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Younger Is Not the Bold Alternative to Hot in Cleveland We Really Need
Back in my 20s, I lived in a cozy one-bedroom apartment in a charming brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The walls were so thin that I could hear everything about my neighbor, a delightful gay septuagenarian. He spent his days discussing adult films, gaming, and rewatching The Golden Girls. I often found myself sprawled on my couch, soaking in the witty banter and heartfelt moments from the show as they echoed through the wall.
This nostalgic memory came to mind when I learned that TV Land, in an attempt to attract viewers like me who are in their forties and part of Generation X, decided to replace the beloved sitcom Hot in Cleveland—also featuring the iconic Betty White—with a show called Younger. This new show raises the question of why TV Land’s strategy to attract my demographic feels so disconnected from what we truly desire.
Younger stars the talented Sutton Foster as a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom trying to re-enter the workforce by pretending to be 26. Foster’s charm is undeniable, and any show crafted by Darren Star—who is known for hits like Melrose Place and Sex and the City—is likely to capture my attention. However, the premise of Younger feels pretty disheartening to someone who’s actually 40.
In the promos for Younger, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness when I see 27-year-old Hailey Morgan, who plays Foster’s office friend. With her perfectly styled hair and toned physique, she embodies an unattainable ideal that I’ve long since moved past. Even when watching a fictional character my age, that kind of over-polished look doesn’t resonate with me anymore.
One particularly cringe-worthy moment includes a joke about Foster’s unwaxed areas, which prompts a younger character to quip, “Oh, it looks like my mother’s—.” The punchline is clearly designed to suggest, “I’m too old for this sh—.” And honestly, I get it. While Younger could eventually be fun and uplifting, it’s odd that a network aimed at feel-good programming would invest in a show that pokes fun at its target audience.
This brings me back to Betty White. If TV Land wants to attract Gen X viewers and allow us to revel in the sitcoms and television styles of our youth, why not keep Betty White in the mix? Canceling Hot in Cleveland, which resonates with fortysomethings, feels like a miscalculation. Don’t we all cherish classics like The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Didn’t everyone—young and old alike—tune in to The Golden Girls during its peak?
I remember my family chatting animatedly around the dinner table about how hilariously bold The Golden Girls was when it first aired in 1985. That’s where I first heard the word “prostitute,” thanks to one of Dorothy’s iconic zingers. Betty White’s character, Rose, brought so much heart to the show with her endearing silliness, perfectly timed to punctuate the sharper humor around her.
Betty White isn’t just a nostalgic icon—she represents so much more. Her vibrant spirit and ability to reinvent herself resonate with anyone navigating life’s changes. She reminds us that there’s always more to experience and love, no matter your age.
In fact, maybe that’s the only justification for TV Land’s decision to shift away from her influence. Despite how much we love watching her, Betty White inspires action. Like those afternoons listening to her through the wall, she motivates us to get off the couch and engage with life.
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In summary, while Younger attempts to connect with a demographic that feels overlooked, it misses the mark by sidelining the charm and wisdom of shows like Hot in Cleveland. Betty White remains a timeless beacon of joy and reinvention, reminding us that life is meant to be fully lived, regardless of age.