“Made for teenagers?”

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Which is totally fair. Adults are more than capable of enjoying works of art intended for children, for instance -- Hook is one of my favorite films -- and people from one community can enjoy works created primarily for members of other communities.

Absolutely. The more people who enjoy a TV series or film, the better. Age shouldn't enter into it. You like what you like, and there's no shame in that.

I figure, if I can enjoy VeggieTales (at least I did, before they sold out ), heck, I can enjoy things like Lower Decks or Prodigy as well.

 

[dupersuper]

To that end, I think being able completely appreciate Lower Decks requires a certain amount of life experience and seasoning.

Or not watching the naked bits with your dad...

 

[Tim Thomason]

I confess: I long ago lost track of which generation is which. I just know I've seen curmudgeonly older fans gripe that the new shows are (gasp!) "made for millennials."

Cheat Sheet for Greg Cox:

- Baby Boomers: Roberta Lincoln, Shannon O'Donnel
- Generation X: Khan Noonien Singh, Shaun Christopher
- Millennials: Gabriel Bell
- Generation Z: Buck Bokai

 

[Sci]

Sidebar: I was curious about the ages of the current writers on DIS and looked them up; Kyle Jarrow, writer of "The Examples," was born in October 1979, so he's right on that fuzzy border between Generation X and elder Millennial; Glenise Mullins, co-writer of "Anomaly," does not seem to have made her age public information but appears in photos like she may only be in her 30s; Eric J. Robbins's (co-writer of "All Is Possible") first credit was in 2013, which is consistent with when many elder Millennials working in the entertainment industry break through (late 20s/early 30s), though he too does not make his age public info; similar deal with Carlos Cisco, co-writer of "... But to Connect," whose first credit was in 2012.

So while I can't quite say this definitively unless I claim Jarrow, I think there's a very strong possibility--

Actually, scratch that. Given the ages of producer/actor Sonequa Martin-Green (born 1985) and actors Ronnie Row Jr. (born 1980), Gillian Jacobs and Daveed Diggs (both born 1982), Tawny Newsome (born 1983), Annabelle Wallis and Harry Treadaway (both born 1984), Mary Wiseman, Oyin Oladejo, Allison Pill, and Lauren Lapkus (all born 1985), David Ajala, Ethan Peck, Peyton List, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, and Jameela Jamil (all born 1986), Jessica McKenna (born 1987), Shazad Latiff and Patrick Kwok-Choon (both born 1988), Emily Coutts and Carl Tart (born 1989), Mary Chieffo and Jack Quaid (both born 1992), Angus Imrie (born 1994), and Evan Evagora, Brett Gray, and Ella Purnell (all born 1996)...

... to say nothing of actors Blu del Barrio (born 1997), Isa Briones (born 1999), Ian Alexander (born 2001), and Rylee Alazraqui (born 2011)...

... I think it is very clear that not only is Star Trek being made (amongst others) for Millennials these days, but it is being made by Millennials -- and by Zoomers! -- these days.

 

[Commander Troi]

Sidebar: I was curious about the ages of the current writers on DIS and looked them up; Kyle Jarrow, writer of "The Examples," was born in October 1979, so he's right on that fuzzy border between Generation X and elder Millennial; Glenise Mullins, co-writer of "Anomaly," does not seem to have made her age public information but appears in photos like she may only be in her 30s; Eric J. Robbins's (co-writer of "All Is Possible") first credit was in 2013, which is consistent with when many elder Millennials working in the entertainment industry break through (late 20s/early 30s), though he too does not make his age public info; similar deal with Carlos Cisco, co-writer of "... But to Connect," whose first credit was in 2012.

So while I can't quite say this definitively unless I claim Jarrow, I think there's a very strong possibility--

Actually, scratch that. Given the ages of producer/actor Sonequa Martin-Green (born 1985) and actors Ronnie Row Jr. (born 1980), Gillian Jacobs and Daveed Diggs (both born 1982), Tawny Newsome (born 1983), Annabelle Wallis and Harry Treadaway (both born 1984), Mary Wiseman, Oyin Oladejo, Allison Pill, and Lauren Lapkus (all born 1985), David Ajala, Ethan Peck, Peyton List, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, and Jameela Jamil (all born 1986), Jessica McKenna (born 1987), Shazad Latiff and Patrick Kwok-Choon (both born 1988), Emily Coutts and Carl Tart (born 1989), Mary Chieffo and Jack Quaid (both born 1992), Angus Imrie (born 1994), and Evan Evagora, Brett Gray, and Ella Purnell (all born 1996)...

... to say nothing of actors Blu del Barrio (born 1997), Isa Briones (born 1999), Ian Alexander (born 2001), and Rylee Alazraqui (born 2011)...

... I think it is very clear that not only is Star Trek being made (amongst others) for Millennials these days, but it is being made by Millennials -- and by Zoomers! -- these days.

Well THAT made me feel old!

 

[Sci]

Well THAT made me feel old!

It was Ian Alexander whose age really made me feel old. That dude was less than six months old when 9/11 happened! He was literally born between the airing of "Author, Author" and "Friendship One" during Season Seven of VOY. Definitely a Zoomer!

 

[Xhiandra]

No, that's Star Trek: Prodigy. The cast of Star Trek: Lower Decks are all explicitly commissioned officers who have graduated from Starfleet Academy and are therefore at minimum in their early-to-mid 20s; it is implied that Mariner is in her late 20s or early 30s; and the senior staff all seem to be in their 40s or older.

I was imprecise. I meant "act like", not "are". I do realise they're supposed to be in their early 20s (with presumably Mariner being older, given her experience on many ships). It's typical in many forms of media to have characters ~5 years older than the intended audience.
The senior staff aren't the main focus, they're foils to the main cast of 4. The relationships between Mariner and the Captain is very much made to resonate with teens.

To be fair, that simply sounds better than admitting one caved to censors so ad revenue would be higher.

This title is broadcast at midnight, a very quaint choice for something intended for teenagers.

You have very strange reasons to call something intended for teenagers when those are the things the censor aims to keep from them.

Didn't know the broadcast time, but that's actually a perfect slot for teens. Teens and young adults are a lot more likely to be night owls than older people.
The fact that sex appeals to teens is hardly a revelation, I don't get the point of bringing up censors. What do they have to do with it?

 

[seigezunt]

All pop culture has been made for teenagers since about 1957. I'm just trying to enjoy it in peace while I wait to be put on my ice floe.

 

[Kor]

50-60 year old guy I knew thinks this. Also doesn't like discovery. I don't think it's great great, but Trek in this new format is kinda fun. He probably didn't appreciate the countless references.

It's for people who enjoy a particular kind of humor. And that's not limited to a certain age demographic. The show is packed with references that will only be fully understood and appreciated by people who have been watching Trek for decades. Ergo, not most teenagers!

Kor

 

[Sci]

I was imprecise. I meant "act like", not "are". I do realise they're supposed to be in their early 20s (with presumably Mariner being older, given her experience on many ships). It's typical in many forms of media to have characters ~5 years older than the intended audience.

By that logic, Full Metal Jacket must be aimed at teenagers and Dawson's Creek would have been aimed at 10-year-olds.

The senior staff aren't the main focus, they're foils to the main cast of 4. The relationships between Mariner and the Captain is very much made to resonate with teens.

Or with anyone who has ever had conflict with their parents, which can extend long into adulthood.

Didn't know the broadcast time, but that's actually a perfect slot for teens. Teens and young adults are a lot more likely to be night owls than older people.
The fact that sex appeals to teens is hardly a revelation, I don't get the point of bringing up censors. What do they have to do with it?

Again, the producers have been very clear that Star Trek: Lower Decks is primarily aimed at adult audiences.

 

[Borgminister]

This 62 year old finds it a harmlessly fun, if forgettable diversion, and perhaps that's all it is intended to be...

 

[Greg Cox]

I'm sixty-two and find it delightful.

Mind you, I'm a senior citizen who never grew out of sci-fi, monster movies, and comic books.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Dirty old men are nothing but bent teenagers wondering what the Hell happened.

 

[Commander Troi]

I'm sixty-two and find it delightful.

Mind you, I'm a senior citizen who never grew out of sci-fi, monster movies, and comic books.

I'm really loving all you folks that are older than me that still keep that sense of joy. You help me feel less anxious about this whole "growing older" thing.

 

[shapeshifter]

I love his ability to admit how old he is. Sorry Greg but, get off the lawn!

 

[Grizzlor]

I compare this show so favorably to Futurama, it really hits on the style of humor that the Groening world brought into favor ironically (originally with The Simpsons) during the broadcast period of TNG.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

It's made for teenagers of all ages, 13 to 113. Though I expect 12 year olds can enjoy it too.

 

[Xhiandra]

By that logic, Full Metal Jacket must be aimed at teenagers and Dawson's Creek would have been aimed at 10-year-olds.

It's not universal, but it's a well-known technique, in many forms of media. I'm surprising it's viewed as controversial.
And yes, Dawson's Creek is an example: those shows are aimed at pre-teens and young teens. I'd say the primary audience aimed for was 12 year olds to 15 year olds.
FMJ is probably an aversion.

]
Or with anyone who has ever had conflict with their parents, which can extend long into adulthood.

Not the same types of conflict, though.

Once again, this isn't a knock on people enjoying Lower Decks, this isn't to say that teens are the only ones that can enjoy it. I'm 37, I've watched it all, I didn't hate it. It's certainly a lot better than DSC.
It's ok to enjoy media aimed at younger audiences. I watched Spongebob and re-read my old Tintin, Spirou and Pierre Tombal comics well into adulthood, for instance.

 

[Sci]

It's not universal, but it's a well-known technique, in many forms of media. I'm surprising it's viewed as controversial.

It's not that it's controversial, it's that you're applying the principle incorrectly. The idea of having characters about five years older than your intended audience is a principle that applies to children's programs moreso than programs aimed at older audiences.

And yes, Dawson's Creek is an example: those shows are aimed at pre-teens and young teens.

The characters on season one of Dawson's Creek were 15 years old in season one. I assure you, Dawson's Creek was not aimed at 10-year-olds. To say it was aimed at pre-teens is also erroneous -- Dawson's Creek was squarely aimed at a teenage and young adult audience base.

FMJ is probably an aversion.

No, Full Metal Jacket is not "an aversion." There are plenty of films made for an adult audience that are about young adults, and Full Metal Jacket is one of them.

Once again, this isn't a knock on people enjoying Lower Decks, this isn't to say that teens are the only ones that can enjoy it. I'm 37, I've watched it all, I didn't hate it. It's certainly a lot better than DSC.
It's ok to enjoy media aimed at younger audiences. I watched Spongebob and re-read my old Tintin, Spirou and Pierre Tombal comics well into adulthood, for instance.

Sure! I agree that there's nothing wrong with liking something aimed at a younger audience. But LD is not aimed at a teenage audience; the creators have been pretty clear that it's an adult animated sitcom aimed at adults.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I have the complete set of all 14 canonical Oz books, and the complete Chronicles of Narnia. I also have copies of Anne of Green Gables (which, like Narnia, I first read as an adult), From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (my 5th grade teacher read it to the class), Call Me Bandicoot (serialized in Children's Digest, the year I was given a subscription), and Ghosts and More Ghosts (one of the short stories therein, "The Marvelous Stamps from El Dorado," appeared in one of my elementary school reading textbooks).