Hey, Wait a Minute.....
Obviously in 2017's society there are a few more social "sensitivities" than there were even 10 or 20 years ago. Looking back at old popular culture, I often see things that would be deemed completely inappropriate in today's society that nary batted an eye at the time they were happening. Blatant stereotyping, sexism and even outright racism in popular culture that nobody at the time seemed to really mind or make a big deal over. Looking back, I'm truly blown away at some of the things people got away with putting on TV, music or in print. What I'm looking for are examples of things that existed in popular culture that would never fly in today's world. DISCLAIMER: With a thread topic based around what would cause controversy today, it stands to reason that there could be some controversial things discussed within the thread. I'd like to think we're all mature enough in here to keep it clean enough to avoid a lock (or worse), so please bear that in mind while posting in this thread.
I'll start off with an example that really blew me away just a few minutes back and inspired me to start this thread.
Sometime in the early 2000's, WWE wrestling was putting out some of the worst gimmicks for wrestlers that you could imagine. They must've just been plain out of ideas for some of these gimmicks. Well the very worst one to me was when the WWE put together a tag team of young African-Americans named JTG and Shad Gaspard. So what does Vince McMahon decide to call these two young urban black dudes to really jump-start their careers? Cryme Tyme, of course. And then he basically dresses them up like a spoof of a different rapper every week, has them come down to the ring to gangsta rap, and basically just piles on the stereotypes as thickly as possible. Take a minute to think about how totally racist that is. You take the first black tag-team to come along in years, and you make their gimmick to be two thug street criminals. That sort of thing would just never fly today, social media would have a complete meltdown and Vince McMahon would have all kinds of PR backpeddling to do.
What are some other examples of "inappropriate" things that existed in past pop culture (that people barely seemed to notice at the time) that would cause a torch & pitchfork mob today?
I'll start off with an example that really blew me away just a few minutes back and inspired me to start this thread.
Sometime in the early 2000's, WWE wrestling was putting out some of the worst gimmicks for wrestlers that you could imagine. They must've just been plain out of ideas for some of these gimmicks. Well the very worst one to me was when the WWE put together a tag team of young African-Americans named JTG and Shad Gaspard. So what does Vince McMahon decide to call these two young urban black dudes to really jump-start their careers? Cryme Tyme, of course. And then he basically dresses them up like a spoof of a different rapper every week, has them come down to the ring to gangsta rap, and basically just piles on the stereotypes as thickly as possible. Take a minute to think about how totally racist that is. You take the first black tag-team to come along in years, and you make their gimmick to be two thug street criminals. That sort of thing would just never fly today, social media would have a complete meltdown and Vince McMahon would have all kinds of PR backpeddling to do.
What are some other examples of "inappropriate" things that existed in past pop culture (that people barely seemed to notice at the time) that would cause a torch & pitchfork mob today?
Comments
As to this particular case the music (and the images it was intended to convey) existed long before the wrestling duo you are talking about. It would seem more appropriate if you think there is a problem to go back to the source and target the music with your misgivings. (Not that I am one for such things - freedom of speech is a biggie in my book - be it music, books, television or whatever.)
People crying racist cuz Mario was in a poncho and sombrero. *heavy eye roll* people are way too sensitive these days and need to get over it. If people took the time and energy they spend on bitchin about pointless shit and turned it into something positive the world would be a better place.
Doesn't matter if they're a mix of Icelandic, Australian, Argentinian, South African, etc.
IMHO using "professional" wrestling is a poor stick to measure anything by. It has always been just a series on ongoing morality tales (call it a dumbed down soap opera if you will) wrapped up in outlandish parodies based on whatever is going on elsewhere in popular (and sometimes political) culture. At least since I first watched such stuff back in the late fifties and sixties (and I assume it was much the same before then). I no longer watch this very often but it just seems glitzier than before with similar (if updated) themes.
As to this particular case the music (and the images it was intended to convey) existed long before the wrestling duo you are talking about. It would seem more appropriate if you think there is a problem to go back to the source and target the music with your misgivings. (Not that I am one for such things - freedom of speech is a biggie in my book - be it music, books, television or whatever.)
To be clear, I am not a fan of 2017 overly-PC, overly-censored, shame-fearing society. I feel like a George Carlin soul in the body of a man in his 30's.
I agree that a better example could likely be found, wrestling has always been about outlandish parodies and being over-the-top to the point of silliness after all, I was just using this example because it's fairly recent in history and relatable to the young audience here. I don't know if I started a thread about David Allen Coe's old racist country tunes, GG Allin faux-raping female fans onstage or Archie Bunker's overt misogyny/racism I'd be quite as effective to the crowd...but who knows, maybe I would and the average user here isn't as young as I think (and yes Natty I know you're an impressionable blossoming teen yourself ) .
It is a very nice touch, owing up what was done instead of editing and trying to pretend it never happened.
Other examples would be Pocahontas, probably Aladdin, the cartoon Doug, most awesome 80s movies, there is a huge list!
I just hate that all these PC people liked these shows/movies and yet hate when something similar comes out today and they throw a fit. If something is a joke (no matter how edgy it is) it should be taken as such. Comedy is usually an exaggeration of life and people can't handle it anymore...ugh. Maybe Kale makes people revert back to babies, or maybe the lack of gluten changed our brain chemistry to like stupid things.
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
How I Met Your Mother would NEVER air today and that makes me sad.
Can you elaborate? I haven't seen anything close to inappropriate in that show. Especially considering it went off the air what, 2 years ago?
Oh yeah!
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
Well, that was making fun of white guys protraying other races in film in the first place
Originally posted by: dra600n
Originally posted by: PuppyWaffles
How I Met Your Mother would NEVER air today and that makes me sad.
Can you elaborate? I haven't seen anything close to inappropriate in that show. Especially considering it went off the air what, 2 years ago?
No ethnic diversity, a gay man playing a straight man whore, all the jokes that wouldn't be PC today, all the sexual subject material, and the biggest new "don't do that on TV" drinking alcohol.
Originally posted by: Brock Landers
Originally posted by: PuppyWaffles
Oh yeah!
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
Well, that was making fun of white guys protraying other races in film in the first place
But would today be ok with it?
Oh yeah!
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
Well, that was making fun of white guys protraying other races in film in the first place
But would today be ok with it?
It's only 9 years old and RDJ was praised to high heaven. Pretty sure it would be okay today.
As dra600n mentioned, it just went off the air, and is in syndication. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it in terms of current audiences.
Oh yeah!
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
Well, that was making fun of white guys protraying other races in film in the first place
But would today be ok with it?
It's only 9 years old and RDJ was praised to high heaven. Pretty sure it would be okay today.
Yeah i was just about to post what you guys are saying. It isn't that old, and it was a satire making fun of white people. NOT the other way around. Every black person in the movie theater were laughing their asses off.
Originally posted by: dra600n
Originally posted by: PuppyWaffles
How I Met Your Mother would NEVER air today and that makes me sad.
Can you elaborate? I haven't seen anything close to inappropriate in that show. Especially considering it went off the air what, 2 years ago?
No ethnic diversity, a gay man playing a straight man whore, all the jokes that wouldn't be PC today, all the sexual subject material, and the biggest new "don't do that on TV" drinking alcohol.
Bartender is hispanic, Ted went on dates with non-white females, etc. if you are referring to the main cast, there's plenty of shows that don't have white actors in main roles. Having a gay man play a straight man isn't offensive either. Plenty of straight males play gay roles. You're really grasping at straws on this one.
How I Met Your Mother would NEVER air today and that makes me sad.
Can you elaborate? I haven't seen anything close to inappropriate in that show. Especially considering it went off the air what, 2 years ago?
I just binged watched every episode over 3 months with my fiance. I can't remember a single episode that would be considered racist or offensive today.
I think the only thing offensive about that show was Lily's character.........
Man, i love that show......it was Legen............
Oh yeah!
Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, try THAT now!
Well, that was making fun of white guys protraying other races in film in the first place
But would today be ok with it?
Yes, the same liberal elites in Hollywood gave Downey Jr. an Oscar nod for it because (besides being a great role) at the end of the day it's making fun of rich, white Hollywood types who take craft that seriously. So, the only people who should be offended are Russell Crowe and Daniel Day Lewis
You guys are saying stuff isn't that "old" but if it is over 4 years old then it is old in terms of modern TV/movies. Look at how much everything has changed in the last 4 years. We might all be ok with these things, but society isn't anymore.
That is fine that things have changed in the last 4 years. They have. But your examples of what is offensive on the show, even then still don't line up with being offensive today. Like a gay actor playing a straight man whore. How is that even remotely offensive. If anything it shows how good of an actor he is.
Fun Fact that most people probably already know. Scooter is his husband.
You guys are saying stuff isn't that "old" but if it is over 4 years old then it is old in terms of modern TV/movies. Look at how much everything has changed in the last 4 years. We might all be ok with these things, but society isn't anymore.
That is fine that things have changed in the last 4 years. They have. But your examples of what is offensive on the show, even then still don't line up with being offensive today. Like a gay actor playing a straight man whore. How is that even remotely offensive. If anything it shows how good of an actor he is.
Fun Fact that most people probably already know. Scooter is his husband.
Exactly. I can list 5 shows that would be considered more offensive than HIMYM that are still airing today with new seasons.
You guys are saying stuff isn't that "old" but if it is over 4 years old then it is old in terms of modern TV/movies.
Four years ago it was mostly superhero movies, reality TV, and stuff like the Walking Dead. Today it's ... mostly superhero movies, reality TV, and stuff like the Walking Dead.
Friends definitely had some stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. They push gender values/ideals pretty strongly in some episodes. They often make fun of the male characters for doing things that would be 'gay'.
Married with Children was probably the worst. It was considered low class back in the day. Bond is another good comment... insanely sexist.