90's Culture-Revelations

Setting the tone for the hype around nostalgic 90's pop culture many old shows and styles and music have been resurfacing. I, myself being a 90's kid, miss my childhood and remember many of parts of it which i loved. I found an old show, Angela Anaconda, on a free movie website and was so excited, I immediately had to satisfy the urge to start binging it. In recent years, you have seen many documentaries and shows revisiting 90's culture and events. Not all of them involving such pleasant memories. It started when the series, "Quiet on Set" shocked the entire world. Who would have thought that a docu series revealing the terrifying truth of Nickelodeon production and what they dealt with working with crew and directors and what the actors faced. It truly left many speechless, including me. How could these beloved television shows I watched as a kid growing up actually cause so much ruins to the actors playing the roles of the characters I grew up watching?!

Initially my mind began to wonder when I first watched the “Brat Pack” documentary on Hulu.

It followed actor Andrew McCarthy on his quest to find out why he was basically cast out from a successful movie career and was ridiculed by society. During the duration of his documentary it reminisces on many of the popular films from the 80's and early 90's culture that were so very popular such as Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, St.Elmo's fire and some others that were mentioned. The "Brat Pack" all being main characters and the "it stars" at the time. They are as follows:Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe and ofcourse Andrew McCarthy himself. It was so common to see a movie with one or more of them in the cast of just about every 80's movie. All being charismatic and great "teen"actors of their time, perfect for many of the themes of the movies made during this time. Also, outside of work they were very close and built strong friendships at the time. In the cinema many of the films that were released had many or all of the actors together and many of them being so memorable until this day. However, all of this changed from one article written by David Blum for a feature story in "New York" magazine, who referred to the very popular group of actors as the "Brat Pack". It was where that how from this reference it took a toll on the actors' careers and much of the public started to view them just as this and directors then shied away from using them in many movies going forward. It had such an effect on McCarthy's life leaving him feeling daunted and questioning everything about his career and friendships and if this was indeed true or just an article that turned horribly and used against them? From the various interviews and seems like a reunion with his other cast mates, he hears different perspectives and how they each dealt and let it impact them in their lives. Many having a similar view point of accepting this was from decades ago and that it was just a nickname. It did not follow or allow it to in their lives as they continued to pursue and grow in their careers. Some of them chose to distance away from the group to not let the stigma follow even Emilio Estevez turning down a movie, but for the most part they said they wish they had not and generally many of the members of the "Brat Pack" chose to ignore it and still go after their stardom and they succeeded. In the show it shows McCarthy who although did get to reunite and gain the thoughts of all his fellow cast members, he was still somehow remorseful that they did not stay closer and continue to pursue projects again as they were so successful in movies and as well had a great friendship. In this documentary it shows just how much of watching the movie classics and seeing them together you would think of the group you would not think they had so much dismay and their was so much indifference which was surprising as many of the movies and stars I had seen growing up and enjoyed watching, it was indeed very surprising to learn their difficulties.

On Netflx, there was another real life documentary "Dirty Pop" that revealed the truth behind the manager who created the boy bands we loved of the 90's. Two of the greatest pop groups of all time, BackStreet Boys and N'Sync. He created both of the most iconic boys' bands of all time. Behind his grin and mastermind of musical genius and business savy, was a dark secret. Lou Pearlman from early on always wanted to be a success and it was his goal in life to do so. He started out in aviation starting a helicopter ride service and then later going on to have a blimp company that he gained most of his wealth from.

The company then sold for three million dollars which is where he invested into his new company of Transcontinental Airlines, transporting artists while on tour and thus which fueled him to want to enter the music industry. Lou Pearlman was indeed an extremely business driven and very capable at creating and executing these well thought out plans. Bringing to the world some of the most memorable musical artists of the 90's as I mentioned before as well as O-Town, Aaron Carter and many more memorable artists of the 90's and early 2000's. Pearlman was great at initiating a real dream but in the end the reality was that much of the profits that were made from the artists that he only gave a small portion to them and kept much of the profits for himself. While he wined and dined them, he also used the glitz and glamour of the music and his lifestyle to lure others into to his company as investors and many put their whole savings or life insurance money believing into his dream and promise of them becoming rich too and making a good investment for their future. It would never come and it was all a lie. Lou Pearlman faced many lawsuits for fraud, embezzling and stealing. He was senteneced to twenty five years in prison. It was truly a shock to know the person who was behind such impactful music groups of an era that I grew up in could commit such crimes and behind so much misfortune.

Lastly, the last documentary to be released was the documentary series "Quiet On Set" which followed the events that took place on the set of Nickelodeon studios and what the young actors endured. Growing up watching these beloved television shows, that use to make me laugh and enjoy watching after school could have been behind so much turmoil of the young actors' that were on the show. As the documentary goes on, it reveals the many hidden troubles that the actors' face while on set like sexual inuendos, racism and much more that has affected them and carried on in their lives. Many being forced to perform in scenes that made them feel uncomfortable or degraded just for a laugh or at the end of a joke that seemed racist or highly inappropriate involving young teens. Many of the cast members reporting the same treatment for their duration of their time on the show and the horrendous habits and actions that occurred on their years working on Nickelodeon with Dan Schneider. Actors’ of All That and Zoey 101, included Kyle Sullivan, Giovonnie Samuels, Raquel Bolleau, Bryan Hearne, and Alexa Nilolas. The most surprising and devastating was Drake Bell who spoke about the child molestation and abuse he faced at the hands of a speech coach Brian Peck who groomed and preyed on Bell who was a young man and later he was convicted in court and sentenced to sixteen months in prison. It truly has affected his life so much and allowing him to talk about it currently has shown just how terrifying young Hollywood and the dangers of being a child star can be. As well, as the other actors who spoke out about their ordeals and the negative impact it has had on their lives. It was truly disheartening to see how many childhood shows I enjoyed had such sinister events taking place behind scenes and at the hands of adults who abused their power and took advantage of kids and while entertaining the masses ruined their lives and shattered their innocence.

Through all of these shows the theme that remains is how many things associated with my childhood that I enjoyed watching or listening too now share a dark background. It truly signifies that you never truly know what is going on or the reality behind certain situations. That can be hidden behind such unimaginable truths and such tragedy that can look so seemingly perfect. It truly is never really known how someone will be affected by this in their life and their reaction to it. It truly was so such a tragedy yet it is great to see how much all those affected by this have grown and used their stories and voices to bring light to the truth and still excel and live their lives out as they choose. To enlighten many to take caution in any industry and to be wary of who you surround yourself with and let into your business and personal life. Seeing as times have very much changed in the millennium compared to before in the 90’s for a better and safer lifestyle.