# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=918 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 919 --- ## [Genre/subject matter that makes universally bad films (and their exceptions)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-subject-matter-that-makes-universally-bad-films-and-their-exceptions/744858)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genre-subject-matter-that-makes-universally-bad-films-and-their-exceptions/744858 "2016-02-06T04:15:08Z")
So here’s how it goes. There are certain genres or subjects that universally seem to make terrible films/shows. Kind of like the opposite of how it’s hard find a bad gangster or heist film. But then every now and agai… --- ## ["Close Encounters" questions (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-encounters-questions-open-spoilers/320513)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-encounters-questions-open-spoilers/320513 "2016-02-06T03:38:59Z")
Just saw Spielberg’s 1977 masterpiece again for the first time in many years, and it holds up very well. A few questions… In the extended edition, the alien-contact team finds an ocean-going cargo ship deposited high i… --- ## [Mona Lisa in the West, ??? in the East/North/South?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mona-lisa-in-the-west-in-the-east-north-south/744889)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mona-lisa-in-the-west-in-the-east-north-south/744889 "2016-02-06T01:59:49Z")
There’s the generally held belief that the Mona Lisa is the best painting in Western Civilization, or if not the best, then certainly the best known. As for works of art, we currently have a debate in GD where people ar… --- ## [What happened to Lady Gaga?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-lady-gaga/744976)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-lady-gaga/744976 "2016-02-06T01:45:32Z")
I was wondering where did she go? It seems from 2008 to around 11-12 she was everywhere, winning awards, being number 1 everywhere, a pop sensation and then she just kind of dissipated and made a duet Album with Tony Ben… --- ## [Hearing characters who know sign langauge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-characters-who-know-sign-langauge/744916)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-characters-who-know-sign-langauge/744916 "2016-02-06T00:34:05Z")
Occasionally on TV the need arises to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired. Rather than brining in an interpreter, one of the series’ regularly characters is suddenly revealed to be fluent in American Sign La… --- ## ["Classic" version of Rock Me, Amadeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-version-of-rock-me-amadeus/745173)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-version-of-rock-me-amadeus/745173 "2016-02-06T00:30:21Z")
I went to the iTunes\[sup\]1\[/sup\] store\[sup\]2\[/sup\] last night trying to get the version of Rock Me, Amadeus I remember from the 80’s - the version of the song the MTV video played - the version of the song in English whi… --- ## [Seinfeld: "The Soup Nazi" Episode](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seinfeld-the-soup-nazi-episode/745114)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seinfeld-the-soup-nazi-episode/745114 "2016-02-06T00:29:50Z")
I’ve been rewatching Seinfel lately. “The Soup Nazi” is a great episode, and is easily one of my favorites. I’ve never been entirely happy with the ending in the sense that I’m not so sure that Elaine having the recipes… --- ## [Favorite single line from television?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-single-line-from-television/744309)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 312\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-single-line-from-television/744309 "2016-02-06T00:29:24Z")
Some coworkers and I were discussing our favorite television shows and how they were written. I’m 61, or manager is 60, one coworker is in her low 50’s, the rest are way younger. We got around to lines that were iconic… --- ## [Bob Elliott Dead at 92](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-elliott-dead-at-92/745282)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-elliott-dead-at-92/745282 "2016-02-06T00:18:42Z")
Half of the Bob and Ray team and father of Chris Elliott. New York Times obit here. I just learned of it and was surprised not to find a thread already started on it. RIP, Bob. They don’t make them like you anymore. … --- ## [Identify that film - within the last 15yrs - black female lead - music executive character](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-that-film-within-the-last-15yrs-black-female-lead-music-executive-character/745109)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-that-film-within-the-last-15yrs-black-female-lead-music-executive-character/745109 "2016-02-05T23:24:02Z")
I’ve seen these “Identify that film” Threads get some pretty amazing results considering the lack of details some of the OPs start with. This one’s been bugging me for a long time. I hope someone can identify it. Having… --- ## [Story Idea: Could a man convicted of murder later sue the "victim"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/story-idea-could-a-man-convicted-of-murder-later-sue-the-victim/744375)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/story-idea-could-a-man-convicted-of-murder-later-sue-the-victim/744375 "2016-02-05T23:02:47Z")
Situation: Husband and wife are having terrible problems in their marriage. He’s abusive, she sleeps around, they fight, both drink too much, etc. He decides to be rid of her, but he has money and can’t stand the idea… --- ## [Half-Hour TV dramas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-hour-tv-dramas/744810)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-hour-tv-dramas/744810 "2016-02-05T21:38:55Z")
Watching “Have Gun, Will Travel” on H&I this afternoon it hit me that it is a 30 min drama (though there was a two parter). I’m thinking these are pretty rare. The other one I thought of is the animated Star Trek. Speak… --- ## [Help identify this movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-movie/745265)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-movie/745265 "2016-02-05T21:12:15Z")
It may have been a made for tv movie, I’m not entirely sure. But I recall sometime during the mid-1970’s seeing a rerun movie where the premise was the US and some small country got into a dispute - not exactly sure why … --- ## [Watney - The Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watney-the-martian/745224)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watney-the-martian/745224 "2016-02-05T20:37:05Z")
How does Watney not die of suffocation during his Iron Man maneuver? He seemed to be out there flailing about for a number of minutes before he catches onto the commander’s tether, and then a few more minutes before they… --- ## [And now for a brief intermission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-a-brief-intermission/37558)
**Author:** [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-a-brief-intermission/37558 "2016-02-05T20:21:11Z")
What was the last major movie (in the US) that included an intermission? With some movies over 3 hours (Three Kings, Magnolia, etc.), it’s a long wait to use the facilities, especially after a Super-sized Coke. I unders… --- ## [Desk Set movie question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desk-set-movie-question/744605)
**Author:** [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desk-set-movie-question/744605 "2016-02-05T19:55:47Z")
I was watching Desk Set on netflix last night and I thought it was quite enjoyable but I didn’t understand one line. At the beginning of the movie when Sumner is measuring everything and the research women are wondering… --- ## [Rate Panda Express as Chinese Food - 1 to 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-panda-express-as-chinese-food-1-to-10/745031)
**Author:** [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-panda-express-as-chinese-food-1-to-10/745031 "2016-02-05T19:20:08Z")
Since there may be some variance between franchises (I’m guessing the mall versions are on the low-end), stack your best Panda Express meal ever to your best Chinese food eating experience (10) and your worst (1). Perso… --- ## [Question about a creature in Moby-Dick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-creature-in-moby-dick/745198)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-creature-in-moby-dick/745198 "2016-02-05T04:10:50Z")
What ten-armed creature was mentioned in Moby-Dick? (I was watching Jeopardy; Alex Trebek gave the answer, but someone here was talking loud and I didn’t hear what Trebek said.) --- ## [Trying to find a Pittsburgh song from the early 80's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-pittsburgh-song-from-the-early-80s/744781)
**Author:** [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-pittsburgh-song-from-the-early-80s/744781 "2016-02-05T02:05:55Z")
I was in college in Johnstown, the year was 1981-1982. This was a local song. I can’t remember the title or much of the words except in the beginning the person is going “back to Pittsburgh, PA” and each verse ends with… --- ## [Regular Show: Is all the soda consumption really just a euphemism for beer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-show-is-all-the-soda-consumption-really-just-a-euphemism-for-beer/745183)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-show-is-all-the-soda-consumption-really-just-a-euphemism-for-beer/745183 "2016-02-05T01:33:10Z")
'Cuz, I don’t know a whole lot of 20-somethings that get that excited over soda. Thoughts? --- ## [Government cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-cheese/744780)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-cheese/744780 "2016-02-05T00:51:53Z")
Wikipedia So it’s real cheese. (Cite. Real cheese, an emulsifier, and up to 5% by weight of fat content milk or cream.) It’s actually pretty good. Back in the '80s the old lady across the street used to us her gov… --- ## [Manhattan on WGN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-on-wgn/694200)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-on-wgn/694200 "2016-02-05T00:45:58Z")
Just watched the series opener and thought it was pretty tight. It’s about the teams that worked on the Manhattan Project, in case you’re wondering. Pretty good acting, and some familiar faces from other series. It ha… --- ## [How do you consume upcoming movie media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-consume-upcoming-movie-media/744986)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-consume-upcoming-movie-media/744986 "2016-02-05T00:29:51Z")
Modern media has made trailers and previews really weird. Since I cut the cable cord, my exposure to commercials is effectively nil. The only time I’m a captive audience is at the movie theater. Over the years I’ve deve… --- ## [Doesn't anyone sell diced onion in a jar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-anyone-sell-diced-onion-in-a-jar/744899)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-anyone-sell-diced-onion-in-a-jar/744899 "2016-02-05T00:14:13Z")
Nowhere I’ve found so far anyway; you can seemingly find almost any vegetable you can name pickled and sold in a jar- but not diced onion. I’ve seen chopped onion, and dried minced onion is pretty common in the spice sec… --- ## [RIP Joe Alaskey, voice actor Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, and others.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-joe-alaskey-voice-actor-daffy-duck-yosemite-sam-and-others/745164)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-joe-alaskey-voice-actor-daffy-duck-yosemite-sam-and-others/745164 "2016-02-04T23:21:16Z")
Joe Alaskey, Emmy-award winning actor who voiced several Looney Tunes and Tiny Toon characters, has passed away from cancer at 63. He got his start voicing Yosemite Sam in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? He played Plucky Duck i… --- ## [WALKING DEAD (show) fans: what dead characters do you most miss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-dead-show-fans-what-dead-characters-do-you-most-miss/744956)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-dead-show-fans-what-dead-characters-do-you-most-miss/744956 "2016-02-04T22:40:27Z")
For me it’s the Greenes–Herschel and Beth. The former’s calm and wisdom (after season 2) was a comfort; he was much less annoying than the other peace-loving characters. The latter was (until her moral corruption in the … --- ## [Serial podcast, Season 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-podcast-season-2/740087)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-podcast-season-2/740087 "2016-02-04T22:14:08Z")
Is out. Apparently, a new story. Can’t wait! --- ## [what is the actual difference between mild, medium, and hot salsa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-actual-difference-between-mild-medium-and-hot-salsa/745171)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-actual-difference-between-mild-medium-and-hot-salsa/745171 "2016-02-04T22:11:37Z")
How much do salsa and picante sauce (largely the same thing to my untrained palate) makers change between the different heat levels of their salsa? Do they have mostly separate production lines from the seasoning level o… --- ## [Whatever happened to Gas Station commercials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-gas-station-commercials/744679)
**Author:** [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-gas-station-commercials/744679 "2016-02-04T21:57:41Z")
While watching some TV earlier today I was struck by how nearly every commercial was for car insurance. Within 15 minutes there was a Geico ad, Liberty Mutual ad, Nationwide ad, Progressive ad and a Farmers ad. All of th… --- ## [I chase that burrito dragon...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-chase-that-burrito-dragon/745104)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-chase-that-burrito-dragon/745104 "2016-02-04T21:12:53Z")
This is a spin-off from the Panda Express poll/thread. The title of this thread is a quote from WhyNot. I, too, chase that dragon. What is the deal with Chipotle? I order the same thing maybe 3 times a week for lunch… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=917) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=919)