Back in my 20s, I rented a cozy one-bedroom in a historic brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. With paper-thin walls, I quickly learned all about the gay septuagenarian neighbor next door. His leisure time was filled with conversations about adult films, marathon gaming sessions of “Call of Duty,” and binge-watching reruns of The Golden Girls. The witty banter between Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose poured through the walls so vividly that I often found myself sprawled on the couch, soaking in entire episodes without the need for cable.
I’m reminded of this fond memory as TV Land attempts to appeal to viewers in their forties, like myself, by replacing the beloved sitcom Hot in Cleveland—featuring four single women, including the legendary Betty White—with a new offering called Younger. This shift raises questions about how out of touch the network’s strategy is with what my generation truly desires.
Younger stars Broadway icon Sutton Foster as a 40-year-old mom who reinvents herself as a 26-year-old to reenter the workforce. With Foster’s charming presence and a show produced by Darren Star—known for hits like Melrose Place and Sex and the City—I felt inclined to tune in. However, the show’s premise is downright disheartening for someone actually in their forties.
In the trailers for Younger, I can’t help but feel deflated seeing 27-year-old actress Hilary Duff, portraying Foster’s co-worker, with her flawless magazine-cover looks and perfectly styled hair. That level of artifice is something I’ve long since abandoned, even when watching a character who is ostensibly my age. One scene comically references Foster’s unwaxed areas, with a younger character quipping, “Oh, it looks like my mother’s—.” The punchline, which is cut off, suggests an age-related disdain that feels painfully relatable.
While Younger may prove to be a light-hearted romp, it’s odd that a feel-good network would bank on attracting viewers in their forties by poking fun at them. Despite TV Land’s aspirations for an “edgier” identity, they may have miscalculated and created a show that many of us find exhausting.
This brings me back to Betty White. If TV Land’s goal is to engage Gen X viewers by embracing the sitcoms of their youth, why remove Betty White from the equation? Canceling Hot in Cleveland, which resonated with fortysomethings and their nostalgic preferences, seems like a misstep. After all, didn’t we all adore The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Who didn’t watch The Golden Girls during its prime? (And as a child, I dreamt of being like Valerie Bertinelli in One Day at a Time, a desire that still holds true.)
I distinctly remember my relatives discussing The Golden Girls around the dinner table, marveling at its provocative humor. The pilot episode introduced me to new vocabulary, including the word “prostitute,” delivered brilliantly by Bea Arthur’s Dorothy. Yet, it was Betty White’s Rose Nylund who brought an emotional depth to the series, her comical naivety contrasting with sharp-witted retorts from her co-stars.
Betty White embodies more than just talent; she represents a spirit of reinvention. Notably, she began her film career at 40 and didn’t create the iconic role of Sue Ann Nivens until she was 51. Whether she’s hosting SNL, delivering laughs on Hot in Cleveland, or charming new audiences at award shows, she exemplifies the idea that life is always ripe with possibilities.
As I reflect on her influence, I recognize that while Betty White captivates, she also inspires action. Like those moments when I eavesdropped on her comedic brilliance through my wall, she compels me to rise from the couch and engage with life.
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Summary
The article critiques TV Land’s decision to replace the beloved sitcom Hot in Cleveland with Younger, which does not resonate with viewers in their forties. Despite the appeal of its star and creator, the premise is perceived as disheartening and out of touch. The author reflects on the nostalgia surrounding Betty White and The Golden Girls, arguing for the value of authentic, relatable humor that speaks to the experiences of viewers.