Stereotypes in TV

Dyer’s piece on stereotyping discusses how certain groups of people are depicted on mainstream media. He discusses the difference between a stereotype, a social type, and a member type. Furthermore, he claims stereotypes themselves aren’t the problem, but rather those who create the stereotypes are the problem. He offers evidence of demeaning and offensive stereotypes in films

I applied the author’s arguments to television shows and examined the stereotypes present. For example, in the characters’ occupations vary depending on their race or ethnicity. In Will and Grace, the Will is a white male and a lawyer. In George Lopez, George works in a factory. The white males generally have an occupation that requires a higher education, business suit, and pays more. Furthermore, the wives are stay at home moms or have less demanding jobs, such as caterers or interior designers. In other cases, the women are smart and practical, while the men are goofy and are always making a mess of situations.