Piscopo aims to get rid of Italian stereotypes

Comedian Joe Piscopo wants to change the popular stereotypes of Italian-Americans promoted on television and in movies.

The former "Saturday Night Live" star attended a panel discussion at Seton Hall University on Saturday that examined why, according to one attendee, prejudice against Italians is tacitly accepted in popular culture.

Piscopo, who said he is embarrassed by some of the stereotypical Italian characters he has played, is at work on a movie that portrays an Italian-American family from northern New Jersey. He is determined to get the film made, though he said he has run into difficulties because it is not gangster-related.

Among the other panelists were actor Tony Lo Bianco, playwright LindaAnn Loschiavo and Emanuele Alfano, chairman of UNICO National, an anti-bias group.