11.   Black actors are a reflection of black workers in other fields.

12.   Black actors at the top of the pyramid, like Washington, can often win some of these race-neutral parts.

13.   Black actors are also stepping in in place of some of the biggest white stars, who have priced themselves out of anything but blockbuster roles.

14.   Black actors are likely to have a tougher time than white stars.

15.   But at the time, it was the only work struggling black actors could get.

16.   But it is also, Ms. Goldberg says, because Hollywood seldom produces creative and intriguing roles for black actors.

17.   But the problem, others retort, is that black actors have fewer roles to choose from and less diversity in the parts they are offered.

18.   Clark Johnson, a black actor who played a hip, straightforward detective, agreed that the show dealt subtly with race issues.

19.   Crouch said that will be at least a little bit easier with two respected black actors getting more clout.

20.   Despite past successes, many black actors say they often have to wait months for work because of a dearth of black roles.