Latino TV: A History

The first-ever account of Latino/a participation and representation in US English-language television, Latino TV: A History, offers a sweeping study of key moments of Chicano/a and Latino/a representation and authorship since the 1950s. It examines Latina/o representation in everything from childrens television Westerns to sitcoms and Latina and Latino-led series in the 2000s and 2010s.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The history of Latina/o participation and representation in American television has been a complex and evolving journey, with a wide range of characters and narratives being told on the small screen. From the early days of children's television Westerns in the 1950s to the Chicana/o and Puerto Rican activist-led public affairs series of the 1970s, to the sitcoms that spanned half a century, and to the Latina and Latino-led series in the 2000s and 2010s on broadcast, cable, and streaming outlets, the representation of Latinos/as in American television has been a rich and diverse tapestry.

One of the key questions that has emerged throughout this history is who are the heroes and heroines of these narratives? Who are the characters that are held up as intriguing, lovable, and compelling? And who are the characters that are fully realized, rather than being cardboard villains and sidekicks?

In her book, "Latino TV: A History," Mary Beltrán offers a comprehensive account of Latino/a participation and representation in US English-language television. Drawing on archival research, interviews with dozens of media professionals who worked on or performed in these series, textual analysis of episodes and promotional materials, and analysis of news media coverage, Beltrán examines Latina/o representation in everything from children's television Westerns to Chicana/o and Puerto Rican activist-led public affairs series to sitcoms that spanned half a century.

Through the exploration of the histories of Latina/o television narratives and the authors of those narratives, Beltrán sheds important light on how Latinos/as have been included—and, more often, not—in the television industry and in the stories of the country writ large. She highlights the ways in which Latina/o characters have been marginalized, stereotyped, and underrepresented, and she calls for greater diversity and representation in the television industry.

One of the most significant aspects of Beltrán's book is its focus on the authors of Latina/o television narratives. She explores the backgrounds and experiences of the writers, producers, and directors who have created these series, and she sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that they have faced in bringing the television industry.

Beltrán also examines the impact of Latina/o television narratives on the broader the broader culture. She explores how these series have contributed to the shaping of Latina/o identity and the representation of Latinos/as in the media, and she highlights the ways in which they have challenged traditional notions of gender, race, and sexuality.

In conclusion, the history of Latina/o participation and representation in American television has been a complex and evolving journey, with a wide range of characters and narratives being told on the small screen. From the early days of children's television Westerns to the Chicana/o and Puerto Rican activist-led public affairs series of the 1970s, to the sitcoms that spanned half a century, and to the Latina and Latino-led series in the 2000s and 2010s on broadcast, cable, and streaming outlets, the representation of Latinos/as in American television has been a rich and diverse tapestry.

Mary Beltrán's book, "Latino TV: A History," offers a comprehensive account of Latino/a participation and representation in US English-language television, shedding important light on how Latinos/as have been included—and, more often, not—in the television industry and in the stories of the country writ large. Through the exploration of the histories of Latina/o television narratives and the authors of those narratives, Beltrán calls for greater diversity and representation in the television industry, and she highlights the ways in which these series have contributed to the shaping of Latina/o identity and the representation of Latinos/as in the media.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479833894