I myself suffer from autism and while I live a fairly normal life, there definitely is times when I miss social cues or say something that seems funny to others but not to me…
The fact that this show is essentially making fun of a young child with autism doesn't sit well with me and I'm pretty certain others that live with this condition might feel the same… there is nothing funny about it whatsoever.
Please share your thoughts.
I love watching Young Sheldon. He's a Genius.
I thought the show was much funnier before they introduced girl friends. That's why I stopped watching it - I loved the first seasons.
Same, not enough material that's why, the scope "nerds" is too small, it really is 2 season show at most.
Me too. I think they might also be trying to broaden their audience demographic by including more females in the show.
Autism is the new vegan. Trendy as hell, and definitely fits in with the old joke "how do you know somebody is autistic?"
THEY'LL TELL YOU.
Autism is the new vegan. Trendy as hell
Trendy ?? Well how ?? Lol.
I think many people still have the extreme stereotype in their simple/ignorant minds that a person with autism may start hitting own head against wall or an object nearby, when they get angry or frustrated. Many of us have seen images and film clips of this type of autistic behaviour, and some average people who don't really understand the diverse range of 'the autism spectrum' would think anyone with autism is likely to behave like the extreme cases they've seen on TV.
I can't see how autism will ever be considered trendy any time soon. Especially not with the majority of people (including myself TBH) being fairly ignorant to the variations and diversity of 'the autism spectrum' .
Nah, typical autism in the public's mind now is more along the lines of aspergers, and I think it can be a comforting excuse for not being socially adept while also being considered to typically have some flattering traits (generally intelligent, etc).
It has definitely become trendy in certain circles - any stand up comedians here can vouch for this, and if you spend a lot of time online you will see a lot of people seem to be self diagnosed and get a real sense of weird superiority from their fake diagnosis.
It's this seasons Gucci bag.
typical autism in the public's mind now is more along the lines of aspergers
To be fair, this is correct. Aspergers is a subset of autism.
@HighAndDry: Mmmm I take it you didnt read what this is responding to. Nobody is suggesting that isn't the case. Literally not even a whisper of a suggestion that isn't the case, quite the opposite.
@Alligate: Not sure what your comment is trying to say. But as Aspergers is autism, the public thinking that autism looks like aspergers is correct - it's the same as saying the public thinks autism looks like autism.
@HighAndDry: Yep. I can see you have really committed to educating me here, but if you go and look at what I was responding to, I was responding to the person saying that in the public's eye an austistic person is a person who may start hitting when they get angry or frustrated. This can also be autism. An autistic person I know does this (and also isnt verbal, is extremely violent, lives full time in a caring facility). Why are you not responding to that person saying "well, to be fair, that is autism."
I assume you are not doing that because it doesn't make sense, it only makes sense if you pick up my comment in isolation, out of context, and start honking away.
@Alligate: Or to make it clearer yet, what we are discussing is which part of autism is front of mind in the public's eye. I'm saying that when people think of autism, the part of the spectrum that most people think of now is aspergers. And you are coming in and saying "well, to be fair, that is autism". No shit, man, that is what we are talking about.
public's eye an austistic person is a person who may start hitting when they get angry or frustrated.
Does this mean I am on too? I do this sometimes too when I am angry or and frustrated….I know other people who do this too when they're angry or and frustrated, are they autistic too?
@Aligate
…I think it can be a comforting excuse for not being socially adept while also being considered to typically have some flattering traits (generally intelligent, etc).
I don’t think I can get behind your original comment (I’m a snowflake and I’m offended) but I do agree and find it frustrating that everyone typically associates those with Autism as always having a flattering trait that helps balance out the bad side.
For someone with ASD it is far more common for their social awkwardness and perceived weirdness to far outweigh any benefits of their intellect, obsessive behaviours, etc (if they display any "benefits" at all). For the most part rude/poor/abrupt behaviour can't be dismissed as someone "being on the spectrum"
I loved this quote when Don Burke suggested that his behaviours could be attributed to autism:
“We have carefully observed Mr Burke over a variety of sessions and could not be more certain that his is a case of being a total (profanity),” the lead psychiatrist said.
http://www.theshovel.com.au/2017/11/29/autism-experts-diagno…
@nith265: Agreed, fabulous quote, and essentially gets to the crux of what I'm saying.
I'm definitely not implying it is easy to be genuinely autistic, but I have definitely noticed a trend with self diagnosis amongst people who are lacking in certain areas and don't want to just accept a personal flaw and work on it.
Like, there is no such thing as just a dud anymore. I'm not an (profanity) with no social skills, I'm autistic!
"I myself suffer from autism and while I live a fairly normal life". It is important to note that this isn't full blown crippling autism, but rather Asperger's Disorder. It was described by a Nazi doctor in the 40s but didn't become a commonplace diagnosis until the 21st Century. Generation X kids like me didn't get diagnosed with Asperger's even though I meet most of the criteria.
Sheldon may be Asperger's but definitely isn't "Grand Mal" autistic. Note there is also a small number of "autistic savants", autistics who are abnormally good at one thing (like mathematical calculations) but hopeless at everything else.
While I take your general point, there's a couple of issues with your post that I just want to note:
The difference between 'full blown crippling autism' and Aspergers isnt binary. There are plenty of people with Autism, who do not have Aspergers, but live independent, 'fairly normal' lives. Aspergers is now recognised as a subset of the Autism spectrum, and is no longer a currently used diagnosis. But even under the old diagnosis standards, OP may or not be Asperger's, and I doubt you can tell from their post.
It is important to note that this isn't full blown crippling autism, but rather Asperger's Disorder.
There's no distinction anymore. It's just autism. The classification rules changed recently or so my brother tells me. He was professionally diagnosed with Asperger's decades ago. Recently he was "upgraded" to Autism (his joke) when they did away with the separate classifications.
I dislike the tendency of the eggheads to abolish specific diagnosis and lump things together. Just because a disorder was removed from the DSM doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. There is no sadism or mosochism in the DSM, for instance. Simple schiophrenia was removed a long time ago was a distinct diagnosis (it's pure -ive schizophrenic symptoms, no delusional thinking), but "Simple Schizophrenics" still exist in the real world.
Asperger's no longer exists. It was removed as a diagnosis from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,) in the 5th Edition during 2013.
I found the following article of interest: https://www.everydayhealth.com/aspergers/how-aspergers-diffe…
Inappropriate or just shit? Most American shows are Left wing trash these days
inb4 hidden
Couldn't agree more, they are so painful to watch with the never ending boring, pretentious self-congratulatory moralising about gender theory, their vile racism disguised as "diversity", autism, fat people, disabled people, etc etc.
what about South Park?
Its like when people throw around the word retard or spastic, I personally find those insults demeaning to people with special needs. Example: I know somebody with a cognitive impairment but she’s not stupid, yet according to medical doctors, she is mildly retarded. So when she hears someone say “that’s retarded” or “you’re a retard” or "socially retarded" it’s very painful.
I truly wouldn’t want to take away anybody's right to use the words. But for people involved in special needs it’s an extremely hurtful word.
A friend of 1 of my best friends, is making it his mission to make everyone understand the proper definition of 'spastic' .
Apparently (from my best mate that worked with him) this guy asks every person they meet "what is a spastic, what does it mean" , then he explains that he is a spastic etc, but goes to the gym, does X,Y,Z . My mate that knows him, gets sick of him asking every single person the same lines, but I guess he is trying to change the negative connotations and stereotypes that go along with the word 'spastic' . Also I believe there are similar negative feelings towards people with autism, as soon as 'autism' is mentioned, there are likely many negative connotations that come into one's mind.
Does spastic mean asking everyone you meet the same question over and over again regardless of context or if people care?
somebody with a cognitive impairment but she’s not stupid
I think you just contradicted yourself there.
I mean, some conditions are negative. Therefore they'll also be used as insults. It's never a good thing to be (physically/medically) lame. Lame is an insult. It's not a good thing to be (vocally) dumb. Dumb is an insult. It's not a good thing to be (cognitively) retarded. Retarded is an insult.
Oh seriously, have we lowered ourselves to denying reality to this level? Autism is a bad thing. Easy way to check - if you could choose if your child was born with autism or without, which would you choose? Exactly.
Hey OP, just wanted to say nice work on this post. It seems like you've observed something that doesn't sit right with you, and you're canvassing others' opinions. I reckon that's a good approach in life - critically assess and test your own assumptions and opinions and be open to input from others. Thumbs up from me.
It's never mentioned that Sheldon has autism or aspergers. You're stereotyping your own views on the character
It treats autism as more of a personality trait than a mental disorder, which has to be good right? All three stars of Two and a Half Men were the butt of every second joke on that show, why should a character with autism be exempt from being the butt of every joke.
I googled whether sheldon has autism, and came across this interesting link. (Apparently the writers dont say sheldon is autistic, yet the actor who plays him states he shows signs on aspergers autism).
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/why-our-autism-community-l…
Whether or not the Sheldon character has Aspergers, the show’s popularity has brought this discussion to a large national audience, many of whom have high praise for Sheldon.
No matter why you watch the show, after talking to many individuals in our community, the biggest reason why people seem to be drawn to him is that he’s absolutely genuine. He is who he is and doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t. He’s just his own unique self.
These 2 points I found particularly interesting to note, in this discussion.
I think the vast majority of viewers are endeared to Sheldon, and either really like him so much they would hang out with such a person in real life, or at least they would be tolerant and hopefully empathize somewhat with the struggles faced for those who struggle with certain social cues/expectations, and other autism related difficulties.
People after viewing and loving the show and it's characters, would be more likely to see Sheldon as 'quirky' rather than 'just weird' . People tend to fear and be intolerant towards those they don't understand. IMO viewers kind of get to know Sheldon, throughout the series.
Username checks out.
I understand why you might find the series inappropriate, but I also believe there is no way to make a comedy without using stereotypes, characteristics, differences. The blonde, the gay, the black, the fat, the stupid, the drug addict… Comedies are not there to educate people but to entertain them, whatever is the topic. And everyone is able to turn the television off and read a book instead.
I also think that society is becoming extremely annoying with the political correctness.
I like TBBT but I dont like the Young Sheldon. Therefore, I dont watch it.
Sheldon is probably in the spectrum; I dont know if they mention that or not but that doesnt matter… My point is that no one should expect to acquire any knowledge watching this kind of show. That's not created to be educational and to show that autism exists or that people can have a normal life with autism… That`s created to make money (and people laugh if they like).
I recommend you watch something you find funny/enjoyable.
The fact that this show is essentially making fun of a young child with autism…
I don't think thats the case.
While Sheldon does exhibit some stereotypical autistic traits, they never say he is nor make fun of the condition itself.
Not to mention, amongst people who actually like the show (it's of course incredibly fashionable to tell anyone who will listen that you don't find it funny, as if we'll all bow down to the clearly superior being!), Sheldon is incredibly popular and loved - not really the reaction you'd get if we/they were constantly making fun of him.
Most scripted comedy is about people doing weird, wacky or unusual things. If laughing at those things is laughing at the person, why is any comedy ok? If someone was allegedly humiliating me over something I do, I'd be equally upset whether it was something that can be easily attributed to a "condition" as I would be if it was "just me".
Don't like it. Don't watch it, simple.
Yes exactly, no critique or discussion on anything ever.
Why waste time watching or being offended by this crap? Hollywood has gone to shite and is devoid of any creativity or bravery to make something original. Thankfully we still have Netflix and even Youtube who are willing to take a chance.
Yes, it's terribly offensive. But so was the Big Bang Theory. I have a brother with autism and he calls it "nerd-face" in the same vein as "black-face".
Socially its become unacceptable to make fun of any person of colour, a background which is not Caucasian, and you certainly can't have a woman as a butt of a joke. Look at the number of TV ads where the man is an incompetent idiot and a woman comes in to save him from himself. If the ad was flipped and the woman was the idiot there would be howls of protest and calls for a boycott of the company on social media.
So what's left? 'Nerds'. Any background, any gender, they're all fair game for ridicule. The people beaten up in school and ostracized are still the butt of jokes today. I don't see this changing any time soon.
I have a brother with autism and he calls it "nerd-face" in the same vein as "black-face".
That…. betrays a very significant ignorance of American history and why 'black-face' is considered an issue. Personally I think neither are things to get worked up about.
easy solution, dont watch the show. Are people these days offended this easily? Nanny states and nanny people now.
I'm completely ok with it.
It's a reality and its amusing, to sweep it under the rug actually empowers the issue more than the function of autism.
I hope they do more shows which highlight even more issues.. usually the way society learns and deals with things progressively as a whole is through comedy and TV.
And it's now labelled autism.. people with varying ways of interaction have always existed.
They do say everyone sits on a theoretical spectrum.
It doesn't bother me that they make light of autism. What bothers me is that the narrative is utter tripe.
bring back Apu
The thing with young Sheldon is that it paints autism as a trait, you trade social skills for intelligence, rather than a disability like down syndrome. Autistic children are no more intelligent than the general population and depending on the spectrum, many are actually alot less intelligent when compared to the general population.
I mean - isn't that a good thing? It's basically stereotyping autistic people as smart, instead of as stupid.
I get where you're coming from. I take offence to everybody loves raymond. It shows the eldest child as being mistreated, when in fact I'm the youngest of my siblings and it was that way for me. No body loves me.
I let it slide though, as it has factual accuricies. Such as Marie. She is what all ethnic mothers are like, including mine.
So maybe offset something you don't like in the show with something you do. Good luck!
sorry to digress & honest question, how do people know they have autism?
You can look for the signs like, loud noises causing pain, etc etc but how does a Dr diagnose it?
Usually Autistic dudes have poor posture with hunched over shoulders and a nervous walk which comes about due to chronic video game addiction. If they quit the video games then usually most of their Autistic symptoms disappear…
Is this what society has come to? Being enraged over perceived sleights to a certain group or minority in a comedy show. Oh, How the politically correct do huff and puff over nothing.
To be honest, mate, if you have the ability to be 'offended' by a TV show…then you have a very minor case on the autism spectrum. Mild Aspergers, maybe?
I have a mate who was diagnosed with Asperger's in his late 30's. He was one eccentric mofo in his youth, but we just treated him as one of the boys, rather protective of him really, and, he flourished among us non-politically correct yahoo's. He certainly doesn't view himself as suffering from anything, unlike yourself it would seem.
He actually learned how to take a joke and give one back…maybe you needed mates like us?
Stop 'suffering' and lighten up.
He certainly doesn't view himself as suffering from anything
Hear hear. I think the worst thing the current crop of perpetually outraged victims have done is basically make everyone with any slight disadvantage feel like a victim. That's basically a self-fulfilling prophecy. Far better to just pretend it's not there, work past it, and feel and act like you belong. And everyone does belong - it's just about mindset and attitude.
I think the worst thing the current crop of perpetually outraged victims have done is basically make everyone with any slight disadvantage feel like a victim.
I know you're speaking more broadly, but I think it's a stretch to throw OP in with the supposed 'crop of perpetually outraged victims'. Nothing about OP's post suggests outrage to me, they just shared an opinion, backed it up with some reasoning (whether you agree or not) and asked for others' thoughts. Fairly sensible/measured approach IMO.
Oh no, I wasn't actually referring to OP with that comment. I was definitely trying to speak broadly there.
Is this what society has come to? Being enraged over perceived sleights to a certain group or minority in a comedy show.
No need to inflate OP's post to something it's not. Read again, there's nothing to suggest that OP is enraged. OP expressed an opinion, and asked others to contribute theirs.
'' I myself suffer from autism''
''The fact that this show is essentially making fun of a young child with autism doesn't sit well with me and I'm pretty certain others that live with this condition might feel the same… there is nothing funny about it whatsoever.''
Did we read the same post?
In his first line, he states that he 'suffers'' Suffering infers pain and distress.
He then goes on to state, wrongly I might add, that the shows Sheldon, is being mocked because of his presumed autism-related traits. Who exactly is mocking him per se?
The final gist is that it doesn't sit well with him, and presumably other thin-skinned individuals. He definitely ain't too happy about this perceived slight against he and his fellow ''sufferers'' of Autism spectrums, now is he?
If you don't like a show…don't watch it. No need to play the politically correct victim card is all I'm saying.
Genuine question: Why is BBT is so seemingly hated online yet they produced 12 seasons? Those numbers don't lie - it's still popular. So why the hate? Is it that some of these nerd jokes hit too close to home for most online/reddit/introvert type viewers? I personally like the show and find it entertaining. Not all the jokes are funny but I like the many references to nerd sub culture.
It's the current social media - it's "popular" to have opinions that go against the mainstream. Ironic really.
Its watched by about 20 million people a week in the US. That still leaves over 280 million who don't so plenty of people can make a negative comment in the US only not to mention those who watch and comment and the rest of the world. The mainstream and other media love to quote people with 20 twitter followers as being people showing some outrage. Do the math. (smile)
Is it that some of these nerd jokes hit too close to home for most online/reddit/introvert type viewers?
They have girlfriends and got/get laid. They are already the envy of probably most "nerds" who are at that level of nerdiness (which is obviously exaggerated for TV purposes but still…)
If anyone hates the show it's probably for that.
Big bang theory and Sheldon are both rubbish shows. However, it is "appropriate", most "comedy" shows make fun of people, just because it is someone who shares a diagnosis with you does not make it inappropriate. I don't get upset that family guy and the simpons show the white male father to be stupid and a drunkard.
If you don't like it don't watch it. Problem solved.
I've watched every big bang and young Sheldon episode except the last 1 for each and I don't recall him ever being referred to as autistic. Eccentric, sure, but not autistic. They are both easy to watch shows with varying degrees of humour. Nothing to be taken too seriously.
Bbt used to be fun but not anymore. Young sheldon on the other hand is one of the worst, inappropriate, and really disrespectful. I agree with you.
Shit show and I say that as someone that doesn't care about you being offended.
I completely agree with you. Never a fan of BBT, never found it funny.
I'm not even a fan of the show, but how do people who get this easily offended make it through high school, let alone regular life? It's literally a TV show designed for lighthearted entertainment (to those who like it) and to generate ad revenue. It's not just this post, it's everywhere in the last few years.
Everyone these days feels like it's their right never to be offended. Nothing actually happens if you get offended. Lighten up, turn it off and do something else.
Yeah nah its 2019, gotta complain about everything. It's sad to think shows like "Its always sunny in Philadelphia" will never come around again because everyone needs to be offended by everything.
I think it's fine. Not offensive.
OP, completely agree. I also find The Simpsons offensive as they are essentially making fun of yellow people.
I don't see how you can watch even one episode of Young Sheldon and conclude that Sheldon is the one being made fun of. You have got to be kidding. Look at the way his neighbour with the chooks, his father and his brother are portrayed. Disgusting! I am so offended on behalf of stupid or ignorant people- my people!
I grew up on Seinfeld. I pity people who grew up thinking Big Bang Theory, Two & A Half Men and How I Met Your Mother and other lowest common denominator shit is in any way funny. But, it helps you to identify people of low intelligence. We had "Friends" in my era for that purpose, the same mindless retarded level entertainment.
Here's a guy who really finds it not funny (WARNING: video contains the f-bomb uncensored)
https://twitter.com/LyleRath/status/692483069064933378
Personally, I don't find the show inappropriate. But I do find it woefully unfunny, and so choose not to watch.
I have to admit though, I wasn't aware the character of Sheldon had ever overtly been labelled 'autistic'. But that's not to say this wasn't the writers' unwritten intent.
It's worth remembering that practically all of the main characters in TBBT (as an example) are unconventional (for lack of a better word); but that's entirely through design. It's not uncommon to exaggerate characteristics or eccentricities (in this case fastidiousness, intellect, inability to read social cues etc.) to create situations of humour and conflict. It's a work of fiction, after all…not a documentary.
Having said that, this could be one of those shows we look back on in 10-20 years and think "you'd never be able to do that nowadays". Time will tell.
The one thing we can both agree on is "there is nothing funny about it whatsoever". Choosing to watch something else is probably the best course of action. :)
im offended that your offended that the show is offending you. i think we all need to be offended. #theoffendedgeneration
its a comedy. if you dont like it dont watch it.
Rubbish show, just like BBT before it.
The fact that people actually watch these shows and think it’s good is really disturbing.
People are entitled to watch whatever they wish, no matter how bad or crappy it is.
Not sure why anyone watches free to air nowadays.
I'll turn it on for sports and even then I find it unbearable with the incessant talking and ads mid-sport.
TV is utter garbage now.
It's Netflix or Stan for me, and if they don't have it because of some confounded exclusivity, piracy.
This
TV is dead
It's Netflix or Stan for me, and if they don't have it because of some confounded exclusivity, piracy.
I get big bang theory on UK netflix, or 9now app on android tv . 9now app has tbbt and young sheldon. Also can just use DNS changer then access all the torrent sites to download eps/seasons.
Personally I never found Sitcoms funny at all, forced, predictable, canned laughter I find a waste of my time.
That said if people like it, let them, if you don't, no one is forcing you to watch it.
Yay 2019
I don't think of it as a comedy (as pointed out by the fact that most posts here have not really found it funny and there is no forced-laugh track) but as a drama. Even though it is the same group responsible for TBBT i think they were aiming for a different feel when it comes to this show.
I see this show as a societies perspective about growing up in the 80's with a person who may (or may not) have Asperger / autism and how much has changed within society since the 80's.
Probably the reason why people have become more accepting (or tolerant - depending on perspective) of Asperger's/Autism is because of the way has been conveyed in the mainstream entertainment - the best way to normalise something and get society to accept is to have characters/champions appearing on your screen.
TBBT may not be the funniest comedy out there - but it has had more effect at progressing societies acceptance, and removing ignorance then pretty much anything i can think of - society will choose to watch something entertaining over something that is educational.
Maybe it is even good to be outraged/offended because it highlights just how far things have come since the period of time that this show is set - if you lived in the 80's you would have felt like you needed to shut-up and accept the situation - the act to be able to state that you are offended is quite significant because it shows that you no longer feel like you need to shut up and accept things that may/may not be acceptable - but it is a reflection that shows how comfortable you feel in pointing out that you feel something may be inappropriately applied to you.
I think that the comedy elements are not directed towards the character as such - but the situations. People will only laugh for two reasons, either something is surprising or something is embarrassing. The comedy used in young Sheldon is more the embarrassing then the surprising - but it has never been character aimed but situation aimed.
I don't think Sheldon has Autism, he probably has what used to be called Aspergers
@[Deactivated]:
I stand by my comment - the two are both predicated on anecdotal experiences, which are equally useless. Hell, "as a parent of an autistic child" is a literal subset of "as a mother of a child". The fact that you don't see the parallel might say more about you than it does about the comparison itself. We've already established you overestimate the value of anecdotes.