Open Thread Update: Celebrity Generation Gap
Last time we brought up the celebrity generation gap – and how funny it is!
My granddaughter could not get over the look of the Andy Griffith show-“what do you mean black and white I don’t like that look. Change the channel.”
Sara M.
Some of our music idols and getting a second life says Reader Martha F’s comment (and what a nice outing!) but others….not so much.
A few years ago, I was describing the Greenwich Village Halloween parade to my niece. I mentioned that I saw a woman with a great Janis Joplin costume. “Who’s that?” my niece asked.
-Kate W.
It’s not all one way, either.
I confuse Cate Blanchett w the Goop girl … if they’re not the same…
Katherine K.
…I don’t know any of the new singers like Post Malone. I thought it was a street name…
-Jane
The Celebrity Generation Gap winner?
The winner so far is Reader Eric W. for this entry:
On a business trip, our team went out to dinner, and the Boss asked us to name the (seven) movies John Wayne’s character died in. Most of us played along, but our youngest associate sat there in frustrated silence and finally asked, “Who is John Wayne, and why do you care?”
YOUR TURN
Can you top Eric’s Celebrity Generation Gap story? Let us know in the comments!
Previous Column
Did you recognize more celebrities in the “In Memoriam” segment than during the Oscars awards ceremony? Welcome to the Celebrity Generation Gap.
I try to keep up but can’t shake the feeling that Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling are the same guy. I only recently became able to distinguish between Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslett.
The celebrity generation gap goes both ways, though. My pal Chuck jokingly asked his building’s porter, a young guy of 23 with last name Loren, if he was any relation to Sophia.
“Who?”
And last year, I told a colleague how excited I was that Senior Planet get an interview with Ann-Margret.
“Who’s that?”
Color me astonished, but my younger friends probably feel the same way when I ask if that’s Kirsten Stewart or Jenna Malone.
YOUR TURN
But that’s me. How about you? What examples of the Celebrity Generation Gap have you encountered? Share your story in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
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Comments
Sometime back in the 80’s I overheard my young sister-in-law ask my wife: “Is it true that Paul McCartney used to be in another band before Wings?” I’m not kidding.
Re singing competition shows. I can’t tell one from another–same hair, same voice, and I don’t know 1/2 the songs theyre singing unless the theme is “hits the year you were born” lol. also it “totally” irks me to see young celebrities famous for really nothing(?) I.e. kardashians .the mother looks the same age as her children). Most of all their new $ making venture – I’m always mindful of how many millions of people & animals they could help instead of asking me for “$19 a mo”
My comment should go under “Don’t get me started”, sorry, lol. I was stating the obvious, nothing new.
I hardly know one young tattooed guy or blonde girl from another. Not having children or grandchildren, I don’t have anybody to sing “Yesterday” to… :-)
Sky King
Howdy Doody
The Janitor
Buddy Dean
Remember these?
Many long years ago(1975?) I went to a conference where the attendees were a mix of college staff and college students. There was a exhibit hall of vendors and potential entertainers who might be hired for college activities programs. After a turn around the hall I asked a group of friends “Did you see Sky King?” The Staff replied “Sky King? Where?” The students replied “Sky King? Who?”
OMG, just last night I was talking bout….Circus Boy! I was a die hard Monkees fan (my fave Monkee changed from week to week) but even I didn’t know Mickey Dolenz had a career before he got into music.
My granddaughter could not get over the look of the Andy Griffith show-“what do you mean black and white I don’t like that look” Change the channel
A few years ago I took my 8yr old grandson and his friend to a ‘Beatles’ concert sponsored by our local sheriff’s department held at a demonstration room at the fairgrounds. I thought it would be fun to introduce them to the music I was listening to as a teenager.It was quite an informal setting and these young boys danced and sang every song. My mouth dropped open.” How do you guys know the words to these songs?”My grandson replied, “Quinn’s mother plays it all the time!” Great night!