[Somewhat OT] Mention of D&D on VH1's "I Love the 80s"

[Neowolf]

On VH1's "I love 1982" episode, they did a few minutes about D&D during the 80s, but it left me with a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Basically, they showed a few stereotypical 80s D&D players and had a few celebrities mouth off their uninformed opinions of the game. Here's a few highlights:


"It was for kids who loved school so much that they wanted to stay after school and be in a club."

"A lot of them seemed like they were in a trance."

"I used to like this guy, until I found out he played D&D..."

 

[KnowTheToe]

"I used to like this guy, until I found out he played D&D..."

If she was hot, I think she was talking about me

 

[Storminator]

We thought that was hilarious!

Where are they now?

"Running MIT"

"Ruling the world"

"In charge of national security"

Considering that I work at MIT on national security, I was busting a gut on that on.

Sorry, gotta get back to ruling the world...

PS

 

[F5]

I saw the show, too. It was pretty unflattering, but I didn't take it too seriously. It was folowed up by a segment on whether or not He-Man was gay... They were just going for a laugh.

Plus, I'll guess they only used the statements from guests and old footage that they thought was amusing. While I don't think Dee Snider from Twisted Sister plays D&D, I'm pretty sure his kids do. He's talked about it on the radio in the past. He just wasn't as funny about it as what's-her-name from CSI.

 

[caudor]

I think it is OK if they have a laugh or two at our expense. The aim was to be funny, and we really are....after all, gamers.

Truth is, we really do rule the world!

Bwaah ha ha ha! Bwaah ha ha ha!

 

[Creamsteak]

I wasn't really "around" during the 80s, but something compels me to say that Grand-Theft Auto: Vice City and other things are compeling people to think the 80s were cool all of a sudden... Why, one of my friends was jammin' to Vanilla Ice down the stairs at school last semester in his faded blue suit, because it was funny. I think the 80s will be remembered by the youth that I am among as an era of humor and more humor.

 

[LostSoul]

Why do we care what anyone else thinks of us? Who cares?

 

[caudor]

At the risk of getting shot down in flames...I must agree: the 80's where NOT really that cool. Of course, with a whole decade to draw from...this may be easy to counter.

Think about it, we had:

- Madonna 'striking a pose'

- Our favorite game almost went belly-up

- Punk Rock and Pop Rocks

- Too many Tupperware Parties

- New Coke

- 'I'm too sexy for my shirt...'

- Michael Jackson changed before our eyes

- Spuds MacKenzie ...no wait, I liked that dog!

Does anyone have a D&D character named Spuds?

Cheers!

 

[Sir Edgar]

What are you talking about? The 80's RULED!

That's when D&D really took off. If you disagree, then ask yourself, do you think they'd even mention D&D in a similar special about the 90's? No, I don't think so.

Well, to be more specific, the early 80's were great, the mid and late 80's sucked. Just go to any 80's party: most of the music played is from the early 80's, not mid or late 80's.

A comparison...

Early 80's: Gary Gygax
Mid/Late 80's: That Witch Who Almost Buried TSR

Early 80's: Jeff Dee, David Trampier, David Sutherland, etc.
Mid/Late 80's: Nobody I Can Think Of

Early 80's: Greyhawk
Mid/Late 80's: Forgotten Realms

Early 80's: The Clash, Michael Jackson, Good Duran Duran
Mid/Late 80's: Bon Jovi, MJ, Bad Duran Duran

Early 80's: Hill Street Blues
Mid/Late 80's: Miami Vice

Early 80's: Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Mid/Late 80's: Weird Science

Early 80's: Bad Hair
Mid/Late 80's: Worse Hair

 

[Imhotepthewise]

I saw this show and it was great. They seemed to be sympathetic to our fringe group and understood that the hobby attracted the brightest of the quiet set. They did not even mention satanic connections or suicide. Probably some of our best press yet.