Okay, before all of you middle-aged Twihards get in a snit, let's just be clear. We're not slamming the movies. We're not slamming the stars. More importantly, we get it. The male stars of 'New Moon' and 'Twilight' are super cute. They run around with their shirts off and glower romantically. They're hard to resist.But when we saw this video (Twihard Mom Seeks Signed Panties from Taylor Lautner on 'Jay Leno Show'), well, we just got a shudder up our spines. Why? Well, it's simple. And if you're a Twihard cougar with teenagers of your own, you should get it immediately.
While Robert Pattinson is 23 (and thus fair game, ladies), Taylor Lautner is just 17. In other words, a kid. Legally, jail bait. And, while it's all well and good that teenage girls are chasing after him, it starts to be a little skeevy when their moms want him to autograph their panties.
We understand society has a double standard when it comes to teenagers. On the one hand, that other Taylor (Momsen, of 'Gossip Girl' fame) is put into plenty of sexualized situations on her TV show, and she's only 16. Plus, even though she doesn't go topless, a la Lautner, she certainly works the cleavage and skin quotient on the red carpet like a full-on adult.
But when we see interviewers in their 40s and 50s drool over her like a well-marinated steak, we also say, ewww.
Both of these Taylors are still kids. And, if you're a parent, whether you're a mom or a dad, drooling over the same kid as your own kid, isn't that unsettling for you? More importantly, how would you feel if some of your friends were looking at your teenager the same way -- while having the same R-rated thoughts?
It may just be fantasy and good clean fun, but honestly, it doesn't seem like such a big step to go prowling for fresh meat at the next parent-teacher conference. Sure, cougars (and old guys with trophy wives) are all over TV right now -- 'Accidentally on Purpose,' 'Modern Family,' 'Cougar Town.' But let's point out -- none of those characters are supposed to be under 18 or are played by actors under 18.
Go ahead and argue that, well, they're bringing this hormonally charged attention on themselves. They're dressing (or undressing) like adults, appearing in projects with mature themes and for all intents and purposes seem pretty darn grown up. Sure, Lautner certainly has the 12-pack abs of a grown man. But please, don't share all the stats on teen pregnancy and juvenile crime or how they do it in France, blah blah blah, that justifies treating these kids like adults. It didn't work for Roman Polanski and it doesn't work for you.
Teenagers need to be able to experiment with the grown-up stuff that's right around the corner. But they shouldn't have to worry that their friends' moms and dads are waiting for them to bend over so they can check out their butts. So go to the movies. Read the books. Relive your youth and have a grand old time. Heck, go ahead and drool, just keep it to yourself. But please, God, keep your underwear on.
Watch the video fromTV's Top 5! below.
MORE 'TWILIGHT' FROM OUR PARTNERS:
The Top 8 'Twilight' Fan Videos, Chosen By Letters To Twilight [Urlesque]
Total Recall: 10 Movie Star-Crossed Lovers [Rotten Tomatoes]
Reader Comments (151)
Amy at 2:39PM on Nov 21st 2009
i totally agree!! very very gross to see those older women/moms drooling over him i mean sure he's cute and plays a great guy but you are 40. leave him to be drooled over by someone his own age... like me!
Toni at 2:32AM on Nov 22nd 2009
Ok, we'll leave him to your age group, but that means you can't drool over any older men above the age of 20. If you're under the age of 18 (which I'm assuming you must be since you state 17 yr old Taylor is your age) that means they're out of your age group, atleast legally. (So if you're a True Blood fan as well, you can't drool over Stephen Moyer (40 yrs old) or Alexander Skarsgard(33 yrs old).)
The fact of the matter is yes, its a bit weird she was asking him to sign her undies (yes, definitely gross since she was WEARING THEM!), but I think women of any age tend to get wrapped up in the character and forget that these characters are portrayed by real people and that real person more than likely isn't anything like that character.
I think this is a case where the mom had a lapse of judgment, a crazy stupid moment in her brain, kinda like the fan that started to undress for Rob. People tend to go a bit insane over their obsessions.
tired-of-twits at 8:14PM on Nov 23rd 2009
Men have been doing it for YEEEAAAARS! it's about time women are doing it too! GO COUGARS!!!
Joanna at 9:09PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I'm only 32, and I can't see him as more than a cute kid. Adults should stick with adults, and let the kids grow up...nasty!!
Oboedag at 10:09AM on Nov 28th 2009
I am 45 and like the Twilight series very much, but would never CONSIDER drooling over these actors....I like the concept of the book and the energy between the characters, totally fantasy!
When I was younger, I loved Thornbirds. I obessessed over it, dressed like the character Meggie, and loved Richard Chamberlain! I can see what the teens are into, I was there once.
But the fact that adult women can't stay "removed" from the teeny bopper obssession is very creepy, and I believe spells trouble for many my age. They never matured, and I find this disturbing. Let the kids have their fun, I think it's sweet and they'll remember it for the rest of their lives!
fairey at 11:03PM on Nov 23rd 2009
Tired of twits: I'm tired of skank sluts like YOU. Puhleeze. If one of you dirty whores even THINK about coming near my 20 year old, I will kick your ass into kingdom come. I think it's totally DISGUSTING how many of these skanks can't face that they are aging and try to relive their 20's by looking stupid and running around hunting for young kids.It doesn't look right when men do it and it sure as hell doesn't look right when women do it! I'm not even 40 yet and I think it's totally disgusting to even THINK of sleeping with one of my son's friends.GROW UP!
twinkies for all at 12:42PM on Nov 25th 2009
Hey Fairey! Who's the skanky whore? You admit that you have a twenty year-old son, and that you aren't even 40. That means you were a teenager when you had him. To some people, you were probably what you spoke of in your own post. I'm glad you would protect your boy from older women. But if he's hot, like the Twilight boys, then he's probably on the minds of many, many men who lust after twinks just as much as cougars.
Sue at 5:17AM on Nov 24th 2009
I agree with Amy, it is just sick to drool over the kids that are acting in this movie and in others. Come on people, use your heads, and brains, for a minute and think about what really has you going ga ga for these movies...it's not the actors, it is the whole theme of the show. In this movies case it is like a modern version of a gothic Romeo and Juliet. If you are that interested try reading Romeo and Juliet not to mention the hundreds of thousands of books out there that are just as good. For God's sake, don't go freaking out over a kid playing a really good role. How would you like it if someone wrote your kid a message asking for him or her to sign a pair a panties for them... I personaly would call the police and have you tracked down and arrested.
sam at 8:13PM on Nov 23rd 2009
i totaly agree im only 13 and i feel bad all this preasure is put on all the younger actors and actresses
Austin at 1:19AM on Nov 24th 2009
Get over yourself, kiddo.. You're 13. Time to put on the big shoes. You've been legally given the OK to marry and thus have (*& for a whole year+ now, better learn fast or it will sweep you away.
Audrey at 8:10PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I don't know, it's out of line I suppose...but these Hollywood stars have heard, seen, and witnessed WAY worse than some mom wanting her underwear signed. I doubt Taylor lost sleep over it. I'm 21, and yeah, he's cute, but I think fans are crazy to be so obsessed over someone they will never even meet. I thought we grew out of that stage eventually. That's the only reason I think it's ridiculous for an older woman to be so obsessed. You should be able to control your emotions by 40.
Patricia at 2:04PM on Dec 19th 2009
Way to go, Audrey. I think your comment shows more intelligence than alot of these ppl posting on here. It is time for them to use their common sense.
CJ at 8:21PM on Nov 23rd 2009
While I thought it was cute to listen to the kids sighing and shrieking at New Moon, I am grossed out that there is such immaturity by so-called adults in our society. Everyone feels entitled.
Leave the kids alone.
Jenni at 5:11PM on Nov 24th 2009
That is so sick
Jen at 8:27PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I agree, Taylor is only a kid, perfectly fine for the tweens/teens to fawn over him. But ladies (those over 20), PLEASE, come to your senses...
Now for us more mature fans, Mr. Pattinson is the most uniquely handsome actor I've seen in a long time. Simply stunning. I can't wait for his new films to come out (Remember Me, Bel Ami, Unbound Captives). He was fantastic in Little Ashes and The Haunted Airman (quite adorkable in A Bad Mother's Handbook as well) Don't get me wrong, he's perfect as Edward Cullen, but he's so much more than Twilight.
Jade at 10:00PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I totally agree! That's what I've been saying! Taylor is "cute" in a young kid sort of way. Like he could be one of my kids friends. Just because someone gets older they don't go blind, but it's more of an appreciation for his looks more than anything else. Now Robert on the other hand, is totally HOT! I don't care if I'm over 40 - I'm not dead!!!!
samantha at 11:14PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm 25 and while I couldn't complain at all about looking at Taylor ALL day long. There is no way that I could ask ( nor would I want to ask) a 17 year old that. He is definitely a hottie!!
And everything that you said about Robert is so true. Even though I had a little trouble following the How To Be (oh my gosh...that is what its called isn't??)
but I still was really trying to understand it just because it had his fine self in it. But he is such a talented person as a whole. I absolutely love to hear him sing. He just sounds like he pours so much emotion in his songs and everything he does. He seems to be such a down to earth person. And there is so much more to him than Twilight and while I could stare at Edward everyday all day long, I do feel sorry for him (as well as the whole Twilight cast for that matter) because of the HUGE success of the saga they cannot even go out and grab a bite to eat without causing a frenzy. You know how they probably never want to leave to go anywhere, and who could really blame them.
Oh but enough of me rambling on and on. I just know I loved Twilight and New Moon and I know that I will be waiting for Eclipse. And I hope that they give the green light for Breaking Dawn. Best of luck to the whole cast.
Bridget at 8:27PM on Nov 23rd 2009
Im 22 with 3 kids does that count hahahah lol...I think taylor L. is a hottie!!!
Mandy at 8:27PM on Nov 23rd 2009
I agree with the article. I've seen many conversations on friends' Facebook statuses that make them seem very dirty.
tarciso at 8:34PM on Nov 23rd 2009
C'mon girls don't begrudge these 60 and 70 year old ladies some fun too!