"The Walking Dead" Promises "Even More Racism" For Series Four.

 Over the past three series, The Walking Dead has come under considerable criticism from viewers for what has been perceived as racial and cultural stereotyping - the Korean guy is nerdy, the Southern characters are racist hillbillies, the female lead wanted to be a housewife from the fifties, etc.
 Perhaps the worst indicator of this was the black character, T-Dog, who, aside from being named T-Dog, only had about four lines in the three series he appeared in. One of these was "aaargh!" when he got eaten by zombies, and at least one of the others was something about going to church. The other two lines weren't memorable, but might well have been some variation of "Day-um!" or "Tha's whack!"
 Attempts to redress the balance in the upcoming episodes by giving more screen time to new African-American characters Tyrese and Michonne have hit a snag with news that these characters will be opening a shoe-shine business in the Woodbury prison and bringing other characters meals at regular intervals.
 In an exclusive interview, co-producer and writer Col. Honky Asscracker spoke to us from his verandah in Georgia, over a mint julep.
 "We've always supported having black characters in the show," he drawled, "but I believe they should be in scenes and not heard!"
 Asked if his views were outdated or if he was some sort of time traveler, the Colonel revealed that he was all for showing off the wealth of talent that black performers brought to the show, possibly by "having them perform charming musical numbers" amongst the zombie slaughter and over-riding message of man's inhumanity to man.