Because my phone is a good friend that pays attention to me, it often asks me to read articles with titles like, “15 Seinfeld Episodes that Wouldn’t Be Made Today” and dumb stuff like that. And since I have nothing better to do, I usually click on them to see which episodes this weirdo thinks wouldn’t air today. Even though I know it’s a waste of time and just click-bait for whatever crappy website let said weirdo write for them (probably for “exposure” rather than money), my curiosity gets the better of me.
I can't believe how (speaking for myself) being gay was such a big deal in the 80s & 90s growing up. So glad representation has gotten better (not that there's not a ton of people trying to turn back the clock, either). Also, "sorry and ashamed" at how we acted back then, saying "r-word" the "f-word" and worse in our shared hometown, perhaps because we didn't know gay people or how those words would hurt someone.
I always think statistically, it was impossible for us to not have been 'friend o' lesbian' or gay or queer people back then...but they were so in the closet, likely they were afraid to come out. It was a different time, a different time... indeed. One thing that I like about the kind of work I do, and even having such longtime friends like us from the hometown, are two things.
One: We've grown, we've adapted the language, we are careful and might slip on a pronoun or two but will correct or change the subject if we even are saying something ironically or could be perceived negatively. I know we are, to quote cartoonist Scott McCloud (not Scott Adams) "on the sign of light".
Two: I get to see young people enjoying each other's company, in not as much of a judgmental way, accepting of the colors of the rainbow as it were, and something like being gay (or some other close-minded thoughts we may have had) is not really 'a big deal' to these youngs. As olds, best we can do is learn from them.
As far as Seinfeld is concerned, the art stands, the jokes might not be appropriate if in a writer's room today, but I believe Larry and Jerry and the writers also were "on the sign of light" and hopefully have grown to adapt to living a long and healthy life today. I recently heard of why Eddie Murphy doesn't do standup any more. He apologized for saying things that hurt. (note my Eddie Murphy: COMEDIAN" tape was hidden from my parents, on a dubbed cassette that said "Smothers Brothers" on felt marker". That was an important tape in my childhood!)
Now, Eddie Murphy is someone who now makes movies about Candy Cane Lane found himself "on the sign of light".
I've oversimplified things here and my own thoughts for sure, but the saddest thing I can think of, in relation to hypothetical hometown peers for instance, is thinking that people got stuck there mentally and are still unjustly attacking LGBTQ+ with legislation or worse. "It was a different time" can also mean "It was a different time, let's not revisit the pain we put on others in the past without being mindful of how words can hurt. It's NOW a different time. Let's embrace that! "
Oh, and I totally forgot we recorded these Seinfeld episodes by the way. Go back and listen, I will!
P.S. I know you don't have the Apple TV programs but maybe they will filter your way eventually, they are dealing with closeted people in an alternate history "For All Mankind" about NASA and Soviet space race 1980s in a very deft and interesting way. It's alternate history! A Different Time! Here's a spoiler-article but sheds some light as to what I am talking about: https://screenrant.com/for-all-mankind-ellen-gay-coming-out-scene/
Do you respect wood?
Another great SubSTACK in the can!
I can't believe how (speaking for myself) being gay was such a big deal in the 80s & 90s growing up. So glad representation has gotten better (not that there's not a ton of people trying to turn back the clock, either). Also, "sorry and ashamed" at how we acted back then, saying "r-word" the "f-word" and worse in our shared hometown, perhaps because we didn't know gay people or how those words would hurt someone.
I always think statistically, it was impossible for us to not have been 'friend o' lesbian' or gay or queer people back then...but they were so in the closet, likely they were afraid to come out. It was a different time, a different time... indeed. One thing that I like about the kind of work I do, and even having such longtime friends like us from the hometown, are two things.
One: We've grown, we've adapted the language, we are careful and might slip on a pronoun or two but will correct or change the subject if we even are saying something ironically or could be perceived negatively. I know we are, to quote cartoonist Scott McCloud (not Scott Adams) "on the sign of light".
Two: I get to see young people enjoying each other's company, in not as much of a judgmental way, accepting of the colors of the rainbow as it were, and something like being gay (or some other close-minded thoughts we may have had) is not really 'a big deal' to these youngs. As olds, best we can do is learn from them.
As far as Seinfeld is concerned, the art stands, the jokes might not be appropriate if in a writer's room today, but I believe Larry and Jerry and the writers also were "on the sign of light" and hopefully have grown to adapt to living a long and healthy life today. I recently heard of why Eddie Murphy doesn't do standup any more. He apologized for saying things that hurt. (note my Eddie Murphy: COMEDIAN" tape was hidden from my parents, on a dubbed cassette that said "Smothers Brothers" on felt marker". That was an important tape in my childhood!)
Now, Eddie Murphy is someone who now makes movies about Candy Cane Lane found himself "on the sign of light".
I've oversimplified things here and my own thoughts for sure, but the saddest thing I can think of, in relation to hypothetical hometown peers for instance, is thinking that people got stuck there mentally and are still unjustly attacking LGBTQ+ with legislation or worse. "It was a different time" can also mean "It was a different time, let's not revisit the pain we put on others in the past without being mindful of how words can hurt. It's NOW a different time. Let's embrace that! "
Oh, and I totally forgot we recorded these Seinfeld episodes by the way. Go back and listen, I will!
P.S. I know you don't have the Apple TV programs but maybe they will filter your way eventually, they are dealing with closeted people in an alternate history "For All Mankind" about NASA and Soviet space race 1980s in a very deft and interesting way. It's alternate history! A Different Time! Here's a spoiler-article but sheds some light as to what I am talking about: https://screenrant.com/for-all-mankind-ellen-gay-coming-out-scene/