The NAACP recently complained about the lack of racially diverse shows on the major television networks, and the limited roles for African Americans on television. The movie Bamboozled is a social satire on TV's seemingly racist practices. It is also a social commentary on how media works to fuel popular culture. Spike Lee in this movie is, as he said in his own words, making a "satire of the history of film and TV industries," and he is stressing "satire". The movie focuses in on a minstrel show. Minstrels were the comedic variety shows of the early days. These minstrel shows were often offensive and stereotypical. Minstrels were performed in black face by both blacks and whites. Spike Lee is drawing a connection between the common portrayal of African Americans then and now in entertainment and television, and also how the white man needed to feel superior to the black by portraying them in a certain light. Lee said "In doing research what hurt me was the depth that I !
             saw the hatred of us as a people. To see the depths to which America showed its hatred via radio, film, television, songs, Aunt Jamima, Uncle Ben. It's just amazing."
             The film opens with the Webster definition of satire as spoken by Pierre Delacroix played by Damon Wayans. "Satire. 1a-A literary work in which human vice or folly is ridiculed or attacked scornfully. B-The branch of literature that composes such work. 2-Irony derision or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity." Bamboozled, along with the television series, Mantan The New Millennium Minstrel Show, created within the movie, is a satire. Both are focusing on the stereotypes imposed on the black community by the media and white man's view of the black community. This "prison of stereotypes", as referred to by Stanley Crouch is portrayed quite humorously and dramatically throughout the movie.
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