Stereotype Watch

IN STEREO WHERE AVAILABLE Last week the N.A.A.C.P. criticized TV networks for underrepresenting minorities. Programming execs countered that airtime is filled with minorities. This may be true, but the roles created for minority actors often bear a marked similarity.

STEREOTYPE THE SPICY LATINO

EXAMPLES Suddenly Susan’s Luis (Nestor Carbonell) Jesse’s Diego (Bruno Campos)

RESPONSIBILITIES Exude sexuality, act slightly dim

[STEREOTYPE] THE KVETCHING JEWISH MOTHER

[EXAMPLES] The Nanny’s Sylvia Fine (Renee Taylor) Seinfeld’s Helen Seinfeld (Liz Sheridan) Mad About You’s Sylvia Buchman (Cynthia Harris)

[RESPONSIBILITIES] Irritate, pamper and feed the lead character

[STEREOTYPE] SASSY BLACK ROOMIE OR NEIGHBOR

[EXAMPLES] Ally McBeal’s Renee (Lisa Nicole Carson) V.I.P.’s Maxine (Angelle Brooks) Clueless’s Dionne (Stacey Dash)

[RESPONSIBILITIES] Be opinionated-but-cute confidante to equally cute heroine

[STEREOTYPE] THE FLAMBOYANT HOMOSEXUAL

[EXAMPLES] Will & Grace’s Jack (Sean Hayes) Veronica’s Closet’s Josh (Wallace Langham) The Larry Sanders Show’s Brian (Scott Thompson)

[RESPONSIBILITIES] Make Oscar Wildesque quips and big gestures