Oh man. So many and so much. Most of the “comedy” from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s is unwatchable. Older movies are sometimes straight up disgusting. I think it’s a sign for how we grow as a society to be more aware of the sexism, racism and other forms of disrespect that has been sold as comedy or just as “normal”. I consume much more consciously and through a more meta lense. For reference: I’m turning 40 this year
I like to watch those old shows because they are reminders that we really have made significant progress in my lifetime.
I tried to rewatch John Tucker Must Die as something to have on in the background the other night, and wooow did that not hold up. I only made it to where they give him estrogen (which is insane and terrible) and he starts acting like a stereotypical “girl on her period” before I bailed. So many of the movies targeted at teenagers and young adults in that era are so bad. They went all in on punching down, and the amount of rape and sexual assault is wild in retrospect.
There are so many examples of anti trans sentiment in older comedy. Just about all of them hinging on the “you can always tell” myth and/or highlighting how obviously wrong and confused the poor trans people must be. For someone whose only exposure to trans people was that for a long time, I can’t begin to say how damaging and limiting that was.
It’s hard line between classic and temporary. Anything that follows trend hard usually doesn’t last the test. Things that try to relive the past usually don’t last.
I quit smoking pot and no longer enjoy the Spin Doctors. Well, that’s half true. I heard them straight one day and decided if that’s the kind of thing I like when I’m high, I should quit.
I remember really enjoying How I Met Your Mother when it was airing. I tried for a rewatch recently and only made it a few episodes in because I was so disinterested. It felt empty, and the humor wasn’t hitting. I think it’s a combination of I’ve changed (I’ve aged out of the “20-something singles fool around in a fantasy version of NYC” demographic) and TV has evolved (good comedy shows are no longer just goofy hijink situations and setups for one-liners).
So instead I rewatched Archer season one (same era as HIMYM) and fortunately that one still slaps.
Watched Beetlejuice with the kids last night. Not as funny as I remember, and they weren’t laughing either.
OTOH, we all thought The Lost Boys was still pretty cool.
Blazing Saddles next?
