# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=44 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 45 --- ## [What five Christmas albums are you listening to in 2025?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-five-christmas-albums-are-you-listening-to-in-2025/1025955)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-five-christmas-albums-are-you-listening-to-in-2025/1025955 "2025-12-25T21:46:43Z")
My list of Christmas albums often changes from year to year. Here’s my top five in Dec 2025. Ella Fitzgerald’s Christmas 13 traditional sacred hymns. Angels We Have Heard on High, Hark the Herald Angel, O Holy Night, T… --- ## [Santa In Animal Land (1948)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-in-animal-land-1948/1012143)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-in-animal-land-1948/1012143 "2025-12-25T18:58:19Z")
Santa In Animal Land (1948) just played on TCM. I have to say… Children’s’ entertainment in the '40s was… bizarre. In the short, animals realise there is no Santa Clause for animals, so Kitty and another animal go in s… --- ## [Finishing a Christmas Song with a "Jingle Bells" flourish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finishing-a-christmas-song-with-a-jingle-bells-flourish/1026040)
**Author:** [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finishing-a-christmas-song-with-a-jingle-bells-flourish/1026040 "2025-12-25T14:56:56Z")
Nat King Cole has it on “The Christmas Song.” The Drifters do it on their “White Christmas.” The bassist (Tracy Wormworth) plays it during the outro on The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping.” I even just heard it at the en… --- ## [What's with the new debate over if "It's A Wonderful Life" is a Christmas Movie or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-new-debate-over-if-its-a-wonderful-life-is-a-christmas-movie-or-not/1025904)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-new-debate-over-if-its-a-wonderful-life-is-a-christmas-movie-or-not/1025904 "2025-12-25T02:44:18Z")
This is the new debate I’m seeing online (well new in quotes it’s been around for the past couple of years I’ve heard on podcasts/YouTube) is whether or not It’s A Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie or not because half … --- ## [Uncle Buck: the three mystery men in the mail slot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-buck-the-three-mystery-men-in-the-mail-slot/577136)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-buck-the-three-mystery-men-in-the-mail-slot/577136 "2025-12-24T21:41:12Z")
Watched Uncle Buck this weekend. TiVo’s scheduler gave it two and a half stars, which is dead wrong in my book: Uncle Buck is comedy gold. The movie occasionally veers into the surreal for comedic effect (e.g. the clow… --- ## [Gen V (spin-off of The Boys)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-v-spin-off-of-the-boys/990886)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-v-spin-off-of-the-boys/990886 "2025-12-24T19:19:36Z")
The first three episodes are out. I’ve watched the first one. It is very slow in places, but in others they turn to The Boys and say “Hold my beer.” --- ## [Weapons (2025) Seen it Thread with Spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-2025-seen-it-thread-with-spoilers/1022268)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-2025-seen-it-thread-with-spoilers/1022268 "2025-12-24T15:26:04Z")
The best way to enjoy this film is to go in blind. The less you know beforehand, the better. If you haven’t seen it yet and intend to stop reading now. As with Zach Cregger’s previous film, Barbarian, you don’t really kn… --- ## [Recommend Me Some Bad Poetry (Need Answer Fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-bad-poetry-need-answer-fast/1025923)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-bad-poetry-need-answer-fast/1025923 "2025-12-24T02:25:22Z")
Should have started this sooner. Anyway, tomorrow I’m hosting a holiday party for my writers group. Unfortunately, one of our members passed away on Thanksgiving Day, and it’s our first time meeting without him. He alway… --- ## [In the next five years will AI be able to produce a motion picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-five-years-will-ai-be-able-to-produce-a-motion-picture/1025847)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-five-years-will-ai-be-able-to-produce-a-motion-picture/1025847 "2025-12-24T02:08:19Z")
Will I be able to give the text of a Shakespeare play, Hemingway, Twain, Tolkien to some AI ‘engine’? Instruct it on the length, some assumptions I expect, and have it develop a real-looking motion picture. I’ve been ex… --- ## [Chris Rea dead at 74](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-rea-dead-at-74/1025953)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-rea-dead-at-74/1025953 "2025-12-23T20:26:03Z")
That’s a bummer, and almost as ironic as George Michael having died on Christmas, both having had massive Christmas hits. But I’ve always liked Chris Rea for more than just “Driving Home For Christmas”, though it’s one o… --- ## [Your favorite five shows from the last five years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-five-shows-from-the-last-five-years/1025952)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-five-shows-from-the-last-five-years/1025952 "2025-12-23T20:18:19Z")
In order, what are your five favorite shows of the last five years? To qualify, it either has to be currently on the air, or the finale must have aired in the last fiver years. For me: 1. Slow Horses: darkly fun… --- ## [Where do Imperial Stormtroopers do their Christmas shopping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-imperial-stormtroopers-do-their-christmas-shopping/1025945)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-imperial-stormtroopers-do-their-christmas-shopping/1025945 "2025-12-23T18:19:30Z")
They usually hit whatever store is next to the Target. --- ## [Let’s cook a rib roast. Please. (help)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-cook-a-rib-roast-please-help/402943)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-cook-a-rib-roast-please-help/402943 "2025-12-23T16:40:55Z")
It’s been a few years since I have done a roast. SoooOK. Cross rib roast boneless 2.4 pounds. Looks to be a very nice cut. It does have the string netting around it. My plan — Leave the string netting on. Bring ov… --- ## [Barry Manilow has early-stage lung cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barry-manilow-has-early-stage-lung-cancer/1025968)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barry-manilow-has-early-stage-lung-cancer/1025968 "2025-12-23T02:06:47Z")
He’d undergone an MRI after dealing with a stubborn case of bronchitis, and this was found on the scan. It sounds like he just wants to do surgery with no radiation or chemo as of now; this was what my dad did when the … --- ## [Question about Superman: why does he have abs? How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-superman-why-does-he-have-abs-how/1022697)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-superman-why-does-he-have-abs-how/1022697 "2025-12-23T01:04:06Z")
For the few who don’t know, this is Superman: Superman is an alien from the planet Krypton who, because of differences between the Kryptonian system and our Solar system, … --- ## [Obscure Christmas Specials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-christmas-specials/383551)
**Author:** [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-christmas-specials/383551 "2025-12-23T00:33:37Z")
For all the "A Charlie Brown Christmas"es and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"s on TV, there are just as many Christmas specials that are barely remembered. What’s your personal favorite that few people have seen? Mine… --- ## [One album side electric, one acoustic. More examples?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-album-side-electric-one-acoustic-more-examples/1025902)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-album-side-electric-one-acoustic-more-examples/1025902 "2025-12-22T22:13:54Z")
I’m just listening to my favorite Led Zeppelin album, III. Both sides are clearly different, the first side electric hard rock and blues, while the B side is acoustic folk, and both sides are great. The first example I c… --- ## [James Corden - carpool karaoke of "All I Want for Christmas" with a BUNCH of famous singers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-corden-carpool-karaoke-of-all-i-want-for-christmas-with-a-bunch-of-famous-singers/826584)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-corden-carpool-karaoke-of-all-i-want-for-christmas-with-a-bunch-of-famous-singers/826584 "2025-12-22T20:43:35Z")
I recognized most but not all: 0:06: Mariah Carey, duh 0:52: Adele 1:02 Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas? 1:07 Elton John 1:14 Selena Gomez 1:17 Lady Gaga 1:31 ? 1:41 ? 1:48 Gwen Stefani? Merry Christma… --- ## [New “Lord of the Rings “ movies coming! (2023 announcement)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lord-of-the-rings-movies-coming-2023-announcement/980272)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lord-of-the-rings-movies-coming-2023-announcement/980272 "2025-12-22T19:18:48Z")
One cannot simply just sell the rights to the Lord of the rings to a Swedish intellectual property conglomerate (and not expect consequences). Well, then. Very little information at the moment, but we shall see. --- ## ["Grandma's Christmas Secret" piano music, by Robert Maxwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandmas-christmas-secret-piano-music-by-robert-maxwell/993340)
**Author:** [@Christy1207](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Christy1207)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandmas-christmas-secret-piano-music-by-robert-maxwell/993340 "2025-12-22T18:40:03Z")
I have the piano music for “Grandma’s Christmas Secret”, by Robert Maxwell, and would be happy to share it with anyone. --- ## [Endora and What's His Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endora-and-whats-his-name/1025929)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endora-and-whats-his-name/1025929 "2025-12-22T18:04:56Z")
On the show “Bewitched”, what are all the names Endora called Sam’s husband…other than Darrin? --- ## [Help me locate this poem from my childhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-locate-this-poem-from-my-childhood/704918)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-locate-this-poem-from-my-childhood/704918 "2025-12-22T17:00:52Z")
When I was a kid I had a record album of kids’ poetry. There was one hilarious little poem that went something like this: I know that you know, and he knows you And she knows the he knows, I know that is true But does… --- ## [RIP James Ransone, 46 (The Wire, Generation Kill, IT: Part Two)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-james-ransone-46-the-wire-generation-kill-it-part-two/1025951)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-james-ransone-46-the-wire-generation-kill-it-part-two/1025951 "2025-12-22T16:15:01Z")
‘The Wire,’ ‘It: Chapter Two’ actor James Ransone dies by apparent suicide at 46 Very, very sad. He grabbed the screen any time he was on it…Ziggy from The Wire is one of the most memorable character on a show filled wi… --- ## [South Park Season 27 - discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-park-season-27-discussion/1021281)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-park-season-27-discussion/1021281 "2025-12-22T10:57:50Z")
That was, uh, a pretty interesting way to come back after quite awhile without episodes. I think if Trump responds to, well, everything they just did in that episode, it will be seen as a big success. Did anyone watch … --- ## [NCIS’ Tony & Ziva Spinoff Series is scheduled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis-tony-ziva-spinoff-series-is-scheduled/998333)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis-tony-ziva-spinoff-series-is-scheduled/998333 "2025-12-22T04:42:28Z")
Tony and Ziva were very popular on NCIS. Both characters left the show. Ziva left at the beginning of season 11. Tony stayed through season 13. I’m excited to see this new 10 episode series. It will be an entirely diffe… --- ## [The great Justin Bieber challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-justin-bieber-challenge/601728)
**Author:** [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-justin-bieber-challenge/601728 "2025-12-22T03:08:45Z")
Haters: Justin Bieber’s Christmas album is so great that I’m willing to buy it for you (much of the proceeds go to charity.) This is the first album in my 40-year history of being alive where I have liked every single … --- ## [Why aren't there ultrawide TVs with theater-like aspect ratios to prevent letterboxing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-ultrawide-tvs-with-theater-like-aspect-ratios-to-prevent-letterboxing/1025899)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-ultrawide-tvs-with-theater-like-aspect-ratios-to-prevent-letterboxing/1025899 "2025-12-22T02:55:38Z")
TVs used to have an aspect ratio of 4:3, but these days they’re almost all 16:9. However, this means that most made-for-theater movies are still letterboxed, with black bars at the top and bottom. Many movies are 2.39:1 … --- ## [Why were these unneeded subtitles in "Night of the Hunter"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-these-unneeded-subtitles-in-night-of-the-hunter/1025575)
**Author:** [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-these-unneeded-subtitles-in-night-of-the-hunter/1025575 "2025-12-21T20:30:42Z")
I’m watching The Night of the Hunter (1955) on TCM. There is the scene where a bunch of kids and John and Pearl are asking for food from a woman in a house. Suddenly, there is this subtitle at the bottom of the screen: … --- ## [Twyst drink mix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twyst-drink-mix/1025859)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twyst-drink-mix/1025859 "2025-12-21T17:25:57Z")
My Beloved picked up a box of multi-flavored drink mixes called “Twyst”, and I am trying to figure out how they actually work and if they are really any good. The powdery substance comes in a long tube with a short, thi… --- ## [Christmas music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music/1011885)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music/1011885 "2025-12-21T16:31:02Z")
I like Christmas music. It’s joyful and fun to sing along to. Yes, maybe I’m a weird-o but honestly, it’s generally well written and we usually get new interpretations of the classics every year. I have a suspicion that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=43) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=45)