When Hollywood turns Asperger's into a joke

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http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-vi ... 38ojx.html

I cannot stand Sheldon Cooper or the Big Bang Theory.

I actually think it's a good thing more movies and television shows are introducing aspie characters. I mean, at this point they are definitely portrayed in a stereotypical manner, but they have to start somewhere, and starting with characters like Sheldon Cooper is better than doing nothing at all. I can definitely see the media portrayal of aspie characters improving over time and becoming less stereotypical, much like the portrayal of other minorities.

I've actually been compared to Sheldon Cooper a couple of times, and I sometimes compare myself to him as well. Not only is he one of my favorite sitcom characters ever, he helps provide a convenient point of comparison when I'm trying to explain myself to people.

The Big Bang Theory is currently my favorite comedy, but not because of Sheldon Cooper. When I got into the show it was for all of the characters, and it was back when I myself was not yet aware of Asperger's or that Sheldon might be on the spectrum -- or even that I might be on the spectrum.

Even when both of things began to dawn on me, I can say that I don't even relate at all to Sheldon. He's not the kind of spectrumite I may be. I'm not a genius, or cold like him, and the only thing I have in common with him is that I do like routine and my favorite spot on the couch -- that rang a loud bell with me -- but that's it. We're not alike at all, and my reason for continuing to love the show still has little to do with Sheldon and more about the over-all show.

My feelings are that yea, Hollywood is portraying Aspies as laughing stock but at least the foot is in the door. If you remember how an alcoholic was portrayed a couple of decades ago; ( think of Otis on the Andy Griffith Show) and all the numerous ways alcoholism was portrayed; there was a reoccuring gag that alcoholics always saw pink elephants. Thank goodness it is not that way today. Hopefully this will expose more people to HFA and will lead to more positive changes in the future.

There have always been socially awkward, nerdy, geeky and outcast characters in a movie or TV show, they just now have a name for it and make it more obvious.

I can't say I've watched Big Bang Theory, but if TV wants to make a joke out of Asperger's I'm OK with that. There's nothing wrong with a bit of humour. As ASD becomes more accepted, we're going to see more portrayals of it in film and TV.

There used to be a time when it might have been a problem to have a black character, a gay character, a transsexual character etc. Look how far we've come.

the whole pink elephants thing is a reference to alcohol induced psychosis.

And although i hate stereotypical anything, it is good we are at least being portrayed at all.

regardless of how many years down the line we get,all films will still build profiles on stereotypes,the masses do not recognise less stereotypical behaviors so wont find anything else relateable,afterall its the uninformed masses that puts the coke and hookers in the homes of the film crews; not the minorities from the fringes of society.

the profile of institutionalised,severe plus savant HFA was first properly shown in rainman,being brought up in oldskool institutions made a lot of HFAs appear low functioning which is why so many HF autists who have grown up in mainstream society feel unable to relate,but in own view,the best film representation of HFA have personaly seen woud be snowcake;
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448124/
a rareity as its based on a female.

and the most realistic example in films have seen for LFA is the black balloon;
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0865297/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
coudnt relate to the profile more even now as an adult,and had gone through the same resentful shaming treatment that the autistic lad gets from his brother; although had gotten acutely worser than that from sister.

no one shoud ever have even half decent expectations from hollywood,then will be pleasantly surprised if a good autism profile comes along.

[quote="KingdomOfRats"]
as for youngsters being barely alive by the time rainman came out, this is likely why rainman is hated so much on WP as we are a largely youngster led community.[/quote]

I resemble that remark! :P Even tho I am an old fart, I do appreciate the youngers here as have learnt much of who I am today. I didn't have the fortune of being diagnosed as a child. Consequently much of what I did on learned on the fly by trial and error in an attempt to fit in. Looking back I did a miserable job and only reason I was tolerated was my talent at programming (PLCs) before they were taught in places of higher learning. Was quite in demand as colleges didn't teach such things back then. Now of course they have programs for controls engineering and won't even give me a second look and with my other medical issues, I am pretty much unemployable these days. Not complaining, at least I had a stab at a somewhat normal life that otherwise may not have had.

Hollywood has a long history of mad scientists, nerdy/brilliant friends, eccentric inventors, and weird artists.

Saying they have aspergers is just repackaging older ideas.

IMHO all the guys in TBBT and two of the three girls could be considered portrayals of Aspergers.

Many of you should be glad you never had to live through the 80's portrayal of those who had traits associated with aspergers.

Personally, I like Sheldon OK (even if I have been known to comment, "PLEASE tell me I'm doing better than THAT!") I suspect that all 4 of the guys of BBT have some degree of Asperger's; myself, I watch the show to laugh at poor Penny, the token neurotypical.

After a childhood spent comparing myself to Steve Urkel and Frank Burns (whoops, dated myself there), Sheldon Cooper is frankly endearing.

On the serious side: It's better to be a joke, the subject of humor (even the butt of the joke) than to be That Which Must Not Be Named.

Seriously-- What is more dangerous to your ability to walk down the street: Being equated with Sheldon Cooper, or being equated with Adam Lanza??