White men mostly dominate the media industry, in particular television and radio. White men were the pioneers of, and known as the essential players in, the growth of television and radio as a medium for mass communication over the years. However, women and minorities were, and still are, involved in the growth of these communication mediums. There is not enough attention paid to these two groups. These heads have taken it upon themselves to show the American public what things should and should not be like, as well as, how we should view different people in our society. Although not according to the public, I do consider myself a minority, and therefore, feel I have a right to research and discuss this topic. I am a minority because I am a part of “a group differing ethnic background than the majority of the population.” (Webster’s, 1996) I have been subject to the stereotypical portrayals of Italians, as well as, witnessed the distorted representati!.

             on of other minorities and females on television. The discrimination towards women and minorities occurred often in front of the camera, in view of the entertainment aspect of the industry, where stereotypical views of these two groups overtook whatever shows there were about them. .

             In discussing the depiction of women and minorities on the screen it is only right to touch upon how the media heads have distorted our view of everything in everyday life since the inception of television. It has gone as deep as forcing upon the viewing public their idea of what a “typical” American family should be and the solutions to the daily problems it faces. In the 1950’s everything on television was supposed to represent what the society of the time believed was right. From comedy to drama, the shows of the day emphasized the idealized "wholesome" values that the old-fashioned, white, male heads of the stations wanted to depict.