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...
