There was a time, long ago, when I would watch my favorite shows and relate with the kids. I couldn’t wait to get into high school a la Saved by the Bell or Boy Meets World or some other show filled with budding teenagers, and bump into the new guy by the lockers. He would knock the books out of my hand and we would fall in love as he helped me pick them up. Making the cheerleading squad, getting asked to the prom, getting rid of that zit and getting invited to the best parties were my biggest concerns. The principals, teachers and parents on those shows were corny and strict and old and stupid.
As time went on, I started to think I could relate more to the cool, single adults on TV. I’d watch Sex and the City and Friends and imagine how awesome it was going to be when I got to my 20s and I would go on dates with different guys every week, forming little to no emotional attachments except with those few “loves of my life.” I would live in a cool apartment in a cool city and my neighbors would be my best friends. At least one of them would be kind of famous in some way. I couldn’t wait, even though it seemed like it would take so long to get there.
Now when I watch these shows, I find myself wondering where the time went. Thanks to repeats, I get to watch the earliest (and best) seasons of Friends, and instead of thinking, “When I get to be older like Monica Geller…”, I get to think, “What?! When the H did I get OLDER than MONICA GELLAR?!”
These days, when I watch those shows with the cool people in their 20s, I have nothing left to anticipate – I’m already there. And my life is nothing like that! I have no set hangout place where all of my friends know to meet everyday after work, I don’t have enough clothes to wear something different every day of my life, and all of my problems are never solved within a half-hour!
And when I watch teen-based shows I find myself agreeing with the “adults” more and more. I even laugh at their jokes now. When did Danny Tanner become the funniest one on Full House?! Suddenly DJ Tanner’s problems seem so trivial, but Uncle Jesse’s career trials and tribulations hit home.
Sure, I could switch the channel and watch Courteney Cox on Cougar Town and feel good about not catching up to her newest TV persona yet. I could watch reruns of Desperate Housewives and dream of the days when I’m older and and having deep conversations with my children and a secret affair with the hot plumber… But it seems in the blink of an eye I will surpass even that!I guess all any of us can do is live in the moment and make the most of every stage of our lives. Because before we know it, we’ll be relating with the Golden Girls.
Image via listal.com
I’ve been relating to Golden Girls since I was 13!
That was meant to sound cooler than it looks, now–
I want to be your friend. (KerrForThree@yahoo.com)
One of my biggest “Oh my god, I’m old” moments came from watching a Full House episode where Uncle Jesse was turning 26. Recently I had the same moment resulting from a Friends episode where Monica and Joey were both said to be 25/26. A friend responded to me that no matter what, the Friends are always older than us. I’m trying to live by that.
i have known you sense you were a little girl, i am so proud of all you have done with your life, you have overcme some great obsticles and done so well with your life. you are an inspiration to all people.GREAT JOB SANTINA.
Umm, can I say that I’m 19 and I AM MONICA GELLER
Actually when the show started they were supposed to range in age from 23 to 27. And in real life they ranged from 25-31. I think all characters on TV are made to seem older than someone that age would be in real life. And certainly better off in life.
This is the best post I’ve seen on here in a while <3 LOVE IT.
Oh my gosh! I was thinking this the other day! I’m in the stage before Monica Geller. Actually, I’m a senior in high school and I’m looking back at these shows I watched when I was little thinking “Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to go to high school and prom and actually KISS boys!” I’ve done all these things now, and it’s scary to think that I don’t feel as old as I thought everyone was then. I can’t even imagine what I will feel like when I hit that Monica stage!
Awesome article!
I can totally relate, in some strange way. As a child watching my favorite sports teams, I’d idolize the players. I’d often say, when I grow up I’m going to be just like them! As I watch these “famous” players now, I realize I have almost 10 years on some of them!
What’s even more bizarre is watching some of my favorite players participate in Old Timers’ Day! Where did the time go? I was just rooting for these players in the ’96 World Series. Crazy! I guess what I have to look forward to now is playing imaginary catch with myself and still imagining that I’m still that young boy who aspired to make it to that field. But, hey at least I can say I was on the field, right?
i relate quite well with the Golden Girls, and I just hit 30 this month.
i never really related with any of the stars on any of the shows – except Punky Brewster – and i never deluded myself thinking i’d ever be like one of the teenagers on Saved by the Bell
I might not be past my 20′s yet, but I’m definitely feeling the same. Why don’t I have my coffee place and group of friends to meet there already?
I recently went back and rewatched the first couple of seasons now that I am older than the characters were. I appreciated the show a lot more, having gone through more of the same experiences than I had when they first aired (I was 10 in 1994!). In some ways it’s frightening that I am now older to characters I idealized as a kid, but it’s also reassuring to be reminded of the universality of twentysomethng problems!
A well-written article to be sure, but the cast of Friends all seem to be in their 30s. And the cast of Sex and the City are DEFINITELY in their 30s at least, some in their early 40s (cough cough Samantha cough). I wouldn’t worry too much about being past the Monica Gellar stage until you’re 35 and single and don’t seem to have much of a job other than going to the coffee shop downstairs and getting into shenanigans with your other 30-something single friends
In fact, now that I’m 26 and married, I can certifiably say that I’m SO GLAD that my life isn’t like that of the cast of friends.
There’s an episode in the first season that names Monica and Joey’s ages, I believe they are both 25. I immediately tweeted basically the exact title of this article. Though I think my tweet was about Joey. I can’t be older than Joey.
Actually when the show started they were supposed to range in age from 23 to 27. And in real life they ranged from 25-31. I think all characters on TV are made to seem older than someone that age would be in real life. And certainly better off in life.
Connect with Facebook to post a comment
I had that exact thought the other day while watching a movie. To be honest, it scares the heck out of me. When did I turn into a mid thirties professional?
Great article, so right! I feel like I’m already starting to relate to the Golden Girls lol I’m fighting it though!
Oh my gosh! I feel the exact same way. I watched old That 70s Show the other day and felt soooo old. Great article!
Very lovely article! A sentiment I think everyone can relate to, no matter what stage of life you’re at (I myself am just on the brink of entering the Monica Gellar stage!)