Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Hawaii Five-O's Two Asian Stars Quit Because Of Reported Pay Inequality With White Co-Stars
Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park at Comic Con in 2010. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
()
Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, two of the stars of CBS' Hawaii Five-0, have quit the show because they were unable to negotiate pay to equal that of their white co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, reports Variety. Dae Kim and Park have been series regulars for the past seven seasons. Their departure will be incorporated into the first episode of season eight, which premieres on September 29.
CBS Television Studios' final offers to Dae Kim and Park were reportedly 10-15% lower than those of O'Loughlin and Caan. The latter two actors also have back-end deals with the series, which means they get a percentage of the show's profits.
The loss of two major stars after several seasons isn't unheard of in television, but the loss of the two main Asian-American stars puts CBS in hot water considering their history of poor diversity representation on the network. The show, which is set in Hawaii, will now feature no non-white main characters, unless the show casts an actor of color for a new series regular named Tani, according to TV Line.
In a statement, a CBS spokesperson said,
Support for LAist comes from
"We are so appreciative of Daniel and Grace’s enormous talents, professional excellence and the aloha spirit they brought to each and every one of our 168 episodes. They’ve helped us build an exciting new Hawaii Five-0, and we wish them all the best and much success in their next chapters. Mahalo and a hui hou…"
Daniel Dae Kim is executive producing The Good Doctor for ABC, which was picked up to series in May.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist