Scholar Evelyn Alsultany refers to these strategies as "simplified complex representations": "Simplified complex representations are strategies used by television producers, writers, and directors to give the impression that the representations they are producing are complex. . . . These representations appear to challenge or complicate former stereotypes and contribute to a multicultural or post-race illusion."

DEFINE: Alsultany's term 'simplified complex representations' names the TV-industry trick of appearing to challenge stereotypes while actually reinforcing them.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 529