# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=43 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 44 --- ## [What can I cook in a small toaster oven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-cook-in-a-small-toaster-oven/1026100)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-cook-in-a-small-toaster-oven/1026100 "2025-12-30T18:09:12Z")
My wife bought me a new toaster oven, to replace the grody old one I’ve been using for the past couple of decades. I mostly used the old one for making bacon, several times a week. This new one isn’t big enough for bac… --- ## [What was the last culturally significant poem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-culturally-significant-poem/1025919)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-culturally-significant-poem/1025919 "2025-12-30T14:39:47Z")
So a random thought, it occurs to me that for most of the history of literate human civilization, poetry has been pretty much the premier form of human culture. But for the last century or so it’s been superceded by othe… --- ## [Recast "Rocky Horror Picture Show" today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-rocky-horror-picture-show-today/1026075)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-rocky-horror-picture-show-today/1026075 "2025-12-30T06:47:35Z")
I am looking for actors for a new production of the movie, not “she/he/they would have been great back then” suggestions, please. --- ## [Knives Out (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knives-out-spoilers/844096)
**Author:** [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knives-out-spoilers/844096 "2025-12-30T04:40:11Z")
I won’t spoil anything in the OP, but did anyone else see this? I thought it was excellent for the most part but was a little disappointed in the solution. The solution to a mystery should be simple and obvious (think T… --- ## [Bob's Basement is no more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bobs-basement-is-no-more/1025778)
**Author:** [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bobs-basement-is-no-more/1025778 "2025-12-30T03:20:08Z")
Just heard that Bob Burns, collector of pretty much all Science Fiction and Horror props that ever existed just passed at 90. He was famous for “Bob’s Basement”, a museum in his home dedicated to his vast collection. Amo… --- ## [Submitting a novel for publication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitting-a-novel-for-publication/1026140)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitting-a-novel-for-publication/1026140 "2025-12-30T00:52:39Z")
Note: I see there have been threads on this before, but they are more than 20 years old. The landscape may have changed. But if a mod wants to merge this and revive an old thread, I don’t mind. So I have written a hard… --- ## [Adult listening and the decline of swing music (music history)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-listening-and-the-decline-of-swing-music-music-history/1026143)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-listening-and-the-decline-of-swing-music-music-history/1026143 "2025-12-29T23:56:01Z")
I was reading/thinking about the decline of big band and swing (in the US) recently. Of course, it didn’t happen all at once and had various causes (or, at least, I’ve seen debate on various causes). Mine is not about t… --- ## [Movies with astronomical events (but not space or SciFi movies)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-astronomical-events-but-not-space-or-scifi-movies/1020324)
**Author:** [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-astronomical-events-but-not-space-or-scifi-movies/1020324 "2025-12-29T23:12:51Z")
It’s the 50th anniversary of Jaws, so we watched it again. I pointed out to my wife the shots with the meteor streaks (towards the end of the film, after the rowdy song). Doing a two-minute Google search gives links doub… --- ## [What was next? Movie character moves on, to what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-next-movie-character-moves-on-to-what/1026154)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-next-movie-character-moves-on-to-what/1026154 "2025-12-29T22:58:35Z")
Jeremiah Johnson, as per Del Gues advice goes down to a town. He meets an Indian girl in a house of ill repute. Turns out she is Swans cousin. They hook up and travel to California. After many adventures, they hit a mod… --- ## [Tell me about bread boxes... or, how to keep bread fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bread-boxes-or-how-to-keep-bread-fresh/1026104)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bread-boxes-or-how-to-keep-bread-fresh/1026104 "2025-12-29T22:56:05Z")
We recently started getting fresh baguettes and other bread from a direct-to-consumer local baker. They don’t have the usual preservatives and milk of store-bought bread, so they get stale after just a couple of days. T… --- ## [How To Use Expensive Soy Sauce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-expensive-soy-sauce/1026131)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-expensive-soy-sauce/1026131 "2025-12-29T22:31:48Z")
I love soy sauce. Specifically Kikkoman. I put it on all manner of things. My wife knows this, and for Christmas she gave me a bottle of double-brewed soy sauce from some fancy importer of Japanese foods. It’s amazing- … --- ## [Poll: Your favorite version of "A Christmas Carol"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048 "2025-12-29T22:03:27Z")
Which is your favorite filmed version of A Christmas Carol? poll Was your favorite the first version you ever saw? poll --- ## [Survivor 49 - Premiered 9/24/25](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-49-premiered-9-24-25/1023379)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-49-premiered-9-24-25/1023379 "2025-12-29T03:48:37Z")
Sorry to throw this up last minute, I’m a little hungover. Word of advice, don’t take a shot every time the word “Albanian” is said in the premiere. Anyway, Survivor Season not quite 50 has begun. No real stand outs in … --- ## [How would the villains handle rebellion in Old Man Logan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-villains-handle-rebellion-in-old-man-logan/1026130)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-villains-handle-rebellion-in-old-man-logan/1026130 "2025-12-29T00:39:49Z")
In Old Man Logan the villains of 616 Marvel Earth team up under Red Skull, Doom, Magneto and Abomination to defeat the heroes and divide the US among themselves. My question is how successful at eliminating rebellion (h… --- ## [What are your top favorite animes and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351)
**Author:** [@lilybug0309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilybug0309)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351 "2025-12-28T22:52:14Z")
I have heard a lot of debate about favorite anime’s here recently, but this is not what this is for, I genuinely want to know why a certain anime is someones favorite. Take mine for example, my favorite anime is Akame Ga… --- ## [It's a Wonderful Life - Do you like it or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 420\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638 "2025-12-28T22:12:02Z")
I first saw it when I was 15. It’s schmaltzy, sure, and I can understand why a lot of people don’t care for it. But what can I say? I’m a sucker for that stuff. I’d probably rank it in my top 5 favorite Christmas movies … --- ## [Frozen ready-to-eat shrimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-ready-to-eat-shrimp/1025869 "2025-12-28T15:24:40Z")
I just impulse-purchased a bag of frozen shrimp at the grocery store, and realized i have no idea how to use them. No one else here eats seafood. So my goal is to have a few for lunch from time to time. Defrost a few o… --- ## [Are You A Poet? Then Show It! 2-Electric Boogaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-poet-then-show-it-2-electric-boogaloo/983141)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-poet-then-show-it-2-electric-boogaloo/983141 "2025-12-28T07:49:07Z")
Back at the turn of the century ( or thereabouts) I started a contest to determine who was the best poet of the SDMB: Are You A Poet? Then Show It! - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board It has been about… --- ## [StubHub goofs and promotes the wrong Lamb of God show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubhub-goofs-and-promotes-the-wrong-lamb-of-god-show/1026087)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stubhub-goofs-and-promotes-the-wrong-lamb-of-god-show/1026087 "2025-12-28T06:36:19Z")
The ticket reseller StubHub meant to offer tickets for a family-friendly Christmas concert that included the phrase “Lamb of God”, but instead promoted them as being for the thrash band of the same name. Oops. --- ## [The Taj Mahal (some questions)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-taj-mahal-some-questions/1025922)
**Author:** [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-taj-mahal-some-questions/1025922 "2025-12-28T00:54:13Z")
I happened to be flipping around and caught the last hour, or so, of The Bucket List movie. In one scene Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are walking in front of the Taj Mahal. As they walk around, the hills and landsca… --- ## [Coffee Cookies? "Just Say No"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-cookies-just-say-no/1026023)
**Author:** [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-cookies-just-say-no/1026023 "2025-12-27T19:49:08Z")
I was making a second tin of oatmeal cookies when I realized I was out of raisins. All of the ingredients prices are through the roof and the supermarket was hand-to-hand combat… so I tried to find something… anything… … --- ## [The "crucial detail" in making a pot of tea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucial-detail-in-making-a-pot-of-tea/1025969)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucial-detail-in-making-a-pot-of-tea/1025969 "2025-12-27T18:31:37Z")
Christopher Hitchens, in Why Orwell Matters: “His long essay on how to make a proper pot of tea is highly orthodox, down to the crucial detail of taking the pot to the kettle instead of the kettle to the pot.” What’s t… --- ## [Is anyone watching "Velvet" on Netflix or PBS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-watching-velvet-on-netflix-or-pbs/1025760)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-watching-velvet-on-netflix-or-pbs/1025760 "2025-12-27T17:03:59Z")
I’m talking about the subtitled Spanish series set in the fashion industry of the 1950s and ‘60s. So far, I’ve caught only a few episodes late on Sunday nights, but I’ve enjoyed them greatly. The one in which the two s… --- ## [David Sedaris - "Santaland Diaries"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-sedaris-santaland-diaries/607199)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-sedaris-santaland-diaries/607199 "2025-12-27T00:24:04Z")
I heard this again this morning on NPR for the umpteenth time, and it never fails to crack me up. For those of you who haven’t heard it, here’s a link. The bit where he sings “Away In A Manger” in the style of Billie H… --- ## [Help me identify an old movie about a young woman who lived with her father in a shack in the Old West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-movie-about-a-young-woman-who-lived-with-her-father-in-a-shack-in-the-old-west/1026083)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-movie-about-a-young-woman-who-lived-with-her-father-in-a-shack-in-the-old-west/1026083 "2025-12-26T23:52:43Z")
Circa 1987, I watched a movie on TV with my grandmother. I don’t remember the whole story, but there was a young woman – I remember her as good-looking and fair-haired – who lived alone with her father in a shack or cabi… --- ## [Actors who are typecast, but only for you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-typecast-but-only-for-you/1025960)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-typecast-but-only-for-you/1025960 "2025-12-26T22:08:45Z")
Typecast actors are those who become so strongly associated with a certain role that it becomes hard for audiences to accept them as any other character. Who are some actors who are not generally considered to be typeca… --- ## [If 2025 was a drink, it would be...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-2025-was-a-drink-it-would-be/1025959)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-2025-was-a-drink-it-would-be/1025959 "2025-12-26T17:40:16Z")
Just like the title says, just fill in the blank. :grin: --- ## [Is Johnny Winter a true albino?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-johnny-winter-a-true-albino/107294)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-johnny-winter-a-true-albino/107294 "2025-12-26T17:20:22Z")
Is Johnny Winter a true albino? Just curious as he doesn’t seem to have those clear pink eyes. --- ## [Cooking a mostly frozen rib roast (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-a-mostly-frozen-rib-roast-need-answer-fast/1026038)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-a-mostly-frozen-rib-roast-need-answer-fast/1026038 "2025-12-26T13:20:34Z")
So I took, actually 2 6lb. rib roasts for Christmas dinner out of the freezer on Saturday, having googled that 5 days should be plenty to thaw them. But I just checked them and they have some surface give, but still see… --- ## [Plot Hole In Chinatown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plot-hole-in-chinatown/837130)
**Author:** [@Chris\_Welzenbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Welzenbach)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plot-hole-in-chinatown/837130 "2025-12-26T02:20:43Z")
There’s a plot hole in the movie Chinatown you could drive a sedan through: Midway through the film, Gittes visits an orange grove where he is shot at, the front left tire of his car is blown out, and the car itself–a s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=44)