Pro-Social Effects Class Discussions

In class on February 15 and February 17, 2011, we as a class discussed pro-social effects and our Student Activity #2 assisted in those discussions.
One of the parts of the Student Activity had us watch television programs with either children, homosexuals or people with disabilities, or a combination of the three, and then to first give what we felt were stereotypes of that given group and then if the characters on the show fit or went against those stereotypes.
I found this exercise to be not only interesting in the completion of it, but in finding that a lot of my classmates had found that the characters on the shows they watched didn't fit the stereotypes of the given groups as well.
I feel that as time goes on, portrayals of different types of people in the media will become less and less stereotypical. Sure, there are still some evidence of some stereotypical and possible offensive portrayal of certain members in society,but I think the fact that there are more and more roles that don't fit the "norm" in society is hope enough.
But the question I have and pose to my readers is will the trends continue in trying to get away from the "norm" or will they eventually revert to the "tried and true" method of over emphasizing stereotypes on television and film?
Personally I don't know, but do hope that they continue to break the mold... One of if not my favorite television shows, "24" had an African American President and in 2008 we elected President Obama. I know there's no real correlation, but maybe art can continue to become reality, as long as it's positive in showing growth as human beings.