# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=12 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 13 --- ## [Tea! Beyond the mundane!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tea-beyond-the-mundane/1026025)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2026, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tea-beyond-the-mundane/1026025 "2026-08-01T02:10:22Z")
OMG so good! My Christmas present to myself was an order of four teas from Harney & Sons Fine Teas. The box arrived today and I’m currently sipping a mug of the New England Breakfast, described by their website as “our … --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - July 2026 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-july-2026-edition/1031256)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-july-2026-edition/1031256 "2026-08-01T00:10:59Z")
So here we are, July about to slap us in the face, heat beginning to ramp up, Europeans buying out our Ranch Dressing supply like crackheads who found a stash of 100$ bills, and the World Cup marching merrily onward. In… --- ## [There's a biopic of Anthony Bourdain coming out Aug 2026 - "Tony"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-biopic-of-anthony-bourdain-coming-out-aug-2026-tony/1032016)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-biopic-of-anthony-bourdain-coming-out-aug-2026-tony/1032016 "2026-07-31T21:37:46Z")
To be released August 2026. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Like someone said in the comments to the trailer, I’m not ready to be sad about him again. I can’t even watch reruns of Kitchen Confidential. --- ## [A new Punch Line thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-punch-line-thread/851364)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 1427\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-punch-line-thread/851364 "2026-07-31T20:59:14Z")
It MUST be the punchline of a joke you know. Not something that could be the punchline of a joke. Examples and the first two. And the bartender asked him “Do you think I asked the genie for a 12 inch pianist?” And … --- ## [All books are to be burned except for one you choose. Make your choice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-books-are-to-be-burned-except-for-one-you-choose-make-your-choice/468757)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-books-are-to-be-burned-except-for-one-you-choose-make-your-choice/468757 "2026-07-31T19:12:41Z")
So let’s say that sick bastard \*\*Fabulous Creature \*\*gets off his ass and gets to conquering. The new regime announces that, because the God-King doesn’t want anybody getting any ideas, he’s turning off the internet, sm… --- ## [British fish n chips vs the US version?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-fish-n-chips-vs-the-us-version/1031942)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-fish-n-chips-vs-the-us-version/1031942 "2026-07-31T14:31:07Z")
Any real differences? I know the British serve malt vinegar which is a huge plus for me. My favorite hot dog shop in Amherst serves malt vinegar for their fries. And I guess the newspaper wrap is a thing of the past. I … --- ## [What upcoming movies are you looking forward to seeing in the near (six months or less) future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-upcoming-movies-are-you-looking-forward-to-seeing-in-the-near-six-months-or-less-future/1030338)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-upcoming-movies-are-you-looking-forward-to-seeing-in-the-near-six-months-or-less-future/1030338 "2026-07-31T10:09:29Z")
No lists of movies from elsewhere, please-just your personal must-sees. Mine is Stop! That! Train! A film that harkens back to the days of Airplane! Yours? --- ## [Who's watching Tom Hanks WWII on History?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-watching-tom-hanks-wwii-on-history/1030397)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-watching-tom-hanks-wwii-on-history/1030397 "2026-07-31T09:39:07Z")
Hanks put fresh naration onto the old History channel video. I think the war narrative is better organized. --- ## [Your perfect (canned) tuna sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-perfect-canned-tuna-sandwich/1031981)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-perfect-canned-tuna-sandwich/1031981 "2026-07-31T01:54:52Z")
I put canned in parentheses because some of you probably make a divine tuna sandwich from the leftover scraps of grilled tuna steak, and that does make a very fine sandwich indeed. Which is okay for the purposes of this… --- ## [Randolph Mantooth (Johnny Gage on "Emergency!") has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randolph-mantooth-johnny-gage-on-emergency-has-died/1031579)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randolph-mantooth-johnny-gage-on-emergency-has-died/1031579 "2026-07-30T19:27:07Z")
Actor Randolph Mantooth, whose signature role was as Los Angeles County paramedic Johnny Gage in the 1970s television series Emergency!, passed away yesterday, at age 80; his brother announced that Mantooth died in a hos… --- ## [Your personal opinion, please-Best children’s television series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-opinion-please-best-children-s-television-series/1031908)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-opinion-please-best-children-s-television-series/1031908 "2026-07-30T13:53:44Z")
Companion to this thread Your personal opinion, please-Worst children's television series - #114 by Son\_of\_a\_Rich What do you think the best children’s TV shows are? I’ll start with easy, consensus picks: Sesame Street… --- ## [New Music Video: Waves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-music-video-waves/1031990)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-music-video-waves/1031990 "2026-07-30T03:34:53Z")
First song of what’s intended to be a new playlist (“album”). I wrote “Waves” in 1982 when I was 23. This recording is from 2 weeks ago. The song has been on my mind because it is featured in my autobiographical book W… --- ## [Greatest Live Album of All Time? What do you think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-live-album-of-all-time-what-do-you-think/1031939)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-live-album-of-all-time-what-do-you-think/1031939 "2026-07-29T23:15:08Z")
I’m listening to Live At The Fillmore East, March 1971 · The Allman Brothers Band. I’m thinking this is it. I know the Who’s Live at Leeds and Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains the Same (1976) are up there. At Folsom Pris… --- ## [Man, that sucks! Television shows featuring vampires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-that-sucks-television-shows-featuring-vampires/1031967)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-that-sucks-television-shows-featuring-vampires/1031967 "2026-07-29T21:28:40Z")
I am watching the Roku “Time Portal TV” app right now, and my second favorite show featuring vampires just popped up-Forever Knight. I watched it from beginning to pretty much inevitable end. I even watched the pilot mo… --- ## [Silly, weird, perhaps unanswerable questions about movies and TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-weird-perhaps-unanswerable-questions-about-movies-and-tv/654401)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 576\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-weird-perhaps-unanswerable-questions-about-movies-and-tv/654401 "2026-07-29T20:07:51Z")
I’ve posted a couple of these before\*, but I thought of some more and invite others to add their suggestions. What would happen if Dracula’s brain was implanted in the Frankenstein’s Monster’s body? What happened on Ho… --- ## [The original book, or the video adaptation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-original-book-or-the-video-adaptation/1031948)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-original-book-or-the-video-adaptation/1031948 "2026-07-29T18:08:10Z")
Often, the two are so different that if you started with one the other will disappoint. So which to go with? Specifically I was thinking of: A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin vs. Game of Thrones and The Hel… --- ## [Stories of lottery winners squandering their winnings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stories-of-lottery-winners-squandering-their-winnings/491261)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stories-of-lottery-winners-squandering-their-winnings/491261 "2026-07-29T16:47:23Z")
I’ve heard people talk about how it’s not all that uncommon for lottery winners to completely squander their windfalls because they are poor money managers. I’m looking for a book that goes into depth examining some of t… --- ## ["The Odyssey": How important is it to see it in 70mm IMAX?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890 "2026-07-29T14:32:14Z")
I have a few choices for IMAX in Chicago but only one is 70mm IMAX and it is a long(ish) drive for me to get to (90 minutes give or take). I have seen it written that, if possible, definitely see it in 70mm IMAX. Howev… --- ## [The City and the City Anyone watch it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-and-the-city-anyone-watch-it/838347)
**Author:** [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-city-and-the-city-anyone-watch-it/838347 "2026-07-29T07:36:19Z")
The BBC did an adaptation of the China Mieville book, aired in 2018. I never heard about the series, but vaguely remembered liking the book. It’s available on Amazon now. David Morrissey (the Governor from the Walking… --- ## [Could the original flavor of Red Rose Tea be replicated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-original-flavor-of-red-rose-tea-be-replicated/1031889)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-original-flavor-of-red-rose-tea-be-replicated/1031889 "2026-07-29T06:00:03Z")
I am a tea lover, a habit I picked up from my father, and most teas don’t come up to scratch for me. The reason is that I am looking for a specific flavor or aroma which is very hard to find or which only occurs inconsis… --- ## [Are the muppets the reason names like Kermit and Grover have become archaic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-muppets-the-reason-names-like-kermit-and-grover-have-become-archaic/1029219)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-muppets-the-reason-names-like-kermit-and-grover-have-become-archaic/1029219 "2026-07-29T00:46:03Z")
In the thread about things that became ubiquitous and then died out, I mentioned names, like Buffy. But older examples of perfectly acceptable names that have become largely extinct are Kermit, Grover, Elmo, and Oscar. … --- ## [Two networks, one station. (NBC-CBS shakeup weirdness.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-networks-one-station-nbc-cbs-shakeup-weirdness/1031974)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-networks-one-station-nbc-cbs-shakeup-weirdness/1031974 "2026-07-28T21:33:47Z")
A bit of a weird TV situation in my area. Here NBC has been carried on Channel 4 since 1953, and CBS has been carried on Channel 7 since 1956. Suddenly and with little advance notice Channel 7 is dropping CBS and becomin… --- ## [Sid Kroft has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sid-kroft-has-died/1029264)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sid-kroft-has-died/1029264 "2026-07-28T17:40:08Z")
Sid and Marty Kroft were responsible for some of the weirdest, most imaginative kids shows in the 1970’s. Their creativity still influences programs today. --- ## [I've heard this song before](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-this-song-before/1031979)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-this-song-before/1031979 "2026-07-28T16:22:55Z")
Over the years, he would keep hearing those four notes elsewhere. He first noticed it with “Apt.,” 2024’s hit song by Rosé and Bruno Mars. Then he heard it throughout K-pop, American pop, dance music, indie records an… --- ## [The Surreptitious Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surreptitious-bird/1031715)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surreptitious-bird/1031715 "2026-07-28T15:26:43Z")
It’s not uncommon – at least since the 1960s – for one character in a movie to express his or her displeasure with another by “flipping the bird” – i.e. “giving them The Finger”. It’s shown overtly often enough. But I’ve… --- ## [Bill Oddie dies at 85](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oddie-dies-at-85/1031954)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oddie-dies-at-85/1031954 "2026-07-28T05:55:06Z")
First reports are coming in of the death of comedy legend and (no longer) national living treasure, Bill Oddie. He was one of the Goodies, a British comedy trio who were massively influential in the 1970s. Tim Brooke-T… --- ## [Anyone else remember the alternate ending to "Big"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-remember-the-alternate-ending-to-big/103864)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 1068\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-remember-the-alternate-ending-to-big/103864 "2026-07-28T04:21:08Z")
I was telling a friend the other day that I remembered the Tom Hanks movie ending different when I was younger. I saw it on video when it first came out and swear there is a different ending. In the version we all have … --- ## [Looking for a 1970s era kids craft book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-1970s-era-kids-craft-book/1031924)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-1970s-era-kids-craft-book/1031924 "2026-07-28T02:47:29Z")
Just saw a scene in a movie in whixh Fred Astaire makes a “beanstalk” out of a rolled-up newspaper which reminded me of a Scholastic Books book from the 1970s that explained how to make those things and other paper craft… --- ## [Neuromancer on Apple TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neuromancer-on-apple-tv/1031965)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neuromancer-on-apple-tv/1031965 "2026-07-27T23:47:21Z")
The top entry of my “why isn’t this book a movie/show already” is finally happening. Neuromancer is coming to Apple TV in January 2027 as a 10-episode series. It might be awful, but for now I’m over the moon excited for … --- ## [Time Travel in fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-in-fiction/1019240)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 253\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-in-fiction/1019240 "2026-07-27T14:45:24Z")
A thread on “stuff people get wrong in movies” engendered an enthusiastic discussion of time travel, which didn’t belong there, but seemed like it might want to continue. So I’m moving it here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=13)