'Part of the brilliance of that show was Theo's arc from struggling with dyslexia to going to grad school and educating the youth at a community center in later seasons,' sports reporter Kevin Ryans said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store