Why Is It OK to Stereotype Men on TV?

Regarding “In TV Ads, the Laugh’s on Men . . . Isn’t It?” (Oct. 24): In contrast to the two male “barflies” who were interviewed by the writer (who happens to be a woman), I do find such commercials that are insulting to men offensive. I cannot understand why it continues to be politically correct to broadcast such drivel, while commercials felt to be offensive to women are immediately pulled from the airwaves. The article attempts to validate objectionable material by interviewing an advertising agency executive (who also happens to be a woman). I have grown tired of watching commercials depicting women as genius and males as ignorant.

In a commercial with men of various ethnicities, observe how the non-Caucasians are brilliant or informed while the Caucasian guy is the “dunderhead,” as April Smith so eloquently describes in this story. Genius and brilliance know no gender or racial boundaries. Of course, discrimination does exist in the minds of the truly uninformed. However, if we as a society do not tolerate discrimination based on race or sex in television or other media, shouldn’t the same be true of reverse discrimination?

STEPHEN FREYALDENHOVEN

San Luis Obispo