Witchcraft in entertainment

Movies like the "Witches of Eastwick" and "Practical Magic" and tv shows like "Charmed" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" feature witches and witchcraft prominently. Do these portrayals hurt by reinforcing stereotypes or help by exposing the average Joe to the concept of witchcraft as a lifestyle? Do you watch these shows or movies simply -because- there is a witch involved? Do you like that witches are featured but wish they'd "do it differently?"

I think sometimes witchcraft is treated as a novelty in entertainment. Like it's used as a quirk to make a character different. I treat the craft as a religion. I take it seriously but also have fun with it. It's an intergral part of who I am but it's not all that I am. I think when a character is made a witch, it's to replace characterization not enhance it.

I don't watch "Buffy" or "Charmed" (but I have seen them) so I really can't say. I liked most of Practical Magic but some of it was just eye-rolling. I don't know if it was in the book or stuck into the screenplay for effect (like them floating down off the top of the house at the end). I watched Practical Magic b/c (1) it was on and something to watch, (2) I was interested to see what it was about and (3) I liked the cast very much. Witches of Eastwick? Forget it. It was a joke and not even a funny one. Witches consorting with the devil? What a stereotype! And laughable.

I would like to see a portrayal of modern witchcraft for what it is, not some fantasy of spell-casting. I mean, I cast spells, sure. But I can't disappear or fly or turn someone into a newt. Granted, it might be boring but it'd give people an idea of what it really is. Sometimes I feel like people think I'm being "trendy" but how I express my faith is so not what's on TV and in movies.

The best example of seen of my faith portrayed in the media was the "Mists of Avalon" miniseries. It didn't try to be spectacular or weird with the idea of goddess worship but was more in tune with how I view my faith. I assume this is b/c of how the book was written. I have the book and haven't read it yet, so I can't say. But I would be proud to show this to a child as an example of what I believe... albeit Hollywood-ized a bit.