Stereotying in Sitcoms?

[Zed]

Does anyone think that there is a lot of stereotyping in sitcoms? I have noticed that in 'Two Pints of Lager and a packet of crisps' there is a lot of stereotypes of the working class. Showing them to permanently be struggling for money and not having anywhere else to go but down the pub. None of the charachters have any ambitions either.
Comparing this to another American sitcom, the classic, 'Friends' this also has a lot of sterotyping in as well. Pheobe the classic "dumb blonde" Joey the, "More muscle than brains." Chandler who is really sarcastic, Monica, "housewife." and obsessed with cleaning. Rachel "struggling buisness woman in a man's world." and Ross, "Abit wimpy."
These are all quite well known stereotypes and the 'Friends' charachters are a lot more middle-class than what 'Two pints' are.
Also looking at the two parenting techniques of Rachel in 'Friends' with her baby, and Janet in 'Two pints' it's very different.
Who else thinks this is stereotyping? and what does everybody else think about this topic?

[JamesG]

Simple, there are stereotypes in all forms of media.

Part of what makes comedy is showing an exaggeration of the truth.

[treky]

yes, I agree.

And, I take it that "Two pints of Lager and a packet of crisps" is a british sitcom? Maybe you'd better say what it's about for us "yanks" who never saw it.

[jimpickens]

Southerners, Appalachians, and country folks are always portrayed as toothless uneducated inbreds. Hunters and pro gun conservatives are always portrayed as paranoid, trigger happy bombastic simpletons if a character buys a gun rest assure the whole show will have jokes involving accidental discharges, pets or neighbors getting shot, followed by the character getting rid of it and a preachy lecture at the ed of the show.