Cheesy - how do you define that?

[Mave]

I guess this is a term I find difficult to discern. I've rarely used this term unless a joke is terribly unfunny (even so I'll use the term lame, not cheesy).

My current (poorly thought through) definition would be something so positive that it discards perception of reality.

But the dictionary says: cheap, shabby, poor quality

I guess I'm totally off in that term unless there are other unofficial meanings to cheesy apart from what the dictionary says.

And on top of that, how does that relate to Christian entertainment? What makes something Christian cheesy (i.e. music, art, comics....)?

I ask the following because an individual commented that my webmanga is not Christian cheesy and I've heard ppl comment "this band is so cheesy.....I don't like cheesy christian art!" I take a look at the same stuff and think "Hey, it's not that bad, how is this cheesy?" Is it just a matter of opinion?

[Gypsy]

Cheesy ... hmm.

When I think of cheesy stuff, it usually means things that warrent rolling my eyes at - or that are so mind-numbingly predictable or stupid that it makes me feel embarrassed for whoever was being cheesy.

Cheesy: Uncomfortably stupid.

[Ingemar]

Cheesy: covered with cheese.

[Technomancer]

I guess this is a term I find difficult to discern. I've rarely used this term unless a joke is terribly unfunny (even so I'll use the term lame, not cheesy).

My current (poorly thought through) definition would be something so positive that it discards perception of reality.

But the dictionary says: cheap, shabby, poor quality

I'd tend to agree with the dictionary on that definition, but I tend to restrict the definition to "cultural products" such as movies, bands, art, etc.

And on top of that, how does that relate to Christian entertainment? What makes something Christian cheesy (i.e. music, art, comics....)?

The fact that in spite of the eanestness of the production, it is still cheap, shabby, and of poor quality.

I ask the following because an individual commented that my webmanga is not Christian cheesy and I've heard ppl comment "this band is so cheesy.....I don't like cheesy christian art!" I take a look at the same stuff and think "Hey, it's not that bad, how is this cheesy?" Is it just a matter of opinion?

Perhaps, although I wouldn't ever cop to saying that all things are merely a matter of opinion. There is a role for actual quality. On the other hand, there are also those who might be suprised that the Christian aspect is being passed along without irony.

[TheMelodyMaker]

If someone at the deli section of the grocery store makes a store-wide announcement advertising its cheese, and s/he sounds as though s/he happens to be reading it off a piece of paper with no emotion or naturalness to it whatsoever, then that is defined as "cheesy".

[Raiden no Kishi]

I would have to say that, for me, I define "cheesy" as "pointlessly unrealistic". For example, G Gundam is not cheesy. It's supposed to be unrealistic. And by golly, I love it. It's fun because it's unrealistic. It's almost the DBZ of giant robot shows [except it's better than DBZ]. Whereas some Christian movies/music/books are unrealistic where it would be inappropriate to be so. Ergo, they are cheesy.

As always, your cheeseage may vary.

.rai//

[Warrior4Christ]

Cheesy ... hmm.

When I think of cheesy stuff, it usually means things that warrent rolling my eyes at - or that are so mind-numbingly predictable or stupid that it makes me feel embarrassed for whoever was being cheesy.

Cheesy: Uncomfortably stupid.

I think Gypsy's definition is quite accurate.

[Fish and Chips]

I think more of it as "Camp" myself: bad taste, irony, corny, that sort of flavor.

[heero yuy 95]

Hmmm, cheeesy, you say? Well, when applied to a venue of entertainment, I'd say the best way to sum it up would be, "so bad it's good". Examples: the 1980 Flash Gordon movie, any Go Nagai robot anime, any Godzilla movie, etc. Things you have to be a diehard fan to admit you like.

[soul alive]

I would define 'cheesy' not as the intent of something (music, comic, literature, etc.), but rather how that intent is carried out.

I'd also say that there are a lot of cultural factors that can influence it as well. For example old tv shows that we watch now and classify as 'campy,' 'cheesy,' 'kitschy,' etc. were thought-of differently when they were being seen for the first time by the original audience they were intended for.

I would define something that is culturally dated cheesy.
But I would also define a song/comic/piece of literature as cheesy that, while very well-meaning is poorly executed to a point that I would be insulting my intelligence if I tried to pretend otherwise.
And then there are those who are cheesy on purpose.

[mitsuki lover]

As opposed to Cheesecake?
Though I think there are times when the two are often used to mean the same thing.

[Tenshi no Ai]

Cheesy: The feeling you get, during the exact moment of Revenge of the Sith, Darth yells out "Nooooooooo!!".

To me, it's something quite unrealistic, makes you laugh because of its "creativity" (usually something totally overdone or cliche), although sometimes not used on purpose, which makes it funnier all the more^^

At least, that's the best way to explain it (and the best example as well^^)

[Mithrandir]

I was going to post my definitions, etc, but Technomancer pretty much summed it up for me. Just look at his.

[AsianBlossom]

To me, cheesy is like watching a little kid's show where they tell you exactly what they're going to do, and repeat things over and over again, just to show what they've learned.

But I agree that the definitions mentioned earlier are much more accurate.

[Mave]

Heh, good feedback, thanks! OK so it seems like 'despite the earnestness, the final products is cheap, shabby and poor quality. " The poor quality is represented by terms such as pointless, unrealistic, mind-numbing predictable, repetitive and possibly cultural dated. Either ways, it makes the audience feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Anyone is welcome to add on to above definition but I'm moving on the real question that's been bugging me.

My final thoughts would be the line of, where do you draw the line between dissing cheese Christian entertainment and supporting it because you want to support the Christian body? Do you immediately cringe move away from the source of cheesiness and diss it or do you actually think it's worthwhile praying and supporting if possible (e.g. word of encouragement, constructive criticism)? I've done the former but I don't know if that's wise. I find myself falling into the risk of pride, thinking that I'm better than those who create cheesy Christian entertainment and I have the right to despise their works. Somehow, that mindset bothers me. Thoughts?

[uc pseudonym]

After reading this thread, I think that I should probably discontinue usage of this word due to the variations in meaning for different people.

Generally I like to stick to the dictionary definition of words, but here I disagree. There are already plenty of words that mean poor quality, and another isn't necessary. For me, the use of the word is to denote an element that is both stupid and earnest. To use an example, I would say that if special effects are obviously computer generated, that alone doesn't make them cheesy. But if a particular effect couldn't possibly fool anyone and is presented as incredibly cool, that might qualify.

Despite my difficulty in pinning down a specific definition, I have a strong grasp of what I feel is or is not cheesy. So I guess my answer boils down to "I know it when I see it" unfortunately.

EDIT: I missed Mave's post. This is why I should address my opened tabs immediately instead of juggling many at once. I'll give my thoughts in that regard at a later date.

[soul alive]

That's a tough topic, Mave. I'll need to collect my thoughts on it before answering.

A good set of guidelines I've found on Christian entertainment is from Matthew Paul Turner's book "The Christian Culture Survival Guide':

[Alice]

I would try not to talk bad about Christian entertainment, but if I found it cheesy, I might just walk away and avoid it in the future. (Which wouldn't offer any help, but at least it wouldn't turn into name calling.)

I'm not sure what the proper thing to do is, except try to make the best Christian entertainment we can when we make it ourselves.

That said, I have complained about Christian romances, but mostly to my mom, not the world in general.

When I don't understand if something is really poorly done, or if it's just a lack of understanding the medium on my part, that makes it difficult, because the complaining is also a way of trying to figure it out... although it probably doesn't sound like it.

[Sammy Boy]

Cheesy:

1. Of or like cheese (e.g. a cheesy aroma, a cheesy taste)
2. Inferior, or cheap (slang).

Source: http://www.dictionary.com

[The Doctor]

Cheesy in terms of Christian entertainment is this:

Having an actor look into the camera in a "Christian" movie and recite the four spiritual laws. And, if that weren't enough, saying it in a monotone voice that clearly speaks of the actor's desire to be somewhere else.

[mitsuki lover]

I think campy is more of what you are trying to express here.

[Kaligraphic]

Cheesy is have a preacher in a movie talk about the life of Saint Velveeta. (Granted, Velveeta isn't really cheese, but it's a cheesy attempt at cheese, so it counts.)

[Ratrace]

In christian movies "cheesy" tends to mean old-fashioned in modern films. The content could be good, but the style puts it across badly. In music I have a better opinion than I'm about to say, but I can't get past 'boyband'.

[Raiden no Kishi]

That's a tough topic, Mave. I'll need to collect my thoughts on it before answering.

A good set of guidelines I've found on Christian entertainment is from Matthew Paul Turner's book "The Christian Culture Survival Guide':

I must find a copy of this book.

.rai//

[soul alive]

Do, Raiden. It's probably one of the best books on Christian culture I've read - I couldn't put it down.[/offtopic]

[uc pseudonym]

My final thoughts would be the line of, where do you draw the line between dissing cheese Christian entertainment and supporting it because you want to support the Christian body?

This is a good question that deserves thought. I draw several lines, actually. Ideally, of course, a piece of Christian entertainment is great and I can both support and endorse it (recommend it to others as good, I mean). I reserve the right to criticize, of course, but it's normal to have a mix of positive and negative comments about something.

Unfortunately, much of Christian entertainment doesn't fall into that category. There is some that has its heart in the right place but has major quality flaws, in which case I support it if I can but I won't say it is good. Worse is when something is significantly flawed in premise, and I feel that it misrepresents Christianity in some way. Such cases vary - sometimes I support them in hopes that they'll pave the way for better titles in the future, sometimes not. Lastly are those that I have to reject entirely, for whatever reason.

Basically, I never want to be insulting of another Christian's work but I will be honest about it. There are sometimes when I think it is necessary to be immensely critical, however.

[spirit]

The term "cheesy" is actually referred when someone says something "too obvious", "too expected", or "something old yet popular at a time that's not popular anymore".

That simply sums it up. If you don't understand, try giving someone a "thumbs up" and see how the person reacts. It's considered cheesy because it WAS popular and EVERYONE did it before, but it's no longer in "fashion".

[Sonicbomb77]

I prefer the word "corny," tho that prolly falls under another definition