Cumberland University
Abstract:
The George Lopez Show is the first successful television show with a Latino in a leading role that features Hispanic material since Freddie Prinze's thirty-year-old sitcom, Chico and the Man. This study seeks to assess how Latinos are presented on The George Lopez Show. A content analysis reveals that the show perpetuates some of the stereotypes about Hispanics that are prevalent in the wider society. The stereotypes, however, are relatively subtle. Because the stereotypes are not overtly demeaning, the 14 percent of the Latinos who watch the show may not be offended by the negative representation. At the same time, The George Lopez Show challenges some of the stereotypes held by the wider society, prompting Anglos to view Hispanics differently and promoting pride among Latino viewers. Added depth to this conclusion was provided by focus group responses by Latinos and Anglos/blacks. This study finds that the show both perpetuates certain stereotypes while at the same time challenging them. This paper examines how the show manages to do both. In the end, however, The George Lopez Show fosters a positive image of Latinos substantially more than a negative one. The paper concludes by appraising the affect the conflicting images found on the show may have for regular viewers.
Television has been likened to a window on the world because television's reality is often interpreted by regular viewers as reality (Gallagher, 2003; Stark, 1997; Gitlin, 2001; Kellner, 1992; Croteau and Hoynes, 2000: 175-179; Postman, 1986). Television news has come under particular scrutiny because it purports to inform the viewer about what is actually going on in the world. Violence is just one of the many aspects of the news that have been scrutinized and found to affect people's perceptions. Because violence is a mainstay of nightly news programs, people tend to believe it is much more widespread than it actually is and that minorities are the primary, if not the exclusive, perpetrator of violent criminal activity (Kelly, 1997; Fowles, 1999; National Television Violence Study, 1997; Buckingham, 2000). Entertainment television has been found to have a similarly pronounced effect on perceptions (Lester, 1996; Allen, 1992; Bryant, 2001; see also Van Evra, 2004; Comstock, 1999). Two areas that have received particular attention in this regard are depictions of gender (Lowe, 1999; Smith-Shomade, 2002; Parenti, 1992: 167; Fejes, 1992; Jhally, 1991) and race (Jhally and Lewis, 1992; Cosby, 1994; Entman, 1992; Dates and Barlow, 1993) as they affect the self-perception of people in the group and the way others view these groups.
Much of the attention toward race on television has been on African Americans. This attention has been justified because of the size (and influence) of this minority group (see Blalock, 1967, 1989). Once relegated to stereotypical roles and underrepresented on television, African Americans today are more positively portrayed than in the past (see MacDonald, 1992; Lafky, 1993; Bogle, 2000) (1) and are certainly well-represented on television: 15 percent of the prime-time characters on television are of African-American descent (Morales, 2002), which is 2 percent higher than their actual size. This is not the case with other minorities who remain disproportionately absent on prime-time television (Morales, 2002; Schneider, 2003; Hamamoto, 1994). The present study examines the representation of Hispanics on prime-time television to determine how they are portrayed. The focus on this group is justified insofar as it is now the largest minority group in the United States, but despite its sizable presence in the overall population, it continues to be largely ignored on American television, though they have garnered a fair amount of attention in film.
Prevailing Images: The Latino Presence in Film and Television
Hispanics generate 15 percent of movie box office sales (Wentz, 2004). Latinos (2) attend movies eleven times a year, while non-Hispanics go nine times; they also rent more videocassettes (Wentz, 2004). The impact of these audience demographics resulted in what the mass media dubbed the "Hispanic Hollywood phenomenon" that took place between the summer of 1987 and spring 1988 with the release of four critically acclaimed and commercially successful films that depicted the Chicano experience: La Bamba, Born in East L.A., The Milagro Beanfield War, and Stand and Deliver (Keller, 1994: 162). These and subsequent films led to a more realistic, honest portrayal of the diverse experience of Latinos in the United States and marked a radical departure from generally invisible Hispanic actors in other than stereotypical roles before the 1980s (see Keller, 1994, 1985; Noriega and Lopez, 1996; Berg, 2002; Navarro, 2003).
Paradoxically, the most popular form of entertainment, television, has not witnessed the same developments) To be sure, more Latinos are appearing on television than ever before, and they are more realistically portrayed. It was not that long ago when, to get a small part on an episode of All in the Family, Victor Argo was sent away from an audition because he did not look enough like the Puerto Rican that he was, only to get the part after returning in a bright yellow shirt and a fake mustache (Navarro, 2003). But by the 1980s, Latinos started to appear in recurring roles in a more realistic fashion: Erik Estrada as Officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello on CHiPs (1977-1983), Rene Enriquez as Lieutenant Ray Calletano on Hill Street Blues (1981-1987), Edward James Olmos as Lieutenant Martin Castillo on Miami Vice (1984-1989), and Jimmy Smits as Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law (1986-1992) [Keller, 1994: 177-78]. These advances may seem impressive until one realizes that an analysis of racial groups on twenty-one prime-time television shows reveals that only 3 percent of the characters were Latino, even though they comprise over 13 percent of the American population (Morales, 2002).
Shows in which Hispanics are cast in feature roles are even rarer. The last major hit with a Hispanic in a leading role that featured Hispanic material was Freddie Prinze's mid-seventies sitcom Chico and the Man (Keller, 1994: 176; see also Kanellos, 1993: 626-631). It looked as if this was about to change in the fall 2002 season when three sitcoms featuring Hispanics debuted: Luis, which featured Luis Guzman; The Ortegas, with Cheech Marin; and The George Lopez Show. The first two were widely panned by critics (see Bark, 2003; Garron, 2003) and disappeared from the Fox lineup within weeks. The George Lopez Show on ABC was more favorably received: Nielsen ratings place it at number 70 for the 4 episodes that comprised its first season, rising to number 51 during its first full season (season 2), before dropping to number 91 during season 3, though this still translated into 7.4 million viewers ("George Lopez," 2004; Huff, 2005). This increased slightly to 7.6 million viewers in its fourth (2005) season. It initially followed the established hit My Wife and Kids, and for a new show managed to maintain "a big 95 percent of its 'Wife' lead-in in all key demo[graphic]s" (Kissell, 2002). In 2005, TGLS was sandwiched between two other shows that featured established comedians: Keenan Wayans preceded TGLS and Jim Belushi followed. Even at number 91 with 7.6 million viewers, it is nearly twice the audience as the two ill-fated Latino-themed programs on Fox (see "'Luis' Becomes Season's First Casualty," 2003) and enough for the show to be renewed for a fifth season in fall 2005. It is also popular with Hispanics: 1.1 million Latinos watch The George Lopez Show, which is only slightly less than the 1.5 million Hispanics who watch the runaway success American Idol (Schneider, 2003). The success of TGLS is also responsible for the introduction of another Latino situation comedy: Freddie, starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., was launched in the fall 2005 season and was strategically placed to follow TGLS.
This study of The George Lopez Show seeks to assess how Latinos are presented on contemporary television. The premise is that the show is successful in part because it reflects the general view of Hispanics prevalent in the wider society. The show therefore is not as offensive as the two more blatant stereotypical and short-lived Latino-themed shows that debuted alongside it. This suggestion is predicated on the belief that racist attitudes have fundamentally changed in the United States and that most Americans do not harbor the same pernicious antipathy toward minorities today, so much as feel that they have fewer positive traits than the majority (McConahay, 1986; see also Devine and Elliott, 2000). (4) This implies that the show still caters to certain widely held but insidious stereotypes. At the same time, 14 percent of those who watch the show are Latino. This suggests one of two things: 1) precisely because the stereotypes are more subtle they are less offensive to the group, and/or 2) the show may challenge some of the stereotypes held by the wider society since those who are demeaned seldom find the negative portrait entertaining (see Markert, 1999: 48). It is hypothesized, then, that the show both perpetuates stereotypes and at the same time challenges them. This paper examines how this is accomplished.
Editors Note: The author submitted this article, which was originally published under copyright by both the 2004 Bilingual Review Press and the 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. To read Dr. Markert's entire paper, click on the add to cart button and complete the checkout process, there is no charge for this download.
Comments
Personally, I thought the
Personally, I thought the George Lopez Show perpetuated many negative stereotypes about Hispanics, but at the same time portrayed the family dealing with issues that families deal with across race, thereby making it relatable to a wide audience. It’s upsetting that many people view television as representing reality, but if that is the case then we must implore network programmers to depict a diverse and realistic portrait of American life.
I agree with you that it is
I agree with you that it is upsetting to see that so many people view television as reality, but we have to understand that many children watch television in excess. What are they supposed to believe is real or not real when all they do, hour after hour, is watch television. They are forced to believe what they see because they know nothing else other than how they and their family lives. I don't think there is any way around this other than to have parents educate and limit what they watch on television. This is a sad reality, but in my opinion happens often.
I also agree that children
I also agree that children are exposed to an entirely excessive amount of television. Because of our society's fascination with media, it begs the question: does media imitate life or does life imitate media. It certainly seems that the media does not paint an accurate picture of society. Race representation is not accurate and the stereotypes (even if they are oftentimes positive), may not be accurate portrayals of life in the US.
Unfortunately, I have to wonder if the media DID portray life mor accurately, if people would still have the same obsession with tv shows and films. Would we think that life is too mundane to watch on television? Or would we rejoice in the fact that it is more realistic? I'm not sure, but I definitely agree that the time spent in front of the TV should be limited either way.
The Success of the George Lopez show
My professor actually showed us an interview with George Lopez dealing with the success of his career and his feelings towards his show. One of the key things he said in dealing with race and culture was, "So many times we assimilate, and forget who we are because you’ve made it so successful in life." And I think that the George Lopez show brings a balance between these 2 points: assimilation and cultural heritage. Yes, the show depicts a middle-class Hispanic family who go through the same struggles as other families, but it also never forgets to add some Hispanic cultural values, traditions, or attitudes into the storyline.
That is such a unique way to
That is such a unique way to engage with this issue, and it brings the atmosphere surrounding "The George Lopez Show"(and, indeed, Hollywood at large) into a greater understanding. I think white privilege creates a lack of comprehension about what it means to be a minority - not only a minority in traditional American life, but a minority in the spotlight. White Americans don't have to contend with the additional obstacles to reach fame: they don't have to hide their culture or deny their heritage. And we often forget that someone who ISN'T white often DOES have to deal with added struggles: in day to day existence and in the Hollywood world. And some of them even attempt to "pass" as white in an effort to by-pass some of the unfortunate consequences that being a minority has in today's society. Stars such as Martin and Charlie Sheen, Cameron Diaz, Alexis Bledel, Christina Aguilera are all ethnically Hispanic, for example, but because of their light skin, they can "pass" as racially white. And this is something they have HAD to do, in order to gain their status. A white actor or singer would never have to do something like that.
Has anyone ever seen a TV
Has anyone ever seen a TV show or movie where a young, Hispanic male wins the heart of the gorgeous white female main character?
Or even rarer, an inter-racial kiss on screen?
I can think of a few examples of when a minority FEMALE will court a white MALE, but the implication is always that she is stepping out of her league and bringing home a catch.
Latino males, like those every other minority group have somehow been boxed out of being shown screen as strong, independent and attractive.
George Lopez' trashy humor isn't helping anyone get laid either.
Diversity in Television Shows
It’s a good thing that there are people like George Lopez that is spreading the culture of different ethnicities through the means of a television. We always can benefit from learning about different cultures in anyway possible. The most notable positive effect that the George Lopez Show has on the television industry is that it spreads diversity and teaches people who watch this show about the Hispanic culture and their way of life. Even though it may not be all factual, you will learn something from the show. Another show that increases the rate of diversity on television is the Bill Cosby Show. You can learn about the African American culture since all the characters are African Americans. Once again, I am not sure how much information regarding the African American culture you can learn by watching this show. I personally haven’t watched a lot of episodes from the Bill Cosby show, but I have watched more shows from George Lopez’s show. I have learned some about the Hispanic culture from his show, but not a lot to know how true it actually is. I guess a majority of people trusts television shows that they are getting the right information about different cultures. We need to not base our judgment of one ethnicity or culture due to what is portrayed on television shows. We will learn more about a certain culture or ethnicity when we actually get to visit that culture and learn about their way of life.
It's interesting to think
It's interesting to think about the dichotomy that shows like "The George Lopez Show" present: the mix between perpetuating stereotypes and shattering them. It's almost as if Hollywood is afraid to completely concede that television isn't an actual portrayal of reality. They want to create a "real" family, but at the same time, pretend that their real family is - occasionally - a caricature of itself. And that's what makes "The George Lopez Show" so telling: the television producers create a TV family that happens to be Hispanic - which is very honest and represents a progressive step - but then mixes in some subtly racist behavior - which they seem keen on propagating as real and which, in turn, ends up slightly diminishing the program.
It's incredible that Hollywood is finally starting to embrace the fact that there are non-white families in America; but it's terrible to think about the fact that, while progress is being made, stereotypes are still very prominent.
That being said, George Lopez' show was a much more realistic view of Hispanic family life than was otherwise being presented. It was inspiring, as well, to see the fact that the characters WERE Americans who happened to be Hispanic, not the other way around. Though there were cultural and traditional Hispanic values in play, the Lopez family dealt with American problems just like any other American family would.
I also think that some programs since that time are doing a good job of incorporating minorities into television show in more realistic (and FAR less stereotypical) ways. For example, the Showtime program "Dexter" has several Hispanics as leads - both as detectives.
What we focus on
I agree that it is sad that people are so willing to believe that reality shows are reality but at the same time it makes sense. People enjoy watching television because at times it takes their minds off the stresses of their own lives. If there is someone on television that seems to have a more messed up life than you do it is kind of nice to believe it’s true. Also the purpose of reality television shows is to make people think that they are real, no reality producer is concerned with people being misled they are just concerned with entertainment and making people think their shows are real.
There are so many shows that portray the image of the white middle class American. The George Lopez show is a nice change. Yes some of the ways things presented may be stereotypical and show Latinos in a negative way but that is not the purpose of the show. The purpose of the show like most shows is purely entertainment. It is beneficial to try to see the good things about the show instead of focusing on the negatives. I believe shows such as this show how much society is becoming more and more diverse. Again there are so many shows with all white cast members and “white” life styles. This show presents things from a new perspective.
Go George
I think it's great that George Lopez is has the only show hosted by a Latino. Everyone knows that he is a comedian so common sense knows that some of his material might be offensive to people. Not everyone is going to like what he has to say, just as everyone will not like what Kathy Lee Gifford has to say. Lopez is a strong role model for other young Latino men. I believe this because it is very rare to see a hit movie staring a Latino. Not many Latinos are recognized for their heritage. Most talk show hosts are white men or women. There is Montel Williams and also Wendy Williams but there is no other show on primetime that features a Latino. It's great that Lopez is breaking the barriers set by society and has a hit television show. He tells things like they are, like it or not. He can make jokes because he has been through scenarios that he has felt uncomfortable in. He does not create a false reality like every other television show seems to do. He recognizes that there is a different culture that he is a part of and he brings that to light which is important for people to see.
While Lopez should be praised
While Lopez should be praised for drawing attention to the Hispanic community as a whole, I disagree with your point that “he does not create a false reality like every other television show seems to do.” The George Lopez Show is not groundbreaking in relation to the traditional sitcom-format. The characters experience typical familial conflicts, such as disagreements with in-laws, misbehaving children, etc. The only real difference is that the family is Latino, an aspect of the show that is sometimes exploited in order to allow for more culturally-oriented storylines, some of which result in the perpetuation of stereotypes. For example, in the episode “George Can’t Let Sleeping Mexicans Lie,” the family is offended by a statue of a sleeping Mexican in their neighbor’s yard, appealing to the stereotype that Mexicans are lazy. However, the issue is portrayed humorously, as George contends that the statue looks like his mother. In my opinion, the show should focus on perpetuating diversity, not stereotypes, regardless of how seemingly funny or entertaining they appear to be.
While Lopez should be praised
While Lopez should be praised for drawing attention to the Hispanic community as a whole, I disagree with your point that “he does not create a false reality like every other television show seems to do.” The George Lopez Show is not groundbreaking in relation to the traditional sitcom-format. The characters experience typical familial conflicts, such as disagreements with in-laws, misbehaving children, etc. The only real difference is that the family is Latino, an aspect of the show that is sometimes exploited in order to allow for more culturally-oriented storylines, some of which result in the perpetuation of stereotypes. For example, in the episode “George Can’t Let Sleeping Mexicans Lie,” the family is offended by a statue of a sleeping Mexican in their neighbor’s yard, appealing to the stereotype that Mexicans are lazy. However, the issue is portrayed humorously, as George contends that the statue looks like his mother. In my opinion, the show should focus on perpetuating diversity, not stereotypes, regardless of how seemingly funny or entertaining they appear to be.
Perpetuation of Stereotypes
I do not watch The George Lopez Show regularly, but I have seen it on occasion. I am also not Hispanic, but I have noticed the perpetuation of stereotypes present within certain storylines within the show. I think that it’s very important to feature portrayals of Hispanic families on mainstream television networks; however it is necessary to ensure that these portrayals are positive rather than representative of stereotypes that propagate negative misconceptions concerning Hispanics. Although the 14% of Latinos who watch the show may not be offended by these “subtle stereotypes” because these they are intended to be humorous, it does not mean that they do not contribute to the continuation of negative, unsubtle stereotypes held by non-Hispanics. Rather than “…both [perpetuating] stereotypes and at the same time [challenging] them,” The George Lopez Show should only focus upon challenging stereotypes since it is one of the primary television portrayals of Hispanics in the United States.
excellent show
Watching this show always catches my attention because of its fantastic ways to challenge stereotypes in our society. By doing this things, at the same time is also showing the Latinos culture and their style of living.
The George Lopez Show
Personally, I think it is great that there is finally a show on TV that portrays a Latino family. After reading this article, I realized that Latinos are very rarely portrayed in an entertainment aspect. It is great that The George Lopez show portrays a Latino middle class family. Non-Latinos can relate to the aspect of a "middle class family" and at the same time Latinos can relate to the Latino culture. Non-Latino's are exposed to some of the Latino culture, beliefs, and values. Although, many Americans think of television as "real life" I feel that it is hard to find a balance between understanding what is a negative and what is a positive stereotype. I find that this is true in any show with minorities. Overall, I think The George Lopez Show gives Americans a chance to understand people that are different from them.
I LOVE GEORGE LOPEZ
As an avid George Lopez fan I definitely enjoy his show. Just like the article states, the show perpetuates certain stereotypes while at the same time challenges them. I like the fact that the show perpetuates certain stereotypes because it is a reminder that stereotypes do exist in today’s societies. I love how the show challenges these stereotypes in a funny manner. Although stereotypes are challenged in a comical way it definitely still gets the point across. Seeing a minority family portrayed on TV and doing so well shows some of the progress minorities have made in today’s society. The show exposes some of the culture, beliefs, and values of the Latino culture, which is very important in today’s racist world. It is a breath of fresh air to see a minority family positively portrayed in the media.