MovieChat Forums > Bubble Guppies (2011) Discussion > Why do kid shows hate redheads?

Why do kid shows hate redheads?

posted 10 years ago by a_rarden
6 replies | jump to latest

I just realized that just the majority of the kid shows I'm watching with my son has the redheads as being awkward and uncomfortable. What's up with that!?

Chuckie and Charles Finster - Rugrats - the only baby with glasses, paranoia
Nani - Bubble Guppies - the only one with glasses*, always has downward frown when talking and that weird questioning dot for a mouth when he's not talking o_0 , :-.
Andrew - Little Bill - it's actually been a while since we watched Little Bear and I can't remember the specifucs, but i feel like i remember him seeming a bit awkward at times.

I thought of more earlier, but i cant remember any more right now.

I can think of a few cases where the redhead isnt awkward, but only in older cartoons or modern cartoons made for older kids: Wilma in the Flintstones, Jane in Jetsons, Roger in Doug, Daphne in Scooby Doo.

Anyone have any examples to add or contrasting opinions?

*I don't mean to imply that glasses are awkward or strange. I'm simply pointing out that these are the only characters that have glasses, which adds to their being made out to be SO different compared to the others.

[–] jack-ragsdale347 10 years ago

I think it's more about dispelling stereotypes. The typical stereotypes of red-heads that my generation grew up with were those of hyperactivity, stubbornness, bullying, and outright violence. I personally applaud shows that try to break down such deeply engrained ideas. While some shows, like Rugrats, might take it a bit too far, it's still an improvement.

[–] ChknSoupForDaFanboysSoul 10 years ago

I don't really see the current model of redhead characters as dispelling stereotypes so much as creating new ones. Going from bully to nerd hasn't improved things, it has only perpetuated singleing redheads out. At least the current trend is more accurate. Redheads are really thought of as weak and nerdy. Suggesting they are bullies is the complete opposite of reality. They are the victims of bullying.

[–] ChknSoupForDaFanboysSoul 10 years ago

How about we don't attribute any universal characteristic to redheads other than hair coloring. What a concept.

[–] a_rarden 10 years ago

That's what I'm saying! Would it have been so hard to just swap the hair color of Noni and Gil.

[–] dramafreak42 9 years ago

You're missing the worst one of all! Dark Heart from the Care Bears 2 movie. An evil shape-shifting being that was always tinted red and when in human form appeared to be a boy with red hair. My wife and more than a few others I know have cited this specifically as a source for "redheads freak me out."

[–] academas-177-729004 8 years ago

I have red hair and I was a perfect cross between bully and nerd. I wasn't a bully but I sure as hell didn't let people mess with me.

The stereotypes are real and yes, they are absolutely fleshed out in shows on tv, both animated and live action. It is so frustrating to see this in an age where everyone gets offended by everything and laws are changed because someone sneezes differently, yet redheads are treated the same way still.

The only times a redhead in media is shown in a positive light is when it's a female. I agree most are gorgeous as I'm biased but why does the main boy/hero always have to be a brunette or blonde. Seriously they are like the yellow Labrador retrievers of humans, enough already, move on from the default vanilla cliche crap and expand your horizons with some strawberry.

And don't even get me started on the term "ginger". If you call me a ginger on a bad day then expect a response similar to calling Ice Cube a n-----. And don't act like it not the same, it's derogatory, offensive, and I have the right to kick some a$$. *sigh* *breathe*