If JB says Harry is brown haired we're not gonna cast him as a blond...it just doesn't make sense since their are plenty of brown-haired actors who would do a terrific job.

And this my dear is the crux of the argument against the actress who played murphy on TV and why faithful readers failed to connect with her even though she was a quite competent actress in the part.

Murphy is a blond, dammit. It makes a difference for her characters' struggles to be accepted in her workworld that she look completely "cute" and "not to be taken as a serious threat".

Dagnabbit, I just don't have time to do the research required for this right now.

But Will Smith has done a bunch more, too... like the guy in Wild Wild West. He apparently likes to do that, and he does it well.

And honestly, I was thinking more along those lines of race bending like Smith does than racist blackfacing. Smith doesn't white his face to take on the role, he becomes the character and erases the race.

So I will concede this one. 

Yeah because white people never get a break in holywood...

Racism aside, I'll bet you I can name more black men who have played characters who were written white than you can name white men who have played characters who were written black.

That's it exactly, Shecky! I had that on my profile for a long time before i became PowerGirl.

All the more Murphy-ish, though. Don't forget, Murphy's "cute" and has had to work really hard to get guys to think of her as more than a muffin.

You'd better remember! Or I'm going to get stuck sleeping in an easy chair. Don't think I can't! 

Give the newbie a break, Shecky! No harm in asking. It's not like Jim's gonna give him a straight answer anyway. We all know he's more Fae than Mab!