My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum.

Chat

Doesn't everyone look unhealthy in old tv shows?

32 replies

LaurieFairyCake · 19/10/2018 18:41

I'm baffled. But everyone looks so pale, pasty, jowelly, podgy (not fat but really untoned)

I'm watching a tv show from 1992, so 26 years ago. Just look massively unhealthy.

OP posts:
Report
citiesofbismuth · 19/10/2018 18:52

Yes. I watched a documentary from 1974 yesterday on YouTube and they all looked ill.

The men were all skinny and very pale in particular.

They all smoked like steam trains though.

Report
EnidButton · 19/10/2018 19:11

Orange spray tan doesn't make someone healthy.

Report
ProfessionallyUnoffended · 19/10/2018 19:19

I know what you mean, the contestants on old re runs of bullseye always seen to be ill looking!! The beige clothing doesn't help!

Report
gamerwidow · 19/10/2018 19:25

Painting yourself orange and having access to better make up and clothes doesn’t make you healthy though. They were probably healthier in someways although they did smoke like chimneys.

Report
PortiaCastis · 19/10/2018 19:28

Spray tan teeth whitening lots of make up fb pouting and drinking like a fish does not make for a healthy person

Report
PurpleDaisies · 19/10/2018 19:29

Since when did pale mean unhealthy? A tan is unhealthy.

Report
ManicUnicorn · 19/10/2018 19:36

I know what you mean OP. Even really young people look awful in old TV shows. I cant explain why though? I mean I imagine, smoking aside, they were probably much healthier than we are now.

Report
lottiegarbanzo · 19/10/2018 19:41

Interesting and I don't doubt you're right in that instance but, I often look at 1970s films and love how normal and natural, albeit slim and pretty everyone looks, instead of every actor and actress being a super-toned gym bunny.

Report
LaurieFairyCake · 19/10/2018 19:56

I don't mean pale as a bad thing, I'm completely alabaster myself.

It's pale in the unhealthy sense, clammy looking. Like you've not eaten enough veg 

OP posts:
Report
lottiegarbanzo · 19/10/2018 20:02

Well... I suspect that lots of people didn't used to eat enough veg (and plenty don't now). In the 70s and 80s tinned veg was completely normal for lots of people. Fresh veg was a bit 'posh'!

Report
DrCoconut · 19/10/2018 20:04

I watched a 1976 documentary about labour wards a while ago and it was noticeable how unwashed everyone looked compared to now. Doctors with noticeably greasy hair, clothes that would now be put in the wash rather than reworn etc.

Report
Waxlyrically · 19/10/2018 20:15

Could it just be the technology of the time ie cameras weren’t as high definition or accurate with colour? Other than that it must be down to the fact looking “natural” isn’t currently the look to aspire to. I’m old and don’t care so probably wouldn’t look out of place on a 1990’s programme!

Report
HollowTalk · 19/10/2018 20:17

I think it's the technology, too.

Report
dangerrabbit · 19/10/2018 20:18

They look much more healthy and slim but not as plastic

Report
Dontfeellikeaskeleton · 19/10/2018 20:19

Lack of roughage in the diet.

And photoshop

Report
HollowTalk · 19/10/2018 20:21

I reckon there would've been far more roughage in the diet! You were far less likely to eat processed food.

Report
IAmGrootGrootGroot · 19/10/2018 20:23

I'm always flabbergasted that, when watching old game shows and the like, there are never any cat people in the audience. None!

Report
MawkishTwaddle · 19/10/2018 20:23

I find the normal hair and teeth quite noticeable on pre-2000 stuff.

I remember the time before straighteners and whiteners. Much less threatening for the less-blessed among us.

Report
LavenderBush · 19/10/2018 20:25

Exercise is more the norm now (certainly among actors!).

I'm guessing makeup and lighting/camera filters have moved on, too.

Report
lottiegarbanzo · 19/10/2018 20:36

cat = fat? Or, who are these 'cat people' I've failed to notice?!!

Report
BezalHell · 19/10/2018 21:08

There should always be plenty of cat people in an audience, IMHO.

Report
lottiegarbanzo · 19/10/2018 21:34

Well indeed. But does one identify them by the light scattering of fur upon their coats, or by their ears?

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

HildaZelda · 19/10/2018 23:12

Hahaha Grin I'm loling hard at "cat people" here.

Report
attentionspan · 19/10/2018 23:35

They look podgy because of the different screen size/ratio when it was originally filmed. The picture has to be digitally stretched sideways to fit modern wider screens hence everyone looking a bit on the chubby side.

Report
AlecTrevelyan006 · 19/10/2018 23:56

people were certainly slimmer and more natural looking

it was also socially acceptable to be less-than perfectly groomed - dirty clothes were pretty much de rigueur back in the day

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.