Are men unfairly characterized as incompetent, bumbling fools in the media/on TV?

Yes I agree. I wrote my Media Studies essay on this subject. In old films and other types of media and even advertising women were portrayed as serving the man's needs be that domestically or sexually. As the three waves of feminism came and passed slowly the media changed, in women's favour. Women started to be portrayed as Intelligent, gathered individuals who often hold the fort. In turn men became the ones who gave the comedy. Often they are portrayed as idiotic and unintelligent and unsure of themselves. They are the ones who are often at fault and so on. I don't think women are shown in that poor of a light anymore, men are.