# Anyone seen that Mastercard commercial with Kevin Bacon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 31, 2002, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098 "2002-03-31T21:28:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/21 "2002-04-01T19:44:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*I guess I am three degrees as well. > > I lit a cig for and made small talk with > Uma Thurman …\*\* Hey, I want to hear more about this! ---
**Author:** ![kase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@kase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kase)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/22 "2002-04-01T19:46:02Z")
ditto **O.O** ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/23 "2002-04-01T19:55:41Z")
Its probably much less exciting than you envision. I managed a bookstore in the Atlanta airport for about a year and a half (1996-1997.) I was taking a break in the smoking lounge, she walked in and asked me for a light. I lit her cig. I asked her what she was doing in Atlanta, she just said she had a connecting flight, that she was exhausted, just wanted to get home, yadda yadda yadda. She looked jet-lagged, and truth be told, kinda strung out. But, she very well may just have been tired. She finished her smoke, said thanks and went on her way. I met a good number of quasi-famous to famous people at that job. Jonnie Cochran John Denver Webster Terry Bradshaw Macho Man Randy Savage Michael Stipe and several others I am probably forgetting. ---
**Author:** ![kase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@kase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kase)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/24 "2002-04-01T19:59:52Z")
Wow That’s great. Did you ask for autographs? [figuring John Denver’s must be worth a lot by now] 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/25 "2002-04-01T20:08:11Z")
No, I’ve always thought that asking for autographs was a little bit hokey. (No offense intended to any autograph collectors, just MHO) I’d rather just say hello and see what they have to say – then remember the experience of meeting them, rather than have a piece of paper with a name on it. ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/26 "2002-04-01T21:43:27Z")
3 degrees: I worked with George Gaffney at my college’s student TV station. George Gaffney was in _Last Lives_ with J.C. Quinn J.C. Quinn was in _Digging to China_ with Kevin Bacon I have a couple other 4-degree routes. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/27 "2002-04-01T23:18:50Z")
Thanks **Munch, Brandocet, and Mystery Dog** for your corrections. I guess I was thinking of DeNiro in place of Pacino. Could have sworn I used Pacino legitimately before. Bet I used Pacino in Heat with DeNiro in Sleepers with Bacon, which would explain my 5 degrees. So cool, I’ve dropped a step and become one degree closer. Now my friends’ friends are six degrees removed. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/28 "2002-04-01T23:35:26Z")
Just ftr, you have to list people who acted in movies/shows with people who have been in movies/shows who have been in movies/shows with Kevin Bacon. Being “friends” with someone doesnt’ count. Most purists don’t count JFK, as it’s too easy. Everyone was in that one. I, myself, am one degree from Mr. Bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/29 "2002-04-01T23:36:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*Just ftr, you have to list people who acted in movies/shows with people who have been in movies/shows who have been in movies/shows with Kevin Bacon. Being “friends” with someone doesnt’ count. Most purists don’t count JFK, as it’s too easy. Everyone was in that one. > > I, myself, am one degree from Mr. Bacon. \*\* OK, I’ll bite. What movie were you in with Kevin Bacon? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/30 "2002-04-01T23:49:40Z")
A month ago, I had breakfast with a co-worker at my hospital who’e name is **Kevin**. We both had 3 strips of **Bacon** with our eggs. How many freakin’ degrees do I win, and why is this so important that I have to post here, 'cause I don’t even **understand** the rules of this?!:rolleyes: ('cause I wanna build my post count up to 1100 again, that’s why!) 😃 Actually, I **do** understand the rules of the game. I just couldn’t resist the post , because I’m just so clever sometimes it scares me! 😉 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2002, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/31 "2002-04-01T23:58:46Z")
[[OK, I’ll bite. What movie were you in with Kevin Bacon?]] I’m stalling because I can’t remember the name of the actor who was in a movie with Kevin Bacon and also was in “A Shining Season,” in which I was an extra. I’m really bad at this Popular Culture stuff. I’ll get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/32 "2002-04-02T00:40:56Z")
Sorry, **Jill** , that’s a Bacon index of 2. You’re one degree from Kevin Bacon only if you were actually in a movie with the esteemed actor. You might want to check out the [Oracle of Bacon](http://www.cs.virginia.edu/oracle/). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/33 "2002-04-02T00:49:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*Just ftr, you have to list people who acted in movies/shows with people who have been in movies/shows who have been in movies/shows with Kevin Bacon. Being “friends” with someone doesnt’ count. Most purists don’t count JFK, as it’s too easy. Everyone was in that one. > \*\* The same can be said of _Diner._ ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/34 "2002-04-02T01:09:08Z")
i have friends who had kevin bacon’s father as a professor. so that would be me, friend (s), dad, kevin. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/35 "2002-04-02T02:05:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*Just ftr, you have to list people who acted in movies/shows with people who have been in movies/shows who have been in movies/shows with Kevin Bacon. Being “friends” with someone doesnt’ count. > \*\* I disagree, and the commercial supports my belief. (None of those people are movie actors!) Besides, if it’s a matter of “acted with” than that means I’m NOT 3 degrees from the Jack in the Box guy. (I know Brian Boitano’s cousin.) And I will not STAND for that! ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/36 "2002-04-02T02:53:30Z")
My bacon number recently advanced to 4, even following **JillGat** ’s rules. I was in _Beauty 7_ with Uno Kanda. Uno Kanda was in _Gohatto_ with Takeshi Kitano Takeshi Kitano was in _Brother_ with Tuesday Knight Tuesday Knight was in _Telling Lies in America_ with Kevin Bacon ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/37 "2002-04-02T03:50:08Z")
This Kevin Bacon think is the stupidest thing I ever heard of. I could not care less who knows who was in what movie, etc, etc , ad nauseum. But… I shook hands with Pat Benatar Who recently did a special with the Dixie Chicks Who were on that Sept 11 show with Reba McIntyre Who was in “Tremors” with … Kevin Bacon Sheesh… ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/38 "2002-04-02T04:49:23Z")
I have an Erdos-Bacon number of 8 (and possibly less than that). What’s an Erdos number, you ask, and what’s a Erdos-Bacon number? Paul Erdos (1913-1996) was one of the most prolific mathematicians of all time. Not only did he write a huge number of mathematical papers, but he wrote many of these papers in collaboration with others. He had at least 450 co-authors. So define an Erdos number similarly to how you define the degree of separation from Kevin Bacon. If you co-wrote a paper with Erdos, your Erdos number is 1. If you didn’t, but you co-wrote a paper with someone who wrote a paper with Erdos, your Erdos number is 2. And so forth. The notion of the Erdos number was created before the idea of the degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon, incidentally. For further information, there are two biographies of Paul Erdos (_My Brain is Open_ by Bruce Schechter and _The Man Who Loved Only Numbers_ by Paul Hoffman). You can find out more about him by googling on his name. So then an Erdos-Bacon number allows you to connect yourself to Kevin Bacon by either co-authoring of a paper or by acting in the same movie. Now, as it happens, I have an Erdos number of 4. Paul Erdos has a Bacon number of 4. There was a documentary made about Erdos called _N is a Number_. One of the mathematicians interviewed in that documentary is Gene Patterson, who’s done some small jobs in movies. One of them was acting in the movie _Box of Moon Light_, in which the actor Sam Rockwell also appeared. Sam Rockwell also appeared in the movie _13 Moons_, as did Pruitt Taylor Vince. Pruitt Taylor Vince appeared in _24 Hours_ with Kevin Bacon. So my Erdos-Bacon number is at most 8. But my number might be smaller than that. _Hollow Man_, which starred Kevin Bacon, was directed by Paul Verhoeven. Before going into the film business, Verhoeven got a Ph.D. in mathematical physics. If Verhoeven ever co-wrote any papers while he was in academia, there’s a good chance he can be connected with Erdos and hence with me. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/39 "2002-04-02T14:03:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > \*\* > > I disagree, and the commercial supports my belief. (None of those people are movie actors!) > > \*\* Technically speaking, they all are 1 degree. They all acted in a commercial with Kevin Bacon 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2002, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098/40 "2002-04-02T15:47:53Z")
Why haven’t I ever thought about this? I was in two scenes in “Joe Versus the Volcano” starring both Tom Hanks and Nathan Lane. Tom was in “Apollo 13” with Kevin; Nathan was in “He Said, She Said” with Kevin - that gives me a Dual Bacon Index of 2. Heh. I feel kind of cool now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seen-that-mastercard-commercial-with-kevin-bacon/101098.md?page=3)