Ha! Good point. Even the updated Star Trek opening ignores those folks. Perhaps the whole franchise should be scrapped and be replaced with reruns of “Alf”.
Posted on 07/27/2025 8:00:53 AM PDT by DallasBiff
TV shows in the 70’s was a different era altogether—one where boundaries were loose, sensitivities were different, and what passed for humor often reflected the social attitudes of the time. Many catchphrases from that decade, while harmless in their original context, would raise eyebrows and spark controversy if used today.
15. “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
(Excerpt) Read more at oldest.org ...
I read the first few paragraphs, quickly realized it was tripe and then skimmed the rest like one would watching a traffic wreck...
The Mount Rushmore of politically incorrect but hilarious TV characters:
Fred Sanford
Archie Bunker
Al Bundy
George Jefferson
Damini should stifle herself, then sit on it.
Sometimes people who study popular culture have interesting, even brilliant, insights.
John Prine nailed it in 1971.
Blow up your TV
Throw away your paper
Go to the country
Build you a home
Zappa in 1973
I’m the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
I am still amazed Zappa managed to do I’m the Slime on SNL in 1976.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdtGo2Ib9oI
Fair enough. Politics is downstream to culture. *shudder*
It’s one of the Left’s early Holy Shows. Along with MASH and Maude.
Ha! Good point. Even the updated Star Trek opening ignores those folks. Perhaps the whole franchise should be scrapped and be replaced with reruns of “Alf”.
“Fred Sanford talking about using Aunt Esther’s face to stamp out gorilla cookies probably wouldn’t cut it today.”
Yup. Used it in reference to Maxine Waters. Thus, my tag line.
The snowflake writer of that article is “dead from the neck up”.
The overall point is well taken, but I agree overall this presentation is pretty lame.
As to Maxwell Smart’s “Wouldnyou believe..” the author gives us this: “Today’s emphasis on transparency and “truth in media” makes such casual dishonesty feel outdated”
I chuckled out loud at that. The author had to work way too hard to fill out of a list of ten if he has to offer up palpably absurd discussion like that
It would be to see an AI rendering of that!
Jacques Barzun on baseball is very interesting.
I shall investigate. Thank you.
“Ridiculous article.”
I second that emotion! What absolute drivel. Basically: tell no jokes, laugh no laugh, please just die, grim & virtuous.
The Puritans would be so proud.
I still and always will say what I want. My lineage is certainly advised, even demanded, to do likewise.
Fred Sanford and the use of the “N” word.
Best summation. A bullying article.
Today’s TV shows, movies and novels have pre-set formulas of character type and dialog. The story and action gets buried by the formulas. That is why they are doing poorly.
“...and what passed for humor often reflected the social attitudes of the time...”
You don’t say, Sir Isaac Newton!
This handjob would stroke out if he watched Don Rickles at a Dean Martin Roast with the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Sammy Davis Jr., Nipsey Russell etc
“Star Trek The Next Generation” did, in fact, change that line “to boldly go where no ONE has gone before.”
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