This was bizarre:

[Laura B.]

Hi: It's been a long time since I visited these fora but I was amused and wanted to share this experience:
I just did The Firm Volume 1 for the very first time. (It's been awhile since I had done any Firms and had always been put off by the classic Firms for the self-congratulation commercials at the beginning, the stilted language and the attempt to make the teachers "sexy" (breathy speech, too much makeup etc.) But I had heard the first volume was pretty good. I found it at Goodwill and decided to take a chance (I'm still watching out for Volume 4. For 99 cents, I want to see the infamous dork dance).

At any rate: Whoo Boy! Perhaps it was because I watched the first episode of "Ugly Betty" last night but I felt like magazine staff from that show was about to walk onto the set and join the workout: Everything in the video was that over-the-top. Susan Harris was waaaaay too made up for today's audience and her deep-breathy voice came off like she was trying to be a dominatrix (or at least the Vanessa Williams character from Ugly Betty), especially as she started off almost immediately with pelvic thrusts. I suppose the workout itself was okay, but the whole atmosphere was just so bizarre I think it's going back to Goodwill.

Yes, I know it was made in the '80s and I lived through that era myself. But my! How times and tastes do change. Everyone sing with me: "Let's do the time warp again....."

BTW (off topic), anybody but me think there was way too much cleavage, underwear and "adult situations" for an 8 p.m. show? I thought Ugly Betty had a good premise (I'm a sucker for Ugly Duckling stories) but I was embarrassed to have it on with the kids in the room. I won't watch it again.

[sweetmelissak]

That is exactly why I could never do The Firm back then! Too OTT and bizarre-there is always this vibe that I just can't handle.

Thanks for your post too-now I know I won't like Ugly Betty and not to waste my time watching it.

[Cardiogirl]

I get a kick out of those 80's workouts.

I must be jaded. I don't remember any "adult situations" on Ugly Betty. The "hot pants and boots" scene was rather painful to watch. But because she was being laughed at--not because her butt was hanging out.

The pilot repeats on The Family Channel tonight.

Vanessa Williams is really good as the evil co-worker.

[acey]

Laura,
I bought up a bunch of Firm workouts, tried one, and took me a year to try one again. I was so put off at first by the cheesiness and over-the-top Stepford sex kitten thing...

But I am a true workout video slut ( in a GOOD way, I hope!) After a while, I started going through a "gloriously cheesy" phase. I started enjoying Gin Miller's MTV big hair step workout, Cathe's flowery leotards and perm in her old step workouts, and, yes, the baroque "Getty Museum gym" setting of the classic Firms. Partly I was influenced by the good vibes from this forum and yayas as die-hards kept talking about the workouts.

Not all all saying you should ever try to like these, mind you. You luckily only had to spend a few pennies or so, right?

As for Ugly Betty...sheesh...THIS is America's standard, eh? The actress (who was in Real Women Have Curves) is NOT ugly by any stretch of the imagination, IMHO, even with the attempts to make her so.

[FitJerseyDiva]

I'm friendly with one of the producers of the original Firm series. He would defend himself saying that it was not intent to make the video so "porno-like" my words not his. But the first time I was doing it my DH was in the other room & heard Susan breathing "oooh," "aahh" during the floor work. Between that & the music he came RUNNING into the room nearly hoping I was watching a skin flick. How disappointed was he when I said leave me alone I'm working out!!!

DON'T TAKE IT TO GOOD WILL!!! Put it on e-bay. These are now collector's items!!!

[Laura B.]

Originally Posted by Cardiogirl

I must be jaded. I don't remember any "adult situations" on Ugly Betty.

Wow, I guess we really don't think alike at all!-- I was really uncomfortable with Daniel's (the boss') back-to-back encounters with the woman at his apartment (both making sure he (and we) saw their complete undies and garters) and with his assistant being discovered underneath his desk at the beginning of the program. Among other scenes...

I had my kids in the room: 14, 13 and 5 (boys and girls) and I will not be watching that show again. The older ones were very uncomfortable watchng it and I came very close to turning it off. We won't be watching it again. I want my kids to grow up with morals and to keep their clothes on.

[mtnmom]

Oh yes, I remember my first Volume 1 experience. It was about 3 years ago. Susan in all her makeup and gold chains, telling us to "squeeze it" and thrusting her hips. I just about took it out during the warm-up to throw it away. But I tried the workout the next day and realized why it's a classic.

I remember the 80's with the big hair and over-glossed lips. Studio 54 and pre-AIDS. Gyms had a reputation of being pick-up spots. Look at the movie "Perfect" and that was the image back then.

[Debra]

Because of the recent buzz about Volume 1, I also revisited it this week. Maybe one has to be in a certain frame of mind, but the silly presentation didn't bother me at all. Maybe because I enjoy Susan Harris in TLT's "Find Your Core" where she is just an athletic 40 something. She seems down to earth & is helpful on the TLT forum.

I'm going to guess that the outfits in Cathe's Hardcore series along with the tanning booth look are going to look rather odd in 10 years. The pirate sash in the new workouts won't age well either. Maybe doing trendy isn't best for long term appeal.

The LA Times advised parental guidance (maybe even used the term PG 13) for "Ugly Betty". I did find it odd that it would be on at 8 with that kind of review. Guess a parent needs to preview new shows.

Debra

[Jeanne Marie]

Wow, I must be working harder than the rest of you when I do Volume 1! That kind of stuff just doesn't register in my brain.

I just don't pay attention to any of that stuff. It's a GREAT workout, and gives fantastic results. I couldn't care less about how Susan is dressed, what jewelry she's wearing, her make up or even the music.... just doesn't matter to me!

Of course, I don't care about that kind of stuff in any workout. I care about how good it works for me. If it's an excellent, tough workout, it doesn't matter how it's presented. I know I'm not the norm in that respect though.

[steakhousegirl]

Originally Posted by Jeanne Marie

Wow, I must be working harder than the rest of you when I do Volume 1! That kind of stuff just doesn't register in my brain.

I just don't pay attention to any of that stuff. It's a GREAT workout, and gives fantastic results. I couldn't care less about how Susan is dressed, what jewelry she's wearing, her make up or even the music.... just doesn't matter to me!

Of course, I don't care about that kind of stuff in any workout. I care about how good it works for me. If it's an excellent, tough workout, it doesn't matter how it's presented. I know I'm not the norm in that respect though.

My sentiments exactly. Well said Jeanne Marie!