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Original poster

Programmes/Films That Haven't Aged Well..

161 replies

JengaCupboard · 01/12/2023 09:43

I have been off work a couple of days with a stomach bug, so a lot of time has been spent flicking through Netflix and Amazon for films/programmes etc. I'll preface with being an avid fan of easy-watching background rubbish.. however a few things have been ruined for me this week...

Starting strong I thought we'd have a bit of Christmas trash and put on 'The Holiday'; used to love this. However I switched off after the first half hour because all I really homed in on was Cameron Diaz punching her ex (because she's a woman & he's a man that's OK), followed by advocating drink driving by swigging red wine out of the bottle in the Deli... and quite generally just found it quite dated and cheesy and ultimately not entertaining.

I've had a similar experience with old episodes of SATC recently too - used to love this however in hindsight what a bunch of god-awful self obsessed women in completely unrealistic and narrow minded roles.

I dare not put on Friends or Bridget Jones in case I tarnish the memory forever!!

Obviously this is light-hearted, but more seriously is this an age thing (nearly 40) or is it created by a more cultural/societal shift where women punching men, using 'gay' references as comedic slurs and advocating for drink driving is literally not accepted, let alone funny?

Is it just a continuation of change, for example watching Carry On from the 60's & 70's is potentially an even more extreme example, yet to me at least less unwatchable?

Is there anything that you used to love that you now can't watch for this kind of reason?

OP posts:
Changington · 04/12/2023 17:40

@SerafinasGoose

Oh dear, some of my favourite films are Working title.

Everest, Legend, Rush, About Time, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, the Borrowers, Fargo, Cats.

(OK, that last one was a joke, but the rest are great films IMO).

DearCake · 05/12/2023 06:34

I don’t think anyone on here is being precious. I think the thread is about seeing films as a cultural representation at a particular moment in time (which they were/are) and reflecting on culture and society has changed since then.

Quite naturally what is considered entertaining evolves over time. I think it’s fascinating to look back and see this evolution with our past references, attitudes and mindsets.

Like pp talking about how she thought Charlie’s Angels was great at the time but watching now it just doesn’t land in the same way.

Similar to Keith Lemon’s stuff. It’s horribly racist irrespective of when you watch it, but horrendously it was more acceptable back then because of the mindsets and attitudes at that time. Doesn’t make it right, and I’m not condoning it, but it would never be signed off now.

Fizbosshoes · 05/12/2023 07:23

Agree with PP watching Dirty dancing as an adult (parent with teenage DD) I see it in a totally different light to watching as a teen.

In the same way I watched the programme celebrating/commiserations the end of Neighbours either earlier this year, or last year. There was a storyline where Mike as a teacher started seeing one of the sixth form students. He was reprimanded by the head teacher and iirc asked to leave. I remember as a teen thinking this was unfair and the slant of the programme was sympathetic to Mike. Watching 30 years was a real eye opener!

busymyfoot · 05/12/2023 07:30

About 10 years ago, when my sons (now 19 and 17) were much younger we bought a box set of all the James Bond films. We only watched the PG ones, but they were incredibly mysoginistic. I had to keep pausing them for conversations with my boys to tell them why what they were watching wouldn't be appropriate now.

TomPinch · 05/12/2023 08:18

My DD (who loves JB) would probably tell me to clear out of the room if I did that.

Bambooshoot · 05/12/2023 08:33

welcometothnuthouse · 03/12/2023 10:01

How are peeps going to view todays films / programmes in the future i.e 30/40 years? There will be those who think it's much of nothing, funny or offensive.

Like being hit over the head with a woke bible. Repeatedly.

Bambooshoot · 05/12/2023 08:38

Though saying that, I loved Top Gun as a teen, but watching it again - oh dear! Why oh why would a highly qualified, experienced and beautiful instructor be interested in that obnoxious little twerp? Let alone fall madly in love with him within days for no reason? And invite him over and let him take a shower randomly as soon as he arrives? How rude (and weird).

Catsmere · 05/12/2023 10:01

DearCake · 05/12/2023 06:34

I don’t think anyone on here is being precious. I think the thread is about seeing films as a cultural representation at a particular moment in time (which they were/are) and reflecting on culture and society has changed since then.

Quite naturally what is considered entertaining evolves over time. I think it’s fascinating to look back and see this evolution with our past references, attitudes and mindsets.

Like pp talking about how she thought Charlie’s Angels was great at the time but watching now it just doesn’t land in the same way.

Similar to Keith Lemon’s stuff. It’s horribly racist irrespective of when you watch it, but horrendously it was more acceptable back then because of the mindsets and attitudes at that time. Doesn’t make it right, and I’m not condoning it, but it would never be signed off now.

Thank you. The posters saying people are looking for something to be offended by have completely missed the point.

BIossomtoes · 05/12/2023 10:04

busymyfoot · 05/12/2023 07:30

About 10 years ago, when my sons (now 19 and 17) were much younger we bought a box set of all the James Bond films. We only watched the PG ones, but they were incredibly mysoginistic. I had to keep pausing them for conversations with my boys to tell them why what they were watching wouldn't be appropriate now.

And you lived to tell that tale? They must be saints.

busymyfoot · 05/12/2023 10:10

BIossomtoes · 05/12/2023 10:04

And you lived to tell that tale? They must be saints.

Show quote history

Shape them while they're young. 🙂

Scruffington · 05/12/2023 10:35

Bambooshoot · 05/12/2023 08:38

Though saying that, I loved Top Gun as a teen, but watching it again - oh dear! Why oh why would a highly qualified, experienced and beautiful instructor be interested in that obnoxious little twerp? Let alone fall madly in love with him within days for no reason? And invite him over and let him take a shower randomly as soon as he arrives? How rude (and weird).

women fall for men not worthy of them all the time

even in 2023.

Bambooshoot · 05/12/2023 11:35

Scruffington · 05/12/2023 10:35

women fall for men not worthy of them all the time

even in 2023.

Show quote history

Very true, but I can’t help seeing this as a post in Relationships - “First date - he turned up and said he was going to take a shower, barged into my bathroom and disappeared for 20minutes, I was sat outside in my nice outfit and the wine got warm - red flag or no? Not to drip feed but he’s been really rude and arrogant to me and actually I’m his tutor at a highly confidential military level”

RoundsRobin · 05/12/2023 11:44

Back to the Future hasn’t aged well. Marty’s father George McFly, as a teen, was spying on Marty’s mum Lorraine whilst she was getting undressed in her bedroom. Admittedly Marty McFly expresses disgust that his dad is a peeping Tom.
Lorraine, at her school prom, was being sexually assaulted by Biff until George rescues her and thumps Biff. George and Lorraine kiss, fall in love and get married. Considering what Biff did to Lorraine, he still features in the McFly lives, before history was changed he was bullying George and after history changed he was working for the McFlys so despite him assaulting Lorraine he still features in the McFly household. It’s bizarre really.

BreakfastAtMilliways · 05/12/2023 12:02

DearCake · 01/12/2023 21:23

Am I thinking of American Beauty? With Kevin Spacey? Pretty sure that was twisted then but would be even more so now.

American Beauty was always meant to be a bit creepy and disturbing. I see Kevin Spacey’s character as a great example of an unreliable narrator.

Sceptic1234 · 05/12/2023 12:13

Indiana Jones.....basically an adventurer who steals artefacts from other cultures. Often overcoming anti theft measures specifically designed to prevent people like him being able to do this. Terrible representation of N African / middle eastern culture. Glorification of large alcohol intake (the drinking competition) and a strong hint that Indiana had sex with the female character when she was young.

All there....watch it again its dreadful!

Original poster
JengaCupboard · 05/12/2023 12:21

The more I read on this thread I think it may (at least for me) boil down to well-made stuff lasting the test of time; well written/intelligently or accurately portrayed etc, v.s cheap gags with predictable or overly stereotyped characters or story lines etc which date and become evidently poor/less entertaining much more quickly. Whether it would now be considered 'PC' or not is largely irrelevant. However what is entertaining is entirely subjective to the individual also obviously.

Comments made about 'offense' or 'snowflake' clearly aren't grasping the context of this thread, or not actually reading it properly. Being 'offended' vs. disappointed by something being a bit shit compared to how you remember it obviously aren't the same thing.

Having read this thread over the last few days in summary I don't actually care that Cameron Diaz punched her ex or intimated drinking and driving - It's potentially just a slightly crap film (in my personal opinion) and I just didn't notice before/no longer meets my change in entertainment criteria, clearly 😉

OP posts:
HalebiHabibti · 05/12/2023 12:24

To anyone who says I'm looking for stuff to be offended by - I'm really not. It's more a case that phrases/behaviours which used to seem perfectly normal and innocuous to me now sound way nastier/unacceptable. Those of you who claim to be completely unbothered by overt fatist, sexist, rascist, homophobic jokes: I take this to mean you agree with those concepts in general.

Original poster
JengaCupboard · 05/12/2023 12:30

HalebiHabibti · 05/12/2023 12:24

To anyone who says I'm looking for stuff to be offended by - I'm really not. It's more a case that phrases/behaviours which used to seem perfectly normal and innocuous to me now sound way nastier/unacceptable. Those of you who claim to be completely unbothered by overt fatist, sexist, rascist, homophobic jokes: I take this to mean you agree with those concepts in general.

I agree that some comments and behavior can be a bit jarring now as its to a degree unexpected, however not being 'offended' personally by jokes is not the same as agreeing with the concept; that I would disagree with.

I work in a VERY male construction environment in a senior role, so there is very little that properly 'offends' me. However this definitely doesn't mean I agree with the concept, or would seek it out for entertainment purposes.

OP posts:
amusedbush · 05/12/2023 12:39

I have been watching the Golden Girls for the first time and I've had a few teeth-sucking moments. Racist comments and attitudes, entire episodes devoted to homophobia, and anyone who's the slightest bit overweight has to stand there while the main cast gawps in horror and makes a million fat jokes.

I know it was the mid-late 80s (before I was even born!) so "of the time" but it's so jarring. Especially seeing as they did pretty progressive episodes highlighting issues like food insecurity, homelessness, ageism, and medical inequity.

15PiecesOfFlair · 05/12/2023 13:00

Shallow Hal is a good candidate for this. It clearly "meant well" at the time and I assume was supposed to be addressing fat stereotypes but did it in a really cack-handed way that I doubt would be made now.

SylvieLaufeydottir · 05/12/2023 13:18

It's really surprising what does and doesn't 'age well' sometimes, and it's not always because of changing politics or social mores. I remember really enjoying the Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire Spiderman, it was generally well-regarded and a huge hit. Then I randomly ended up rewatching it last year, and both DH and I were like, "This is just... bad." All that had happened in the meantime was, well, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I know it hasn't been showing it lately, but it just hugely raised the bar on comic film quality.

Original poster
JengaCupboard · 05/12/2023 15:10

15PiecesOfFlair · 05/12/2023 13:00

Shallow Hal is a good candidate for this. It clearly "meant well" at the time and I assume was supposed to be addressing fat stereotypes but did it in a really cack-handed way that I doubt would be made now.

Completely agree with this - being able to 'see past' physicality and instead see a representation of someones character which just so happens to be what stereotypical 'attractive' people look like. I get the concept and there wouldn't be a film without it but totally skewed!

It appears that so many of the mainstream stereotypes are being phased out somewhat but 'fat' is still seemingly being used to portray unattractive/unsuccessful/not 'main character'.. and when there is an attempt at equality it can come off as 'token'.

OP posts:
deplorabelle · 05/12/2023 15:14

I still love The West Wing but it's chock full of appalling mansplaining. In the early Trump years I couldn't watch it because it was just too painful to watch "we explained to the dumb Republicans why they were wrong and they slunk off home leaving us politically triumphant" type storylines. Painfully unrealistic.

You only have to compare The West Wing with Veep to realise it isn't about the PC brigade ruining things by the way.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 05/12/2023 16:18

Janinejones · 02/12/2023 20:10

Allo Allo, Some Mothers do ave em. What a waste of technology
Did not laugh when they were fresh.

I have to say I still find Allo Allo funny (some of it). They took the mick out of everyone. It got a bit silly as it wore on, but some of it was very funny.

Bristolnewcomer · 05/12/2023 16:26

The definitive article on Love Actually: https://jezebel.com/i-rewatched-love-actually-and-am-here-to-ruin-it-for-al-1485136388

Here to tell you that it was shit when it came out too. I remember coming out of the cinema with my dad (was a teenager) and saying "but why did that woman want to marry Colin Firth when she's never even spoken to him? why did that ugly guy have americans wanting to have sex with him? Nothing made sense." I guess what I missed at the time was the blatant male wish fulfilment.