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.

[user1457017537]

All youngsters today have the benefit of good healthcare and most have had good dental care. At least if the parenting has been good and not inadequate. They are so much better off all round and it shows.

Agree with a previous poster that their was more variety in hair colour, style and length and old movie stars are not all clones of one another.

[wowfudge]

Bloody hell, what baloney that people didn't eat enough veg or wore dirty clothes! It's often the quality of the recording. Digital doesn't age. The 70s were mainly brown and orange from what I recall.

[OrangePeppers]

I saw an old episode of a chat show from the mid 90s recently - can’t remember which one. What really struck me about it was how the people on it looked like real people! The women all looked very different from each other. They had different skin tones, hair etc whereas now everyone seems to be orange, EYEBROWED and have perfect hair courtesy of straighteners etc. It was so refreshing and made me remember how back then you could be thought of as beautiful just for looking like yourself rather than looking like a D list celebrity clone. I miss that.

[PickAChew]

And, yes, the stretch from 4:3 to 16:9 isnt flattering!

[PickAChew]

Old TV studios necessitated heavy waxy make up that melted under the lights. Even Dr Christian would look more like a waxwork than ever, under those conditions.

[RedDrink]

@Waxlyrically

"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."

Agree with that.

Now don't get me wrong I am amazed to see new Mum's at groups who have the time for orange toned skin, 5 buckets of makeup, big hair, and long fake nails...but I wouldn't say they look healthy.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Can anyone provide any photographic evidence of this as I don't really relate to what is being said here. The only difference I notice is that you didn't get as many fat people in those days (lol @ cat people) but that is healthier surely, not less healthy.

[AlecTrevelyan006]

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

[attentionspan]

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.

[HildaZelda]

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

[lottiegarbanzo]

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

[BezalHell]

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

[lottiegarbanzo]

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

[LavenderBush]

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

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

[MawkishTwaddle]

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.

[IAmGrootGrootGroot]

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

[HollowTalk]

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

[Dontfeellikeaskeleton]

Lack of roughage in the diet.

And photoshop

[dangerrabbit]

They look much more healthy and slim but not as plastic

[HollowTalk]

I think it's the technology, too.

[Waxlyrically]

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!

[DrCoconut]

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.

[lottiegarbanzo]

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'!

[LaurieFairyCake]

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 

[lottiegarbanzo]

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.