# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=869 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 870 --- ## [Recommend some good readable histories of the ancient Near East](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-good-readable-histories-of-the-ancient-near-east/752551)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-good-readable-histories-of-the-ancient-near-east/752551 "2016-06-04T19:57:44Z")
I’d kind of forgotten about those Hardcore History podcasts (and for me the topics are hit or miss - I’m not very interested in 20th century or military history) but wanted something to keep me awake for the drive back f… --- ## [This is a hard one: Identify this 90s Commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-hard-one-identify-this-90s-commercial/756334)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-hard-one-identify-this-90s-commercial/756334 "2016-06-04T15:34:27Z")
Yes a commercial. And it is old. Almost certainly mid-90s as my university roommate and I used to say this to each other all the time. In the commercial a guy I think is trying to get a loan. The bank manager says some… --- ## [Woman Guitarist playing a badass version of Material Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-guitarist-playing-a-badass-version-of-material-girl/756407)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-guitarist-playing-a-badass-version-of-material-girl/756407 "2016-06-04T09:57:18Z")
See here: Judith Beckedorf - Material Girl (Madonna) - solo acoustic guitar - YouTube Judith Beckedorf. Great version. Rendered with chops, musicality and just the right amount of fun. She knew what she was doing wit… --- ## [Obscure Oz rock?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-oz-rock/756056)
**Author:** [@HarryTheHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HarryTheHat)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-oz-rock/756056 "2016-06-04T09:11:28Z")
Are the 1980s Australian bands Midnight Oil, The Angels or Hunters and Collectors known in America? Not suggesting they should be, so don’t jump on me. Just curious. --- ## [Highly billed actors with almost no screen time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highly-billed-actors-with-almost-no-screen-time/746198)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highly-billed-actors-with-almost-no-screen-time/746198 "2016-06-04T08:22:56Z")
Last night I watched 9½ Weeks, starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Since I’m not a big fan of either actor, I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my favourites, Christine Baranski, billed fourth in the opening c… --- ## [Did a Port Angeles NPR annoucer say "aw shit" on air, followed by an eternity of dead air yesterday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-port-angeles-npr-annoucer-say-aw-shit-on-air-followed-by-an-eternity-of-dead-air-yesterday/756144)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-port-angeles-npr-annoucer-say-aw-shit-on-air-followed-by-an-eternity-of-dead-air-yesterday/756144 "2016-06-04T07:19:39Z")
Basically like the title says, I guess. About 3 pm. (Sunday) --- ## [Question about an Ice Cream bar/popsicle from Good Humor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-ice-cream-bar-popsicle-from-good-humor/436689)
**Author:** [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-ice-cream-bar-popsicle-from-good-humor/436689 "2016-06-04T05:48:54Z")
This has bugged me for years, but since I just had a dream about my old house when I was a kid, it is fresh enough in my mind that I remembered to post it here: I grew up in Phildelphia, Pa. In the 1970’s we were trea… --- ## [Is it musically different to learn piano than guitar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-musically-different-to-learn-piano-than-guitar/756303)
**Author:** [@TheLastDessert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLastDessert)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-musically-different-to-learn-piano-than-guitar/756303 "2016-06-04T03:34:02Z")
I came across a fascinating article from this website teaching piano online discussing whether it was easier for pianists to learn guitar than guitarists to learn piano recently. It got me thinking, is there a fundamenta… --- ## [Life Is A Rock(But The Radio Rolled Me)-any covers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-a-rock-but-the-radio-rolled-me-any-covers/756227)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-a-rock-but-the-radio-rolled-me-any-covers/756227 "2016-06-04T02:48:49Z")
Has anyone other than Tracey Ullman ever covered Reunion’s Life Is A Rock(But The Radio Rolled Me)? --- ## [wow is it me or is fox making the miss usa pagent look porny.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-is-it-me-or-is-fox-making-the-miss-usa-pagent-look-porny/756291)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-is-it-me-or-is-fox-making-the-miss-usa-pagent-look-porny/756291 "2016-06-04T02:25:02Z")
I haven’t actually watched the pageant since mom passed on but it seems to be on fox (possibly because its owned by trump these days) and the previews ive seen make it look like the tryouts for amature night at the KitKa… --- ## [So, I stopped at McDonald's. it had been a while](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-stopped-at-mcdonalds-it-had-been-a-while/756027)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-stopped-at-mcdonalds-it-had-been-a-while/756027 "2016-06-04T02:17:36Z")
Maybe I am just a food snob, but I was moving from one job site to another and I thought I would just get something quick. I got a Big Mac meal with fries and a soft drink. The burger had almost no flavor at all. It wa… --- ## [Egregiously barf-worthy solo shit-tard-ry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregiously-barf-worthy-solo-shit-tard-ry/756268)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregiously-barf-worthy-solo-shit-tard-ry/756268 "2016-06-04T02:05:33Z")
Doesn’t matter which genre - basically any member of a band/ensemble who decided to spread his or her wings and attempt to find some kind of musical expression sans previous music-mates, resulting in a putrid puddle of s… --- ## [Fear the Walking Dead: 2.07 "Shiva" (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-the-walking-dead-2-07-shiva-open-spoilers/755422)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-the-walking-dead-2-07-shiva-open-spoilers/755422 "2016-06-04T00:40:33Z")
\[QUOTE=AMC\] The family faces their biggest test yet; Nick, Madison, Travis and others try to stay close to each other. \[/QUOTE\] It’s the mid-season finale tonight; Gale Anne Hurd, Cliff Curtis and two surprise cast me… --- ## [Metalocalypse update, or Adult Swim is ams dildos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metalocalypse-update-or-adult-swim-is-ams-dildos/755701)
**Author:** [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metalocalypse-update-or-adult-swim-is-ams-dildos/755701 "2016-06-04T00:18:39Z")
Apparently Adult Swim was just stringing fans along about the possibility of a real season finale for Metalocalypse…and based on this interview with Brendon Small, it’s pretty much impossible for him to even create so mu… --- ## [When a sitcoms conflict ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-sitcoms-conflict-ends/755236)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-sitcoms-conflict-ends/755236 "2016-06-04T00:18:35Z")
Is it still funny? On “All In the Family” the first 2 1/2 seasons were about Archie and the Meathead going at it. Eventually though the 2 reached an understanding and became friends. To me, that is when the show went do… --- ## [CD Player That Programs To Skip Tracks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-that-programs-to-skip-tracks/756205)
**Author:** [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-that-programs-to-skip-tracks/756205 "2016-06-04T00:10:31Z")
It’s been since the 90’s since I bought a CD player, so bear with me. I’m wondering if they ever came out with a CD player that can be programmed to skip tracks that you don’t want to listen to. I know you can skip them … --- ## [Finest Girl (Bin Laden Song) - The Lonely Island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finest-girl-bin-laden-song-the-lonely-island/756441)
**Author:** [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finest-girl-bin-laden-song-the-lonely-island/756441 "2016-06-04T00:00:11Z")
I think this might be The Lonely Island’s best. I wasn’t really planning on seeing Popstar, but I saw this video yesterday, and now I’m ready to Never Stop Never Stopping (tonight on opening night). If nothing else I fee… --- ## [How am I supposed to feel about this Avett Brothers song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-supposed-to-feel-about-this-avett-brothers-song/756404)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-supposed-to-feel-about-this-avett-brothers-song/756404 "2016-06-03T23:06:07Z")
I got to know it from the studio version, but here’s a live performance. I’m semi-obsessed with this song, but I can’t quite pin down what the takeaway is (or is intended to be). It seems that the common reaction (judg… --- ## [Richard Lloyd, co-guitarist from Television.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-lloyd-co-guitarist-from-television/755270)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-lloyd-co-guitarist-from-television/755270 "2016-06-03T21:23:54Z")
I had one of his solo albums on cassette. Loved it and this was one of my favorite tracks. Well…this is a different version from the album I had but still, love it. Fields Of Fire --- ## [Grimm Season 5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimm-season-5/736187)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimm-season-5/736187 "2016-06-03T21:14:29Z")
Finally! So – Juliette and Mom are dead (or are they?), and Adelind is preggers with Nick’s child, though it’s not entirely clear who the mother is … Wu’s on board … Truble is around … Anyone else geeked for tonight? --- ## ["Left for Dead": Spirits made from discarded beer!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-for-dead-spirits-made-from-discarded-beer/756259)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-for-dead-spirits-made-from-discarded-beer/756259 "2016-06-03T20:12:10Z")
Article here: http://www.kansascity.com/living/food-drink/article80145277.html This distillery in Kansas City is taking waste beer that would have otherwise been poured down the drain by the Boulevard Brewing Co, and di… --- ## [Name that Gameshow!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-gameshow/756306)
**Author:** [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-gameshow/756306 "2016-06-03T19:43:43Z")
I’m trying to remember the name of a trivia/quiz game show from a few years ago. Some details are sketchy as the memory is hazy. \[ul\] \[li\]It was within the last 10 years, I believe\[/li\]\[li\]It was a limited run; there w… --- ## [Movies that tell you what's going to happen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-tell-you-whats-going-to-happen/756262)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-tell-you-whats-going-to-happen/756262 "2016-06-03T18:07:36Z")
I don’t mean movies where the plot is foreshadowed or predictable or by the numbers. I mean one where the characters literally tell you, in dialog, what’s going to happen in the rest of the movie. I was watching Moulin … --- ## [Khadaji's Whatcha Readin' thread - May 2016 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-may-2016-edition/753337)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-may-2016-edition/753337 "2016-06-03T17:14:26Z")
May! 2016 is one quarter of the way into the past. And since it’s spring it totally makes sense that I’m reading a book that takes place in December, right? :smiley: I will finish Khadaji’s Whatcha Readin’ thread - Apri… --- ## [What food have you choked down recently for politeness' sake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-food-have-you-choked-down-recently-for-politeness-sake/755661)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-food-have-you-choked-down-recently-for-politeness-sake/755661 "2016-06-03T16:03:43Z")
I am not picky and will eat almost anything - and fortunately, I’m pretty good at eating the few foods I dislike without making a fuss. Oddly enough, twice in recent weeks I’ve been served pears and bleu cheese by hosts… --- ## [Harry Potter and The Flintstones: two of a kind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-flintstones-two-of-a-kind/756271)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-flintstones-two-of-a-kind/756271 "2016-06-03T16:00:09Z")
Once this connection occurred to me it seemed obvious, but I haven’t seen it discussed before. Am I completely off base on this? The Flintstones live in a world without any modern technology but they still live typical … --- ## [Drummers: Upside Down Cymbal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drummers-upside-down-cymbal/756343)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drummers-upside-down-cymbal/756343 "2016-06-03T14:57:00Z")
Watching an Alan Parson’s video, I see the drummer has an upside down cymbal (among other normal cymbals) What effect does an upside down cymbal have? Does the sound permeate the room better, being that all the sound ene… --- ## [Songs played by Chico Marx](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-by-chico-marx/403322)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-by-chico-marx/403322 "2016-06-03T12:22:12Z")
In Animal Crackers Chico plays a song that starts out sounding a lot like “Sugar in the Morning.” In fact he gets stuck in it, with Groucho saying things like, “If you come near a song, play that instead,” and he respond… --- ## [Please help identify this background music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-identify-this-background-music/756288)
**Author:** [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-identify-this-background-music/756288 "2016-06-03T11:06:02Z")
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/edxvznzklCA. The clip is from Werner Herzog’s 1998 documentary “Little Dieter wants to fly”. Annoyingly, IMDB doesn’t seem to carry details of the soundtrack, and the first few links I… --- ## [30 Day Song Challenge, number 14: A song that no one would expect you to love](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-day-song-challenge-number-14-a-song-that-no-one-would-expect-you-to-love/756083)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2016, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-day-song-challenge-number-14-a-song-that-no-one-would-expect-you-to-love/756083 "2016-06-03T09:45:19Z")
Someone’s gotta do it; I guess this time it’s me. In my case, NOBODY would ever guess that I love The Ace, by the Red Clay Ramblers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=868) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=870)