Doesn't everyone look unhealthy in old tv shows?

[LaurieFairyCake]

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.

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.

Orange spray tan doesn't make someone healthy.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 

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'!

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.

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!

I think it's the technology, too.

They look much more healthy and slim but not as plastic

Lack of roughage in the diet.

And photoshop

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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