Homogeneous Seattle

The_Tim

This article made me laugh, but it was a little sad, too:

Under The Needle: Taking all the fun out of Seattle

It's been eight years since a new episode of "Almost Live" came out. Up-down-up-down monorail, drunken driving council candidates, the Sonics owner's feet of Clay and civic paralysis -- all became vital local issues. But they also represent something more. They are missed opportunities, unwritten bits. Here was the target-rich environment where "Almost Live" made its mark for 15 years.

Even so, Keister isn't so sure that the issues today -- as good as they remain -- could prop up the show once famous for its parodies of local politics, neighborhood stereotypes, Seattle quirkiness and anything regarding Renton or Kent.

The city has lost its oddball manner and its regional distinction, he said, in ways that have muted much of "Live's" local flavor. Former "Live" cast member Nancy Guppy agreed.

"I don't know if it could exist now," she said.

Everything is becoming more homogeneous, with condos stacked on Subways, luxury markets, Pottery Barns. Said Guppy: "I'm not sure who cares about the local thing -- the Seattle thing."

Or as Keister put it: "Ballard was old Scandinavians. Fremont was hippies. Capitol Hill was gay. Kent was where whites of modest means moved to escape Seattle school busing. Bellevue was the same for the rich.

"Today, you can make a joke about Ballard but it's a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry. You make a joke about Wallingford and it's a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry. Fremont? That would be a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry.

"And Belltown is a bunch of wealthy people who live in luxury condos ... who work in the information industry."

ayles

I absolutely loved that show in the early 90's even though a lot of humor was lost on me due to growing up outside of the city.

carlislematthew

I tend to agree on the sadness thing, Tim. I went to Freemont a couple of months ago, and hadn't been there for several years.

My reaction? It was "nice". Very nice. Cleaner, nicer stores and better amenities. But I didn't like it as much. It wasn't as funky and cool as it once was. I preferred it when it had more character, and it's not like it was a dangerous pit either, so I'm not arguing against gentrification of crappy areas.

Oh well. I'm beginning to think the cooler neighborhoods are going to move out of the city some more. Eventually, Fall City will be a funky gay haven for Scandinevians.