# Can Spike Lee's huge head fit through the courtroom door? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 15, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027 "2003-06-15T15:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/41 "2003-06-17T12:48:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > \*\*How about a disclaimer at the bottom during ads for the channel saying “Not associated with SHELTON Lee”… \*\* Meaningless. The man is professionally known as Spike Lee. Just as Archibald Leach was known as Cary Grant, Julius Marx as Groucho, Samuel Clemens as Mark Twain, etc., etc. Any disclaimer would have to refer to him as such to make any sense or to have any hope of ameliorating confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/42 "2003-06-18T01:15:48Z")
Ok, fine. _“Not associated with **Shelton** “Spike” Lee”_ ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/43 "2003-06-18T02:12:03Z")
**FranticMad** added > [@](#): > > For those who enjoy irony, Mark Roesler (no less than a valedictorian of Alexandria Monroe High School) engaged in a legal battle against Shelton “Spike Lee” Jackson and established: > > that Malcolm X’s widow controls the rights to ‘X’ used in association with her husband instead of Lee, director of the movie, Malcolm X". > > It seems that Mr. Jackson (Lee) feels that other people’s monikers belong to him too. Before you ascribe too much importance to that, you might visit Mr. Mark Roesler’s website. It’s the biggest piece of self-agrandizing puffery I"ve seen in a long time. Very professionally done(but, hey! That’s his JOB). Roesler’s firm sued more than five other companies in the 1990’s about marketing merchandise with “X” as a logo. Spike Lee was just one of many. I’m not sure, but I think Lee agreed to pay a royalty to the estate of Malcom X on merchandise sold. It was, in no way, about Spike Lee feeling “that other people’s monikers belong to him too.” Who gives a fuck if the guy was a valedictorian? He also was a “roofer.” He sued, and all of the companies he sued ultimately settled with the estate. I doubt that there was a legal judgement by the courts. Nothing evil to see here. Move along. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/44 "2003-06-18T02:17:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jeevmon \* > **Meaningless. The man is professionally known as Spike Lee.** Yeah, the point was to mock Lee, not to be a useful disclaimer. ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/45 "2003-06-18T11:41:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > **Who gives a fuck if the guy was a valedictorian** No one. It’s called satire. The ironic implication is that valedictorians seem to enjoy launching lawsuits these days. There are other ironies, but it seems futile to explain them while you’re being so darn serious about a frivolous topic (i.e. Spike Lee’s apparent ego, not the meticulous details of law). ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/46 "2003-06-19T08:17:00Z")
TNN should changes its name to “Shelton” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/47 "2003-06-19T14:06:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \*\*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by astorian_ > > Is British comic Spike Milligan still alive? > > Alas, no. ☹ He died last year. \*\* [Spike Owen](http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensp01.shtml) is still around, though. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/48 "2003-06-19T16:46:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > \*\*So, the fact that a NY State Supreme Court Judge thinks it merits going to trial means _bubkes_? > > Go for it, **Spike**! \*\* Yep, _bubkes._ Preliminary note - in NY, the Supreme Court is the lowest court, the trial court. The high court, which would be the Supreme Court in other states, is called the Court of Appeals. Point the first - the judge has _not_ determined that the case merits going to trial. The judge has only issued a temporary restraining order. There are still several opportunities to get this case bumped before trial, including motions to dismiss and for summary judgment. Point the second - to get a TRO, you don’t need to put on any evidence about the alleged merits of your claim, except your own word. Further, you can get a TRO _ex parte,_ that is, without even having to allow the other side an opportunity to be heard (though most New York judges will at least try to get the opposing attorney on the phone). Point the third - the paramount issue at the TRO stage is not the merits of the claim, but instead whether, absent the TRO, the party seeking it will (if they eventually win) suffer an injury that cannot be compensated by money. Basically, the standard is that the judge assumes what the party seeking the TRO says is true (unless it’s completely ludicrous on its face), and then decides whether the alleged injury is nonmonetary. So no, the judge hasn’t addressed the merits at all. Sua ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/49 "2003-06-19T22:17:24Z")
Now the first [Spike](http://www.happyfunpundit.com/) gets into the act. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/50 "2003-06-19T23:16:13Z")
Update: the State Supreme Court [upheld](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13754-2003Jun19.html) Spike Lee’s injunction. Can I just add that, whether or not Lee’s lawsuit has merit, I think “Spike” is a ridiculous name for a television network? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/51 "2003-06-20T02:24:47Z")
**Sua**. Thanks for explaining the intricacies of NY court terminology. It never occured to me that “Supreme Court”, whether in a state setting or a National one, would imply a court that was less than the highest court in that jurisdiction. But, having read the Washington Post/ **Interrobang!?** link, I’m even more confused. The article says that > [@](#): > > Film director Spike Lee won a victory against media conglomerate Viacom Inc on Thursday when an appeals court upheld an injunction preventing the company from renaming its TNN cable network “Spike TV.” > > The five appellate judges of the State Supreme Court ruled that Viacom could appeal in September. So, the five State Supreme Court justices are appellate judges? Maybe it’s the beer. Is NY just _weird_? Or did the article use incorrect language? ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/52 "2003-06-20T03:08:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Interrobang!? \* > \*\*I think “Spike” is a ridiculous name for a television network \*\* All the imaginative names have been taken. ABC, NBC, BBC – all gone and protected by copyright. Even Mulder wouldn’t say “Fox” until he was tortured by aliens. “Spike” is a wonderful name for a TV channel – not as good as “Rover” or “Benji”, but good nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/53 "2003-06-20T03:53:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Murcielago \* > \*_i]Midgets Gone Wild_. \*\* He’s 5"5’. I’m 5"5’… –What the fuck are you trying to say??? That I’m a midget? I prefer “little person”, asshole. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/54 "2003-06-20T07:10:07Z")
Ooops, I mean 5’5", The soft spot on my head hasn’t matured any since I was an infant (along with my stature), and I get hit in the head often, so… excuse the mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/55 "2003-06-20T23:19:57Z")
Now they need to turn around and try to name it “Shelton TV.” ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/56 "2003-06-20T23:39:16Z")
Cyberhwk, I hereby order you to cease and desist from posting that Viacom should name their network “Shelton TV”. In a post prior to yours on this thread, I posted that Viacom should name their network “Spike.” It’s nothing personal, I just fear that your post might be associated with mine. Now to get working on that injunction against Captiva Island. The hard part is going to be getting the venue moved to New York, where the judges are apparently all idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/57 "2003-07-08T13:20:32Z")
And this thread stagger to its inevitable end–the Clownish Mr. Lee settles out of court. [http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=59869&Form.sess\_id=332008&Form.sess\_key=1057669955](http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=59869&Form.sess_id=332008&Form.sess_key=1057669955) ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/58 "2003-07-08T14:03:18Z")
Errr… Who the fuck is Spike Lee? ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/59 "2003-07-08T14:06:40Z")
From the above linked article: > [@](#): > > \*\*Lee, director of ‘‘Malcolm X’’ and ‘‘Do the Right Thing,’’ got the injunction after claiming that Viacom was renaming TNN in a deliberate attempt to hijack his name, image and reputation. > > Lee, whose real name is Shelton Jackson Lee, said he objected to being associated with low-brow programming.\*\* Ironically, I (and probably many others) am now far more likely to think of Spike Lee every time I see “Spike TV” than I would have been if he’d kept his big mouth shut instead of bringing a lawsuit. If he’d quietly disassociated himself, it wouldn’t have occurred to me that he was involved. His conspicuous absence would be enough proof of that; he’d be doing commercials and billboards and other ads if it really was his project. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027/60 "2003-07-08T14:07:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*And this thread stagger to its inevitable end–the Clownish Mr. Lee settles out of court. > > [http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=59869&Form.sess\_id=332008&Form.sess\_key=1057669955](http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=59869&Form.sess_id=332008&Form.sess_key=1057669955) \*\* Damn! Damn! Damn! Shelton doesn’t deserve a thin dime. > [@](#): > > While the case was pending, Lee was in Los Angeles filming ¡¥¡¥Sucker-Free City¡¦¡¦ for Showtime, a cable network owned by Viacom. Let us pray that ‘settle’ means they’ll let him air his little show if he shuts the fuck up already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spike-lees-huge-head-fit-through-the-courtroom-door/182027.md?page=4)