I've long supported the government forcing Hollywood to make more "On Golden Ponds." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36769-2002Sep4.html WASHINGTON –– Age discrimination is rife within Hollywood and marketing, and it should be treated like biases against race and gender, actress Doris Roberts told a congressional panel Wednesday. ... Other advocates told the Senate panel that the stereotyping of seniors could be curbed by helping people confront their fears of growing old and death and promoting research on aging and age-related diseases.
There's a point at which the "older woman" becomes an "old woman". Doris Roberts is well past that point, and upset that she can't get leading roles anymore. Whatever. No one wants to see a 71- year old woman in a sexy role. ...Hey, there's always the Lifetime channel...
You know what else is rife with ageism? The AARP. I want my 10% discounts, damnit. This is so absurd that I'm embarrassed that the government officials that I elected are holding hearings on this.
When you take into account age discrimination that takes place off-screen, the point becomes just slightly less ridiculous. Still, young people are cast in films because teens buy movie tickets. Old people get to complain to Congress because seniors vote. Wasn't that easy?
The few movies with old folk haven't been popular enough to warrant this stuff. Baby boomers were always too good at complaining. New motto: "You can't trust anybody under thirty"