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Ageism on TV still exists

(56 Posts)
hollysteers Wed 29-Jan-20 18:06:07

I was disappointed catching up on the series ‘Cold Feet’ last night, which I have enjoyed over the years, to find that the two mothers of the fifty something? main female characters were shown as blithering idiots, tagging along, embarrassing the daughters and not wanted. As it’s not a comedy series I was surprised.
I remember my mother disliking Caroline Aherne (RIP) and her old woman persona as she felt she was taking the mickey, which she was, rather cleverly.
What have you noticed in this regard?

Harris27 Thu 30-Jan-20 22:00:59

Well I turned 60 on Monday and now I’m still the oldest at work was waiting for some derisory comments on when I was retiring but haven’t had any so far. Would retire but have no income as my pension is not available until 66 so will keep on going! Let’s keep on being young girls!,

Keeper1 Thu 30-Jan-20 22:37:52

I think I am the oldest person in my company and heard one of the young engineers at the time of the general election that people over a certain age shouldn’t be allowed to vote as they have less life ahead of them so decisions made now won’t really effect them. He also thought that 16 year olds should get the vote.
I pointed out that fine but that will also mean 16 years olds must be tried as adults and he was forgetting that just being older does not mean we do not care about the future of the country and also for our families that age doesn’t mean we do not look ahead. What is sad is this young man has a first class degree but not first class reasoning.

suziewoozie Thu 30-Jan-20 23:30:53

Jenny’s mum is lovely and the banter between them is warm and loving - we’ve seen what a support she’s been during Jennys illness - Jenny doesn’t do ‘soppy’. Karen’s mum otoh is awful. Her comments about Karen ‘being cured’ - trying to get her to drink again wtaf? Then the comments about her failings as a mother, and the necklace. And now poor Karen will be feeling guilty for being mad with her as deserved as that was. I’m astonished that anyone thought the portrayal of her was anything but quite an accurate picture of a certain sort of mother Nothing to do with age or ageism.

paddyanne Thu 30-Jan-20 23:57:02

I didn't find it offensive at all,if you remember the back story Karen and her mother always had a difficult relationship,her mother was more interested in herself than her daughter .The other family get on well with the mother and she's been a support to them.
I think you can see issues if you look for them,I wasn't looking for problems I saw a reasonable reflection of inter generational relationships.I know I could happily have gagged my mum ,much as I loved her ,she had a habit of saying awful things just within hearing distance of the folk she was saying it about

Magrithea Fri 31-Jan-20 19:36:02

I agree with those who've said that they didn't find Cold Feet's portrayal of the mothers offensive (I caught up last night). Jen's mum has been nothing but supportive during her cancer treatment although Karen's seems to resent motherhood I think (if you watched to the end and SPOILER ALERT!) Karen is about to have a shock and guilt!