Back in my 20s, I found myself living in a cozy, one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The walls were so thin that I could hear everything about my neighbor—a charming gay septuagenarian who filled his days with phone calls about adult films, intense rounds of “Call of Duty,” and endless reruns of The Golden Girls. I would often lounge on my sofa, soaking in the laughter and nostalgia that seeped through our shared wall, as if I were enjoying a live performance.
This little trip down memory lane comes to mind because TV Land has decided to replace the beloved sitcom Hot in Cleveland, which focused on four single, older women living together and featured the iconic Betty White, with shows intended to appeal to viewers in their forties, like myself. The new contender? Younger, which premieres tonight. It leaves me pondering how TV Land’s approach to attract my generation with nostalgia is so out of sync with what we truly crave.
Starring the talented Sutton Foster as a 40-year-old mother trying to re-enter the workforce by pretending to be 26, Younger has its enticing elements. Foster’s warm and approachable demeanor is a magnet for theater enthusiasts, and anything produced by Darren Star, who brought us Melrose Place and Sex and the City, piques my interest. But therein lies the issue: to someone actually in their 40s, the show’s premise is downright disheartening.
In the trailers for Younger, nothing feels more demoralizing than seeing 27-year-old Mia Holland, who plays Foster’s office buddy, looking like she’s just stepped off a fashion shoot with her flawless ombré hair and sculpted arms. That polished, over-the-top look is not something I aspire to, even in a fictional context.
One scene even pokes fun at Foster’s unkempt appearance, leading a younger character to quip, “Oh, it looks like my mother’s—.” The promo cuts off there, but it essentially screams, “I’m too old for this nonsense.” And you know what? I am.
While there’s a chance Younger could be light and entertaining, it’s perplexing that a network known for feel-good content would attempt to engage the 40-50 demographic with humor that seems to mock them. The folks at TV Land claim they’re aiming for “edgy,” but it feels like they may have missed the mark, leaving us feeling drained instead.
Now, back to Betty White. If TV Land wants to connect with Gen X viewers by letting us bask in the sitcoms of our youth, why would they remove Betty White from the equation? Cancelling Hot in Cleveland, a show that resonates with fortysomething viewers’ nostalgia, seems like a miscalculation. After all, who doesn’t love The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Didn’t everyone, young and old alike, tune in to The Golden Girls when it was at its peak? (And let’s not forget about White’s co-stars; I still admire Valerie Bertinelli and her role in One Day at a Time. Talk about goals!)
I can vividly recall my family chatting around the dinner table about how hilariously bold The Golden Girls was when it premiered in 1985. That show was my introduction to sharp wit, thanks to Bea Arthur’s Dorothy and the heartwarming, albeit naive, Rose Nylund played by Betty White. Her perfectly timed pauses and sweet demeanor brought a unique charm to the show, setting the stage for humor that still resonates today.
Betty White is not just a nostalgic figure; she embodies a blend of intelligence and charm. She represents reinvention, having entered the film industry at 40 and defining roles like Sue Ann Nivens at 51. Whether she’s hosting Saturday Night Live, making us laugh on Hot in Cleveland, or endearing herself to a new generation through her witty charm, she reminds us that life is full of possibilities, regardless of age.
Perhaps that’s the silver lining in TV Land’s decision to move away from her. While she’s undeniably watchable, Betty White inspires action rather than laziness. Just like those moments I spent listening to her through my wall, she propels me off the couch and into the world.
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Summary:
In a nostalgic nod to past sitcoms, TV Land’s decision to replace Hot in Cleveland with Younger raises eyebrows among Gen X viewers. While Younger, starring Sutton Foster, aims to connect with fortysomething audiences, its premise of a 40-year-old pretending to be 26 feels disheartening. The article reflects on the timeless charm of Betty White and the enduring appeal of shows that celebrate age and humor.