Watch an episode of a current television program and one of an older show from a similar genre. For example, you could watch episodes of The Big Bang Theory (current) and Girlfriends (2000s), both sitcoms about groups of friends living in a city; Black-ish (current) and Sanford and Son (1970s), both family sitcoms starring black actors; or The L-Word: Generation Q (current) and The L-Word (2000's), programs featuring members of the LGBTQ community.

As you watch, make a list of each shows characters, and describe them. Note which characters play major and minor roles, and how they are portrayed (as a stereotype or in a positive or negative light). Jot down three of each characters defining characteristics.

Part II: Tell us what two shows & episodes you watched, and then discuss the following:

• Are the characters fully formed and three-dimensional or shallow and one-dimensional?
• According to popular wisdom, our societyand the TV programming that acts as a mirror of that societyis generally becoming more inclusive. Do the shows you viewed from different eras support this idea? Why or why not?