Enduring Uncoolness?

[Hannurdock]

Just came across this. Man, he hates the turtles.

If this is mentioned anywhere else (I did a search, but couldn't find it) let me know and I'll hit the delete button.

The Enduring Uncoolness of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/ninja-turtles-have-almost-always-been-uncool.html

[Leo656]

Sadly, what hurts the most is... he's really not wrong about any of it. :ohwell: "A joke taken too far" is probably the most apt description of "Turtlemania" I could come up with.

[Powder]

tl;dr

No use giving people with nothing good to say any publicity. C'mon.

[Hannurdock]

I really like the comments people have made though.

Especially the one about being bitten by a turtle when he was younger :lol:

[IndigoErth]

Sounds awfully knowledgeable - in the sense of experience rather than just research - for someone who's that annoyed at it. You'd think he was the child of one of the creators and his life was saturated with it or something and turtles are lame because parents are inevitably lame.... lol

Maybe he's always felt uncool, related to their initial uncoolness, and is mad because they became cool... 8)

[Konchadunga]

MzmDtlRdSzo

Edit: How the shell do I post videos?! Is that showing up for anyone? It's not for me!

[Leo656]

The franchise isn't "cool", though, it's exactly as he described it: if anything, it's a parody of all that which is "cool" or "hip", particularly the era of its conception. Even in the OT, all the "cool" jokes or references were already incredibly dated and corny by the time the show aired, definitely NOT hip, and that had to have been on purpose. TMNT has never really been "cool", it's been "groan-worthy on purpose", which is different. It's like being a fan of lucha libre (the highly comical and overly-choreographed Mexican style of pro wrestling); if you're not in on the joke, you just think you're watching something really stupid, but its corniness is completely on purpose and entirely by design, so that makes it okay.

If anything, TMNT is one of those paradoxical situations where it's "So dorky it's cool", but it's never been explicitly "Cool" in and of itself. C'mon.

[Warhorse]

Sounds awfully knowledgeable - in the sense of experience rather than just research - for someone who's that annoyed at it. You'd think he was the child of one of the creators and his life was saturated with it or something and turtles are lame because parents are inevitably lame.... lol

Maybe he's always felt uncool, related to their initial uncoolness, and is mad because they became cool... 8)

Maybe he was bullied by some punk who wore a TMNT shirt when he was in school.

[Prowler]

The franchise isn't "cool", though, it's exactly as he described it: if anything, it's a parody of all that which is "cool" or "hip", particularly the era of its conception. Even in the OT, all the "cool" jokes or references were already incredibly dated and corny by the time the show aired, definitely NOT hip, and that had to have been on purpose. TMNT has never really been "cool", it's been "groan-worthy on purpose", which is different. It's like being a fan of lucha libre (the highly comical and overly-choreographed Mexican style of pro wrestling); if you're not in on the joke, you just think you're watching something really stupid, but its corniness is completely on purpose and entirely by design, so that makes it okay.

If anything, TMNT is one of those paradoxical situations where it's "So dorky it's cool", but it's never been explicitly "Cool" in and of itself. C'mon.
Yea, pretty much. It's just something that people have nostalgic feelings over, but will call you a manchild for still being a fan if you're past a certain age. Being a TMNT fan is not as socially acceptable as being a Batman or a Spider-Man fan.

Your comparison with wrestling is a fairly good one. People will say they liked as as kids but look down on grown men who watch it. Or they just simply deny ever being fans.

[RaphaelinSTL]

tl;dr

No use giving people with nothing good to say any publicity. C'mon.

This!

What a ridiculous article.

[Tazi]

In some parts I agree with the article. I love Mirage, and I hate the what OT did with the turtles on the long run. Sure, I enjoyed the show as a kid, but I really wouldn't want that to be the default direction. 4kids was much better, it was much closer to the source material, and adopted those stories I loved TMNT for. But then it all went wrong with FF and BttS.
And now, the franchise is sold to Nick and it's all bad again. IDW is doing the best they can, to deliver a great monthly comic, but even that is influenced by how Nick wants it to be a kiddy show.

[Prowler]

In some parts I agree with the article. I love Mirage, and I hate the what OT did with the turtles on the long run. Sure, I enjoyed the show as a kid, but I really wouldn't want that to be the default direction. 4kids was much better, it was much closer to the source material, and adopted those stories I loved TMNT for. But then it all went wrong with FF and BttS.
And now, the franchise is sold to Nick and it's all bad again. IDW is doing the best they can, to deliver a great monthly comic, but even that is influenced by how Nick wants it to be a kiddy show.
Unfortunately the damage is beyond repair now. Hell, it was already beyond repair after the OT came out, but the Nick series pretty much killed any hope of us ever getting a more mature TMNT cartoon or even a heavily Mirage based live action or animated film. Not that I love Mirage or anything, but it'd be nice to see the TMNT property handled more seriously for once.

[Tazi]

Honestly I'd be happy with Nick staff leaving alone the IDW creators and letting them do the stuff they want.
Oh and at least a few direct-to-DVD (blueray) animated movies, like what DC and Marvel does.

[Warhorse]

Yea, pretty much. It's just something that people have nostalgic feelings over, but will call you a manchild for still being a fan if you're past a certain age. Being a TMNT fan is not as socially acceptable as being a Batman or a Spider-Man fan.

Your comparison with wrestling is a fairly good one. People will say they liked as as kids but look down on grown men who watch it. Or they just simply deny ever being fans.

Uh, I don't know how it is where you all are, but around here, in Palm Beach County/Miami Florida, I am seeing just as many TMNT shirts being worn by adults of all genders, sizes and ethnic backgrounds as I am seeing Batman, Superman and Captain America shirts. I am particularly paying attention to this, because I can't help but give the people a thumbs up and we have like a 5 second convo "Hey, I love Raph, who is your favorite. Mine, definitely the party dude, Michelangelo!" :D The fact that people are now starting to go out of their ways to remember the names is something that I am also digging. It's nice to hear the Turtles being called by their names instead of "I like the blue one!"

[Tazi]

I'm from Hungary, and some international clothing companies have stores around here. They sell t-shirts for 'average people', and they have TMNT (OT) shirts in their stocks sort of as retro/nostalgia fashion or something like.
And people buy it and wear it.

[turtle1237]

For something so un cool, it sure spawn 3 animation series, one of which as of right now, is in 2nd place of longest running cartoon series ever, only being beating by the Simpsons.

4 live action movies, and 1 cgi movie. Endless amounts of plastic died in the Turtle cause, yeah toys games ete and 30 plus years later, its still going pretty strong.

I loved the OT. I grow up with it, but it is what it is, I see no reason for the hate because it was not as dark as the comics. I loved Batman. I loved Dark Batman, but I also loved 1960's Batman Adam West.

It is what it is imo.

[Prowler]

Uh, I don't know how it is where you all are, but around here, in Palm Beach County/Miami Florida, I am seeing just as many TMNT shirts being worn by adults of all genders, sizes and ethnic backgrounds as I am seeing Batman, Superman and Captain America shirts. I am particularly paying attention to this, because I can't help but give the people a thumbs up and we have like a 5 second convo "Hey, I love Raph, who is your favorite. Mine, definitely the party dude, Michelangelo!" :D The fact that people are now starting to go out of their ways to remember the names is something that I am also digging. It's nice to hear the Turtles being called by their names instead of "I like the blue one!"
I see a grown man or another wearing an OT TMNT t-shirt once in a blue moon.

I'm from Hungary, and some international clothing companies have stores around here. They sell t-shirts for 'average people', and they have TMNT (OT) shirts in their stocks sort of as retro/nostalgia fashion or something like.
And people buy it and wear it.
Pull & Bear stores used to sell some OT TMNT t-shirts a couple of yeas ago here. Was only able to get one of the 4 or 5 different ones they had. Oh well.

[snake]

Has he seen anything of the OT, Mirage, or the new movie?

[pennydreadful]

Can this trend of "it's cool be a miserable b*stard who sneers at everything, including oxygen" please end now? god some people are joyless. Who gives a crap whether it's cool or not? Last I checked, nobody here is into Turtles purely for the street cred. People just like stuff for the enjoyment it gives them - who cares what anyone else thinks?

Good grief.

[Slade]

Can this trend of "it's cool be a miserable b*stard who sneers at everything, including oxygen" please end now? god some people are joyless. Who gives a crap whether it's cool or not? Last I checked, nobody here is into Turtles purely for the street cred. People just like stuff for the enjoyment it gives them - who cares what anyone else thinks?

Good grief.

Didn't you know? I earned my stripes from loving the turtles.:lol:

[oldmanwinters]

This piece reminds me a lot of the snarky piece that showed up on Entertainment Weekly not too long ago:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/08/08/the-37-worst-things-the-ninja-turtles-franchise-has-ever-created/

Is TMNT as "cool" as some of the mainstream superheroes or comic book characters? Maybe not, but that doesn't mean they aren't endearing.

Personally, I try not to feed the "vultures."

[IndigoErth]

Well I'd consider the Turtles cooler than I am, that might not be saying much but there's that. lol

[Ramboraph4life aka Matt]

So...Creatures that can grow up, learn how to wield weapons that folks like Bruce Lee (Nunchucks) used, kick asses of Robots/Aliens/Ninjas/Mutants, do Martial Arts & flips & moves that could knock you out, and learn the Ways of the Ninja isn't cool?

If that's the case, then What The Hell IS Cool?

[ssjup81]

Hm, he should try "skipping stones"...that'll mellow him out. :tlol:I see a grown man or another wearing an OT TMNT t-shirt once in a blue moon.


Pull & Bear stores used to sell some OT TMNT t-shirts a couple of yeas ago here. Was only able to get one of the 4 or 5 different ones they had. Oh well.
I'm an adult female and I wear my OT TMNT shirt every week along with my OT keychain and in fall/winter I wear my OT hoodie. :P

[pennydreadful]

Didn't you know? I earned my stripes from loving the turtles.:lol:

You've got stripes? Why don't I have stripes - this isn't fair at all! I demand to speak to the manager - this is unacceptable. :P

[ProactiveMan]

Thanks for the heads up Nick; I would have looked quite the square sporting my Ninja Turtle t-shirt at disco this weekend.

[Wildcat]

I read the first paragraph and clicked back. No need to waste time reading another hate article like that Entertainment Weekly one.

Seriously anyone who agrees that TMNT was never or never meant to be cool is not an actual fan to begin with imo.

Go tell Laird and Eastman that then go write off every other comic, cartoon, video game and sci-fi franchise because they're "corny" :roll:

[Hannurdock]

So...Creatures that can grow up, learn how to wield weapons that folks like Bruce Lee (Nunchucks) used, kick asses of Robots/Aliens/Ninjas/Mutants, do Martial Arts & flips & moves that could knock you out, and learn the Ways of the Ninja isn't cool?

If that's the case, then What The Hell IS Cool?

I agree.

Some people have chips on their shoulder. I think that article was just sour grapes. Maybe the writer had a bad experience when he was younger. Maybe he went into a toy store and a mound of Ninja Turtle toys collapsed on top of him, burying him for a few minutes in a sea of green. It's experiences like those that can change a person.

:lol:

[Konchadunga]

A shame it didn't change him into an oozing corpse.

[IndigoErth]

I agree.

Some people have chips on their shoulder. I think that article was just sour grapes. Maybe the writer had a bad experience when he was younger. Maybe he went into a toy store and a mound of Ninja Turtle toys collapsed on top of him, burying him for a few minutes in a sea of green. It's experiences like those that can change a person.

:lol:
:lol::lol: Is this how Shredder fans are born?

[Green Machine]

By the looks of that guys picture, Enduring Uncoolness could be the title of his autobiography.

[pharaohyami5000]

I agree.

Some people have chips on their shoulder. I think that article was just sour grapes. Maybe the writer had a bad experience when he was younger. Maybe he went into a toy store and a mound of Ninja Turtle toys collapsed on top of him, burying him for a few minutes in a sea of green. It's experiences like those that can change a person.

:lol:

Or maybe I bought the last TMNT action figure he was going to get in the toy store.

*bag of salt poured*

[turtle1237]

Or maybe I bought the last TMNT action figure he was going to get in the toy store.

*bag of salt poured*

That cant be it. As a kid, the 4 turtles were easy to get lol.

Don check,
Raph, check
Mike check
Leo check.

April O'Neil check.
Splinter check
Bebop and Rocksteady check.
Foot soldier check.
Krang check

Shredder mmmm, he was pretty hard to get my hands on. I was lucky for 1 month to get him, but never saw him on the shelf.

[Xav]

For something so un cool, it sure spawn 3 animation series, one of which as of right now, is in 2nd place of longest running cartoon series ever, only being beating by the Simpsons.That's not true at all. A lot of animated series' have lasted longer than 9 years.

[turtle1237]

That's not true at all. A lot of animated series' have lasted longer than 9 years.

Nope as of right now just the Turtles and the Simpsons.

Yeah most can last up to 6 or 8 years, I do think SpongeBob is closing in on it though. Or it could have all ready surpass the Turtles.

[IndigoErth]

Yeah, Spongebob is pretty ancient at this point, I believe it started back in '99. Been a long time since it's had a real season though.

[Green Machine]

Nope as of right now just the Turtles and the Simpsons.

Yeah most can last up to 6 or 8 years, I do think SpongeBob is closing in on it though. Or it could have all ready surpass the Turtles.

Oh yeah. Spongebob has been on since the late 90's I believe.

[ssjup81]

Spongebob's been on since 1999. Nickelodeon made it a point to celebrate its 10th anniversary over the network's 30th. >_>

Is Spongebob still in production?

[IndigoErth]

Is Spongebob still in production?
Sorta, they seem to come out with a new one once in a while.

[Leo656]

I'unno... I still think "legitimately Cool" and "So dorky you have to love it" aren't the same thing. I think fans are projecting based on how they themselves feel, rather than the public at large.

TMNT has never, ever been portrayed in the "mainstream" as anything less than a joke, albeit a joke that most people were "in on". I don't see how anything that's mostly presented to a mass audience as being completely ridiculous could be considered "cool". I know a lot of folks around here are different than most folks, but the fact is most people of a certain age wouldn't be caught walking around with a TMNT shirt on in public, even if they self-identify as "fans". It's not the same as being an unabashed fan of Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, etc. People don't snicker if you're over 25 and you say you like those cats, that's "normal" nowadays. But in most cases, you will get the ol' hairy eyeball if you trumpet your TMNT fandom out loud past a certain age.

Sorry, I don't think the franchise is "cool". I think it's awesome, it's fun, it's funny, and it's got a lot more depth than the mainstream gives it credit for, but it's not "cool". That doesn't mean people shouldn't like it or be proud of liking it. Everyone should like TMNT, obviously, and everyone should be proud of it. But unless it "grows up" past the shadow of the OT and is presented as something more than just little kids should be into - which isn't likely to happen anytime soon - then by definition, it can't be "cool".

That could change one day. Batman was still kind of a joke until the Burton movie. It's all in how the material is presented. TMNT is "just for little kids"... that ain't cool. :ohwell:

[IndigoErth]

Well you do have a point from that angle. Though I can't help but peg that more on society itself for acting dumb and blind, and not really TMNT's fault for not being seen for how awesome they are.

We can prob all agree that they're awesome. Awesome but not cool just sounds like... wait, wut?

That could change one day. Batman was still kind of a joke until the Burton movie. It's all in how the material is presented. TMNT is "just for little kids"... that ain't cool. :ohwell:

I dunno, despite it's criticisms I hope this new movie will at least lend a hand in gaining them a bit more respect from the wider public.

My mom, who'd seen it with me, has a tendency to get a little defensive for people (and/or their characters) on shows she's into if anyone criticizes something. (That comes into play in a min.) Having been in the generation of parents who had to put up with her kids' Turtle obsession (mainly mine) it's always been kids stuff to her. The way most probably view any other talking animal cartoon characters.

Yet after we left the theater (she liked it a lot more than I expected) we're doing the usual recap in the car as people do, and I commented on the whole April-Mikey thing....that I was already expecting at least a few cringe-worthy lines. She unexpectedly defended him as if he were just regular people saying "ah, it's just a teenage crush." Didn't bother her at all. lol If it can help some start seeing them a little as people (of an oddly green, shelled variety) and not just silly talking animals, that's a plus and a touch of hope in my book. :)

[Prowler]

It would make things easier if the general audience would stop shooting down any new TMNT incarnation just because "this isn't the TMNT I watched as a kid!"

And nowadays plenty of people are re-watching or watchinh the FW series for the first time. Just read the youtube comments below a FW series episode and you see people who grew up watching the 2k3 kids commenting on what they think about the FW series. And most seem to have a positive opinion of it, despite not having grown up with the show. I guess it holds up well compared to the other cartoons of its era.

[Davetello]

Not gonna lie, a couple of weeks back I got talking to someone online. She asked to see a photo of me, so I obliged. After taking the photo I realised one of my turtles posters was in the background. For a couple of seconds I thought about editing it out of the photo, but then I realised that I should be proud of the guys, not ashamed. Plus, if she mocked me for being a grown man who still loves these guys then she's not worth knowing in the first place.

For the record, she thought it was great that I like them. I found out in the process that she's into the Marvel films. But as Leo656 says, that's more 'normal' than liking the turtles, unfortunately.

[Storm Eagle]

Not gonna lie, a couple of weeks back I got talking to someone online. She asked to see a photo of me, so I obliged. After taking the photo I realised one of my turtles posters was in the background. For a couple of seconds I thought about editing it out of the photo, but then I realised that I should be proud of the guys, not ashamed. Plus, if she mocked me for being a grown man who still loves these guys then she's not worth knowing in the first place.

For the record, she thought it was great that I like them. I found out in the process that she's into the Marvel films. But as Leo656 says, that's more 'normal' than liking the turtles, unfortunately.

As long as she accepts, that's all that matters. Even if she didn't approve of your interest, it should be fine as long as she respects and accepts it without beating her opinion into your head over and over, like some have done with me, as if I didn't get it the first time.

Something similar happened to me when I told some girl that I'm a Power Rangers fan, which is most likely even worse. She said "that's fine, I watch Garfield. I love Garfield.". Two other girls I know share the same philosophy on how you're never too old for such things.

[Xav]

Nope as of right now just the Turtles and the Simpsons.

Yeah most can last up to 6 or 8 years, I do think SpongeBob is closing in on it though. Or it could have all ready surpass the Turtles.SpongeBob has surpassed it so has Ed, Edd n Eddy, Sazae-san, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, King of the Hill, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, South Park, The Bugs Bunny Show, Dora the Explorer, and Arthur.

[Prowler]

SpongeBob has surpassed it so has Ed, Edd n Eddy, Sazae-san, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, King of the Hill, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, The Bugs Bunny Show, Dora the Explorer, and Arthur.
Wait, what? Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy had that many episodes?

[Warboss74]

SpongeBob has surpassed it so has Ed, Edd n Eddy, Sazae-san, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, King of the Hill, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, The Bugs Bunny Show, Dora the Explorer, and Arthur.
The only ones on that list that aired more episodes are SpongeBob, Arthur, King of the Hill, Dora, and Sazae-san (never aired in the US).

Edit: surprisingly SpongeBob hasn't passed it yet.

[Davetello]

As long as she accepts, that's all that matters. Even if she didn't approve of your interest, it should be fine as long as she respects and accepts it without beating her opinion into your head over and over, like some have done with me, as if I didn't get it the first time.

Something similar happened to me when I told some girl that I'm a Power Rangers fan, which is most likely even worse. She said "that's fine, I watch Garfield. I love Garfield.". Two other girls I know share the same philosophy on how you're never too old for such things.

Yeah, that's true. As you say I don't need the approval, as long as she didn't demean me for it. After all, it's not like I approve of everything my friends do either.

LOL I was mocked at school for still liking Power Rangers, and that was at age of only 14. We were expected to have grown out of cartoons even at that still relatively early age. Goes to show how fast people grow up - when you're 14 you think you're one of the big kids and really mature. Goes to show how little we knew.

Sounds like those girls you know are keepers, girls who like the stuff we do are valuable.

[Storm Eagle]

Yeah, that's true. As you say I don't need the approval, as long as she didn't demean me for it. After all, it's not like I approve of everything my friends do either.

LOL I was mocked at school for still liking Power Rangers, and that was at age of only 14. We were expected to have grown out of cartoons even at that still relatively early age. Goes to show how fast people grow up - when you're 14 you think you're one of the big kids and really mature. Goes to show how little we knew.

Sounds like those girls you know are keepers, girls who like the stuff we do are valuable.

It's odd that you should mention being mocked for being a Power Rangers fan when you were 14. That's the age I was when it started, and I was a freshman in high school. Even though I didn't go waving it around like a flag, I learned that other people in the school were fans too.

Speaking of girls, a friend once told me that I better not let any girls know that I'm a fan (and this the same guy I was referring to in the previous post). By then, it was already too late, since some of the people I've made it known to were female, and some were even fans themselves. This one girl, although not a fan, understood my interest since she used to take martial arts classes. Even after my friend's warning, I've made it known to other females, although I ease them into it. I'm just glad that they've all been accepting of it. Besides, I used to frequent a now-defunct message board where the majority of the people there were females. I'm still in touch with some of them to this day, and I'd actually consider one of them my best female friend. She lives out in Colorado and I've flown out to meet her three times so far. This other board I frequent doesn't have as high a concentration of girls compared to the aforementioned message board, but that's where one male member found a female member that would later become his wife. Even I had a chance with a girl there, although I ended up blowing it on account of insufficient confidence. The Power Rangers convention from two years ago even enabled someone to find their future spouse. So I'm not too worried about my interests preventing me from finding a potential mate, whether it be Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, whatever.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

LOL I was mocked at school for still liking Power Rangers, and that was at age of only 14. We were expected to have grown out of cartoons even at that still relatively early age. Goes to show how fast people grow up - when you're 14 you think you're one of the big kids and really mature. Goes to show how little we knew.

Sounds like those girls you know are keepers, girls who like the stuff we do are VALUABLE.


(Capped the last word) Aww, that makes me feel special for being a female fan! And I used to be mocked by my dad for liking it, and he still does on occasion. But he's a douche, so I ignore it.

[IndigoErth]

If something isn't an interest a person would usually be concerned with keeping to themselves, then they shouldn't have to adjust the settings on their fandom depending on who's in front of them. I mean if someone takes issue with being a fan of something so harmless, they prob aren't worth knowing anyhow. (Family of course is another matter when some decide to pick up a free jerk card. :roll: )

I'll never understand the the appeal of Power Rangers given that I was on the edge of being too old by the time it came along and never appealed to me, but I certainly wouldn't look down on someone who was within it's target age demographics and grew up with that the way I did TMNT.

[Garfield]

Being societies vision of cool has never been a big part of my personality. Cool.... What does that mean anyway? It's completely subjective. Who elected this Nick Schager guy to be the defacto decider of what's cool in the world. Nobody. And its fine if he thinks TMNT is lame, everyone isn't going to like it that way. I find his first paragraph condescending in how he's acting like he knows what the turtles were supposed to be, and goes on about how they aren't supposed to be likeable, funny or cool (I really don't buy that the turtles aren't meant to be funny and likeable.). Like TMNT fans are dopes that just don't get it. I mean, maybe he's not meaning to put it that way, but it kind of comes off that way to me.

[Xav]

Wait, what? Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy had that many episodes?No, I was just going off of how long it's been on the air. If you are going by episode count than you can add The Smurfs to the list of shows that surpassed the old toon.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Well at least he acknowledges the 2003 series, which is good.

[pennydreadful]

So what've we learned from this marvelous piece of expose` journalism - that we like something that isn't cool? What a groundbreaking revelation - my whole life is a lie. Guess I'd better restructure my entire life so this internet weenie doesn't disapprove!

http://media.giphy.com/media/5MU2QTRLzspe8/giphy.gif

Seriously, dude can go boil his head. Who gives a crap whether Turtles are considered "cool" - and who decides what's cool anyway? What exactly constitutes coolness to begin with? And if a tv show is uncool in the forest, and there's nobody around to write a snotty article about it... does anybody really care?

[DarkFell]

Yeah I get it. It's the internet. It's free speech. It's someone that disapproves of a franchise enough to type out a long-winded rant.

Too bad that individuals like that guy are still outnumbered by the fans rather they be fans of the comics, the shows, or both.

And so what if TMNT doesn't rock that guy's world?

[IndigoErth]

lol I'd be curious to know what he's a fan of. Esp if a franchise like TMNT is even on his radar enough to criticize it.

[Davetello]

Yeah, the guy is a c0ck, end of story.

[Davetello]

It's odd that you should mention being mocked for being a Power Rangers fan when you were 14. That's the age I was when it started, and I was a freshman in high school. Even though I didn't go waving it around like a flag, I learned that other people in the school were fans too.

Speaking of girls, a friend once told me that I better not let any girls know that I'm a fan (and this the same guy I was referring to in the previous post). By then, it was already too late, since some of the people I've made it known to were female, and some were even fans themselves. This one girl, although not a fan, understood my interest since she used to take martial arts classes. Even after my friend's warning, I've made it known to other females, although I ease them into it. I'm just glad that they've all been accepting of it. Besides, I used to frequent a now-defunct message board where the majority of the people there were females. I'm still in touch with some of them to this day, and I'd actually consider one of them my best female friend. She lives out in Colorado and I've flown out to meet her three times so far. This other board I frequent doesn't have as high a concentration of girls compared to the aforementioned message board, but that's where one male member found a female member that would later become his wife. Even I had a chance with a girl there, although I ended up blowing it on account of insufficient confidence. The Power Rangers convention from two years ago even enabled someone to find their future spouse. So I'm not too worried about my interests preventing me from finding a potential mate, whether it be Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, whatever.

Yes, being into this sort of thing doesn't preclude anyone from finding a partner. There are many women in the world who are just as 'geeky' as we are and love that sort of thing. It's great that you've had such fun experiences mate :) You're doing the right thing by using your interests to expand your social circle, especially with women.

(Capped the last word) Aww, that makes me feel special for being a female fan! And I used to be mocked by my dad for liking it, and he still does on occasion. But he's a douche, so I ignore it.

Happy to make you feel good :) My dad is a pr!ck as well - I've never even met him but I've heard some bad stuff about what he did to my mum. My stepdad was a scumbag as well.

[pennydreadful]

Just weighing in on the subject of worrying that your hobbies will turn off potential love interests - screw that noise. Anyone who'd diss or dismiss you based on that wouldn't be worth your time anyway. Keep being yourself and eventually you will find someone who likes you just the way you are - whether that's a romantic relationship, or a really good friend, or having a cat or a dog.

Being an individual is far more attractive than being a person who hides parts of themselves because they think that's what others would want.

The idea of someone rejecting someone else just because they watch a kids' cartoon is just so silly to me, I can't even wrap my head around it. Anyone who would do that kind of thing - why would you even want to be with them? Why would you want to try to attract those kinds of people?

I'd rather be alone than be in a relationship where I had to fake being someone I'm not. Your partner is supposed to be your teammate - they love you unconditionally, the good bits and the bad. A truly decent person isn't going to care what your hobbies are (as long as it's not running over kittens or something horrible) - a decent person is going to see you for you. Don't ever change who you are just to get a boyfriend or girlfriend cuz honeys, it is so not worth it.

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-12/enhanced/webdr07/4/13/anigif_enhanced-buzz-17801-1386182857-12.gif

Other muties ain't gonna care if you're a mutant too, y'know what I'm saying?

[IndigoErth]

That could change one day. Batman was still kind of a joke until the Burton movie. It's all in how the material is presented. TMNT is "just for little kids"... that ain't cool. :ohwell:
Walmart has a new TMNT merchandise (Nick) commercial out that I saw a few times this morning.

The wife/mother drops a TMNT figure and t-shirt through an open manhole cover in the floor of their home and you hear the son yell thanks mom (or whatever he says in response). She comments that he loves Ninja Turtles. Then she drops what I think is a TMNT game down and you hear the husband say something like "Best wife ever!" and the woman says, "He really loves Ninja Turtles."

I may be paraphrasing slightly, but she put the emphasis on the response about her husband. Love it. Someone out there is listening and getting the hint. :D

Now we just gotta get the girls more involved. However one little girl was there, think she grabbed TMNT Go-Gurt (or something like that) from the kitchen in the beginning.

[DarkFell]

Now we just gotta get the girls more involved. However one little girl was there, think she grabbed TMNT Go-Gurt (or something like that) from the kitchen in the beginning.

We're getting there (and yes, I did like TMNT as a girl and even now as a woman.)

[Coola Yagami]

Wow. Doesn't take much for the nerds to get their panties in a bunch.

I admit as a kid, I thought the Turtles were cool.... until I realized there was hardly any action and the turtles were more about being goofy and funny than being 'bad-ass'. I noticed they were doing more actual martial arts in the live-action movies and arcade games than they were in the cartoons.

Yeah, I'm a TMNT fan, but even I know when to shut up. There's a place for fandom and a place not to show it. Trekkies don't have to walk around with Spock ears on all the time, just like I don't have to wear a TMNT shirt everywhere I go. Plus, there's more to me than being a TMNT fan, and I have way more fandoms than just TMNT.

For whatever reason, this is the version of the turtles that will always stand out. And I assume for some people out there, TMNT will always be seen as a kids property and making them hardcore will be as jarring as a Muppet movie where Kermit puts on some brass knuckles and kicks some bloody ass... and it's played completely straight.

The classic TMNT were never meant to be cool, just fun, wacky and a good time. But who cares? Mario is super popular, and he was never about being cool or being bad-ass. He's just a plumber saving a princess in a hokey stoner nightmare world.

[jenna]

TMNT may not be cool, but at least we celebrate its uncoolness :)

[Prowler]

The classic TMNT were never meant to be cool, just fun, wacky and a good time. But who cares? Mario is super popular, and he was never about being cool or being bad-ass. He's just a plumber saving a princess in a hokey stoner nightmare world.
Not the best comparison since pretty much every video game fan likes Mario to some degree. No one will look down on you if you mention that Super Mario World is your all time favorite game.

[Davetello]

As someone else said earlier in the thread, the term 'cool' is completely subjective. Surely wanting to be 'cool' means an eagerness to conform? Guys like David Beckham are considered cool, so it's probably not something to desire, really.

[Prowler]

As someone else said earlier in the thread, the term 'cool' is completely subjective. Surely wanting to be 'cool' means an eagerness to conform? Guys like David Beckham are considered cool, so it's probably not something to desire, really.
I've always seen the word "cool" as a synonym for "trendy" or "being with the times". I don't like using the word much to describe something or someone, since the term seems to imply that such person/thing will only be alright for a limited period of time.

[Davetello]

I've always seen the word "cool" as a synonym for "trendy" or "being with the times". I don't like using the word much to describe something or someone, since the term seems to imply that such person/thing will only be alright for a limited period of time.

Yeah, it seems to relate to things like fashion or eras - such as certain hairstyles or clothes being right for a certain time. I mean someone could really like and suit a certain haircut or item of clothing - but if it isn't relevant to the time then all the sheep will mock them for wearing said haircut or clothes.

That second point is very good. As you say the word 'cool' seems to imply that something is only good for the moment, and has a limited shelf life. Almost as if it has some sort of superficial or perceived value at present but that will dwindle as certain variables change.

[Prowler]

Yeah, it seems to relate to things like fashion or eras - such as certain hairstyles or clothes being right for a certain time. I mean someone could really like and suit a certain haircut or item of clothing - but if it isn't relevant to the time then all the sheep will mock them for wearing said haircut or clothes.

That second point is very good. As you say the word 'cool' seems to imply that something is only good for the moment, and has a limited shelf life. Almost as if it has some sort of superficial or perceived value at present but that will dwindle as certain variables change.
I just find "cool" to be a very generic and unimaginative adjective to describe someone or something.

[Davetello]

I just find "cool" to be a very generic and unimaginative adjective to describe someone or something.

I think it sounds sort of pointless.

[pennydreadful]

People, people - I think we can ALL agree that this is the one true definition of coolness:

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzdpbvRkcr1qz6kbro1_500.jpg

[Leo656]

Your intended photo of John Stamos was somehow replaced by one of Vanilla Ice. I can only assume Van Winkle has hacked the forum in a desperate attempt to stay relevant. Too late, Robert... too late. You ain't cool, you're f***in' chilly, and chilly ain't never been Cool. :tcool:

Anyways, penny, I took the liberty of tracking down the photo you obviously intended to use. Don't say I never gave ya nothin'.
http://welovesoaps.com/wls37/john-stamos.png

Thar be the coolest cat in all the land. "Have Mercy", indeed.

[DarkFell]

As far as opinions go; to each his/her own. Like the franchise as you will. Or not. As for me, I like, play, wear, create, listen to, and nerd out to what makes me f**king happy regardless if it's 'cool' with other people or not.

OT TMNT was just a fun series. The movies were also good. Enough said.

As for John Stamos, I doubt that he'll ever stop being cool.

[pennydreadful]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/338358e308257f7edfab88f61ca3c2a6/tumblr_mir6nqEKti1rhd46ao1_400.gif

[Leo656]

As for John Stamos, I doubt that he'll ever stop being cool.

He did invent it. 8)

http://31.media.tumblr.com/338358e308257f7edfab88f61ca3c2a6/tumblr_mir6nqEKti1rhd46ao1_400.gif

Hah. Nice try.
http://media.tumblr.com/c7803245546e5b815cb3ef3a9afc26cc/tumblr_inline_n1j75xoLJG1qzpwt1.gif

"You do not throw rocks at a man who's got a machine gun." 8)

[DarkFell]

I got a laugh out of this "Battle of the raised brows" bit above. Thanks guys. *claps*

[Leo656]

I do please to aim. 8)

[Garfield]

"PFFT!!! I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool"


As for me, I like, play, wear, create, listen to, and nerd out to what makes me f**king happy regardless if it's 'cool' with other people or not.



That's the greatest way to live.

When I wear my OT TMNT shirt I am always getting, "That's an awesome shirt" or high fives and things like that. All kinds of positive attention and its always by adults; once even by a lady seemed like she was about 50+ years old lol...

[jenna]

Where this article falls down is that it fails to acknowledge that as fans, none of it is news to us. It's written like it is dropping a startling revelation onto the world.

We know it started as a parody, we know the OT is kitschy and was far-removed from the tone of the comic books. However, since that very first drawing, the property has become something else. It has evolved and it continues to evolve.

It might not be cool to everyone, but it is meaningful in its own right. Who cares about 'cool'?

[Coola Yagami]

Where this article falls down is that it fails to acknowledge that as fans, none of it is news to us. It's written like it is dropping a startling revelation onto the world.

We know it started as a parody, we know the OT is kitschy and was far-removed from the tone of the comic books. However, since that very first drawing, the property has become something else. It has evolved and it continues to evolve.

It might not be cool to everyone, but it is meaningful in its own right. Who cares about 'cool'?

Oh many people care about cool.

This article wasn't for us though. It was for the average fan that didn't know this started out as a comic book. I'd use the term casual if this forum didn't turn it into some kind of dirty word. If you knew all this stuff, this obviously wasn't geared towards us.

[Gorilla Grodd]

I would love to see a list of the things that the author of the article is really passionate about. I guarantee there's something there that is just as "uncool" as TMNT. I feel like I run into these kinds of people constantly. Ranting and raving about why such and such is lame while turning around and nerding out over something that most people would think is just as bad or worse.

[IndigoErth]

Walmart has a new TMNT merchandise (Nick) commercial out that I saw a few times this morning.

I may be paraphrasing slightly, but she put the emphasis on the response about her husband. Love it. Someone out there is listening and getting the hint.
http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7Mlc/walmart-tmnt-turtle-power
;):D