NBC's The Other View has gone on record as saying that anybody who is over thirty-years-old and plays videogames is "Weird." That's according to hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, as well as their guest Donny Deutsch.
When asked by a viewer if it was normal for adults to play videogames, Gifford responded with one of the most intelligent and thought-provoking answers she has ever given in her career: ""No, that's weird ... Xbox."
Deutsch agreed that it was unacceptable, adding, "No, the answer's no. When you're in your thirties, there should be something more on your mind, your attention, than video games." Kotb added to the discussion by referring to gamers as, “those weird ones in the basement."
The three hosts then gave permission for us all to play videogames if we are playing them with our children, before joining hands and (seriously) singing "Kumbaya" in a manner far more "weird" than anything they were talking about.
Nice to see that these people have attitudes that match their faces ... the faces under all the plastic.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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How is it weird? Video games are developed by adults who are well into their 60's, let alone fucking 30's. It's no more weird than reading a book, listening to music or watching a damn movie!
I wish the older generation of TV personalities would just end their careers already. I'm sick of hearing about how awful video games are every day on the news.
"No, the answer's no. When you're in your thirties, there should be something more on your mind, your attention, than video games" - Um... Who the hell said that the only thing on my mind is playing video games : O
It's true. On my 30th birthday (if I live that long) I fully intend to put down my controller, say "right, that's enough for me!", and pack up all my games.
You know today I was thinking games are becoming a more socially acceptable thing, then this happens. What other things should be on your mind anyway in your Thirties? Being extremely narrow minded and being generally prickish?
I hope I live to see games stride along with books, music and films being socially accepted without some morons running in to shit over it all.
"When you're in your thirties, there should be something more on your mind, your attention, than video games"
I guess that 'something more' is intoned to be watching middlebrow daytime TV for lifestyle tips, as told by over-paid, privileged talking heads whose claim to fame is reading teleprompters and delivering 'soft' news.
Video games are just interactive books. Put a good story together and create and intensely immersive world, it's a sight to behold. No offense, but I can't wait for people like Gifford to die-once they die, the attitude towards anyone over the age of X playing videos games is ___ will pretty much die out.
I don't trust these ignorant celebrities. People do lots of things that waste their time, like watching porn and sports, but they're not advocating against those.
Games offer more these days, like stories comparable to film and competition, either for professional or leisure use. They have even been used in the medical and military fields. So either they educate themselves or keep quiet.
Well I'm not 30 yet, but i'm turning 27 this year, sooo I'm feeling the spectral ghost of death nearing my mortal coil.
Personally I find that people around my age (post college mid 20s-early 30s) are use to have guys play video games. I mean sure most guys aren't playing games like final fantasy 4 complete on psp but they are playing games like gears of war, call of duty and whatever new version of nba live or madden is out.
I remember when I was in highschool (late 90s early 00s) it wasn't cool for guys to play video games, it was still very much a nerdy pass time. It wasn't until Halo, xbox, and college frat boys when everything was turned over on its head. You tell a girl you play video games and they just think you're just one the boys, playing alcohol fueled halo nights. They don't know you're actually playing crazy ass japanese rpgs.
After college video games have now just become your typical guy pass time, no different from playing poker, watching the football game or getting drinks with the guys. Its now just a guy thing. As I grow Older and as the people around me do so as well, I wonder if this will keep going up to people's late 30s and 40s.
I know I'll never stop playing video games, I probably won't play as much as I start making a family (seeing that unlike mr. sterling I don't work in the industry that requires me to play games),, but I will never stop. Its like saying because I'm parent now I won't watch movies or tv shows anymore.
These old people from Today Show, don't understand that video games are no different than watching the football game or watching any of their stupid ass sitcoms meant for middle age dolts.
I'm happy video games have finally reach the mainstream. I knew sooner or later the mainstream will get it. I definitely don't miss the 90s and all the nerd bashing i took for playing video games as a teenager.
"No, the answer's no. When you're in your thirties, there should be something more on your mind, your attention, than video games."
To be fair, there is truth to that statement...However, the hosts still have the stereotypical guy working for minimum wage living in his parent's basement eating hot pockets and gaming in all their spare time as their view of a "gamer". I can see that guy they describe as being a "weirdo".
I'll be honest though, as someone in my thirties - I *know* I should be doing stuff other than playing video games when I fire up the 360 and I probably could be more productive in other facets of my life if I *didn't* play video games. For reference, I still manage at least 20 hours of gaming per week on top of 50 hour work week, raising a child, triathlon training, and coaching. However at this point, it's just habit.
Fuck these whores in their diseases-riddled prolapsing anuses, my great aunt played Mario and Duke Nukem for as long as I can remember (rest her soul).
Ok, as someone who's lived his entire life in the UK, I've never heard of this show. So I have a serious question: how the hell am I supposed to pronounce "Kotb"? Is it "Koh-tub"? "Kot-ub"? "Kot-buh"? That's a stupid looking name, man.
Anyways, fuck that shit. I plan on playing games until my crippled arthritic hands can no longer operate whatever controllers my consoles use (that's if they even use traditional controllers in the future.)
Anyway, I'm in my mid-thirties and a gamer, but honestly I couldn't care less what someone says on an opinion show like this. The only real issue with it is that sometimes people that watch shows like this do it because they want to know how to think regarding certain topics. My mother is a stellar example. If she didn't have FOX News, she wouldn't have an opinion at all (mental note: sabotage mother's cable)
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Contest:
12:45 PM on 07.12.2011 | 
I wish the older generation of TV personalities would just end their careers already. I'm sick of hearing about how awful video games are every day on the news.
american news.
wake me up when the civil war has begun.
:)
Can I have them?
I hope I live to see games stride along with books, music and films being socially accepted without some morons running in to shit over it all.
I guess that 'something more' is intoned to be watching middlebrow daytime TV for lifestyle tips, as told by over-paid, privileged talking heads whose claim to fame is reading teleprompters and delivering 'soft' news.
Irony....get some!
And this doesn't apply to anyone here at destructoid because we are all 12.
Help me, daytime American television, I can't stop video games.
Fine men don't watch the news
Fine men go on the internet and read the news
Games offer more these days, like stories comparable to film and competition, either for professional or leisure use. They have even been used in the medical and military fields. So either they educate themselves or keep quiet.
I HAVE SPOKEN!
What i really wanna know is what the hell is a Hoda Kotb? it must be an American thing 'cause i never heard of it before, what use do it have?
Personally I find that people around my age (post college mid 20s-early 30s) are use to have guys play video games. I mean sure most guys aren't playing games like final fantasy 4 complete on psp but they are playing games like gears of war, call of duty and whatever new version of nba live or madden is out.
I remember when I was in highschool (late 90s early 00s) it wasn't cool for guys to play video games, it was still very much a nerdy pass time. It wasn't until Halo, xbox, and college frat boys when everything was turned over on its head. You tell a girl you play video games and they just think you're just one the boys, playing alcohol fueled halo nights. They don't know you're actually playing crazy ass japanese rpgs.
After college video games have now just become your typical guy pass time, no different from playing poker, watching the football game or getting drinks with the guys. Its now just a guy thing. As I grow Older and as the people around me do so as well, I wonder if this will keep going up to people's late 30s and 40s.
I know I'll never stop playing video games, I probably won't play as much as I start making a family (seeing that unlike mr. sterling I don't work in the industry that requires me to play games),, but I will never stop. Its like saying because I'm parent now I won't watch movies or tv shows anymore.
These old people from Today Show, don't understand that video games are no different than watching the football game or watching any of their stupid ass sitcoms meant for middle age dolts.
I'm happy video games have finally reach the mainstream. I knew sooner or later the mainstream will get it. I definitely don't miss the 90s and all the nerd bashing i took for playing video games as a teenager.
To be fair, there is truth to that statement...However, the hosts still have the stereotypical guy working for minimum wage living in his parent's basement eating hot pockets and gaming in all their spare time as their view of a "gamer". I can see that guy they describe as being a "weirdo".
I'll be honest though, as someone in my thirties - I *know* I should be doing stuff other than playing video games when I fire up the 360 and I probably could be more productive in other facets of my life if I *didn't* play video games. For reference, I still manage at least 20 hours of gaming per week on top of 50 hour work week, raising a child, triathlon training, and coaching. However at this point, it's just habit.
EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET IS WEIRD.
Man I'm really fucking weird!!!!
Then again, This is coming from a woman who replaces her own body parts in her free time. Sooo.... May be not THAT weird...
Anyways, fuck that shit. I plan on playing games until my crippled arthritic hands can no longer operate whatever controllers my consoles use (that's if they even use traditional controllers in the future.)
Anyway, I'm in my mid-thirties and a gamer, but honestly I couldn't care less what someone says on an opinion show like this. The only real issue with it is that sometimes people that watch shows like this do it because they want to know how to think regarding certain topics. My mother is a stellar example. If she didn't have FOX News, she wouldn't have an opinion at all (mental note: sabotage mother's cable)
would it be possible to put a Hoda Kotb in her mouth