How Stereotyping Shapes the Public Image of Today's Italian Americans
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How stereotyping shapes the public image of today’s Italian Americans. SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO [email protected] or mail to: “It’s Only a Movie,” Italian America Magazine, 219 E Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Include name and daytime telephone number. No telephone calls please. Mailed submissions cannot be acknowledged. Contributors’ names, when known, are in parenthesis. Compiled by Dona De Sanctis • “LET THE SINS BEGIN” encour- About 17 spots have been made so far. Among them, ages America’s latest crime show, are ones named “Bada Bing” and “Cannoli.” Twelve “Vegas,” which premiered in prime- car dealers in seven states have used them so far. The ads time on CBS September 25th. It stars also appear on fliers, YouTube videos and billboards. Dennis Quaid as Ralph Lamb, the • AND FOR THE LITTLE ONES….The children’s real-life cowboy sheriff who took on network, Nickelodeon is making a kiddie TV movie the city’s gangsters in 1960s. about the Mafia. Currently in production and scheduled Ironically, all the thugs that Quaid for release for the Fall 2013 television season, “Nicky fights are Italian American, but it was Deuce” will reunite four members of “The Sopranos,” Murder Incorporated, under Meyer Lansky and Bugsy including Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa with Siegel, who built the first flashy casino, “The Flamingo” a cameo from Tony himself, James Gandol- in 1946. From 1952 to 1957, through money and insti- fini. It will be the first time the actors have tutional lending provided by the Teamsters Union and performed together since the series ended some Mormon bankers, Murder Incorporated also built five years ago, according to the Huffpost TV. “the Sahara,” “the Sands,” and other crime hotels that “Nicky Deuce” is based on the children’s eventually became famed entertainment resorts. Why book of the same name, co-authored by are all the “Vegas” bad guys Italian? Perhaps because “Author” Schirripa, which presents a rich suburban boy the series was written by Nick Pileggi of Casino and Steve who is sent to stay with his Italian relatives in Goodfellas. Pileggi is now making a TV series based on Schirripa Brooklyn, and becomes convinced they are Goodfellas for next year. [Walter Santi, Chicago] secretly mobsters, but who turn out to be un- • MAFIA PUPPETS HAWK CARS The Sons of Italy CSJ dercover detectives. Still the New York Italian American along with the Italian American One Voice Coalition stereotypes abound. According to Nickelodeon execu- under Manny Alfano, have joined forces to protest a tive Marjorie Cohn, “having ‘The Sopranos’ actors adds series of television commercials that feature puppets who a level of authenticity and fun.” walk, talk, and Nickelodeon is a division of Viacom, which gave the act like Ital- world “Jersey Shore” through its MTV division. To ian Americans. protest, call Nickelodeon HQ in NYC at 212/258-7500 But these or Viacom in LA at 323/956-5000. [Manny Alfano, characters intimidate customers either to buy a new car Italian American One Voice Coalition] or repair their own cars at a Toyota dealership by making “an offer you better not refuse.” ITALIANFALL 2012 AMERICA 15 ITALIANFALL AMERICA 2012 15.