I used to watch a fair amount of programs on HGTV. I was one of those early viewers who was thrilled that there was a channel about decorating, houses and gardens. There were certain programs I tuned into fairly regularly: hosted by Lynette Jennings, Joan Steffend, Joe Ruggiero, Mary Emmerling, Carol Duvall, Kitty Bartholomew.
Would any of these talented people get the opportunity to host a show on HGTV nowadays? Doubtful. Why not? They’re not young and beautiful. Every time I tune in, and I tune in a bit more often here because I’m searching for something to watch on TV, all I see are a series of impossibly beautiful young hosts. What happened to experience gained from a career of some length? What happened to wisdom? Oh it’s out there, but not apparently as a marketable commodity for HGTV.
When did America get so obsessed with youth? You see it everywhere. News anchors for major news networks are often a series of young, perfectly coifed, almost Stepford-like women. Do I want to hear the news from someone that young, someone who has no frame of reference with which to see a larger picture? Do I want to watch yet another television series that has 4 young beautiful actors pretending to be seasoned FBI agents – or doctors – or CSI technicians – or FBI Profilers – or lawyers? Come on. The minute I tune into one of those series, I groan and switch channels. How can I even pretend to lose myself in one of those stories? How can I suspend disbelief? Answer: I can’t. So I don’t watch.
Don and I were watching All in the Family (one of the greatest television series of all time) on TV Land recently and were struck by the level of excellence, the nuanced acting and the fact that both lead actors (Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton) in the series were middle aged at the time. Neither of them had Botox, cheek implants, a face lift, bleached and straightened teeth or fake tans. What they did have was talent – something sadly lacking on television these days. They also had faces that were interesting – that showed that they had lived. Would this series have been given the green light today? Not a chance. It would have been reworked around a young, cute couple who moved into Queens to rehab a house and maybe had some wacky older neighbors (but never with more than one or two lines in an episode because they’re just not that interesting.)
What about talented singers and musicians who might not pass the ‘attractive enough for a video’ test? Just think about all the voices we never would have heard. This obsession with perfection, with pretty, has created a monster. It’s the stuff of science fiction. Anyone who is older and not blessed with perfect features and eternal youth is ignored. Those who are young and not perfectly perfect must invest in plastic surgery, botox, implants, breast enhancement, hair plugs, whatever is ‘required’ to be a little Stepford-perfect-person. All others are deemed not worthy of serious consideration for work in the media. Yes, there are exceptions, thank goodness, but not enough.
Whenever I see a somewhat older someone in the public eye succumb to the pressure of facial implants, etc, I feel such disappointment. “Oh no, (fill in the blank) got work done, too?!?” Another disappointed sigh. I certainly understand the pressures those people must feel to keep their jobs, to please the powers-that-be. As someone who knows many actors who work in film, I know all too well how hard it is for women above the age of 50 to get work.
But it’s not right. It’s not reality. Teeth aren’t meant to be blindingly white. Faces are not meant to have implants or be injected with something that contains botulism. Faces are meant to be quirky, interesting, filled with character and to reflect a life lived. Cheeks are meant to move when one smiles. They aren’t meant to be suspiciously smooth and to stay in one place no matter what the rest of the face does. Wrinkles are earned. Smile lines are wonderful.
Look, I’m in my fifties. I’m not thrilled with my sagging jowls. Or the big frown line between my eyebrows. Or my body that changed with menopause. Or my gray hair. But let’s face it, they are me. I have lived. I have experience. I’ve gained wisdom because of what I’ve been through, what I’ve seen, what I’ve done. The same holds true for everyone of a certain age. I’d rather hear Brian Williams give me the news than a pretty young thing on another channel. I want some weight, some gravitas. I want to see a series with lead characters who are middle aged or older. I’m sick of young, perfect and insipid. And I’m real tired of seeing middle aged actors who are only taken seriously and given work when they have erased any signs of aging.
I’m not the target audience, clearly. But I’ve decided to stop watching these programs or anything that perpetuates this false idea of perfection. If everyone got together and said, “No more. I am what I am and I’m proud of it. No more botox, plastic surgery, face lifts, teeth whitening” maybe the paradigm would change. When everyone buys into a false paradigm, then it becomes reality.
And that ‘reality’ is a scary one.
Kitty Bartholomew. Now that’s a name out of the past. I just loved her show. She was talented and sassy and fun. I learned a whole bunch from those HGTV pioneers. I have to say though that Lynette Jennings was a really good looking gal. Some years ago I had the good fortune of visiting Kitty Bartholomew’s garden and studio during a charity garden walk. As you might expect, both were delightful. I miss those guys!
I hear you girl!
Well said Claudia! We haven’t had cable tv for alomost a year now and we don’t miss it one bit. Nothing is like it used to be and the funny thing is, neither is the price!
Hi Claudia,
Well said. I used to be addicted to HGTV, but not anymore. I never watch it for the same reasons you have written. It’s really sad what has happened and I think of all the pressure it puts on our children to be “perfect!”
I just saw on a news show where a Mother has been giving her eight year old daughter botox injections!!
I’m with you, where are the ediths and archies!
hugs
Sissie
Wonderful post today Claudia and I couldn’t have said it better myself! I saw a news story yesterday where an 8 year old girl was removed from her home because her mother (if you could call her that) was giving this child Botox injections! HOw sad for this little girl that her own Mother was sending the message that “you aren’t pretty enough”!
I too watched and loved the early days of HGTV when it spoke to everyday people like you and me, and focused more on “how to”. Have a wonderful week, Nan
LOL, I just read Sissie’s comment and saw that she told about the same story! Guess we are all on the same page!
Claudia,
Wonderful post and I agree completely. I like some of the British TV shows because the actors act.
The mother who injected Botox (very bad words)!!!!
I also resent some of these newscasters who present the news with huge smiles and game show voices.
I wandered into Saks Fifth Avenue and they were playing very hard rock….
Good post!
Carol
Claudia, you just said it all! I watched HGTV avidly the first few years. Now, as you said, all of the cute, young things have taken over. My problem with their new “designers” is that all of their work looks the alike. They all seem to have gone to the same school and were forced into a modern mold. You never see anyone decorate with antiques anymore, unless they remodel them into the 21st century and beyond.
I realize that they have to update when the older ones retire, but all brand new, right out of school, doesn’t cut it for me. I have just about quit watching HGTV, the news, and a lot of other programs because of the youth movement. Thanks for the post!
Hi Claudia,
Funny you would post this today, as I was feeling the same way. Actually, I was a bit discouraged about a few things I’ve been working on-and thought it would be much easier if I could just step back into my old profession! But because I’ve been home raising children sooo long, and also in my 50’s, I’ve become irrelevant! I can just imagine if I walked back into an ad agency, they’d announce that someone’s grandma was visiting! I feel because of my age and the gap in my resume, I have to reinvent myself! My previous experience doesn’t count!
Oh, my husband and I happened to watch “All in the Family” this weekend and realized the same thing! We also enjoy “Keeping Up Appearances”, a British comedy. It’s a shame that tv only caters to the young-maybe I’ll move to a country where the elders are revered!
-Lynn
Amen Claudia!! I am proud of every single one of my wrinkles and gray hair… My children gave those to me.
Well said! There were, for awhile, several great actors and actresses that maintained their popularity because of their tremendous screen presence. Times have changed. Where is the wisdom?
Sometimes I cannot believe how you and I are on the same wave length, honey. It is astounding to me this morning to read what I’ve been composing for a post this week. I, too, am sick of all this “perfection” where everyone starts looking like the people in 1984! I agree with everything you’ve said today and even more. Since I’ve been in this boot watching DVDs on my MacBookPro I’ve become witness to everything you’ve mentioned. More about it…..oh, maybe tomorrow.
xoxo,
Connie
Great post!! As I’ve said, young Roy Orbison wouldn’t get a career today.
Not pretty for the videos.
Of course, I guess Ricky and Elvis were dreamboats.
Well, well said, Claudia! You need to start some sort of blog movement that boycotts such nonsense. For you have just the right words. I use to love HGTV. I no longer watch it, and couldn’t pinpoint exactly why my drop in enthusiasm. Until I read my reason right here. You know, those pretty young things will age too, if they’re lucky. And then they’ll finally have the sense to know what they were talking about and extending out to the public.
Brenda
Well, not to be ageist in the other direction — but amen!
Perhaps this is why I like Big Bang Theory — most of the actors look like ordinary people!
I’m going to review my TV watching as I never really thought about it before and see how many are unlike Big Bang Theory…
sing it, sister! you know me, my first thought is — send this to EW! excellent opinion piece.
i’m even bothered on DIY shows, when women have their hair down. who can paint like that?
my other issue is when did all TV parents because so dumb. on every show my boys watch, parents are either absent or they’re idiots, taught lessons by their street wise, mocking kids. grrrr.
very cranky on this rainy day.
xo
elyse
ps
supposed to be “become so dumb.”
also, re: plastic surgery, i once heard someone (on TV) say, it doesn’t make people look better or younger, just that they’ve had work done. i so agree. so many entertainers are looking very, very weird.
Oh Claudia… How true this is…. Well, except the TV anchors in my area…. I swear, they’ve been there since the beginning of time, but are probably botoxed and otherwise de-wrinkled.
I LOVED Kitty Bartholomew. She had a wonderful style, didn’t she? Do you remember her from the old HOME show?….
Huggies,
Spencer
My Husband and I were talking about the same exact thing the other day. He hates cop shows whose lead characters are these model-like people. Just the other day I was watching “Body of proof” with Dana Delany. Last weeks episode found her walking onto a crime scene in what seemed like 6 inch heels. If you are on your feet all day would you really wear such heels…no. My Husband and I have found that the shows on A & E have worked hard to bring a more realistic “look” and speak to their shows. “The killing” has a young detective woman , but she is as plain as can be. she doesn’t walk around in designer clothes and her partner is a tall skinny grubby guy who fits perfectly into the role. I agree with you totally. If all in the family were on today…it wouldn’t last one season. Great post. Blessings, Joanne
Just the other day, a friend and I were talking about just this trend on HGTV. There’s a whole lot of crappy “H” and no “G” left in HGTV now. I see too much ‘paint it beige and change the hardware’ done in the name of updating … a trend that we are all supposed to emulate … I think not. The program hosts are TV personalities, not necessarily experienced designers, and we’re supposed to take their advice???
We even see this trend toward new, and updated, and “pretty”, in the old house market. How often, on the HGTV real estate shows have we seen potential buyers ‘say’ that they want old-house charm, then go into prospective houses and use the words ‘dated’ and ‘needs updating’? Houses, like humans, should age gracefully.
We women in our 50s have to stick together and show the world how fabulous 50 can be, if we have respect for ourselves.
I agree here, too. You are preachin’ to the elderly choir! (smiley face)
Hi Claudia,
I love Kitty! and still read her books over and over again about knitting and decorating.
I have been a HGTV viewer since it began and I too have noticed the big changes. They keep playing house hunters over and over and over again,I just turn it off now. I do love Candace and Sara’s House, both ladies are wonderful and I enjoy watching them.
What ever happened to Michale Payne?
my husband starting watching HGTV with me because of Michale.
Aw the good old days.
My sister is 57 and changed her profession from the corporate world to go back to school to become a teacher. She graduated with honors and a Master degree in teaching. Can she find a job NO she can not. She has interviewed and the young fresh kid out of collage with not much life experience gets the job.
We have talked about it and we agree its her age. She always looks great and very professional. Does not wear jeans and tee-shirts to teach in..I would think parents would want an older more experienced person teaching there children. So until a full time job comes up for her, she is subbing.
I guess its out the old and in with the new. Very sad indeed.
A great post!
Have a sweet day and hugs, Elizabeth
Hey!
I feel the same way. I rarely watch HGTV now… used to be my favorites too. I have many of the decorators you mentioned who are gone, taped. So talented those people were! I never looked at it from the perspective of age having to do with it but I guess you could say now HGTV has gone over to the youngest, most buff! Thanks for the post!
YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD AGAIN, REALLY ENJOYED YOUR POST TODAY. I LOVED WATCHING THE CAROL DUVAL SHOW, I FELT SO BAD WHEN SHE WENT OFF. YOU CAN’T FIND ANY CRAFT SHOWS ANY MORE. OH, MARTHA HAS A CRAFT ONCE IN A WHILE ON HER SHOW, OH….I LIED….THEY HAVE A SCAPBOOKING SHOW ON AT 5:00 O’CLOCK
AM….CAN YOU IMAGINE, LUCKY ME, I WAKE UP A LOT AT NIGHT, SO SOMETIMES I CATCH THAT SHOW. TAKE CARE, LOVED YOUR POST. RIZZI
Oh Claudia you have said exactly how I feel. I do remember the days of yore with real people who looked natural and not fake. Now I can’t stand all the phoney fake people and programs. Why do people watch this stuff and buy into it. So trite! I am older and I am happy with the way I was created and have lived a full life to earn my wrinkles and body. I do not ever intend to have any cosmetic surgery unless I am horribly disfigured in a major accident. Now even Dr. Oz is promoting all of these “youthful” injection proceedures…very disappointed in Dr. Oz I am! Thank you Claudia for saying what I feel. Where is Aunt Bea???
You go Claud!!! I am who I am and the story of my life is in my wrinkled face.
Love you,
Mere
claudia….you are so funny. even when you rant, i love to read every word you write!!!! i agree that HGTV has taken a nose dive into wanna be go greeners and young, hip adults that only want 2 things in their house…oh…what i love the most are the couples that haven’t hit 30 yet and already own 3,000 sq.ft. homes with huge garages and carpet. WHERE oh WHERE is the old HGTV?? i even liked design on a dime! anything!!
right….we are an obsessed nation of beauty, but really i guess beauty has always been eye bait. i must admit i am addicted to watching the red carpet during the oscars and i can’t stop wishing i was 20 pounds thinner, 20 years younger and really, really fit!!! but i am not. i am older and haven’t been in the work force for a while. i hope i can find a job one day, but i’m sure i’ve been outsourced by those young, pretty things or those women my age that can afford to have work done. i have embraced my age and even my aging skin, big belly, stupid menopause, ravenous appetite, gray hair and funky facial changes, but that doesn’t mean i like it. my husband always says consider the alternative…..as he stares at some young lady GAGA wanna be passing by….and then i remember my competition is WAY younger, way prettier and way smarter, but they too shall have their day!!!! heee heee. and crap…i am old with a 4 year old. the other moms i meet are half my age with kids older than zoey. yikes!!!
hang in there claudia and watch RIVER MONSTERS!!!! it is my new favorite show!!!! the host is dynamic and strong and smart…and he is totally over 50!!!! way to go!
take care and thanks for the post. somebody needed to say it!!
lol
sue
I am with you on this, Claudia! Two names: Diane Keaton. Helen Mirren. Two beautiful women of a certain age who act their age, look their age (sort of) and are good examples of aging gracefully and intelligently. I’m still addicted to those selfish Housewives, but that’s for fun because I think they are ridiculous and I can use a laugh now and then. Hope you watch “Modern Family”. To me that’s the best sitcom on these days and there are many “real” looking folks on that one. Ann
I have stopped watching HGTV too. It seems that their new demographic is the 20 to 30 year olds. Do they have more money? I don’t think so. As for tv. I watch Dancing with the Stars and Castle. I love BBC miniseries though and their actors are definitely not all young and cute. Doc Martin (my favorite) and Cramford my second favorite are so refreshing!! We seem to be obsessed with the young and gorgeous in this country. I blame it all on Barbie!
Amen Claudia! I miss the talented designers who used to grace the shows of HGTV and the actors and actresses who have LIVED and have experience. Thank you for saying what I’ve been feeling.
Hugs,
Judy
You must feel better after writing your post… I know I did! You are SO right on the money. I’m turning 50 this year and feel pressured to have things “done.” I’ve decided to stay the way I am… ME. My husband and family all think I’m beautiful inside and out… who cares what the rest of the world thinks! My pet peeve these days is the ghostly white teeth; thank you for mentioning those! Thanks for so aptly expressing what many of us feel.
Awesome post Claudia! I have thought a little about this lately because Dale and I are obsessed with Dancing With The Stars. I am so pleased that an aging plump but all natural Kirsty Alley (sp) has made it into the finals. Last year I was happy that the winner was also an actress who has chosen to leave her face alone! (her name escapes me right now) Dirty Dancing star)). I haven’t watched HGTV since they have chosen to target the younger viewers in their programing. I don’t have a problem with youth (I love the beauty of youth and all that goes with it), but it is when it becomes an obsession and taken to extremes that bother me. I can’t help but wonder what some women would have looked like as they age, had they left their beauty as it was. Now I feel so bad for some that have had bad work done. They can’t help but mourn for the beauty they gave up in the name of vanity.
Yep, I too have sagging jowls and age spots from not taking care of my fair skin like I should have, but it is me…all me. And it’s all good, because I know that I will be one of those old women who can still be happy to show her face.
sending hugs…
I am with you on this…I hate seeing people run away from aging gracefully. I’ll be turning 37 this July and I have had a few grey hairs start lightly and then pick up the pace…but I refuse to colour my hair. It is my goal to embrace each stage of my life, and not fight it every step of the way. I think it looks rediculous to see an aging face with perfectly solid, greyless hair…it just doesn’t work for me…but alas, to each his own. Thankfully my hubby feels the same way.
I have lived, and learned, and gained a handful of wisdom along the way…..and I’m proud of it!
Ciao Bella!
CREATIVE CARMELINA
The other day, hubby and I were sitting in our car in a shopping mall parking lot…and we could not help but notice some frighteningly white teeth from across the lot. I don’t think we’ll ever forget how starling they were…
What is it with extremes? Eh?
Just thought you would sleep better knowing that…lol
Ciao again!
CC
I mean they were practically glowing!
Yikes!
CC
This is a great post, Claudia! I’ve thought the same thing about HGTV for awhile now, and really miss some of the shows and older hosts. I’ve noticed, though, as I age, that almost EVERYONE on TV is younger than me now! I always love shows and movies where older actors play the parts- “It’s Complicated” comes to mind…I loved it!
There IS hope! I work for AARP, and we recently held a conference in NY for media, entertainment, fashion, travel and consumer groups (some real heavy-hitters like MSNBC, Google, Clinique, Stan Herman) to change the public face of “aging.”
I’m right there with you, Claudia…literally! Great post!
I haven’t watched that channel but once or twice in a year. I used to love the old shows they had, but the ones they show now, seem all the same, and so not relevant to anyone’s life that I know.
I think so much tv is about being cheap, instead of interesting these days, thus, all of those awful reality shows.
I’ve always loved old people, old places and old things. So many of us feel kindred to what you’ve expressed here Claudia. Maybe someday, the powers that be in tv land will sit up and notice.
xo
Hi, This is my first post here, but I couldn’t agree more. HGTV used to be one of my favorite channels, but now I never watch. The shows are so predictable and boring. There are no garden shows. The Gardner Guy, I can’t remember his name was great and now I don’t think he’s there anymore. They only have shows where people go in a redo a whole yard, but no one seems to know too much about plants.I don’t think it’s only about age…but there is a notable lack of “TALENT” and “EXPERTISE”. I remember many years ago watching a show called “The Victory Garden” where the host was an older man who was phenomenal (I was 16 or 17, but I loved this show). Or a great cooking show from Louisiana where the host was a real character who said the word “Onionnnnn” and I have never forgotten it, but I don’t remember his name. If the producers had any real talent, they would make quality shows and age would not matter.
Can you imagine someone like John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart using botox…not going to happen!
They wouldn’t need to since they overflowed with talent.