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There is something weird going on in pop culture, and the longer it goes on the weirder it gets. It’s about “old” characters. Aged persons.
Specifically: much pop culture is still for some reason using what Baby Boomers think of as “old.” (Middle-aged too, for that matter.)
Specifically: much pop culture is still for some reason using what Baby Boomers think of as “old.” (Middle-aged too, for that matter.)
There was a news video of old people in a retirement home singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” I found it bizarre. Even if these folks were 90 —
That song was a hit in 1911. It’s 110 years old. It’s what old folks liked (from their 20s) when baby boomers were 20, circa 1966.
That song was a hit in 1911. It’s 110 years old. It’s what old folks liked (from their 20s) when baby boomers were 20, circa 1966.
That’s a pre-WWI song. Even allowing for the Great American Song Book, that song was old when those seniors were born.
If they’re in their (more likely) 80s, their teenage pop music is Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. I mean the Ames Brothers sang “Rag Mop” in 1950.
If they’re in their (more likely) 80s, their teenage pop music is Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. I mean the Ames Brothers sang “Rag Mop” in 1950.
When my mom was a teen she watched the Beatles on Sullivan. Jerry Lee Lewis played at her prom.
In theory, THAT should be “old people music” now — she’s in her 70s.
But of course baby boomers are never going to admit to being old. Never have, never will.
In theory, THAT should be “old people music” now — she’s in her 70s.
But of course baby boomers are never going to admit to being old. Never have, never will.
So much of pop culture has this bizarre time dilation where “old” is practically Victorian to WW2, “middle aged” is all the Boomer stuff (1960s-1970s), and “young people” is after the 1990s.
Monty Burns/Abe Simpson, Homer Simpson, Bart & Lisa. 20 year gaps missing.
Monty Burns/Abe Simpson, Homer Simpson, Bart & Lisa. 20 year gaps missing.
Or if you prefer: Jonathan Joestar, Joseph Joestar, Jotaro Kujo — although there are unseen generations specified between each of those. 
Fortunately this is starting to crack, and we’re finally seeing fewer teenagers whose parents are fans of Moby Grape.
Fortunately this is starting to crack, and we’re finally seeing fewer teenagers whose parents are fans of Moby Grape.
So far my favorite lampshade of this was in a Gravity Falls flashback, when 20ish Grunkle Stan is shown in a 1950s diner — which he describes as “my favorite 1950s-themed 1970s diner.”
Stan’s in his 60s, so of course he’s only old enough for the 1970s revival.
Stan’s in his 60s, so of course he’s only old enough for the 1970s revival.
I think about things like this a lot, because doing comics taps your id a lot more directly than people think. Prejudices and assumptions leak directly onto the page, more than in prose. Figuring out what yours are gives you control of your work.
Old people. Weird.
Old people. Weird.
