I’m pretty sure I have no cinematic mojo whatsoever. As I watched bits and pieces of the Oscars this year I had absolutely no interest in any of the movies. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of quite a few of them.
-“Les Miserables” – OK, I know what that one is about but I’ve never seen it on stage in the theater or read the book.
-“Lincoln”- I was a history major. I remember the gist of it: president, Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, theater, assassinated.
– “Zero Dark Thirty”- No interest
– “Argo” – Lots of interest, no commitment. Life’s serious, I need my entertainment to be light.
– “Silver Linings Playbook”- Cute guy, girl from a teen novel… Totally sounds like I could get into this one.
– “Life of Pi” – Maybe I’m just a little too practical, but that tiger totally would’ve eaten the kid within the first few hours and if he didn’t, the kid would’ve crapped his pants within the first few minutes and poopy pants are not my idea of “entertainment”
– “Django Unchained” – I wish I was deep enough to get the dark humor of Tarantino but usually I just feel really guilty for laughing when some one’s brains end up all over the back seat of a car.
– “Amour”- Um what?
– “Beast of the Southern Wild” – I can’t take the pain and sorrow just to get to a redemptive ending about hope.
This summary in addition to the fact that I saw all but one of the “Best Animated Feature” nominees shows I have the emotional and intellectual depth of a puddle and clearly I have children.
I used to love the movies. During the DINK years (Dual Income No Kids) Hubs and I went to the movies all the time. Sometimes we’d see 3 in a weekend. But now, if it’s not animated, we don’t see it. If I’m going to get a night out with my husband I’m not going to sit in a dark theater and watch something serious. I’m going to get my margarita on and eat something really yummy that I didn’t have to shop for, cook or clean up. I know, my life is pretty exciting.
I’m beginning to think, though, that using my busy life and life phase as a parent are just excuses. I think that had Hubs not worked in Hollywood when we met, I never would have had a movie hay day. Because if I really think about it, my love of terrible plot lines and horrific acting might be a life pattern that began back in the 80’s. You see, when I was growing up, I was totally addicted to ABC After School Specials.
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| Does this image bring back memories? |
Pleeeeease tell me you know about ABC After School Specials! My readership has recently exploded and I am realizing that there are some youngins reading my stuff so it’s possible some of you may not know about the awesomeness that is the After School Special. First of all, did you know that these shows ran from 1972-1997!? That’s 25 years for those of you who struggle with math- no judgement.
For 25 years tweens and teens spent their afternoons in front of the television watching “dramatically presented situations, often controversial, including illiteracy, substance abuse and teen pregnancy.” (As described by my BFF Wikipedia.) I don’t know about the rest of you, but some of my first experiences learning about the dangers of drugs and premarital sex were through After School Specials.
**I’d like to add a side note here that I spent approximately 19 years being told that if I had sex I would get pregnant- every time. Then when I actually wanted to get pregnant I was told it could take 6 months to a year. Do you have any idea how confused I was the first time someone told me she and her husband were going to “try and get pregnant”? According to my 5th grade P.E. teacher there was no “trying” necessary. It just happened and you’d be sent away to a “camp” for a few months if you”tried” before you were married.**
Anyway, the horrifying (and apparently misleading) fear of teen pregnancy wasn’t the only lesson I learned from After School Specials. What stands out most to me was the overarching theme of peer pressure- whether it was sex, drugs, sneaking out, drinking, you name it. In an ASP there was inevitable some dark-haired guy in a leather jacket pressuring some middle class white girl to do something she wasn’t supposed to do.
“Come on, baby. Have a drink. Everyone is doing it.”
“I don’t know, Johnny. My mom says I could get hurt if I drink alcohol.”
“Your Mom’s just trying to scare you. Look at me, I’m super hot in my pegged jeans and leather jacket with excessive zippers. Do I look dangerous?”
“Well, you look a little dangerous but I want everyone to think I’m cool so I’m going to follow your lead. Hand me that Boone’s Farm.”
OK, so maybe it didn’t go exactly like that- but you get my drift, right? It was all about the dreaded PP: Peer Pressure. Interestingly enough, as an adult looking back, I have absolutely no memory of anyone EVER using the phrase “everyone is doing it.” In fact, I don’t remember being externally pressured about much of anything. No one particularly cared whether or not I drank or smoked or went to a party. However, I definitely remember thinking that everyone cared. So although there was little external peer pressure, there was a boat-load of internal, perceived peer pressure. I think when it becomes time to get down to the nitty-gritty stuff in parenting (I mean nittier and grittier than, say, this) I’m going spend an awful lot of time discussing what we think our friends are thinking about us vs. what they are really thinking about us. Which, by the way, is nothing. They are not thinking one thing about you because they are all too busy thinking about themselves.
So now I’m an adult- more or less. I’m married, I have 2 kids, a dog, a mortgage, a job and this writing gig. I’m past the age of figuring out the ins and outs of alcohol, drugs and sex. I should pretty much be Peer Pressure free at the ripe old age of 38.56, right? Would I be totally weird if I were to tell you that I could really use some After School Specials at this age? I should probably be embarrassed about that but I’ve admitted far more ridiculous things to you so nothing is off limits right?
I think that there needs to be an After School Special revival. In fact, I’m going to reach out to a few people I know in “The Business” and see about having some new episodes written. We could reach out to the less successful members of the Brat Pack and maybe even Don Johnson could play the part of some one’s grandpa or The Hoff can be the creepy neighbor. I could definitely see Heather Locklear playing the part of a cougar down the street.
But there are also some A-listers that are “of a certain age” (ie: my age) that could do a little TV work: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Amy Adams, Jude Law, Colin Farell all fall into our age bracket, high school graduates of the early 90’s. I’m suddenly feeling very sexy. Thank you Amy Adams (who would totally play me in all ASP about my life, just so you know.)
So now that we have our cast squared away, what topics would be appropriate for a 30’something After School Special? I think we should go with the old stand by: Peer Pressure. Here are the first 5 episodes I have planned for ABC After School Special: The Grown Up Years:
Episode One: Peer Pressure forces a mom to make a decision about whether or not she will do her son’s diorama for him so it looks top-notch when turned in and not like a 3 year old made it.
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| Wow, some mom definitely earned an A on this one. |
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| And this is my kid’s diorama. |
Episode Two: A mom notices the 20’something next to her on the elliptical is working out at level 9 while she is only level 6. Will she give in to the pressure of keeping up with the young “chippy” or be confident in her own fitness level?
Episode Three: All the moms at this month’s book club are discussing their recent Brazilian Wax. Sally just isn’t sure she’s comfortable having a stranger touch her girly bits. Will she cling to her pubic hair to maintain her dignity or will she follow in the footsteps of Mr. Bigglesworth?
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| Is it cold in here? |
Episode Four: The Jones family just redecorated their house again and Mary is feeling jealous. She recently received something from her local furniture store saying she can open a credit card and pay no interest until 2020! Should she plummet her family into debt so she too has the Pottery Barn look or can she be content with her Pier One imitations?
Episode Five: The ladies in Jenny’s neighborhood have started a Classic Literature Book Club. They will be going through the Top 25 books in history. She’s been invited to join but Jenny doesn’t want to give up her young adult novels and erotica. (She has to finish them before the final movie comes out next year!) Will she admit to her obsession with teen love and floggers or shelve her naughty books in exchange for the Bronte Sisters?
So, what do you think? Will After School Specials: The Grown Up Years be a success?
Peer Pressure: Kids just don’t understand.
That’s just my normal.
By the way: I was asked to be a guest writer at Still the Sea on Friday. It’s a beautiful site that celebrates faith, beauty and wholeness. Please visit their site to learn who they are and how they use inspiration, humor and the building up of faith to pursue wholeness in addition to working hard in the fight against human trafficking.
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I have such memories of the ASP. I remember clearly the one where a girl tries marijuana, only to have it laced with Angel Dust! Wasn’t it Helen Hunt? Then another where a girl falls in love with a boy only to realize that his drunken mom was the driver who killed her older sister year’s earlier on a rainy night when the poor sister left on her bike to go get milk in a rain storm. Ah…forbidden love. Good memories.
It probably was Helen Hunt. When doing a little research for this post I was shocked to find out how many famous actors and actresses were on it! I also couldn’t believe it ran for 25 years!!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
And you know how I feel about forbidden love…
V
great Post.
who the hell wrote those things (ASP scripts)?
I have not ever been able to stop being amazed at how the people who are put in a position to try and communicate with (a) younger generation are the people who must have slept through years 5 to 38.
The disconnect is astonishing.
(for me, the most telling demonstration of ‘forgetting what it is to be young’ was something I saw on the Today show, years ago. The guest was an expert on preventing drunk driving among teens and he was on the show to demonstrate his invention, one that would eliminate the problem forever…immediately.
Basically he built goggles that would cause the wearer to see double. To be certain the world appreciated his genius, he brought along a teenage girl, to wear the goggles and demonstrate the effect of seeing double. This guy sat there totally pontificating on the fact that once teens realized what it was like to be drunk they would never drink and drive.
While he’s talking to Matt Lauer, the girl (having put on the goggles) is staggering around the stage, trying to walk a straight line. Everyone was suitably impressed, Nobody noticed that the girl was laughing as she tied unsuccessfully to walk across the stage.
Funny how some people with have amnesia or maybe they edit their memories.
Didn’t mean to go on… and on lol
Enjoyed your Post (came here via a repost from Terrye Toombs)
Clark,
Thanks for heading over and leaving a comment. I wish I had seen that piece on the Today show. Talk about a disconnect- nothing teaches a teenager the seriousness of an event like stumbling around and giggling. Good grief! You are spot on about the sleeping through years 5-38, though.
At least we get a good laugh now, though;)
Thanks again for stopping by!
Vicky
I remember the afterschool special that Jules was talking about. It was Helen Hunt. I believe she jumped out of a second story window. Great post by the way. 🙂
If you have a few minutes check out all the famous people who were on the show along with Helen Hunt. Oprah has even been on it before. And I can’t believe I missed the one with HH and that you remember it. Nice memory, Wendy!
Vicky
I stopped by to check out your page, and I have to say, it looks really good. The page loads quickly and the presentation is eye catching and well organized. I think it would be great to see like buttons and sharing buttons below each post. Easily accessible and in a perfect spot right after a reader gets done viewing the post.
My only suggestions for more traffic would be to write more often. The more often you publish an article, the steadier the traffic. Also, I’m not sure how much you share your posts with other sites, but if you post your articles on Twitter, Facebook, Stumblupon etc… you will get more traffic that way as well. I hope you found this useful. All the best.
Thanks so much for the input and kind words. I used to have the sharing buttons on the bottom of each post. SOmehow it disappeared when I got a new template. I need to find it again and set that back up. Thanks for the reminder!!
You are so right about posting more often. That’s always the balance for me- real life and time to write. I will work on that for sure. I currently post on FB and Twitter and have made it my goal to get on Pinterest soon.
Your help was VERY useful. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and lend your expert advice.
Vicky
OMG….I laughed so stinkin’ hard all the way through this!!! I would RACE home from school to watch those and I think I recall watching ABC Monday Night at the Movies too. Valerie Bertinelli was my favorite actress back then (yes, really). Pegged pants? Mr. Bigglesworth? So funny. BTW, never read the 50 Shades book (afraid God will have me struck by lightning) but I have totally read the Twilight books (3 times each thank you very much). You brought back some great memories. And as always, SO funny!!
Penny at Green Moms and Kids
http://greenmomsandkids.wordpress.com
3 times!? You read them 3 times!? Try, 8 times girl;) Yeah, I had a bit of a problem. And 50 Shades? God will be more upset that I had such poor taste in literature;)
Glad you laughed. You know giggles are my currency, right?
V
This was a funny one, as usual. I loved those After School Specials. My dad hated them so I didn’t get to watch them as often as I would have liked.
My kids projects always look similar to your kid’s. I don’t help them much with their projects since they are usually much more creative than I am. Actually, I’m probably doing them a huge favor not helping them, it might look worse than their own final results.
I think I’m doing my kids the same favor, Jen. All my stuff would be boring and perfectly symetrical since am so anal. Of course it would also be cut correctly which is a bonus.
V
(But I love doing their projects.) 🙂
Then you definitely earn your A+. 😉
Wanna do my kid’s project?
V
Okay, I have NO CLUE what the After School Specials are… I was born in 1990. :/ but the post was very funny none-the-less!
You were born in 1990!?!? Holy crap-a-doodle! OK, go look them up online. YOu’ll crack up!
V
Love this post, I’m gonna have to share it on FB as soon as I get up. What about the after school special, my mom is addicted to her iPhone!!!!
Thanks Melanie! I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner as I was gone this weekend! I appreciate that you are such a loyal reader and always send me FB love! You’re the best!
V
Totally laughing. I know a bunch of ladies who would be able to be ‘extras’ in Episode 5. No acting required. 😉
Bunker Babes unite!!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
V
Oh I remember the After School Specials! I also remember NBC’s “The More You Know” commercials! lol Love the episode ideas! So…you know people in the biz huh? How about Bradley Cooper? Do you know him? LOL 😉
I totally forgot about “The More You Know”! You have a great memory! Wish I knew Bradley Cooper. Then maybe he could introduce to a few other “friends”.
V
🙂
Hi, I followed your link from MBC. I love your idea for Afterschool Specials for moms! This is hilarious. I remember so many of those…I’m of a “certain age” myself, I guess. 🙂 I’m following your blog. If you’d like to check out mine, it’s at thistlebearhome.blogspot.com. 🙂
Hi Jennifer! So glad you found me and came on over! I would LOVE to check our your site. I’ll head over there tonight! Thank you for reading and commenting and you even signed up as a follower!? You’re the best!
V
I loved those specials. I didn’t know they ran until the 90’s though. I graduated high school in 87 so maybe the craziness of my college schedule kept me from watching.
I’m with you! I graduated in ’92 and I had known they were still around in my later high school and early college years I totally would’ve watched them! Thanks for dropping by and commenting!
V
Love the after school specials. I also miss TGIF.
Would totally tune into your updated after school specials!
I think I need to find some people in the entertainment industry and start a revival! I’ll call you when I start casting!
V
Oh my gosh, After School Specials! I forgot all about them, but I loved them so much. I would watch them now, whether they were for adults or kids, just for the nostalgia sake 🙂
I would totally watch them now too!! I think the Lifetime Movie Network is a suitable replacement though;)
Vicky
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I didn’t grow up here so I don’t know the shows but I understand the concept. Bring it back! And bring on the MOM one too..
Great idea. Props to you
Well Molley you are missing out on a good laugh so you have to head over to YouTube to check them out. At the time they seemed riveting. Now, however, I can’t help but laugh at them and myself. I think we should start a petition to bring them back and to make new ones for moms!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Vicky