EXERCISE: Remember when?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Originally posting 6 August 2007

Now that was amusing. Broomhilda today (over at http://www.gocomics.com/broomhilda/ [NOTE: The original strip is only available for pay now -- sorry about that] ) has a strip that starts out with the observation "TV has become such a wasteland." Then in the second panel, Broomie says, "I remember when TV shows had quality, dignity, and substance." The third panel . . . hold on, don't peek.

She goes on to bemoan the loss of some shows that don't exactly typify quality, dignity, and substance. I'll tell you which ones are in the strip, but take a moment to consider. What shows might you point to as not exactly fulfilling the premise of the good old days? What were the good old shows in your youth?

How about . . . Petticoat Junction? Or maybe Gilligan's Island? What about the Dukes of Hazzard? I'm not sure, since I don't remember all that many shows off-hand, but . . . who would you propose?

Make up your list.

Then consider Broomhilda saying, "Man, I miss Beavis and Butthead," while the furry sidekick says, "And let us not forget Ren and Stimpy." I think I saw Ren and Stimpy (that's a recent one, isn't it?) but I have to admit, I never saw Beavis and Butthead. Interesting how young the good old days are, isn't it?

Something to have fun with. What do people expect from the good old days, and what are the ironic truths? For example, I think it is funny sometimes that people tell me about the safe life of kids in the past - I was threatened with a switchblade in real life in my high school back in the '60s, just because I wouldn't let one of the local bullies browse through the student-organized lost-and-found. That was in an idyllic rural area that was becoming suburb - and the kid with the switchblade was one of those rural kids.

Anyway, have fun.