When I was in my late dating years, I tried to woo a girl that didn’t particularly want to be wooed by me, but for whatever reason I kept trying to get a date with her. She finally relented and I decided that I should go on a double date with my brother and his date. What can only be described as her worst date ever(for her), I decided that we should watch Transformers The Movie. Not the four really awesome ones that just came out, but the original animated one. Maybe it wasn’t the normal acceptable thing to do on a date with a girl and clearly a bad decision for a girl that was already tipping the scales on not wanting to go out with me, but I liked that movie. And who’s to say that she just wasn’t catching the vision? It was one of my all time favorite movies. So just because a show is animated, it’s not PC for a guy to like it? So I’m an immature adult just because I watch a good show that happens to be computer animated or drawn instead of a terrible show you watch with “real people”? That is bitter madness to me.
It’s like when you turn a certain age, society tells you it isn’t okay to like cartoons anymore. You know what? That is absolutely true…if the cartoon sucks. Yes, if you are over 7, you should stop watching Doug, or Rugrats or Caillou, or any other abomination that has terrible plots, storylines, writing and acting. You should definitely stop watching cartoons if the main character is a whiny, entitled brat. You should definitely stop watching cartoons if the kids that are more hyper than a crack addict. But if the plot and characters are more compelling than your average episode of every comedy on CBS, then no you should not stop watching them and no you shouldn’t be ashamed. Bitter maybe, that society should tell me that anything that is drawn with pencil and colors is automatically more childish than Charlie Sheen, then yes, tell me I should stop watching cartoons. Feel free to tell express your opinion you bitter old grandpa with a hearing aid and a megaphone that automatically says to keep off your lawn. Go back to reading your Tolstoy and listening to your Bach and watching the Ed Sullivan show.
Tell me a show on TV or a book you’ve read, or song you’ve listened to that is so life changing because of it’s themes, or its message or how it made you feel, and I will find you a cartoon that changed my life in a similar way. Tell me a ground breaking moment in an epic movie you’ve seen. Tell me about how it dealt with death, or anger or sadness or rage or heartbreak, or was so imaginative, and creative and groundbreaking, you were left with your mouth open. I will find you a cartoon that deals with those same emotions, and probably one that was even better at dealing with the issue. I could even tell you about the ones that even dealt with bitterness. Characters that define who you are, and you can relate to.
Talk to me about a funny movie that you’ve seen or a book you’ve read, or a stand up comedian you’ve heard in person, and I will tell you about a cartoon that made me laugh so hard, I was choking on my popcorn. Tell me about a cheesy terrible movie that made you roll your eyes so far back in your head, you can see what is going on in that bitter brain of yours. I could even find you a cartoon that shows what your brain looks like (it’s tiny and very judgmental).
Tell me about a dream that you’ve had that was so messed up, so trippy, or exciting or magnificent, or scary, and I could not only find you a cartoon that would be similar, but maybe even more exciting or more scary or more magnificent than your dreams.
Tell me about a date you had where you talked about a guilty pleasure of a regular show that you loved and your date made fun of you for it, or laughed at you, or will talk about it someday as the worst date you ever had. I can talk to you about a cartoon that will do the same.
Tell me about a time when you had young kids and were “forced” to watch the same cartoons they watched because sometimes it was the only way you could get a moment’s peace. When it was the only time they would laugh, or it was the only thing they would fall asleep to. Then when they fell asleep, tell me there were some that you didn’t keep watching after they were asleep. Tell me you wouldn’t actually start watching even when they weren’t there. And some that you would secretly love, but would never admit to.
So ask yourself, is it really okay for you, or that date I had, or society to shame me for watching cartoons at the age of 42? When you watch a TV show with Charlie Sheen, or Steve Harvey, or Kim Kardashian, or the Bachelor, or Saturday Night Live, or Adam Sandler, or Will Ferrell, or Jim Carrey? Is it okay to shame me when you read 50 Shades of Grey, or Grey’s Anatomy, or Twilight or any show or book that has people wearing grey?
Yes, I still watch cartoons and will still watch them when I’m 92. If I live that long. And not because my kids watch. But don’t shame me for it, because they don’t call me Revengerman for nothing. If you shame me for cartoons, I will find your guilty pleasure and shame you for that. Count on it.
ARRRRRGGGGHHHH
Bitterly Cartoonish Ben
LOLLOLLOL
LikeLike
So laugh out loud, lover of lint, or lollipops are lame. I can never remember…
LikeLike
-Clandestine cartoon watchers unite! Throw off the chains that bound you, heaped on by PC non-believers in truth, beauty, and humor. Announce your your freedom from shame and name the cartoon shows and movies you watch. Write proud reviews so they won’t go away after the first season. Band together in a solidarity that can achieve anything for the seekers of the unplumbed depths of meaning in our neglected cartoons. Follow Bitter Ben on the path to cartoon enlightenment!
LikeLike
Okay sure…yeah. It’s about time someone gets the vision and brings it to the airwaves!
LikeLike
“A fake reputation is all a man has” (Tangled), but “the flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all” (Mulan), so be who you are – an unashamed lover of animation! “Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it.” (The Incredibles) “Let your conscience be your guide!” (Pinocchio)
LikeLike
I’ve gotta say that Tangled is one of my favorites (way better than Frozen in my opinion) and Flint is one of my favorite characters. Mulan is totally underrated. What I’m taking from this is you love quotes though, which I used to love but don’t now. I guess I got a little tired of the quoters on Facebook.
Oh and one other thing. Have you watched Pinnochio lately? I’m pretty sure if that came out today, all kinds of PC people would be all over it. Pinnochio smoking, the weird Island of temptation? Not really a squeaky clean Disney we are used to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Tangled is my favorite Disney movie, even though it’s one of the newer ones! Sorry to cause you enhanced bitterness by verbally vomiting quotes all over your comment box. I was attempting to use animated quotes to support your adult cartoon-watching habits (your habit of watching cartoons as an adult, not your habit of watching “adult cartoons” because… no).
LikeLike
It is my favorite one too. No problem about the quotes. When it comes from you its fine. Other people…ugggh. And thank you so much for supporting my cartoon watching habits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My husband almost exclusively watches cartoons. I have caught him watching the Kardashians but he said he was ashamed that he couldn’t look away.
What are your thoughts on “Cartoon Wars”?
LikeLike
That’s because he is awesome. At least you know he isn’t watching some stupid cop show or CBS comedy that is draining his comedy sink. I not sure I’m familiar with Cartoon Wars…but I need to become familiar with it.
LikeLike
There is no cartoon wars my bitter friend….yet. Perhaps a cartoon version of the other “reality” programs to point out the hysterical ridiculousness of them? We could make millions!
LikeLike
Ah hah! Now that sounds like a great show. There is a show on Cartoon Network that does make fun of survivor and a few other crappy reality shows, called Total Drama Island, but I think our would be much better. Having some smackdown battles with different cartoon stars.
LikeLike
I have seen Total Drama Island, great show! Let’s start working on a script!
LikeLike
Sounds good. Now we just need to make up a bunch of characters or steal them from all the cartoon people. I like making up our own.
LikeLike
I agree! Can you draw??? I’m already thinking we’re going to need to hire a staff.
LikeLike
Man do I wish I could draw. I can barely do stick figures. I’m always getting other bloggers to do drawings for me, then stealing them like a boss. The staff needs to get me a pizza, cause I’m ready to write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey I’m old but my ass is still at the comic book store every Wednesday to buy comics. And I still love Scooby Doo. As long as you aren’t killing little kids and kittens, who cares.
LikeLike
Good for you. Don’t let anyone shame you for those. And Scooby wasn’t my favorite, but I can see the appeal for others. And we all have our favorites.
LikeLike
I will happily read Tolstoy and listen to Bach, AND I love to watch Adventuretime, The Simpsons, and old episodes of Animaniacs and SpongeBob. Not ashamed of this in the least.
LikeLike
Adventure Time is a little out there for me, but when it is on, I won’t turn it off. Animaniacs, definitely. I can’t stand Spongebob the character (too bubbly literally and figuratively), but Squidward is right up my alley.
LikeLike
Does anyone really shame anyone else for watching cartoons anymore?
LikeLike
According to the imaginary poll I just took, yes.
LikeLike
I thought once the Simpsons gained popularity it was all out the window and I was the only one left in the world who still looked down my nose at those who watched it.
LikeLike
It’s you that is was bitter about you hoity toity cartoon shamer! You and your high faluting 2 and a half men fangirls!
LikeLike
I’d much rather watch The Bachelor, if you must know. (Okay, I am definitely kidding here…couldn’t even leave that one up in the air.)
LikeLike
I would laugh pretty bitterly hard if you watched the Bachelor. May that day happen soon!
LikeLike
Thanks a lot!
LikeLike
It’s not a problem. I could even just laugh at you from my couch.
LikeLike
I’m sure you already are…and I haven’t even watched The Bachelor!
LikeLike
You claim…Try it you just might like having something to be bitter about.
LikeLike
I already do!!
LikeLike
Well, now I can laugh even more now as I imagine your face watching that show.
LikeLike
Or just my face, right?? Ha, ha Ben!
LikeLike
I will pretty much shame laugh at anyone for any reason, yeah.
LikeLike
Whenever someone falls, it’s always hard for me to suppress a giggle.
LikeLike
If I carried a camera around, I would have a highlight reels worth of my falls. And I actually did have a short little video of my son falling on his bike once, but of course I lost it, which he is very thankful for, because I kept threatening to put it on YouTube or my blog and now it will never be seen. Ughh.
LikeLike
I would definitely laugh at you and I might just laugh at your son too, but don’t tell anyone I said that or they might find out that I am the horrible person that I actually am!!
LikeLike
Okay, I won’t post that thought of yours in my comment section, which will be seen by 10’s of people on the internet!
LikeLike
Thank you Ben! I knew I could count on you!
LikeLike
Yeah, you can always count on me. Always!
LikeLike
My daughter (when she was WAY over 4yo), would watch back-to-back episodes of Caillou. <— TORTURE.
I still quote old "Simpsons" episodes on a weekly — if not daily — basis.
Hi, Ben!
LikeLike
I’m just glad you didn’t say she was WAY over 40. Caillou is the absolute worst. He is whiny and entitled and that voice. And the bald head. And his parents just giving him whatever he wants just makes it so much worse.
LikeLike
Very true. I follow a lot of Anime blogs on WordPress. A recurring theme is that fans have to explain to others why they like the genre.
LikeLike
Which is pretty lame. But the internet is just full of shamers regardless of what you like. You will always have someone shame you for whatever hobby you have.
LikeLike
Please tell me you’ve watched Avatar: The last airbender. Best cartoon in the world. One of the best shows I’ve ever watched too.
LikeLike
I’ve watched a few episodes, and really liked them. And I was looking forward to the movie until I heard M. Night Shymalan messed it up pretty good.
LikeLike
What? Sorry I don’t know what movie you’re talking about. (You too will have to practice responses like this. Because once you watch and fall in love with avatar. The mere existence of that film will make you want to flip a table and slap people’s yoghurt out of their hands.)
LikeLike
You’re right. I must have been hit over the head and imagined it. It was a nightmare!
LikeLike
I agree with all of this. People should never stop watching cartoons. But I take offense at your digs about Doug and Rugrats. If either of those shows found there way on Netflix, I would 100% watch them!
LikeLike
To each his or her own. I’m more of a Cartoon Network guy. Teen Titans Go, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball…As long as you are watching something better than what is on the networks.
LikeLike