“WHO? COOTER BRONSON AND THE DUKES OF HARDY?”
by Rick Jones, Husband of the Minister's Wife
Last week I lamented that “I started feeling old when I realized how many people reading this might have no idea who Charles Bronson and Oliver Hardy were, and don't know that years before a very bad movie, Cooter Davenport and the Duke boys appeared in a very fun TV show.”
Many of you were aware of all three “cultural references,” but I focused on the comments that admitted unfamiliarity with them. And felt old.
Lots of things make me feel old. My collections of: cassette tapes; videos in VHS format; paperback books with a 35 cent cover price. I suppose that reveals something about my mental state: much of my “stuff” is simultaneously entertaining and depressing. It also proves that I'm parsimonious: if I own the cassette, I won't pay to upgrade to CD. It's cheaper to buy old cassette players for a buck each at yard sales.
I like “classic rock” music, but even that makes me feel old. The summer after I graduated college I became a radio DJ. Now, the oldies stations play “classics” that I played when they were in the top 10 on the pop charts!
I commented to a hospital worker recently that I wished the TV there got a certain channel because it aired “Perry Mason” twice a day.
She said, “Who?” I said, “The TV show, 'Perry Mason'.” She said, “What?” I said, “The – you never heard of – the TV show, with Raymond Burr?”
She said, “Who?”
I almost said that Burr was the actor who starred in the first “Godzilla” movie, but was afraid she might react by saying something about Matthew Broderick. Besides, I was getting achy and tired and wanted her to leave so I could take a nap.
As often happens on such occasions, I recalled Mick Jagger singing [from “Mother's Little Helper”], “What a drag it is getting old.” That was released back in 1966, and Mick is still singing it today, so “old” doesn't seem to be holding him back much. Still, I wonder if he feels odd when he sings “Time Is on My Side” . . .
(Find Rick's previous columns Here!)
Yeah, That's pretty funny - for an old guy. But I have one question:
ReplyDeleteWho's Mick Jagger?
You know talking to yourself could be a sign of old age.
ReplyDeleteWell, I could add some stuff here to that comment, but I'l be nice!! If you're getting old that means I am too.
DeletePretty cool post. I am loving the idea that you have shared.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI was very young, but I remember asking my mom to let me stay up late on Friday nights so I could watch the Dukes of Hazard - because all my friends were.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he missed a single episode!
DeleteFunny!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteMakes me feel funny that I don't know half those people. Or even those television shows.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone. A lot of people don't.
DeleteIt's scary how quickly what was popular becomes obsolete. Kids today are in a whole new world so different from what we lived through.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Liz! I don't get half of what is popular now.
DeleteOkay now I am feeling old. Dukes is my fave show on the planet. Before my divorce, I owned every season on DVD as well. Love my classic rock too. Thankfully, I'm raising my kids right, and while they aren't growing up in that generation, they love 'my' kind of classic rock, along with dukes, and tons of other shows from that time/before that time...
ReplyDeleteOur kids got raised like that too. They learned all about the fun old tv shows and older music. We even taught them about classic literature and old, old movies! It's some pretty good stuff!!
DeleteHa! :) Getting old...better than the alternative!
ReplyDeleteVery good point!
DeleteI was laughing while reading your conversation with the nurse. I know a lot of young people who love listening to old songs and watching old flicks, so they're pretty familiar with the artists.
ReplyDeleteGood to know there are some out there who know the oldies!
DeleteI have heard of Perry Mason but I don't think I ever saw any of the shows. But I could ask you if you know the lyrics to any Madonna song I would probably get crickets.
ReplyDeleteNo he's not that old! LOL! He does know some of the more recent musicians and groups. he just really likes some of the oldies better.
DeleteI'm younger, but classic rock is my favorite genre! That's pretty cool that you were a radio DJ back when the music was new!
ReplyDeleteWell, actually a lot of it was not new when he was playing it. he worked at an oldies station. Some was new, but not all.
DeleteIts truly sad that many of the tounger generationa dont know the people and things we grew up with. But I know who perry mason is. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo glad you do! My husband loves watching Perry and Ironside.
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteNot really sure what to say but actual words from you would have been nice please! Thanks for the smile though.
DeleteI love the oldies! We just introduced my father-in-law to iTunes not too long ago, and it's like he's died and gone to heaven. No more switching tapes, and no more going to the music store for more songs :-). Of course, he still asks my husband to actually search for and buy his songs online, but we're getting there!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this! LOL!!
DeleteI'm starting to feel old and i'm only 31. I have a 12 year old that barley knew who britney spears was before her crazy days. lol
ReplyDeleteThat might be a good thing though. LOL!
DeleteI tend to remember a DJ from Plymouth, Indiana that would play a request on rare occasion, but it usually meant I had to drop off a pizza at the radio station. That seems like 30+ years ago.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to drop off pizza any time. LOL!! he would still take a request or two!!
DeleteFunny. I know Mick Jagger's age never matters to me since he's still rockin'!
ReplyDeleteHe's in his 70's and it just seems strange to think about it to be honest!
DeleteI am only 37. But I find it funny that my generation has no clue what you reference too. I grew up around this stuff because things Like Mick Jagger or Perry Mason is what my parents watched.
ReplyDeleteThey brought you up right. LOL!! Seriously though, a lot of the oldie shows are so much better than the newer stuff!
Deletehaha. I love this post. You're a great writer. I am in my 20s, so I cannot relate to any of your references except Mick Jagger. lol I think that after 21 years old, everyone can find something that makes them feel old. I am 26 and hear things that completely blow my mind. I feel old already. I think it's awesome that you were a DJ! How fun! Thank you for a fun and entertaining post.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was just feeling old at 26. Wait till you hit the 50's!
DeleteFunny post! I was same like WHO? until I saw Mick Jagger lol i thought I know of him atleast. I guess when my kids grow up I might have to stay up to date with all the latest singers, celebrities. When I was in my teens and went crazy about Spice Girls and Backstreet boys my mom went through same phase, bit sad too as the singers she heard for long time gradually did not have albums releasing. But my parents always told me about the good stuff from their times, ended up watching Ben Hur and Casablanca kind of classic movies which my generation never heard of.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend watching all the good old classic movies. They are called classic for a reason....they never go out! Check out the top 100 classic movies listed on the Internet Movie Database! it's worth it believe me!
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