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\\\"Stereotypical, at the very least. It\\\'s disappointing to see some of these lazy, obvious choices on the part of the writers.
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
and this:
I didn\\\'t say the show definitely was any of those things, racist, etc...it\\\'s probably too early to say. But it\\\'s possible to interpret things that way and spot certain stereotypes.
FYI, I\\\'m not a minority who\\\'s overreacting. That\\\'s like saying you have to *be* an elephant to notice the big pink elephant in the room. :P
Typical reaction on IMDB: \\\"if you don\\\'t love absolutely every single thing about this show/movie/actor/whatever, then just go away and stop watching it and don\\\'t talk about it!\\\" Don\\\'t you know it\\\'s *fun* to discuss things, and even to nitpick or overanalyze, speculate, etc.? It\\\'s possible to enjoy something without completely turning off your brain. I\\\'m finding Tower Prep pretty entertaining so far, but afterwards the critical thinking kicks in. And a desire to share your thoughts and discuss with others. So thank you, person-who-started-this-thread, for getting me thinking more. Sorry to see other posters don\\\'t feel the same way about it.
Here\\\'s more possible \\\"evidence\\\" of homophobic humour on the part of the writers/director/whoever:
When Suki\\\'s pretending to be Ian and trying to prevent his roommates from lifting the bedsheets and exposing her, she embarrasses the guys by teasing them about wanting to see Ian in his underwear, or something like that. Now why did the writers make that choice, when they easily could\\\'ve had Suki put on an article of Ian\\\'s clothing, like she did in the pilot episode, and use her powers to trick them into both hearing *and* seeing her as Ian? Did the writers forget that she has the power to imitate others visually? Did they decide to scrap that idea and limit her power to imitating someone\\\'s voice? (I thought it was kind of stupid to ask the viewers to imagine her appearance has changed, just because she\\\'s wearing someone\\\'s shirt :P) Did the writers think it would be soooo suspenseful and exciting for the viewers to worry about Suki being found out, that they ignored the obvious solution so that she wouldn\\\'t have to hide? Or did they hope we\\\'d all forget about that aspect of her power, just for the sake of shoehorning in some \\\"ewww, I don\\\'t want guys to think I like guys...gay people are icky!\\\" humour?
I don\\\'t know, but it\\\'s interesting to ask these questions. :)
As for the old \\\"it\\\'s just a kids show, so who cares?\\\" argument... That never fails to amaze me. You think kids don\\\'t matter? You think kids are so stupid they won\\\'t notice if they\\\'re being fed crap? You think kids won\\\'t pick up on racist/sexist/etc messages in movies or tv shows? There\\\'s a reason it\\\'s easier for children to learn other languages (for instance) than it is for an adult to learn something new. Kids brains soak things up like a sponge. They\\\'re more malleable. Do you adults out there still remember songs or other trivial things from your childhood...do those memories seem more vivid than what you did more recently? Same sort of thing. It\\\'s actually pretty important to expose children to quality books/tv shows/ideas. They\\\'re called \\\"the formative years\\\" for a reason. Creators of programming aimed primarily at kids/teens, should probably be aware of the messages they\\\'re sending, and try not to perpetuate stereotypes that influence the way their young viewers will regard and treat people. Yes we keep learning and can change when we grow up, but it\\\'s not easy when so much of our belief system/values/taste is formed at an early age.
So if it\\\'s \\\"a kids show\\\", all the more reason *not* to be racist/sexist/homophobic. Kids aren\\\'t as blind or stupid as many seem to think. And they deserve quality entertainment that doesn\\\'t talk down to them or insult them with bad or cliched writing, as much as anybody else. Considering that Tower Prep seems to be sending the message that these kids can outwit the adults in charge who are trying to use and control them...(hey look, a positive message! I\\\'m not all about spotting the negatives after all! ;) ...it seems strange to me that fans of the show would make excuses for it by saying it\\\'s \\\"just for kids\\\", instead of challenging it to be even better.
Because we deserve the best! Who\\\'s with me?! *everybody cheers* *well, ok, maybe a few people throw vegetables instead*\\\"
and this:
The writers really seem clueless when it comes to including or offending minorities who may be watching this show. I\\\'m not black but I can\\\'t help noticing something rather...problematic in the most recent episode.
The writers had the chance to make a black guy, Phillips (Redfang), a real leader (of The Broken resistance group)...maybe working together with Ian to save the day... and instead they choose to show him grunting and growling like an animal (historically offensive way to portray black people, as menacing animals) while some other white guy does all his talking for him and explains that he (Redfang) has gone mad, and by the way, they need Ian to take over and be their leader.
Wow.
Why is there always a white leader, indeed. This is even worse than just neglecting to include a non-white in a leadership role. Going out of their way to tell a story where the black guy went barbarian... and a white guy is required to step in and take his place. Yikes.
The show has such promise, but they need to hire somebody who has more awareness of racial stereotypes. Are they hoping their target audience (children) just won\\\'t notice these things?
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
and this:
I didn\\\'t say the show definitely was any of those things, racist, etc...it\\\'s probably too early to say. But it\\\'s possible to interpret things that way and spot certain stereotypes.
FYI, I\\\'m not a minority who\\\'s overreacting. That\\\'s like saying you have to *be* an elephant to notice the big pink elephant in the room. :P
Typical reaction on IMDB: \\\"if you don\\\'t love absolutely every single thing about this show/movie/actor/whatever, then just go away and stop watching it and don\\\'t talk about it!\\\" Don\\\'t you know it\\\'s *fun* to discuss things, and even to nitpick or overanalyze, speculate, etc.? It\\\'s possible to enjoy something without completely turning off your brain. I\\\'m finding Tower Prep pretty entertaining so far, but afterwards the critical thinking kicks in. And a desire to share your thoughts and discuss with others. So thank you, person-who-started-this-thread, for getting me thinking more. Sorry to see other posters don\\\'t feel the same way about it.
Here\\\'s more possible \\\"evidence\\\" of homophobic humour on the part of the writers/director/whoever:
When Suki\\\'s pretending to be Ian and trying to prevent his roommates from lifting the bedsheets and exposing her, she embarrasses the guys by teasing them about wanting to see Ian in his underwear, or something like that. Now why did the writers make that choice, when they easily could\\\'ve had Suki put on an article of Ian\\\'s clothing, like she did in the pilot episode, and use her powers to trick them into both hearing *and* seeing her as Ian? Did the writers forget that she has the power to imitate others visually? Did they decide to scrap that idea and limit her power to imitating someone\\\'s voice? (I thought it was kind of stupid to ask the viewers to imagine her appearance has changed, just because she\\\'s wearing someone\\\'s shirt :P) Did the writers think it would be soooo suspenseful and exciting for the viewers to worry about Suki being found out, that they ignored the obvious solution so that she wouldn\\\'t have to hide? Or did they hope we\\\'d all forget about that aspect of her power, just for the sake of shoehorning in some \\\"ewww, I don\\\'t want guys to think I like guys...gay people are icky!\\\" humour?
I don\\\'t know, but it\\\'s interesting to ask these questions. :)
As for the old \\\"it\\\'s just a kids show, so who cares?\\\" argument... That never fails to amaze me. You think kids don\\\'t matter? You think kids are so stupid they won\\\'t notice if they\\\'re being fed crap? You think kids won\\\'t pick up on racist/sexist/etc messages in movies or tv shows? There\\\'s a reason it\\\'s easier for children to learn other languages (for instance) than it is for an adult to learn something new. Kids brains soak things up like a sponge. They\\\'re more malleable. Do you adults out there still remember songs or other trivial things from your childhood...do those memories seem more vivid than what you did more recently? Same sort of thing. It\\\'s actually pretty important to expose children to quality books/tv shows/ideas. They\\\'re called \\\"the formative years\\\" for a reason. Creators of programming aimed primarily at kids/teens, should probably be aware of the messages they\\\'re sending, and try not to perpetuate stereotypes that influence the way their young viewers will regard and treat people. Yes we keep learning and can change when we grow up, but it\\\'s not easy when so much of our belief system/values/taste is formed at an early age.
So if it\\\'s \\\"a kids show\\\", all the more reason *not* to be racist/sexist/homophobic. Kids aren\\\'t as blind or stupid as many seem to think. And they deserve quality entertainment that doesn\\\'t talk down to them or insult them with bad or cliched writing, as much as anybody else. Considering that Tower Prep seems to be sending the message that these kids can outwit the adults in charge who are trying to use and control them...(hey look, a positive message! I\\\'m not all about spotting the negatives after all! ;) ...it seems strange to me that fans of the show would make excuses for it by saying it\\\'s \\\"just for kids\\\", instead of challenging it to be even better.
Because we deserve the best! Who\\\'s with me?! *everybody cheers* *well, ok, maybe a few people throw vegetables instead*\\\"
and this:
The writers really seem clueless when it comes to including or offending minorities who may be watching this show. I\\\'m not black but I can\\\'t help noticing something rather...problematic in the most recent episode.
The writers had the chance to make a black guy, Phillips (Redfang), a real leader (of The Broken resistance group)...maybe working together with Ian to save the day... and instead they choose to show him grunting and growling like an animal (historically offensive way to portray black people, as menacing animals) while some other white guy does all his talking for him and explains that he (Redfang) has gone mad, and by the way, they need Ian to take over and be their leader.
Wow.
Why is there always a white leader, indeed. This is even worse than just neglecting to include a non-white in a leadership role. Going out of their way to tell a story where the black guy went barbarian... and a white guy is required to step in and take his place. Yikes.
The show has such promise, but they need to hire somebody who has more awareness of racial stereotypes. Are they hoping their target audience (children) just won\\\'t notice these things?
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Changed line(s) 5 from:
n
\
to:
\\\"Stereotypical, at the very least. It\\\'s disappointing to see some of these lazy, obvious choices on the part of the writers.
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
and this:
I didn\\\'t say the show definitely was any of those things, racist, etc...it\\\'s probably too early to say. But it\\\'s possible to interpret things that way and spot certain stereotypes.
FYI, I\\\'m not a minority who\\\'s overreacting. That\\\'s like saying you have to *be* an elephant to notice the big pink elephant in the room. :P
Typical reaction on IMDB: \\\"if you don\\\'t love absolutely every single thing about this show/movie/actor/whatever, then just go away and stop watching it and don\\\'t talk about it!\\\" Don\\\'t you know it\\\'s *fun* to discuss things, and even to nitpick or overanalyze, speculate, etc.? It\\\'s possible to enjoy something without completely turning off your brain. I\\\'m finding Tower Prep pretty entertaining so far, but afterwards the critical thinking kicks in. And a desire to share your thoughts and discuss with others. So thank you, person-who-started-this-thread, for getting me thinking more. Sorry to see other posters don\\\'t feel the same way about it.
Here\\\'s more possible \\\"evidence\\\" of homophobic humour on the part of the writers/director/whoever:
When Suki\\\'s pretending to be Ian and trying to prevent his roommates from lifting the bedsheets and exposing her, she embarrasses the guys by teasing them about wanting to see Ian in his underwear, or something like that. Now why did the writers make that choice, when they easily could\\\'ve had Suki put on an article of Ian\\\'s clothing, like she did in the pilot episode, and use her powers to trick them into both hearing *and* seeing her as Ian? Did the writers forget that she has the power to imitate others visually? Did they decide to scrap that idea and limit her power to imitating someone\\\'s voice? (I thought it was kind of stupid to ask the viewers to imagine her appearance has changed, just because she\\\'s wearing someone\\\'s shirt :P) Did the writers think it would be soooo suspenseful and exciting for the viewers to worry about Suki being found out, that they ignored the obvious solution so that she wouldn\\\'t have to hide? Or did they hope we\\\'d all forget about that aspect of her power, just for the sake of shoehorning in some \\\"ewww, I don\\\'t want guys to think I like guys...gay people are icky!\\\" humour?
I don\\\'t know, but it\\\'s interesting to ask these questions. :)
As for the old \\\"it\\\'s just a kids show, so who cares?\\\" argument... That never fails to amaze me. You think kids don\\\'t matter? You think kids are so stupid they won\\\'t notice if they\\\'re being fed crap? You think kids won\\\'t pick up on racist/sexist/etc messages in movies or tv shows? There\\\'s a reason it\\\'s easier for children to learn other languages (for instance) than it is for an adult to learn something new. Kids brains soak things up like a sponge. They\\\'re more malleable. Do you adults out there still remember songs or other trivial things from your childhood...do those memories seem more vivid than what you did more recently? Same sort of thing. It\\\'s actually pretty important to expose children to quality books/tv shows/ideas. They\\\'re called \\\"the formative years\\\" for a reason. Creators of programming aimed primarily at kids/teens, should probably be aware of the messages they\\\'re sending, and try not to perpetuate stereotypes that influence the way their young viewers will regard and treat people. Yes we keep learning and can change when we grow up, but it\\\'s not easy when so much of our belief system/values/taste is formed at an early age.
So if it\\\'s \\\"a kids show\\\", all the more reason *not* to be racist/sexist/homophobic. Kids aren\\\'t as blind or stupid as many seem to think. And they deserve quality entertainment that doesn\\\'t talk down to them or insult them with bad or cliched writing, as much as anybody else. Considering that Tower Prep seems to be sending the message that these kids can outwit the adults in charge who are trying to use and control them...(hey look, a positive message! I\\\'m not all about spotting the negatives after all! ;) ...it seems strange to me that fans of the show would make excuses for it by saying it\\\'s \\\"just for kids\\\", instead of challenging it to be even better.
Because we deserve the best! Who\\\'s with me?! *everybody cheers* *well, ok, maybe a few people throw vegetables instead*
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
and this:
I didn\\\'t say the show definitely was any of those things, racist, etc...it\\\'s probably too early to say. But it\\\'s possible to interpret things that way and spot certain stereotypes.
FYI, I\\\'m not a minority who\\\'s overreacting. That\\\'s like saying you have to *be* an elephant to notice the big pink elephant in the room. :P
Typical reaction on IMDB: \\\"if you don\\\'t love absolutely every single thing about this show/movie/actor/whatever, then just go away and stop watching it and don\\\'t talk about it!\\\" Don\\\'t you know it\\\'s *fun* to discuss things, and even to nitpick or overanalyze, speculate, etc.? It\\\'s possible to enjoy something without completely turning off your brain. I\\\'m finding Tower Prep pretty entertaining so far, but afterwards the critical thinking kicks in. And a desire to share your thoughts and discuss with others. So thank you, person-who-started-this-thread, for getting me thinking more. Sorry to see other posters don\\\'t feel the same way about it.
Here\\\'s more possible \\\"evidence\\\" of homophobic humour on the part of the writers/director/whoever:
When Suki\\\'s pretending to be Ian and trying to prevent his roommates from lifting the bedsheets and exposing her, she embarrasses the guys by teasing them about wanting to see Ian in his underwear, or something like that. Now why did the writers make that choice, when they easily could\\\'ve had Suki put on an article of Ian\\\'s clothing, like she did in the pilot episode, and use her powers to trick them into both hearing *and* seeing her as Ian? Did the writers forget that she has the power to imitate others visually? Did they decide to scrap that idea and limit her power to imitating someone\\\'s voice? (I thought it was kind of stupid to ask the viewers to imagine her appearance has changed, just because she\\\'s wearing someone\\\'s shirt :P) Did the writers think it would be soooo suspenseful and exciting for the viewers to worry about Suki being found out, that they ignored the obvious solution so that she wouldn\\\'t have to hide? Or did they hope we\\\'d all forget about that aspect of her power, just for the sake of shoehorning in some \\\"ewww, I don\\\'t want guys to think I like guys...gay people are icky!\\\" humour?
I don\\\'t know, but it\\\'s interesting to ask these questions. :)
As for the old \\\"it\\\'s just a kids show, so who cares?\\\" argument... That never fails to amaze me. You think kids don\\\'t matter? You think kids are so stupid they won\\\'t notice if they\\\'re being fed crap? You think kids won\\\'t pick up on racist/sexist/etc messages in movies or tv shows? There\\\'s a reason it\\\'s easier for children to learn other languages (for instance) than it is for an adult to learn something new. Kids brains soak things up like a sponge. They\\\'re more malleable. Do you adults out there still remember songs or other trivial things from your childhood...do those memories seem more vivid than what you did more recently? Same sort of thing. It\\\'s actually pretty important to expose children to quality books/tv shows/ideas. They\\\'re called \\\"the formative years\\\" for a reason. Creators of programming aimed primarily at kids/teens, should probably be aware of the messages they\\\'re sending, and try not to perpetuate stereotypes that influence the way their young viewers will regard and treat people. Yes we keep learning and can change when we grow up, but it\\\'s not easy when so much of our belief system/values/taste is formed at an early age.
So if it\\\'s \\\"a kids show\\\", all the more reason *not* to be racist/sexist/homophobic. Kids aren\\\'t as blind or stupid as many seem to think. And they deserve quality entertainment that doesn\\\'t talk down to them or insult them with bad or cliched writing, as much as anybody else. Considering that Tower Prep seems to be sending the message that these kids can outwit the adults in charge who are trying to use and control them...(hey look, a positive message! I\\\'m not all about spotting the negatives after all! ;) ...it seems strange to me that fans of the show would make excuses for it by saying it\\\'s \\\"just for kids\\\", instead of challenging it to be even better.
Because we deserve the best! Who\\\'s with me?! *everybody cheers* *well, ok, maybe a few people throw vegetables instead*
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Changed line(s) 5 from:
n
\
to:
\\\"Stereotypical, at the very least. It\\\'s disappointing to see some of these lazy, obvious choices on the part of the writers.
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
i\\\'m suprised that TVtropes didn\\\'t noticed
Changed line(s) 5 from:
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to:
\\\"Stereotypical, at the very least. It\\\'s disappointing to see some of these lazy, obvious choices on the part of the writers.
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
Don\\\'t forget the Tough/Sassy Black Girl whose job it was to monitor Jock Boy when he was under suspicion of theft. She was a bit of a stereotype too.
And the fact that Jock Boy\\\'s mean roommates had that discussion about Asian Girl being a \\\"hottie\\\". Well, of course...don\\\'t all white guys find asian girls hot?
You could argue that the show\\\'s a bit sexist too - at least, I find the girls powers to be pretty weak, compared to the guys. I mentioned this in another thread but, the guys get the cool powers, of prediction (Jock Boy who can anticipate moves in a fight) or persuasion (btw, if Geek Boy can convince people to do what he wants, why the hell doesn\\\'t he just convince the Headmaster to let him go home?! Or at the very least, persuade him to reveal Tower Prep\\\'s plan for the kids).
Meanwhile the girls have to settle for relatively lame abilities...like imitating someone? And reading social/facial cues/being sensitive to what people are feeling?! So the boys get active, assertive powers, and the girls are more passive. Sure, they still get to help out and be useful. But would it have killed the writers to mix things up a bit and surprise the viewers? I mean, they even had the asian girl hand out and explain those gadgets the kids used to stay in touch, in the second episode. Because only asians are into the latest technology. :P
If there ends up being a point to it all ...like... the writers are trying to say that girls often feel like they have to be more sensitive to social cues ... or that girls are more likely to lack confidence/their own identity, and thus \\\"imitate\\\" others in order to fit in... or something... then I\\\'ll understand why they handed out the powers as they did. But somehow I doubt that the plan is to question or criticize gender role issues. :P
Also, what\\\'s with the opera & broadway singing guy in episode 2, the one everyone mocks? I hate to say it, but considering the actor was so over-the-top and flamboyant in his line delivery and everything... and the way his new (male) roommates reacted to having him as a roommate at the end (which could\\\'ve just been because of his singing, but I dunno...they seemed *really* uncomfortable in his presence.) was he meant to be a gay stereotype? Not that the writers would admit it on a kids show, but I wonder.
So....this show\\\'s shaping up to be possibly racist, sexist AND homophobic. Triple whammy!
And I so wanted Paul Dini to create a show, \\\'cause I enjoyed his writing in the past. Yikes.\\\"
Let ask ya somethng how many of these shows (not just Tower Prep) actually show people of color with out the stereotypes?
and whould you watch it if the roles was reverse?
Like Cal: White
Ian: Black
