Internet is left bitterly divided over scathing ‘overrated list’ from a 1995 GQ that mercilessly slammed A-listers, trends, and foods that were ‘utterly unworthy of praise’: ‘This is 90s rage bait at its finest’
An overrated list from a 1995 issue of GQ Magazine has sent the Internet into a frenzy after it resurfaced online — sparking a bitter debate over whether the items on the list really deserved such criticism.
The list, which includes a wide range of items, people and fads that the author deems “overrated,” was originally posted on two Subreddits, prompting thousands of comments from amused users.
Its contents, which are in the same spirit as the New Yorker’s Approval Matrix, consist of things that were popular at the time – but a bit clunky.
Described by the publication as a selection of ’81 people, places and things completely unworthy of the praise and respect they have received.’
Noting that they had published their first one the year before, they added, “Twelve months have passed, and suffice to say, there’s still a lot of mediocrity and outright nonsense being taken for free.”
The list, which lists items, people, and fads that the author deems “overrated,” was originally posted to two Subreddits — prompting thousands of comments from amused users
The divisive list appeared in the September issue of GQ Magazine
“But not here,” the publication boldly concluded the explanation.
While some of the items mentioned – including gender ambiguity, designer lesbian and gay stand-up comedy – have aged poorly in the 2024 landscape, amused observers noted that many of them would still work very well today.
According to readers who saw the list on Reddit and X, virtual reality and ticketmaster justice would still hold up today.
“I had to laugh at how damn good it is, apart from a few misses of course,” one person chuckled.
For some, the items would no longer have meaning in ten years.
“Cruise control, the colon, the smell of freshly cut grass?” one confused reader wondered:
Other users were simply amused by the randomness of the list.
“Okay, but why were rainforests overrated?” someone wondered.
“Mangoes have done nothing wrong,” another argued.
“I can’t believe people have been consistently complaining about Ticketmaster for almost 30 years, and yet we’re still getting screwed,” one person commented.
‘The Looks of Lisa Maris Presley’ (photo) made it onto the 1995 Overrated List, as decided by GC Magazine
‘The Galvanizing Effect of Heather Locklear on Melrose Place’ (Locklear pictured centre) was also mentioned
The list was reposted on Reddit and X, where users were happy to see what had aged well – and what had aged poorly
According to someone else, “90 percent” of the list would still work today.
‘The prefix cyber, wood-fired pizza ovens, mangoes, Reggie Miller, virtual reality… gay stand-up comedy!’ another mentioned enthusiastically.
“Whoever put this list together is going to have a terrible time in the 21st century,” they joked.
“Half the list is “no duh” and the other half of the list is somewhere between old as milk and wasn’t even a good choice at the time,” another agreed, though noting, “It’s pretty hilarious.” ‘
“The 1990s really were the last decade,” declared one passionate reader.
“It’s more like a list of things that were considered overrated in 1995 and became iconic 29 years later,” another joked.
Other bizarre, overrated times noted by the GQ authors included ripened tomatoes, rainforests, digitized family albums, everyone being named “the sexiest man of the year,” cruise control and mangoes.