Nothing reflects a society quite like its entertainment.

Hence, as TV shows and movies get remade — a frequent Hollywood move — they take on the attributes of the times.

Decades ago, gay characters weren’t seen on TV.

But in the past several years, that’s radically changed.

And as America moves further at ease with the issue, it’s infused into programming for younger audiences.

Apropos of that, Nickelodeon’s released a new rendition of animated hit Rugrats.

The show wrapped in 2004, but on Thursday, it hit streaming service Paramount Plus, which is owned by Nickelodeon parent ViacomCBS.

A press release trumpeted the return:

“Rugrats is one of the most iconic cartoons recognized by fans around the globe, and this original version is one we are taking great care and pride in creating for a brand-new audience,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation.

The old version followed the exploits of toddlers Susie Carmichael, Chuckie Finster, Tommy Pickles, Angelica Pickles, and Phil & Lil DeVille.

The gang’s all back — and voiced by the original actors.

But this time, the DeVille twins have a different mom.

Their mother’s still Betty, but now she’s a lesbian.

As we’ve learned, these days, casting such a part can be treacherous.

Last June, The Simpsons recast all its nonwhite characters voiced by white actors.

And in April, Hank Azaria said he’d like to apologize to “every single Indian person” for playing the Indian character Apu.

In an effort toward accuracy, the shoes of Hank’s previous gay Cuban character were filled by a gay Cuban actor.

Regarding representation, Rugrats appears beyond reproach: While Betty was previously voiced by actress Kath Coucie (who also voices Phil and Lil), she’s now being played by lesbian actress Natalie Morales.

#Rugrats Mom Betty Is Queer in Paramount+ Reboot, Natalie Morales Confirms https://t.co/KrRVOCi19G via @mekeishamadto

— Michael Ausiello (@MichaelAusiello) May 28, 2021

In a statement to The A.V. Club, Natalie praised the update.

As it turns out, 2021 Betty’s not hindered by motherhood:

“Betty is a single mom with her own business who has twins and still has time to hang out with her friends and her community.”

Therefore, gay children are seeing a healthy gay character:

“[I] think it’s just so great because examples of living your life happily and healthily as an out queer person is just such a beacon for young queer people who may not have examples of that.”

There’s a lot of that goin’ round.

2020 kids film Onward introduced what Huffpost called “the first ‘self-identified’ lesbian character [in] the Disney-Pixar universe.”

And according to the Christian Post, the new iteration of former Disney Channel cartoon The Proud Family will feature gay interracial dads:

New crew coming through to #TheProudFamily: #LouderAndProuder! Meet Maya’s parents, Barry & Randall Leibowitz-Jenkins, voiced by @ZacharyQuinto & @TheeBillyPorter. Plus, Penny’s best guy friend Michael Collins, voiced by EJ Johnson. Original Series coming soon to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/6EUKuwR9Rt

— Disney+ (@disneyplus) May 12, 2021

Back to Rugrats and Betty, Natalie praised the example she wishes she’d had:

“[E]ven cartoons were hugely influential for me as a kid, and if I’d been watching Rugrats and seen Betty casually talking about her ex-girlfriend, I think at least a part of me would have felt like things might be okay in the future.”

As I mentioned, entertainment reflects a society.

It also informs it.

Rugrats hit Paramount Plus Thursday.

-ALEX

See more pieces from me:

Spain Fights Racism With Differently-Priced ‘Equality’ Stamps

Public University Spends Student Activity Fees on an $11,000 Drag Show

Elementary Teacher Chooses Faith Over Submission to the School’s Transgender Policy, Placed on Leave

Find all my RedState work here.

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