# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=6 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 7 --- ## [Classical Literature, pre-reading, and you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classical-literature-pre-reading-and-you/1032972)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classical-literature-pre-reading-and-you/1032972 "2026-09-15T11:40:31Z")
I was toying around with rebuilding my medieval European lit collection, but after a little time it was clear that to truly ‘get it’ I would need to get at least some Ovid under my belt, at least Metamorphoses. Great, b… --- ## [In Praise of 'Ghosts' (British TV Series That Inspired The American One)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 308\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428 "2026-09-15T11:20:37Z")
I fell in love with Ghosts when it debuted on CBS last season, so I decided to give the British version a try. I’ve fallen in love with that show, too, but for different reasons. They are definitely two different shows,… --- ## [Downton Abbey movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649 "2026-09-15T04:14:43Z")
We went to see Downton Abbey yesterday. We liked it. It was pretty much like the TV show, only the story was self-contained and resolved everything in two hours. Elizabeth McGovern looks old. She’s 58, but looks olde… --- ## [Glaring astronomy mistakes in a movie or video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glaring-astronomy-mistakes-in-a-movie-or-video/1032849)
**Author:** [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glaring-astronomy-mistakes-in-a-movie-or-video/1032849 "2026-09-15T04:12:09Z")
Inspired by the thread on most realistic depiction of spaceflight, I have an almost opposite question. For a course on astronomy, I’d like to show examples of “bad astronomy” from movies, TV shows, or other video availab… --- ## [Songs that make you think of a movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-think-of-a-movie/1010521)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-think-of-a-movie/1010521 "2026-09-13T23:20:54Z")
I see we have not had this thread for over a decade so rather than resurrecting a zombie … I am making a playlist of songs that make you immediately think of a movie. One song per movie. If it is not a song written sp… --- ## [Suggested new ending for Waterworld (minor spoiler)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggested-new-ending-for-waterworld-minor-spoiler/1032851)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggested-new-ending-for-waterworld-minor-spoiler/1032851 "2026-09-13T18:48:53Z")
At the end where the little girl wanders down the beach sad because The Mariner is going to leave - we suddenly realize that Dry Land is the same island as Jurassic Park as a T Rex reaches over the trees and chomps her. --- ## [World Science Fiction Convention to be in Chengdu, China in 2023](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-science-fiction-convention-to-be-in-chengdu-china-in-2023/956304)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-science-fiction-convention-to-be-in-chengdu-china-in-2023/956304 "2026-09-13T06:21:08Z")
…and I have concerns. I first got wind that China was going to put in a bid for the 2023 Worldcon back when I attended Worldcon 74 in 2016. The Chungdu Bid Committee put on a presentation, then took questions, and peop… --- ## [What are the modern protest songs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-modern-protest-songs/1023484)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2026, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-modern-protest-songs/1023484 "2026-09-13T04:58:32Z")
Previous generations had protest songs. What are songs expressing discontent with the current political situation? Anything within the last ten years? --- ## [Another Waterworld question about the drinking water- spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-waterworld-question-about-the-drinking-water-spoilers/1032914)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-waterworld-question-about-the-drinking-water-spoilers/1032914 "2026-09-13T03:08:15Z")
So the people on the atoll value hydro so much they use it for currency. But they do have a reasonable amount of technology and Old Things. They must have figured out how to distill water by then. I don’t think they had … --- ## [A question about Otto, the auto pilot, in Airplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-otto-the-auto-pilot-in-airplane/1033006)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-otto-the-auto-pilot-in-airplane/1033006 "2026-09-12T14:23:39Z")
Do you think Otto deliberately deflated himself? --- ## [Kris Cutler, Larry Fine's granddaughter passed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kris-cutler-larry-fines-granddaughter-passed/1027073)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2026, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kris-cutler-larry-fines-granddaughter-passed/1027073 "2026-09-12T11:49:38Z")
Granddaughter of Larry Fine, Kris Cutler passed away peacefully with family by her side. Krissy is survived by her husband, Ben Cutler. --- ## [Is this annoying to wait staff or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-annoying-to-wait-staff-or-no/1032780)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-annoying-to-wait-staff-or-no/1032780 "2026-09-11T13:23:49Z")
My waitress asked me: “do you want your appetizer before the meal or with the meal?” (The question makes sense in this particular instance) I respond with “I don’t care whatever is easiest for you”. Is the indecision a… --- ## [You will now tell us where you have hidden zee documents!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-will-now-tell-us-where-you-have-hidden-zee-documents/785221)
**Author:** [@ThatNJGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThatNJGuy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-will-now-tell-us-where-you-have-hidden-zee-documents/785221 "2026-09-11T13:15:59Z")
For as far back as I can remember I and others in my family circle have long said this line jokingly to each other, sometimes the whole thing, sometime just part of it, but for the life of me I cannot recall where I firs… --- ## [Who, if anyone, was Oscar Bensol (1960s DC animated cartoons)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-if-anyone-was-oscar-bensol-1960s-dc-animated-cartoons/1016056)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-if-anyone-was-oscar-bensol-1960s-dc-animated-cartoons/1016056 "2026-09-11T11:26:52Z")
His IMDB entry. Mystery person. I haven’t been able to find any trace of this name outside of the cartoons where this name is credited, so it’s possible that it was either misspelled or a pseudonym. Side note: As the… --- ## [Where did this melody come from? (Easy Listening/Elevator Music, now oft used as musical shorthand for waiting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-this-melody-come-from-easy-listening-elevator-music-now-oft-used-as-musical-shorthand-for-waiting/1032965)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-this-melody-come-from-easy-listening-elevator-music-now-oft-used-as-musical-shorthand-for-waiting/1032965 "2026-09-11T02:16:41Z")
I can’t seem to link to YouTube shorts in such a way that the link starts the video at a specific time, so you’ll just have to do it the old fashioned way and scroll (or wait) till :31 in this video. It’s almost certain… --- ## [Explain Girl Scout cookies to a European](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-girl-scout-cookies-to-a-european/1032063)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-girl-scout-cookies-to-a-european/1032063 "2026-09-11T00:21:07Z")
This is an occasional plot element in American films and TV shows, but it’s non-existent in Europe (at least where I live), so please pardon my ignorance and explain the whole thing to me. I know what Girl Scouts are, an… --- ## [Rifftrax doing four new episodes of MST3K](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifftrax-doing-four-new-episodes-of-mst3k/1027326)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifftrax-doing-four-new-episodes-of-mst3k/1027326 "2026-09-10T19:53:50Z")
Here’s Mike and the two robots telling us about it. I watch a lot of Rifftrax shorts on youtube, but have never gone to their website to see how it works. Can anyone here tell me about it? I’d love to see Mike and the… --- ## [Horrible Movie and TV tropes about computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-movie-and-tv-tropes-about-computers/1032852)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-movie-and-tv-tropes-about-computers/1032852 "2026-09-10T18:56:12Z")
This thread is inspired by a panel I went to at the Los Angeles Worldcon about a week or so ago. Why do script writers and directors treat computers like magic wands and computer programs like magic spells? There are ma… --- ## [That Simpsons scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-simpsons-scene/1032886)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-simpsons-scene/1032886 "2026-09-10T18:48:02Z")
…where Homer leaves Flanders’ yard and sinks backwards through the hedge. Was that a reference to something? --- ## [Trying to find a way to directly contact the creators of "Timeless History"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-way-to-directly-contact-the-creators-of-timeless-history/1032945)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-way-to-directly-contact-the-creators-of-timeless-history/1032945 "2026-09-10T17:21:20Z")
There’s a YouTube channel called “Timeless History” that gives little videos about the history of amusement parks and the like. Actually, there are several sites with that name, but the one I’m writing about is this one: … --- ## [I would offer you $500,000 to watch every episode ofAmerican Bandstand, Soul Train, Midnight Special, and Solid Gold, at your own leisure. Do you take this offer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-offer-you-500-000-to-watch-every-episode-ofamerican-bandstand-soul-train-midnight-special-and-solid-gold-at-your-own-leisure-do-you-take-this-offer/1031914)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-offer-you-500-000-to-watch-every-episode-ofamerican-bandstand-soul-train-midnight-special-and-solid-gold-at-your-own-leisure-do-you-take-this-offer/1031914 "2026-09-09T18:36:11Z")
Here are the rules. 1. Let’s say I have, streamable to your TV, every episode of those four shows in the title. You must sit down and watch them all from beginning to end. If you do this, I will give you $500,000 in you… --- ## [5/5 - Hugh Howey's SF Silo Series to be series on Apple TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-5-hugh-howeys-sf-silo-series-to-be-series-on-apple-tv/983137)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-5-hugh-howeys-sf-silo-series-to-be-series-on-apple-tv/983137 "2026-09-09T16:27:14Z")
Silo Trailer Pretty solid cast. Loved the book series. Looking forward to the TV series. --- ## [Anyone know Garland Jeffries and in particular the song Matador](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-garland-jeffries-and-in-particular-the-song-matador/975190)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-garland-jeffries-and-in-particular-the-song-matador/975190 "2026-09-09T12:44:14Z")
This is now one of my favorite songs of all time and I have not heard it in years, nay decades, now a year past four decades. I had forgot about it and tonight it hit me in the heart. It came up on Spotify and I remember… --- ## [Lost Futures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-futures/423123)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-futures/423123 "2026-09-09T01:23:18Z")
Somehow I managed to end up as co-chair of a science fiction convention here in Oregon, and the theme I’ve come up with is Futures Lost-a look at books, movies and television shows that taken place in a future time that … --- ## [Green Lanterns vs. Sinestro question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-lanterns-vs-sinestro-question/1032640)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-lanterns-vs-sinestro-question/1032640 "2026-09-08T18:55:08Z")
Something I’ve never quite understood: if in the classic version of the Green Lantern Corp their rings don’t work against anything yellow, then why aren’t they all utterly and completely helpless against Sinestro’s yello… --- ## [Other Cringeworthy Blackface/Yellowface/Etc. movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-cringeworthy-blackface-yellowface-etc-movies/1031135)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 285\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-cringeworthy-blackface-yellowface-etc-movies/1031135 "2026-09-07T23:27:32Z")
We’re all familiar with the classic embarrassing parts in movies --John Wayne in The Conqueror, Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Marlon Brando as Sakini in Teahouse of the August Moon. But there a… --- ## [Thwap biscuits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thwap-biscuits/1032817)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thwap-biscuits/1032817 "2026-09-07T20:06:29Z")
You know they come in a cardboard tube you “thwap” it on the edge of the counter to open. What has gone awry? They just don’t seem the same. I’m buying, what I think is a decent brand. We check dates. Use by the time … --- ## [Anybody watch President Curtis? (A Rick and Morty spin-off)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-watch-president-curtis-a-rick-and-morty-spin-off/1031996)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-watch-president-curtis-a-rick-and-morty-spin-off/1031996 "2026-09-07T19:03:56Z")
I didn’t even know this was a thing. I just happened to stumble across it last night. I thought it was pretty darn hilarious myself. “Curtis” has a very '80’s “your mama” style type sense of humor. And he was able to la… --- ## [Stranger Things - Final Season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stranger-things-final-season/1020926)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stranger-things-final-season/1020926 "2026-09-07T13:02:03Z")
Netflix has just released the first teaser trailer for Stranger Things Season 5: https://youtu.be/iKZyYdwS3Wg It seems they are going for a “holiday weekend” release schedule: Vol 1 on November 26 Vol 2 on Christmas F… --- ## [Trying to locate painting referenced on the boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-locate-painting-referenced-on-the-boards/1032848)
**Author:** [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-locate-painting-referenced-on-the-boards/1032848 "2026-09-06T17:28:38Z")
I am trying to hunt down a painting that someone posted a link to that I (was an absolute idiot and) forgot to bookmark. It was for sale online at the time, so it’s “famous enough for production” but apparently “not fam… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=7)