#ExplainThe90sIn4Words

[Taake]

Funny new hashtag urges you to succinctly explain the 90s
Huffpost good news posted a few of their favorites (using a picture of a very young "Swans Crossing" era SMG as a cover pic for the piece)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/explainthe90sin4words-pop-culture_54bff159e4b059122343a369

I think my favorite is "when cartoons were better" 🙂

How would you guys explain the 90s in four words?

 

[thetopher]

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. 🙁 (They were f***ing everywhere man...)

 

[EVIL UU]

No fatties on TV

OK, this is how a lead used to look like in the 90s:

This is how a lead looks like now:

What the f#*%?!

Why is this allowed? Why do we tolerate it as the audience? For an actor, their body is their tool. Why would any serious craftsperson tolerate working with shitty tools?

This is how a 90s lead looks like now, picture from 2014:

Do you know how this modern lead will look like in 20 years? She's not going to look at all, she'll be dead like James Gandolfini. I don't understand it. There's a theatre in my town I visit quite often, I've seen most of their shows - the troupe is pretty diverse, from people straight out of acting school to seniors in their 70s, one of the actresses is actually in her 80s I think and anyway, they all look great - even that one giant guy who's a character actor. Obviously not Buffy cast great because that's impossible but still, all of these talented people are already a pleasure to watch on a visual level. They enter the stage and magic happens. You want to be an actor? Gosh, look like one.

 

[Silverspike]

Could your post come across as any more insulting? I mean are you so shallow that you only want to watch 'eye candy' characters? Also I notice you haven't included any males in this, or is just 'fat' women that bother you so much?

 

[EVIL UU]

Could your post come across as any more insulting? I mean are you so shallow that you only want to watch 'eye candy' characters?

Yes. I mean, don't get me wrong, not every actor has to look like James Marsters and obviously there's age involved and subjectivity of attractiveness - different strokes for different folks and all that but obesity? That is objective and it's where I draw the line. It's something I find so extremely gross and so repulsive that it simply kills any and all enjoyment I derive from the actor's performance. Film is a visual art - even the ugly has to be beautiful.

Also I notice you haven't included any males in this, or is just 'fat' women that bother you so much?

Oh don't go all feminism on me, fat men bother me just as much. I did mention James Gandolfini, didn't I? I know that one should not speak ill of the dead but you know what, since I'm evil and all - yes, he was truly disgusting, probably even more so than the heifer from my post.

 

[Silverspike]

"That is objective and it's where I draw the line. It's something I find so extremely gross and so repulsive that it simply kills any and all enjoyment I derive from the actor's performance. Film is a visual art - even the ugly has to be beautiful."

Oh how sad and shallow. I actually feel sorry for you right about now.

Imo It's people like you that help push expectations about body image even further into dangerous extremes.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

explain the 90's in 4 words

"less idiots on internet"

 

[Nix]

No fatties on TV

OK, this is how a lead used to look like in the 90s:

This is how a lead looks like now:

What the f#*%?!

Why is this allowed? Why do we tolerate it as the audience? For an actor, their body is their tool. Why would any serious craftsperson tolerate working with shitty tools?

This is how a 90s lead looks like now, picture from 2014:

Do you know how this modern lead will look like in 20 years? She's not going to look at all, she'll be dead like James Gandolfini. I don't understand it. There's a theatre in my town I visit quite often, I've seen most of their shows - the troupe is pretty diverse, from people straight out of acting school to seniors in their 70s, one of the actresses is actually in her 80s I think and anyway, they all look great - even that one giant guy who's a character actor. Obviously not Buffy cast great because that's impossible but still, all of these talented people are already a pleasure to watch on a visual level. They enter the stage and magic happens. You want to be an actor? Gosh, look like one.

Just wanted to point out that some people have medical conditions that cause them to be on your idea of shitty. Others may be comfortable with their size and happy and confident, others may not. Everyone comes in different sizes and shapes and I think discriminating against that is disgusting. Why should someone not follow their dream of acting because they are not a size zero?? I find that a very shallow perspective.

Back on topic....

The 90's for me in 4 words...
Buffy The Vampire Slayer 😀

 

[janas]

What the f#*%?!

Your post is a bit offensive, don't you think?

Why is this allowed? Why do we tolerate it as the audience? For an actor, their body is their tool. Why would any serious craftsperson tolerate working with shitty tools?

Because the film and theater, and all forms of art, should represent reality and in the real world there are the beautiful, the ugly, the obese, the anorexic, the disabled, those high and low ones, etc..

So what?

Are you saying that if Willow had been this, you would not have loved her character?

 

[thetopher]

On the one hand I have no problem with body-sizes of any shape being up on the big/small scene in an appropriate role. That's cool.

I hate the body fascism of Hollywood where women apparently have to stave themselves for a role. That's bullshit.

I hated how some fans said that SMG was too skinny or that Amber Benson was fat. Screw them- it's the acting that matters. What they're doing is the thing not what they look like.

On the other hand, the specific example given 'Lena Dunham' has the habit of getting naked on her show at the drop of a hat for no real reason. (Also her show is awful, her voice is so irritating it makes me hurt physically and I won't get started on the whole' fake rape' thing. She is just is an all-round repulsive person.)

I also don't see it as a feminist issue issue. I don't want to see that from guys either, I don't want to see Ray Winstone or James Gandolfini get the clothes off, I don't care what the circumstances are.
I'm not a hypocrite, I'm not going to applaude their 'bravery' or anything- at he end of the day their actors. They should act, that should be the remarkable thing.

There is a middle ground here- which brings me to On Topic: another 4 words that sum up the Ninties: Overly Sensitive Political Correctness.

Things started getting really ridulous around about this time and suddenly the habit of people getting morally outraged at every little opinion started sprouting up everywhere.

 

[The Bronze]

@EVIL UU

You're on a wind up mission aren't you? What about Uncle Phil in the Fresh Prince? A large man in an absolute classic from the 90's.

Would you never have a story involving people over a set clothes size or would you put your thin actors into fat suits for some roles?

 

[Silverspike]

"at he end of the day their actors. They should act, that should be the remarkable thing."

Exactly, so all this crap about what they look like and hating on them If they don't stick to some Hollywood 'norm' comes across as utterly vile and pathetic to me.

 

[Taake]

No fatties on TV

OK, this is how a lead used to look like in the 90s:

This is how a lead looks like now:

What the f#*%?!

Why is this allowed? Why do we tolerate it as the audience? For an actor, their body is their tool. Why would any serious craftsperson tolerate working with shitty tools?

This is how a 90s lead looks like now, picture from 2014:

Do you know how this modern lead will look like in 20 years? She's not going to look at all, she'll be dead like James Gandolfini. I don't understand it. There's a theatre in my town I visit quite often, I've seen most of their shows - the troupe is pretty diverse, from people straight out of acting school to seniors in their 70s, one of the actresses is actually in her 80s I think and anyway, they all look great - even that one giant guy who's a character actor. Obviously not Buffy cast great because that's impossible but still, all of these talented people are already a pleasure to watch on a visual level. They enter the stage and magic happens. You want to be an actor? Gosh, look like one.

a) Very generalized statement. Firstly not ALL leads in the 90s looked as SMG did (and some looked like Ally McBeal did which also by the way leads to death in many cases). And certainly not ALL leads now look like Lena Dunham does, in fact, a great deal are on the other side of the spectrum - dangerously skinny.

b)HA! The last pic of SMG is SO NOT form 2014. More like 2004. Don't get me wrong, she's still gorgeous, but she was in her late twenties in that pic, not her thirties.

c) Lena Dunham is not morbidly obsese. Sure there are people on TV now who might be but this is also a more accurate reflection of what society looks like and the fact that many, not you obviously, desire to see characters and actors on TV who go through life and look like they themselves do because it gives them something to relate to. No one is holding obesity up as an ideal, something to be achieved, but it is added as another POV that has not necessarily been heard much before.

d) An actor's tools are their voice, their skill level, their facial expressions and also their body. They are not only a body. And what an actor should or shouldn't look like should never only hang on their physique, it's a package deal. Being skinny and pretty does not earn you a spot on the television and being fat or ugly shouldn't exclude you from it. 
My hashtag for the 90's theme would probably be #I'll be ready! *sings jaunty Baywatch theme* (another show that created hysterical body ideals but that at the time, I just loved)

 

[Skanky Vamp]

My hashtag for the 90's theme would probably be #I'll be ready!

Four words... glad to see the United States education system is keeping up with the rest of the world in basic arithmetic.

 

[Taake]

Four words... glad to see the United States education system is keeping up with the rest of the world in basic arithmetic.

"I will be ready" ... but you don't sing it like that obviously

 

[The Bronze]

Forget my four words. How about "Stone Cold Steve Austin"

 

[EVIL UU]

You people crack me up. Is it really offensive to expect healthy weight from actors? Is it offensive to expect healthy weight from anybody? Is not being obese some kind of an achievement now? You're a part of the problem - you accept it, believe it to be normal. You know what, whatever, I'll show myself out.

Why should someone not follow their dream of acting because they are not a size zero?

If you're obese you have more important things to worry about than following your dreams, like your health. Take your pills if you need to - in this day and age this shit is easily treatable and more importantly, start eating like a human.

Are you saying that if Willow had been this, you would not have loved her character?

You bet - I'd hate her guts. Yes, I'm evil but tell me and be honest here - would you still love Angel if he looked like Balthazar from "Bad Girls"? Or James Gandolfini for that matter? Can you imagine sex scene and not vomit in the process?

The last pic of SMG is SO NOT form 2014. More like 2004.

My mistake, it's actually from 2009 so already in her 30s but honestly, the point still stands, it's 2015 and she's still prettier than Dunham by the virtue of not being a small elephant.

Lena Dunham is not morbidly obsese.

Again, is that an achievement? She's still obese.

Oh how sad and shallow. I actually feel sorry for you right about now.

I'd rather be shallow than be a liar.

 

[Silverspike]

Yet another utterly offensive post imo.

Vile, just vile.....

 

[janas]

You bet - I'd hate her guts. Yes, I'm evil but tell me and be honest here - would you still love Angel if he looked like Balthazar from "Bad Girls"? Or James Gandolfini for that matter? Can you imagine sex scene and not vomit in the process?

Yes, I would still love Angel.

I like David Boreanaz, I admit it, but he isn't the reason why I love Angel. If this were the case, I should to love every character played by DB, but it's not so. I'd love Angel even if he was a faceless literary character, just saying. If you want to be honest not say that you like Willow Rosenberg, but Alyson Hannigan. 🙂

 

[Taake]

You people crack me up. Is it really offensive to expect healthy weight from actors? Is it offensive to expect healthy weight from anybody? Is not being obese some kind of an achievement now? You're a part of the problem - you accept it, believe it to be normal. You know what, whatever, I'll show myself out.

I'd rather be shallow than be a liar.

I don't believe it to be normal, but I believe it to be real and that not only one type of body should be showcased because that is the lie.


Also, about being a liar - let's call a spade a spade here. It's about aesthetics. You preference. NOT about health. It has never, and will never, be automatically healthy to be skinny either. Most actors we see on tv are unhealthy skinny, bordering on underweight if not straight on underweight. So don't tout the health card because we all know it has nothing to do with that.