Who is Fez?
The portrayal of different races and places on television have a powerful impact on how viewers depict things in the real world. Within the past couple of years shows have become more diverse with shows like Orange is the New Black and Gray’s Anatomy, both of which do not exclude other races based on past stereotypes, but show more of a 3 dimensional background and character of say characters. It is noticeable that, although some shows are making these changes to cater to the diversified population, racism and stereotypes are not even close to being wiped out from the television industry, as seen on That ‘70s Show with the token character Fez.
While most will say that Fez is quite a character, he lacks depth. I personally have only watched the first 6 episodes in the first season, but not once has it been mentioned where Fez is from, only one small dialogue as to where he lived before. “Who is that?” “Foreign exchange student” and then the people continue their conversation on another topic. While he looks to be of a Latino decent, Fez mentions in a job interview that he speaks fluent Dutch. On top of that, Fez has an extremely heavy accent (definitely not Dutch) from a country unknown to the audience. His character is completely compiled of different random cultures of things that may or may not be true. Overall, Fez is just one massive Latino/other stereotype written for comic relief and reflects the extremes of cultures. This umbrella of ideas just pushes people to believe that most non-American cultures are the same. People may base their opinions of foreigners off Fez, but that would be ill advised seeing as That ‘70s show is comedy TV, but stranger things have happened. The point still stands that the demonstration of stereotypes of race is seen on popular shows of today.
Additionally to depicting Fez as a fresh off the boat foreigner, the television show’s producers portray him as a gullible, girl loving, not very bright exchange student that does not understand the United States culture. Further endorsing an untrue representation of Latinos (if that is even Fez’s nationality). There is a specific seen in the pilot episode that enforces how socially awkward the people behind the camera make Fez. Jackie has to go to the bathroom and reminds Donna to come with her and then Fez immediately to Eric and says “I to must go to the bathroom, Eric?” Inferring that Eric is to go to the bathroom with him. What Fez failed to realize is the social norms of the United States. One would think that this occurrence would be the same in every country, but then again That ‘70s Show is for comic relief. Also, at every turn Fez seems to be fawning over one girl or another, never actually getting anywhere.
If the only exposure people had to foreigners was Fez, one would be very surprised if he or she were to meet a real foreigner not watered down and flattened by the television. These unrealistic characteristics given to foreign minorities result in norms that unfairly portray the select races. Hopefully people do not base their ideas of minorities off comedy shows, but with a society so wrapped up in media it is difficult to say what people will filter out and what they will hold on to as true. That ‘70s show is a step backwards when trying to show equal portrayal of characters, but people watch it because it’s funny, not for politically correct material. The real question is, will people have enough mind of their own to decipher what is poking fun and what may be true? Or are we left in a world where most people will believe anything they see on television?
