Center of the Universe

**RockyR** · 23rd December 04, 08:35 PM

Did anyone else see the show "center of the universe" last night? It's a sitcom (in the states) with John Goodman. Anyway... John Goodman's character was getting married to his wife on their anniversary (renewing his vows). His 10 year old son, who was the best man, wore a kilt.

Not sure how I felt about it... they made the whole family out to be "crazy people" (the insinuation was that the kid was crazy too for wearing the kilt). While I am happy to see a kilt on TV in ANY situation, why is it always a joke? Of course the kid tried to play the bagpipes to complete the stereotype...

Anyone else see this show and/or have any thoughts on how kilts are portrayed in the media?

**Aaron** · 23rd December 04, 11:01 PM

RockyR wrote:

why is it always a joke?

It's a joke because most of the "mainstream" folks can't sleep at night without confirmation that the Earth is still flat. Any little deviation from what they think the norm is is met with derision so that they can feel like they have control over their existences.

In reality, they don't. No more than anyone else. They stay trapped inside whatever little worlds they've constructed for themselves from their prejudices and ill informed presumptions, and I pity them.

**RockyR** · 24th December 04, 07:06 AM

I'll back you up on that one Aaron... Media tends to REINFORCE and solidify stereotypes.

I think we need to have a kilt night in West Chester to get you out of Coatsville and kilted up!

**Aaron** · 24th December 04, 08:13 AM

I'll take you up on that one Rocky, when and if my kilt ever gets here. I'll even buy the first round.

I think the Blarney Stone down on 202 (is it on 202 or Rt. 3, I can't remember at the moment) would be a perfect spot.

**Rigged** · 26th December 04, 11:40 AM

Anyone else see this show and/or have any thoughts on how kilts are portrayed in the media?

I saw it. I made some comments about it in an earlier post.

I agree that the mass media tends to make a joke of anything that doesn't fit the mainstream ideal.

The kilted community's attitude towards media has been very casual: "Any advertising is good advertising." It's clear that's not true.

I think we should do more to take control of the message (once we figure out what our message is) and present it pre-packaged to the media so that they can't twist the message to make us a joke so as to make their viewers feel good about being sheeple.