# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=14 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 15 --- ## [What's the strangest venue you've ever seen for an established or up-and-coming act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strangest-venue-youve-ever-seen-for-an-established-or-up-and-coming-act/1031762)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strangest-venue-youve-ever-seen-for-an-established-or-up-and-coming-act/1031762 "2026-07-19T15:47:33Z")
From my own personal standpoint, it was a small college gym that AFAIK has never hosted a rock concert before or since, and it was Cheap Trick a couple years after they hit their prime. The only thing I remember about i… --- ## [The Plastic Age/Kids' Sci-Fi Anthology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plastic-age-kids-sci-fi-anthology/317924)
**Author:** [@AmyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmyG)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plastic-age-kids-sci-fi-anthology/317924 "2026-07-19T04:54:32Z")
I swear that I remember reading a short story when I was a little kid (elementary school, early or mid 1980s) that I think was called “The Plastic Age” (no, it’s not the book by Percy Marks). I don’t remember much, exce… --- ## [Bleeped (I think) Red Skelton joke - what did he say?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleeped-i-think-red-skelton-joke-what-did-he-say/971459)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleeped-i-think-red-skelton-joke-what-did-he-say/971459 "2026-07-18T12:51:52Z")
I came across this Tonight Show clip from 1983 where Red Skelton is Johnny Carson’s guest. Skelton tells a Delorean joke that seems to have been censored. The audio stumbles at the punchline, but, by the look on Johnny’… --- ## [Minor character in a work of fiction that you would like to see have their own spin-off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162 "2026-07-18T12:48:26Z")
I’m talking about characters that are barely in a movie or TV show but because their presence is so memorable, you would like to see more of them. We are re-watching “The Night of”. Such an amazing production. On the su… --- ## [Reexamining Star Wars 50 years later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reexamining-star-wars-50-years-later/1026810)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 424\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reexamining-star-wars-50-years-later/1026810 "2026-07-18T05:41:20Z")
For this thread, I’m focusing on the first trilogy, especially Episode IV:A New Hope. I know it’s not exactly 50 years yet, but close enough for blaster fire. Back in 1977, the look and feel of Star Wars seemed very fu… --- ## [Strangest musical double bill you've seen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-musical-double-bill-youve-seen/1030481)
**Author:** [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-musical-double-bill-youve-seen/1030481 "2026-07-18T03:26:43Z")
Inspired by the Worst Double Feature thread. I never saw Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees, but if you did, you probably win this thread. Around 1971 or so I saw the Grateful Dead. The opener was a monkey act, i.e., a … --- ## [What musical performance or recording of a performance makes you tear up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-performance-or-recording-of-a-performance-makes-you-tear-up/1030616)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-performance-or-recording-of-a-performance-makes-you-tear-up/1030616 "2026-07-18T02:54:49Z")
I am enough of a David Bowie fan but not a rabid deep fan. I am enough of a David Byrne fan but not a rabid deep fan. For some reason this performance just wrecks me. Perhaps it is the layered generations of civilians … --- ## [Sidewalk cooking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidewalk-cooking/1031723)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidewalk-cooking/1031723 "2026-07-18T00:02:45Z")
This is a new one for me - forecast from yesterday showing “Smoke”; don’t believe I’ve ever seen that one before. It smells like a campfire outside, which got me wondering… --- ## [Help me build a new playlist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-build-a-new-playlist/1031717)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-build-a-new-playlist/1031717 "2026-07-17T21:35:31Z")
My workout playlist has more than a thousand tunes, but it’s getting stale. I need a bunch of new-to-me tunes. Please throw some suggestions my way. My requests: Limit your post(s) to three (ok, five if you must) song… --- ## [The Bugaloos and their web of lies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bugaloos-and-their-web-of-lies/1031659)
**Author:** [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bugaloos-and-their-web-of-lies/1031659 "2026-07-17T18:20:10Z")
Remember the Bugaloos? Saturday morning live action show? Well, they showed up in my YouTube feed, and something was perplexing. Those wings don’t look nearly big enough for those guys to get airborne. I don’t care ho… --- ## [Mad #600 out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-600-out/1031638)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-600-out/1031638 "2026-07-17T17:36:10Z")
I picked this up today in the local comic store (you used to be able to get Mad at the newsstand, but even the few remaining places selling magazines don’t seem to carry it – only “Special” issues). 1.) Issue #600! They… --- ## [Sam Neill has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635 "2026-07-17T05:31:22Z")
Actor Sam Neill, who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78. A post made to his social media account on Monday afternoon said he had died in Sydney “surrounded by his family”. “The loss was… --- ## [Mister Rogers Neighborhood - where was he going at the end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mister-rogers-neighborhood-where-was-he-going-at-the-end/1002527)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mister-rogers-neighborhood-where-was-he-going-at-the-end/1002527 "2026-07-16T20:04:21Z")
At the beginning of the show, Mr Rogers walks in the house, hangs up his jacket and puts on a cardigan, and swaps his dress shoes for sneakers. The assumption is, he’s coming home from work and getting comfy, right? The… --- ## [Did anyone else see the movie ISS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-movie-iss/997135)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-see-the-movie-iss/997135 "2026-07-16T17:48:06Z")
It came out a few weeks ago and sank like a stone. I saw it the week it came out because the trailer looked intriguing. The premise is the American and Russian astronauts on the ISS come into conflict because there is an… --- ## [Please tell me this isn't generated by AI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-this-isnt-generated-by-ai/1031660)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-this-isnt-generated-by-ai/1031660 "2026-07-16T13:45:37Z")
She is beautiful and a fantastic singer! :smiling\_face\_with\_three\_hearts: --- ## [Make Your Own Pop Tart…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-your-own-pop-tart/1031597)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-your-own-pop-tart/1031597 "2026-07-16T06:24:50Z")
Stumbled across this NYT recipe for Pop Tarts. If you could make your own, what filling and frosting would you choose? --- ## [Art within limits? \[Limited Runs\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-within-limits-limited-runs/1031669)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-within-limits-limited-runs/1031669 "2026-07-16T00:20:47Z")
I go to a lot of science fiction conventions, and because of this I have been to a lot of art shows. Leaving aside the topic of overpriced amateur art for another time, I have noticed that the big money is in limited run… --- ## [DVD players showing subtitles at 4x speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-players-showing-subtitles-at-4x-speed/1031371)
**Author:** [@Cerebusy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerebusy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-players-showing-subtitles-at-4x-speed/1031371 "2026-07-15T18:15:39Z")
Back in 2013 there was a discussion here of watching media on fast forward, but nothing recent. I once found a player which displayed subtitles at 4x speed, which was very useful for getting through a long TV series quic… --- ## [Movies in which nothing happens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-in-which-nothing-happens/1031513)
**Author:** [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-in-which-nothing-happens/1031513 "2026-07-15T14:54:11Z")
I think this thread could quickly die, but it’s a question that has recently occurred to me. I’m wondering how many movies in which “nothing happens” are out there and whether people love/like/hate them? First, let me … --- ## [Girl-led adventure series for young kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girl-led-adventure-series-for-young-kid/973078)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girl-led-adventure-series-for-young-kid/973078 "2026-07-14T16:09:50Z")
My great niece is a bit over three years old and has fallen in love with the Dinosaur Cove books, which center on the adventures of two young boys who surreptitiously explore a world full of living dinosaurs. The books a… --- ## [Literary coincidences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literary-coincidences/1031617)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literary-coincidences/1031617 "2026-07-14T16:07:49Z")
What are some examples of something that was portrayed in a work of fiction (book, play, movie, etc), and then later something very similar happened in real life? I’m interested in cases where the prediction was sheer co… --- ## [A Bluey question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bluey-question/1031653)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bluey-question/1031653 "2026-07-14T12:49:31Z")
I’m visiting family this week and I’m being exposed to more children’s television than I usually am. So are all of the talking characters on Bluey dogs? Or are there characters on the show who are talking cats or talkin… --- ## [Tell me about cooking on induction stovetops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-cooking-on-induction-stovetops/1031483)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-cooking-on-induction-stovetops/1031483 "2026-07-14T00:50:27Z")
Continuing the discussion from Renter's insurance - questions/advice?: So I’m just about a week away from moving into my new studio apartment! As I’ve mentioned in the thread I’m linking above, this is the first time I’… --- ## [Happy 100th Mel Brooks. Funny, I thought he was already over 2000 when I was a kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-100th-mel-brooks-funny-i-thought-he-was-already-over-2000-when-i-was-a-kid/1031242)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-100th-mel-brooks-funny-i-thought-he-was-already-over-2000-when-i-was-a-kid/1031242 "2026-07-13T05:21:31Z")
Mel Brooks is 100. He’s been entertaining professionally since just after WWII. A few days ago AFI announced changes to the top comedy list and Blazing Saddles is now #1. He is one of the rare EGOT winners. --- ## [Antoinette Bower (1932-2026) \[Sylvia in ST:TOS Catspaw\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antoinette-bower-1932-2026-sylvia-in-st-tos-catspaw/1031605)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antoinette-bower-1932-2026-sylvia-in-st-tos-catspaw/1031605 "2026-07-11T21:55:16Z")
April 30. Link. While never an A-Lister, she was a very busy actress, possibly best remembered as one of the aliens in the ST:TOS episode “Catspaw” and “Eve” in the TZ ep “Probe 7 Over and Out” with Richard Basehart. … --- ## [Talk to me about ghee -- eating it, cooking with it, tips, cautions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-ghee-eating-it-cooking-with-it-tips-cautions/1031364)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-ghee-eating-it-cooking-with-it-tips-cautions/1031364 "2026-07-11T20:09:13Z")
Full disclosure: I’m afraid of ghee. Okay, not terrified, but hesitant and apprehensive. And not just because it seems you can only buy huge jars of it. I like butter okay. Especially cold butter spread on hot/warm bre… --- ## [Bonnie Tyler has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonnie-tyler-has-died/1031532)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonnie-tyler-has-died/1031532 "2026-07-11T19:55:28Z")
Loved her raspy vocal style. She a had a couple of good hits. Was pleased to see she continued to be big in England after her success here in the states. I always related to the line I’m living in a powder keg and givin… --- ## [The Laugh Club](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-laugh-club/1031574)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-laugh-club/1031574 "2026-07-11T17:50:20Z")
Imagine a book club which offered a new book of humor every other month for a year. The books will be sent right to you but cost less than the regular trade editions even though they are absolutely identical. The authors… --- ## [AI story generation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-story-generation/1031208)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-story-generation/1031208 "2026-07-11T16:18:37Z")
What about AI’s story writing abilities? I asked Gemini and Copilot to write a short story. Here’s the prompt: “Write a short story with the following characters: Antonio (an athletic 25-year-old young Venezuelan workin… --- ## [Pamelyn Ferdin, a Great ‘Cutie’](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pamelyn-ferdin-a-great-cutie/1027779)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pamelyn-ferdin-a-great-cutie/1027779 "2026-07-10T19:32:48Z")
Pamelyn Ferdin is a former child actress who appeared in many roles on TV, commercials, and movies. She had a recurring role as Felix Unger’s daughter on “The Odd Couple”, and was a regular on the short-lived “Paul Lynde… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=15)