"The best available version of the truth." - The Carl Bernstein standard - I think at some point what's true, ought to matter, or, has got to matter. How commonly is it held, in our moment, that what's, in fact, true, is important, is important to find?
I think the insight that this government and it's entertaining hold on a voting population is kayfabe is a truly excellent and important insight.
JVL's formulation of Hulk Hogan as avatar of America--that our cultural icons reflect who we are in terms of values, aesthetics, etc.--is both fascinating and chilling, because, after all, doesn't the same dynamic apply to the kayfabest of the kayfabe, Fatass himself?
But there's an aspect of the wrestling phenomenon which was left untouched here, and that's its camp/homoeroticism, which, as in pro football, is so glaringly obvious that I'm not sure you can even really call it subtext in good conscience. It's just text.
If we take as axiomatic
a) that pro wrestling reflects American culture, values, aspirations, etc. and
b) that there's a very, very strong strain of camp running through it--that, in fact, it's pretty much all camp
JVL has a point. I see the connections he's making. I don't think they are celebrating him, but his connections to MAGA, and the way wrestling influenced them and how they act and react, it's unfortunately relevant.
Hogan is another exploiter of the juvenilization of American men. Put away your Star Wars dolls and wrestling posters and video games. It's been God awe full watching young men get stuck in a permanent childhood.
JVL, this what true love is...my affection for you, your perspective, your insight, our mutual interest in collecting watches (I just bought 3 NIB gorgeous Wittnauer windups...original boxes, papers, etc. Not particularly valuable, but a snapshot into my childhood growing up in NYC in the 60's. It's fun). The fact that you love wrestling is something i've come to terms with. My wife likes Indian food, such is life.
I can't bring myself to mourn the death of someone who proudly said he was a racist after dropping multiple N words.
I mourn my childhood. I mourn that the 80s and 90s, the stupid movies we watched, the TV shows we loved, the idea that the world isn't a terrible place is gone.
Cosby "alleged" rapist, Hulk racist. Watching the Winslow Family, Family Ties, Full House, those ideals are gone and replaced by trash.
My brain can't wrap around the fact that America gave us Dolly Parton and also Donald Trump.
Is it too much to hope that there will be a 3rd, you know it happens in threes, over the top reality tv personalities will pass? That said, Ozzy doesn't belong in this disgusting crowd. I'll take a decapitated bat, as much as I love bats, so less terrible than Hulk and the possible third reality/reality game show titan who somehow is POTUS. Sorry boys, I have no sympathy for the MAGA, racist Hulk. Ya'll are way too intelligent to be into the wrestling soap opera. Find a new guilty pleasure. This one is depraved.
I have been thinking about this too. Since I heard JVl talk about pro wrestling before.
Trump was part of the scene. Then giving Linda McMahon a position in the cabinet.
As a pre teen I would ride my bike to my best friends house and watch wrestling on cable television. We would jump off the furniture and act out all the moves. I thought often of the fans, '"Do they know this is fake?" Even when I enjoyed it myself.
In this way it can explain the MAGA, maybe they just convince themselves to ignore all the glaring facts just to support their guy. Is this cognitive dissonance, or some other mental ailment?
Hogan and Andre was a big moment for me. No one could pick Andre up and slam him.
For more on pro wresting and American politics: https://www.thebulwark.com/t/wrestling
"The best available version of the truth." - The Carl Bernstein standard - I think at some point what's true, ought to matter, or, has got to matter. How commonly is it held, in our moment, that what's, in fact, true, is important, is important to find?
I think the insight that this government and it's entertaining hold on a voting population is kayfabe is a truly excellent and important insight.
Guys! Why are you covering this racist misogynist pig? Elvis? Seriously? I am glad he is is gone.
JVL's formulation of Hulk Hogan as avatar of America--that our cultural icons reflect who we are in terms of values, aesthetics, etc.--is both fascinating and chilling, because, after all, doesn't the same dynamic apply to the kayfabest of the kayfabe, Fatass himself?
But there's an aspect of the wrestling phenomenon which was left untouched here, and that's its camp/homoeroticism, which, as in pro football, is so glaringly obvious that I'm not sure you can even really call it subtext in good conscience. It's just text.
If we take as axiomatic
a) that pro wrestling reflects American culture, values, aspirations, etc. and
b) that there's a very, very strong strain of camp running through it--that, in fact, it's pretty much all camp
... then what does that say about the culture?
RIP John Ozzy Osborne
RiP Malcolm Jamal Warner
RIP Chuck Mangione
May Terry Hulk's racist memory be erased and mocked when it is remembered
https://fxtwitter.com/NebsGoodTakes/status/1948428784656679069
Thank you for including Mangione. I cannot believe that Hogan is getting more attention than someone who created widely-loved music.
JVL has a point. I see the connections he's making. I don't think they are celebrating him, but his connections to MAGA, and the way wrestling influenced them and how they act and react, it's unfortunately relevant.
Hogan is another exploiter of the juvenilization of American men. Put away your Star Wars dolls and wrestling posters and video games. It's been God awe full watching young men get stuck in a permanent childhood.
Hulk Hogan=WWE=Trump. Enough said.
JVL, this what true love is...my affection for you, your perspective, your insight, our mutual interest in collecting watches (I just bought 3 NIB gorgeous Wittnauer windups...original boxes, papers, etc. Not particularly valuable, but a snapshot into my childhood growing up in NYC in the 60's. It's fun). The fact that you love wrestling is something i've come to terms with. My wife likes Indian food, such is life.
The whole thing is forking (JVL) WEIRD! Spoken by an old cynical lady!
I love the Bulwark immensely, but memorializing Hulk Hogan is not worthy of this wonderful place. IMHO.
I can't bring myself to mourn the death of someone who proudly said he was a racist after dropping multiple N words.
I mourn my childhood. I mourn that the 80s and 90s, the stupid movies we watched, the TV shows we loved, the idea that the world isn't a terrible place is gone.
Cosby "alleged" rapist, Hulk racist. Watching the Winslow Family, Family Ties, Full House, those ideals are gone and replaced by trash.
My brain can't wrap around the fact that America gave us Dolly Parton and also Donald Trump.
So horrible. Why are they talking about him? Seriously.
JVL, comparing Hulk to Elvis is shameful. STFU.
Is it too much to hope that there will be a 3rd, you know it happens in threes, over the top reality tv personalities will pass? That said, Ozzy doesn't belong in this disgusting crowd. I'll take a decapitated bat, as much as I love bats, so less terrible than Hulk and the possible third reality/reality game show titan who somehow is POTUS. Sorry boys, I have no sympathy for the MAGA, racist Hulk. Ya'll are way too intelligent to be into the wrestling soap opera. Find a new guilty pleasure. This one is depraved.
Comrade JVL coming in hot.
Didn't live long enough to see the concentration camps he helped build.
I have been thinking about this too. Since I heard JVl talk about pro wrestling before.
Trump was part of the scene. Then giving Linda McMahon a position in the cabinet.
As a pre teen I would ride my bike to my best friends house and watch wrestling on cable television. We would jump off the furniture and act out all the moves. I thought often of the fans, '"Do they know this is fake?" Even when I enjoyed it myself.
In this way it can explain the MAGA, maybe they just convince themselves to ignore all the glaring facts just to support their guy. Is this cognitive dissonance, or some other mental ailment?
Hogan and Andre was a big moment for me. No one could pick Andre up and slam him.