Rob and Laura as a Cultural Comparison - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lolac · 12-28-2003, 07:47 PM

There was an interesting opinion piece in The Washington Post today. It is by John McWhorter and compares the culture of Rob and Laura to our culture today, specifically the type of language we use. Just thought you might be interested in reading it.

Lolac

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Dec26.html

SawgrassSteve · 12-28-2003, 09:14 PM

Lolac,
Great article! Thanks so much for posting it.
It brings to mind a question though, something I've pondered myself through the years; would you, Lolac, like to live in the Petries world? And by that I don't mean the early 1960's.
I mean, say you could take yourself and everyone you love into the world of the Petries, just climb right through a portal and move into that vacant house next door to Rob & Laura on Bonnie Meadow Road. Would you want to?
Food for thouht.

Steve

B&W fan · 12-29-2003, 01:40 AM

First off, great article Lolac! Thanks so much for sharing it with us here.

Secondly, even though Steve didn't address his question to me, I figured I'd answer. I have to say I absolutely would jump thru that portal, without even thinking about it.

I know that we'd lose some so-called conveniences like cordless phones and computers, and we'd also lose some medical techinology. But overall, I'd gladly trade those things in for a world where my daughters could actually go outside in the neighborhood and play; where I wouldn't have to hear a curse word every other second on television or the radio; where people respected one another more; where young people showed at least a symbolence of respect for authority figures; and where the words "family" & "friends" really meant something.

Yep Steve. I'd quickly jump thru that portal if it ever opened. I'd jump thru one to Mayberry, NC as well. And if I could live on the same street as the Cleavers (Leave it to Beaver), or as the Andersons (Father Knows Best), I'd do it in a heartbeat.

B&W "I wouldn't mind living in the world of Abbott & Costello either" fan

SawgrassSteve · 12-29-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by B&W fan
...even though Steve didn't address his question to me...I absolutely would jump thru that portal, without even thinking about it...Yep Steve. I'd quickly jump thru that portal if it ever opened...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

LOL! Thanks for my morning laugh, B&WFan! Really got the blood to circulating. And I don't mind your answering at all, or anyone else who who wants to chime in.

Steve

Lolac · 12-29-2003, 01:16 PM

Steve, your question brought to mind the movie "Pleasantville" with Tobey McGuire and Reese Witherspoon. Did you ever see it? It was about a brother and sister who end up in a black and white TV world. Color is added as Reese introduces reality to the people in the town. I, however, have to agree with B&WFan. I would live there in a minute. I would love to have a best friend who lives next door and walks into my kitchen without knocking. What do I have? A next door neighbor who is a lesbian and trying to hide that fact from her husband and children. Doesn't sound like Millie Helper or Ethel Mertz or Rhoda Morgenstern now does it? I love the world of Rob and Laura or Andy and Opie or Fred and Ethel. The premise of the article I referenced is that our language reflects our culture. God help us all.

Lolac

SawgrassSteve · 12-29-2003, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lolac
Steve, your question brought to mind the movie "Pleasantville" with Tobey McGuire and Reese Witherspoon. Did you ever see it? Lolac

Yes, I did see Pleasantville, although I'd forgotten about that movie until you mentioned it. I liked it a lot.
I hadn't given an opinion as yet, because I wanted you to answer first, but I'll have to say, I'm not so sure I'd like it on Bonnie Meadow Road! I wouldn't have answered this way if you'd asked me five years ago, but now I think it might be a little too stiffling for me.
I find the innocence refeshing and very appealing, and would love to live in it every day for the rest of my life; but I'm a news junkie, and don't know what I'd do without 24 hour news networks. I also like to travel, which is actually cheaper now than it was then, and is never seen on the show. And I like cultural diversity (one of the reasons I travel), which is also rarely seen in the Petries' New Rochelle.
For all of the reasons I love the show, I'm not so sure I'd fit in!

Steve

Lolac · 12-29-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
I find the innocence refeshing and very appealing, and would love to live in it every day for the rest of my life; but I'm a news junkie, and don't know what I'd do without 24 hour news networks. I also like to travel, which is actually cheaper now than it was then, and is never seen on the show. And I like cultural diversity (one of the reasons I travel), which is also rarely seen in the Petries' New Rochelle.
For all of the reasons I love the show, I'm not so sure I'd fit in!

Steve

Steve, I am attaching an essay by George Carlin that addresses this subject somewhat. I found it thought provoking. It has been making the rounds of the internet. Perhaps you've read it.

Lolac

SawgrassSteve · 12-29-2003, 07:13 PM

Thanks, but for some reason I can't get Wordpad to open that document, it just keeps giving me an error notice

.

Steve

Lolac · 12-29-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
Thanks, but for some reason I can't get Wordpad to open that document, it just keeps giving me an error notice .

Steve

Sorry about that Steve. I e-mailed the essay to you and removed it from my last post. I probably did something wrong when I posted it. Wait, I just received a message that your e-mail address has permanent fatal errors, whatever the heck that means! I'll try to get it to you somehow, Steve!

Lolac

B&W fan · 12-29-2003, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lolac
Sorry about that Steve. I e-mailed the essay to you and removed it from my last post. I probably did something wrong when I posted it. Let me know if you got it!

Lolac

Lolac,

I downloaded the essay with no problems. I wish you hadn't removed it, because I think others would enjoy it as much as I did. I'm sure Steve is grateful for the personalized email, so that he too can read it.

B&W "this has been a good discussion - I'm glad Steve thought of asking that initial question" fan

Lolac · 12-29-2003, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by B&W fan
Lolac,

I downloaded the essay with no problems. I wish you hadn't removed it, because I think others would enjoy it as much as I did. I'm sure Steve is grateful for the personalized email, so that he too can read it.

B&W "this has been a good discussion - I'm glad Steve thought of asking that initial question" fan

Ok, I'll put it back. I lack confidence in my technical abilities! Anyway, I hope I can get it to Steve. His e-mail address didn't work for me either.

Lolac

I couldn't put it back in. sigh.

SawgrassSteve · 12-29-2003, 10:09 PM

Lolac,
The reason you couldn't email the document to me was because I neglected to update my email. I aplogize. I've corrected that.
I'm sorry you removed it because of me. It's my fault, not your capabilities, which I'm sure are fine.
You could repost it. B&WFan is right; others have been downloading and reading it.
On our subject, I'll tell you about a laugh I once had over this. A few years ago, I asked a neighbor the same question I asked you about living in the Petries' world. She responded the same way as you, with an enthusiastic "Yes!" I said, "Really? No career, SUV's, satellite TV, cell phones, or superstores?" "I'll hardly miss them," she insisted, "What about separate beds?" I asked. She replied, "Like I said, Steve..."
LOL!

Steve

Lolac · 12-29-2003, 10:14 PM

LOL, Steve! You know, I actually thought of that. Seperate beds is not something I would want, but somehow Rob and Laura managed to "get together." They had Richie, didn't they? For those who are interested, I am attaching that essay to this post. Sorry about my ineptitude!

Lolac

SawgrassSteve · 12-30-2003, 09:15 AM

I got your email, Lolac,
And thank you so much for sending it. Man, that george Carlin is right on the money! If there was ever a way to bring back the "good old days," I would do it in a heart beat.
I think most of us would. Maybe that's why we love the show so much. It doesn't just bring back memories of another time, but it also gives us a glimpes of what not only could be, but what should be, between spouses, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.

Steve

Lolac · 12-30-2003, 01:58 PM

I'm glad you got the e-mail. I think it is so true in so many ways. Thank goodness for TDVDS that reminds us of how things could and should be.

Happy New Year!!!

2004, the year we get seasons 3-5!!!!

Lolac

12-28-2003, 07:47 PM	#1
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	Rob and Laura as a Cultural Comparison There was an interesting opinion piece in The Washington Post today. It is by John McWhorter and compares the culture of Rob and Laura to our culture today, specifically the type of language we use. Just thought you might be interested in reading it. Lolac http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Dec26.html

12-28-2003, 09:14 PM	#2
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Lolac, Great article! Thanks so much for posting it. It brings to mind a question though, something I've pondered myself through the years; would you, Lolac, like to live in the Petries world? And by that I don't mean the early 1960's. I mean, say you could take yourself and everyone you love into the world of the Petries, just climb right through a portal and move into that vacant house next door to Rob & Laura on Bonnie Meadow Road. Would you want to? Food for thouht. Steve
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

12-29-2003, 01:40 AM	#3
B&W fan Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 09, 2002 Location: USA Posts: 589	First off, great article Lolac! Thanks so much for sharing it with us here. Secondly, even though Steve didn't address his question to me, I figured I'd answer. I have to say I absolutely would jump thru that portal, without even thinking about it. I know that we'd lose some so-called conveniences like cordless phones and computers, and we'd also lose some medical techinology. But overall, I'd gladly trade those things in for a world where my daughters could actually go outside in the neighborhood and play; where I wouldn't have to hear a curse word every other second on television or the radio; where people respected one another more; where young people showed at least a symbolence of respect for authority figures; and where the words "family" & "friends" really meant something. Yep Steve. I'd quickly jump thru that portal if it ever opened. I'd jump thru one to Mayberry, NC as well. And if I could live on the same street as the Cleavers (Leave it to Beaver), or as the Andersons (Father Knows Best), I'd do it in a heartbeat. B&W "I wouldn't mind living in the world of Abbott & Costello either" fan
	__________________ "Do not challenge supernatural, unless armed with sword of truth." Charlie Chan at Treasure Island

12-29-2003, 01:16 PM	#5
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	Steve, your question brought to mind the movie "Pleasantville" with Tobey McGuire and Reese Witherspoon. Did you ever see it? It was about a brother and sister who end up in a black and white TV world. Color is added as Reese introduces reality to the people in the town. I, however, have to agree with B&WFan. I would live there in a minute. I would love to have a best friend who lives next door and walks into my kitchen without knocking. What do I have? A next door neighbor who is a lesbian and trying to hide that fact from her husband and children. Doesn't sound like Millie Helper or Ethel Mertz or Rhoda Morgenstern now does it? I love the world of Rob and Laura or Andy and Opie or Fred and Ethel. The premise of the article I referenced is that our language reflects our culture. God help us all. Lolac

12-29-2003, 07:13 PM	#8
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Thanks, but for some reason I can't get Wordpad to open that document, it just keeps giving me an error notice . Steve

12-29-2003, 10:09 PM	#12
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Lolac, The reason you couldn't email the document to me was because I neglected to update my email. I aplogize. I've corrected that. I'm sorry you removed it because of me. It's my fault, not your capabilities, which I'm sure are fine. You could repost it. B&WFan is right; others have been downloading and reading it. On our subject, I'll tell you about a laugh I once had over this. A few years ago, I asked a neighbor the same question I asked you about living in the Petries' world. She responded the same way as you, with an enthusiastic "Yes!" I said, "Really? No career, SUV's, satellite TV, cell phones, or superstores?" "I'll hardly miss them," she insisted, "What about separate beds?" I asked. She replied, "Like I said, Steve..." LOL! Steve

12-30-2003, 09:15 AM	#14
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	I got your email, Lolac, And thank you so much for sending it. Man, that george Carlin is right on the money! If there was ever a way to bring back the "good old days," I would do it in a heart beat. I think most of us would. Maybe that's why we love the show so much. It doesn't just bring back memories of another time, but it also gives us a glimpes of what not only could be, but what should be, between spouses, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. Steve

12-30-2003, 01:58 PM	#15
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	I'm glad you got the e-mail. I think it is so true in so many ways. Thank goodness for TDVDS that reminds us of how things could and should be. Happy New Year!!! 2004, the year we get seasons 3-5!!!! Lolac