Essay on The Impact of African-American Sitcoms on...

The Impact of African-American Sitcoms on Americas Culture Since its start, the television industry has been criticized for perpetuating myths and stereotypes about African-Americans through characterizations, story lines, and plots. The situation comedy has been the area that has seemed to draw the most criticism, analysis, and disapproval for stereotyping. From Sanford and Son and The Jefferson’s in the 1970s to The Cosby Show (1984) and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1990s, sitcoms featuring black casts and characters have always been controversial. However, their significance upon our American culture cannot be disregarded. During the 1950s and 1960s, 97% of the families were Caucasian. In the first five years of the†¦show more content†¦It was criticized for negative stereotyping. Louise Jefferson was like an old-south â€Å"Mammy†, and George, although rich, was always the butt of someone’s joke, whom no one really respected. The difference between the earlier produced Sanford and Son and The Jefferson’s was that The Jefferson’s was based around a strong father figure compared to the drunken old man in Sanford and Son who was not ever there for his children. The Jefferson’s, although initially more racist like Sanford and Son, changed with the times and became less racist. As the show went on, there were signs of less stereotyping. Louise lost her afro and started speaking better, and George became less racist in his attitudes. This change reflected the less strained race relations in the early 1980s. The Cosby Show was one of the biggest hits on television. It was about an African-American upper-middle-class black family. The Huxtables lived in a fashionable neighborhood. The dad, Heathcliff, was a well-respected doctor, and the mom, Clair, was a successful attorney. Their only son, Theo, was an underachiever, and the oldest daughter, Sondra, was a college student at Princeton. Their middle daughter, Denise, tested her parents’ patience frequently, but they always loved her. Rudy, the baby of the family, had a wonderful, entertaining childhood. All of the Huxtable kids were loved and steered clear of serious trouble. They never really had to worry about money.Show MoreRelatedDy-No-Mite! Stereotypical Images of African Americans on Television Sitcoms4305 Words   |  18 PagesStereotypical Images of African-Americans on Television Sitcoms The more television changes, the more it stays the same for the genre of African American sitcoms. Some critics believe that African Americans will never accept the images they see of themselves on network television. 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