u/ConsumerofToons

Gen Z seems increasingly reluctant to openly enjoy “childish” media or embrace geek culture. This mirrors norm in the 2000s, when admitting to liking such things was similarly taboo. Interestingly, as the 2000s came to a close, millennials began to embrace geek culture and childish media more openly,though not overtly juvenile. The MCU, for example, came to dominate the box office alongside films that celebrated a sense of childlike wonder.

However, this trend appears to have shifted around the time of the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, zoomers often seem to mock overt sentimentality, the notion of eternal adolescence, and many aspects of geek culture.

While these interests still have strong followings online, they now feel more niche, reminiscent of the 2000s’ cultural landscape, when only edgier, more cynical media was socially acceptable. A striking illustration of this shift is the reception of the Mario movies: the first film was widely celebrated, but the second movie elicited reactions more akin to the 2000s, though mainly liked among Mario fans. Is anyone else noticing this cultural swing?

Gen Z seems increasingly reluctant to openly enjoy “childish” media or embrace geek culture. This mirrors norm in the 2000s, when admitting to liking such things was similarly taboo. Interestingly, as the 2000s came to a close, millennials began to embrace geek culture and childish media more openly,though not overtly juvenile. The MCU, for example, came to dominate the box office alongside films that celebrated a sense of childlike wonder.

However, this trend appears to have shifted around the time of the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, zoomers often seem to mock overt sentimentality, the notion of eternal adolescence, and many aspects of geek culture.

While these interests still have strong followings online, they now feel more niche, reminiscent of the 2000s’ cultural landscape, when only edgier, more cynical media was socially acceptable. A striking illustration of this shift is the reception of the Mario movies: the first film was widely celebrated, but the second movie elicited reactions more akin to the 2000s, although still beloved by Mario fans. Is anyone else noticing this cultural swing?

For me, a significant portion of Family Guy falls into that category post-Stewie Kills Lois/Lois Kills Stewie era. Despite its content, the humor is very fast-paced, resembling the style of many children's shows from that time, particularly Disney Channel teen sitcoms. The way the stories and jokes are structured are tailored to a younger audience than most other adult-oriented shows (including American Dad). A lot of the reappraisal of it mirrors the nostalgia felt for shows that Gen Z grew up watching, as it attracted a broad kid and teen audience in lieu of it's edgy nature.