CMU 200 Winter 2000
Questions to consider while going over the Week 5 readings on representation of minorities on television. No papers are due on the readings, but points may be discussed in sections. These questions may also help you prepare for the exams.
New York Times: "Stung by Criticism of the New Fall Shows, TV Networks Rush to Add Minority Roles"
- What are some of the ways that television executives responded to criticism that new shows contain few racial minority characters?
- Why did the NAACP buy stock in the networks?
- What is the reason given by network executives for their failure to reach beyond all-white casts? Why did some CBS executives say they decided not cast minority characters to a top role?
- Why does Steve Harvey claim shows like "Friends" are influential? How does this compare with the reason movie studios like sequels?
- According to Yvette Lee Bowser, TV executives prefer which characterizations of African-American women?
Paul Espinosa, "The Rich Tapestry of Hispanic America Is Virtually Invisible on Commercial Television"
- Why does the author say television is a "vast wasteland" for Hispanics in the U.S.?
- According to a study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, as the Hispanic population has grown over the last 30 years, what has happened to representations of Hispanic characters on TV?
- Why does Espinosa believe Hispanic representation on TV has been ignored? What does he mean by historical guilt?
- Why does Espinosa say that Hispanic representation on TV matters?
- How are Hispanic characters usually portrayed? According to cultivation theory, how might the audience respond to these portrayals?