positive depictions of RPGs in pop culture

[hengest]

My wife and I just saw the final episode of Freaks and Geeks. In it some of the protags are depicted happily playing D&D. It's a pretty good scene, in context. I was glad to see it. They looked like they were having so much fun that my wife even expressed interest again.

Any favorite fictional depictions of D&D?

[scottanderson]

Craig Feldspar is a 47th level Dungeon Master and he defends Hal against predatory nerds in that one episode of Malcolm in the Middle.

[magremore]

Aug 20, 2017 23:01:33 GMT -5 hengest said:

My wife and I just saw the final episode of Freaks and Geeks. In it some of the protags are depicted happily playing D&D. It's a pretty good scene, in context. I was glad to see it. They looked like they were having so much fun that my wife even expressed interest again.

Any favorite fictional depictions of D&D?

Great episode. Loved Freaks and Geeks. 

The boys playing D&D in Stranger Things is well done, and provides the basis for the entire plot. 

And though it’s not a depiction, I’ve always enjoyed the simple D&D mentions in Weezer’s In the Garage. I give it bonus points for alluding to D&D and 70s-era KISS in the same verse.

[ripx187]

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS from the old Dr. Demento Radio Show

Here is an 8-bit reenactment for your viewing pleasure.

[mormonyoyoman]

First positive "mainstream" mention that I remember was the D&D session in which Elliot was kicked out of the kitchen, leading to the discovery of ET. Any before that which wasn't Egbertish?

Currently, my favorite positive depiction is (are?) the Studio C sketches, but I doubt there will be any new ones. Ending the "series" with Stacey actually dating a real woman makes sense. Otherwise you end up with continuing sketches about old men with a loose grip on reality playing "Let's Pretend" and surviving on junk food.

Hey - wait a minute!

[sixdemonbag]

Community, Stranger Things, The Big Bang Theory, and Futurama off the top of my head. I'm sure I can think of some more.

[mormonyoyoman]

Aug 22, 2017 13:59:26 GMT -5 ripx187 said:

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS from the old Dr. Demento Radio Show

Here is an 8-bit reenactment for your viewing pleasure.

Now my eyes hurt.

[mormonyoyoman]

[Admin Pete]

Fun thread guys!

[mao]

Love the Big Bang Theory ep where the whole gang plays and it guts too "real" for Amy. Priceless.

[hengest]

Just thought about starting this thread and saw that I already did, several years ago.

So here's a bump and the clip I referred to in the OP, below.

I have to say I really enjoyed this show and thought this was a positive depiction of the game.  Plus in context it is the loser protagonists playing with an older guy who has not been exactly friendly to them, awkwardness at first and then shared enjoyment of the game.  I still wonder if the actors actually played for a couple hours to create this sequence.

Edit: the actor, Stephen Sheppard, who plays Harris (the ref) has actually written RPG stuff, so I assume he was / is capable of reffing a game for some actors.  It's stuff like this I always wish I could ask about.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

hengest, this is a great thread and a good one to bump back into the light of day. My wife was really into Big Bang Theory and got a big kick out of the D&D episodes, because I play and ref.

[hengest]

Apr 2, 2021 9:54:04 GMT -5 The Perilous Dreamer said:

hengest, this is a great thread and a good one to bump back into the light of day. My wife was really into Big Bang Theory and got a big kick out of the D&D episodes, because I play and ref.

Never seen this show but have heard it mentioned many times. If anyone has a clip for this thread, I would welcome it!

[hengest]

Aug 21, 2017 5:50:24 GMT -5 magremore said:

Aug 20, 2017 23:01:33 GMT -5 hengest said:

My wife and I just saw the final episode of Freaks and Geeks. In it some of the protags are depicted happily playing D&D. It's a pretty good scene, in context. I was glad to see it. They looked like they were having so much fun that my wife even expressed interest again.

Any favorite fictional depictions of D&D?

Great episode. Loved Freaks and Geeks. 

The boys playing D&D in Stranger Things is well done, and provides the basis for the entire plot. 

And though it’s not a depiction, I’ve always enjoyed the simple D&D mentions in Weezer’s In the Garage. I give it bonus points for alluding to D&D and 70s-era KISS in the same verse.

Never heard this song before but I agree. Shades of the Beach Boys' "In My Room" and The Beatles "There's a Place."

Agree about Stranger Things. I liked the young actors in that and the energy they had around the game seemed positive and genuine. Those guys must be young adults now, I wonder if they game.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Here are some Big Bang Theory D&D clips:

[The Perilous Dreamer]

D&D at Christmas

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Here is a behind the scenes creating of a Big Bang Theory show about D&D.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Here is someone who thinks the order of creation for roleplaying games is a bit unusual to say the least. It is just a little way in, wait for it. Other than that it is quite interesting and fun story of a personal D&D history.

[Admin Pete]

Apr 2, 2021 16:24:52 GMT -5 The Perilous Dreamer said:

Here is a behind the scenes creating of a Big Bang Theory show about D&D.

Now this is a game that I would like to have been part of.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Apr 23, 2021 14:42:23 GMT -5 Admin Pete said:

Apr 2, 2021 16:24:52 GMT -5 The Perilous Dreamer said:

Here is a behind the scenes creating of a Big Bang Theory show about D&D.

Now this is a game that I would like to have been part of.

Me too, it would have been fun.

[Morton]

Love me some Dr. Demento. Who remembers