This episode never would be aired today.

[80s Dude]

This morning on ME TV, they showed an episode where Blaire befriends a mentally challenged man. They used the word "********" several times during the show. No way would that be allowed to air on a show being produced today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlgnjffo7I0

[RetroGuy2000]

Well, we've just changed terminology, now. "********" became a derisive term, so "mentally challenged" replaced it.

I think Blair seems naïve, now, but at the time, mentally challenged people were still usually placed in homes, so many people had never interacted with folks like him, which explains why a high school-aged girl couldn't recognize his limitations.

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

This morning on ME TV, they showed an episode where Blaire befriends a mentally challenged man. They used the word "********" several times during the show. No way would that be allowed to air on a show being produced today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlgnjffo7I0

That episode would air today. They would just replace the word "********" with mentally challenged.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

That episode would air today. They would just replace the word "********" with mentally challenged.

That would be awfully awkward with the lip movements and the audio.

[JamesG]

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

That would be awfully awkward with the lip movements and the audio.

I don't think anyone's advocating the re-dubbing of this episode.

(Well, other than James... OMG, James! That's pretty awful!)

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I don't think anyone's advocating the re-dubbing of this episode.

Not that he's advocating it, but it sounded like that's the concept he meant:

"That episode would air today. They would just replace the word "********" with mentally challenged."

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Not that he's advocating it, but it sounded like that's the concept he meant:

"That episode would air today. They would just replace the word "********" with mentally challenged."

Sounded to me that Wawwie meant that if the show were scripted today, they'd simply replace "********" with "mentally challenged". But I can see why you'd think he was talking about dubbing over voices.

[rcbrad]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Well, we've just changed terminology, now. "********" became a derisive term, so "mentally challenged" replaced it.

I think Blair seems naïve, now, but at the time, mentally challenged people were still usually placed in homes, so many people had never interacted with folks like him, which explains why a high school-aged girl couldn't recognize his limitations.

I don't think that mentally challenged people usually were still placed in homes at this time. Parents and society have been much more accepting of handicapped people certainly by the early 80's. You would have to go even further back two or three decades and earlier, where it was believed at the time that the best place was to be placed in an institution/home.

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Sounded to me that Wawwie meant that if the show were scripted today, they'd simply replace "********" with "mentally challenged". But I can see why you'd think he was talking about dubbing over voices.

That's exactly what I meant.

[RaisedByTV]

I just caught this show recently and was taken aback by just hearing this term in this manner. But I can remember when it wasn’t a negative term...in fact, within the last year or so, i had to inform my mother that we no longer use that word anymore.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by RaisedByTV

I just caught this show recently and was taken aback by just hearing this term in this manner. But I can remember when it wasn’t a negative term...in fact, within the last year or so, i had to inform my mother that we no longer use that word anymore.

Yeah, especially older folks have a hard time changing their terminology. What was once the appropriate name becomes inappropriate after it's co-opted by bullies.

[Impressions]

Yeah, the "R" word wouldn't be used, but the politically correct term is "cognitively disabled." This episode was just oh so '80s, showing someone who was cognitively disabled on TV was taboo or a touchy subject, the writers approached disabled people with so much laser-focused precision back then.

Today, we see disabled people on TV, and their disability is not even mentioned, or a big deal. As I said, writers made such a big deal when someone who was disabled appeared on TV in the '80s and the plot was almost always revolving around characters' challenges with the disabled person or the disabled person's challenge in the world, and very little else. I think because, in part, that the concept of showing a disabled person on TV was so very new.

I think if this episode aired today, the writers would approach the subject matter much differently, with not so much emphasis on the character's disability. I think it'd be much more subtle. I think Blair would be more accepting initially of him on the onset, than the '80s Blair, who was so shallow and close-minded.

That's how I think it'd play out today.

[valentina warner]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Yeah, the "R" word wouldn't be used, but the politically correct term is "cognitively disabled." This episode was just oh so '80s, showing someone who was cognitively disabled on TV was taboo or a touchy subject, the writers approached disabled people with so much laser-focused precision back then.

Today, we see disabled people on TV, and their disability is not even mentioned, or a big deal. As I said, writers made such a big deal when someone who was disabled appeared on TV in the '80s and the plot was almost always revolving around characters' challenges with the disabled person or the disabled person's challenge in the world, and very little else. I think because, in part, that the concept of showing a disabled person on TV was so very new.

I think if this episode aired today, the writers would approach the subject matter much differently, with not so much emphasis on the character's disability. I think it'd be much more subtle. I think Blair would be more accepting initially of him on the onset, than the '80s Blair, who was so shallow and close-minded.

That's how I think it'd play out today.

I can't believe that as a BLAIR's fan you have such a low opinion of her: she was NEVER 'close-minded' and i very much resent that implication! She actually try to guide the young man with learning disabilities and was very supportive of him, so before you judge her you should learn how to read between the lines, and learn about appearances....

[Impressions]

Originally Posted by valentina warner

I can't believe that as a BLAIR's fan you have such a low opinion of her: she was NEVER 'close-minded' and i very much resent that implication! She actually try to guide the young man with learning disabilities and was very supportive of him, so before you judge her you should learn how to read between the lines, and learn about appearances....

Let me clarify. She initially was close minded because she couldn't accept him for who he is, a person with special needs. Despite being told over and over that he was special and then tried to make him better and then she then got frustrated when Leo wouldn't listen to her. That's being close-minded. It wasn't until Mrs. G spoke to her, that she realized this, then accepted his ideas for the painting for however he saw fit.