Lionel - Addams Family Style - on "King of Queens" 12-8-04 Episode...

Does anyone other than me find it annoying that model railroaders are invariably portrayed on television as subjects of derision or contempt? In the "King of Queens episode in question, "Doug's father is portrayed as an uncaring lout who abandons his lonely wife to go off to play with his trains. Only after an "intervention" by his son Doug, (which leads to the scene involving destruction of the layout), does the dad "get the message" and abandon his trains in favor of his wife. This is hardly a favorable portrayal of a hobby which, IMHO, deserves better.

RWBooneSr

YES.. I was not sure how to relay that message put forth in the episode... that was a real shame that that was the hinge.

The father in the cartoon strip "For Better or Worse" is portrayed more amiably in his pursuit of his hobby - while demonstrating in a favorable light some of those outlandish traits/actions we are often guilty of - running trains throughout the house & under furniture, getting a 12 yard load of gravel for the garden railway, etc.

Rob

Well, everyone needs a role model. I LIKE being twisted!

-John

Nah, my wife prizes that "model railroad widow" button and thinks it's a good thing to keep me off the street. We get plenty of positive strokes with the features on state fair and train show exhibits!

The movie that ALL model railroaders should see is "Track 29"; made in the late 80's with Christopher Lloyd and Theresa Russell. About a wife who does not react well to her husbands obsession with model trains. I think this was Gary Oldman's first movie.

-John

Just realize that "Doug" is terminally useless in every regard as a human being. That he can tie his shoes unassisted is the major saving grace in his perosnality. Pity him, since he can only drive his parcel truck and find his way home through habit and conditioning. His apparent inability to perform any action outside of driving his truck with any degree of positive outcome is at most horrifyng and at least disgusting since he represents "everyman" in sitcom bizarro world. I don't know whether I'm more offended by the portrayal of the typical man as a shallow, mindless dolt incapable of learning, bereft of common knowledge and common sense or the fact that he is a reflection of the society that recognizes so many persons very like him in their midst.

Bob

Thank you, Dr. Laura!

Rob

Maybe some people just look at the show as a comedy.