# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157 "2026-01-29T18:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/41 "2026-01-31T04:53:12Z")
Definitely underrated. He didn’t have the career after that the others had. The poll left out Harold Ramis who was on screen and head writer in the first season. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/42 "2026-01-31T11:51:33Z")
Eugene Levy for me, no question. The man can crack me up without saying a word. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/43 "2026-01-31T18:09:05Z")
Ranking “funny” is close to impossible, as there are so many different kinds of funny, and it’s all subjective anyway. And the SCTV cast was an outstanding cooperative ensemble who all allowed each other to shine. Having said that, John Candy was an absolutely fearless comedic actor. I get that not everyone goes for the big blustery fat guy bit, but he was at once so good at that and so much more than that. And though he left us far too early, his post-SCTV career was more prolific than the others’. So he got my vote, for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/44 "2026-02-01T05:32:37Z")
For the Democratic poll: I’d say the Ds would win more if they were more progressive, but it’s more complex then that. Specifically, they need to move to the left on economic issues, but move to the right on social issues. Right now, they are seen as being too-left socially and too-right economically, which is the worst of both worlds. IMHO, the average or centrist American voter would love to see income inequality reduced, higher minimum wage, stronger labor rights, a cleaner environment, higher taxes on the rich, but dislikes wokeness, affirmative action, PC, identity politics, etc. Blue Dog Democrats, basically. Bernie and AOC seem to be the only Ds who get it, economically. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/45 "2026-02-01T13:01:19Z")
I would watch Melania for $500, but that’s not the worst possible kind of film for me…there are films you’d have to pay me more than $1000 for. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/46 "2026-02-01T13:10:24Z")
There’s only one way you could get me to watch some films and it isn’t with money. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjxVyKgXMAAP-VY.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjxVyKgXMAAP-VY.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/47 "2026-02-01T16:32:27Z")
> [@Polls only: No discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/6541): > > You must watch it with the care you would normally watch a cinema film Put me in a dark room in a comfy recliner; sure, I’ll watch it the way I watch other movies & hope I don’t snore too loud to disturb others who are watching it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/48 "2026-02-01T16:42:44Z")
Same. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/49 "2026-02-01T17:27:51Z")
I don’t really know what is meant by making it as hard to watch as possible. $500 sounds about right. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/50 "2026-02-01T18:48:46Z")
If there’s any chance “hard to watch” includes torture, gross-out stuff or anything viscerally disgusting, I will not watch for any amount of money. The things I see in films tend to haunt me for life. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/51 "2026-02-01T21:39:51Z")
The sidewalk question is complicated; legally we’re supposed to, but nobody does because the town always plows the sidewalks near the school, and that includes us. Among reasons we don’t: we know the city will, and we also abut MBTA (train system) land and they never do it, so there are long stretches that won’t get cleared until the town does it. We are also supposed to shovel out any hydrants in front of our house, and I do that. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/52 "2026-02-01T22:13:02Z")
Suburban Chicago: the town where I live does not do any plowing/clearing of snow on sidewalks, except (as far as I can tell) around public buildings (village hall, the library, the train station, etc.). As I live on a corner, I have a lot of sidewalk to clear, which is why I bought a big snowblower about a decade ago. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/53 "2026-02-01T22:13:35Z")
I live in a manufactured home community in Michigan. Residents are required to shovel the sidewalks in front of their homes. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/54 "2026-02-01T22:16:19Z")
Until today I had never heard of a municipality clearing the residential sidewalks of snow. It’s always been the homeowner’s responsibility in my experience. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/55 "2026-02-01T22:20:55Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Until today I had never heard of a municipality clearing the residential sidewalks of snow. I have visited a few places where the municipality does clear the main sidewalks (i.e., the ones which run parallel to the street) with small snowplows or Bobcats. AIUI, they don’t clear any other sidewalks on private property, such as those going from the main sidewalk to the residence. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/56 "2026-02-01T22:21:11Z")
I live in New Hampshire, and my town has a plow-equipped bobcat that clears public sidewalks. Not all residential streets here have sidewalks, but the ones that do get plowed. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/57 "2026-02-01T23:29:25Z")
My town plows the sidewalks on one side of the street along all the “walk to school” routes, which is most of the town. I’m not sure who is responsible for plowing sidewalks in the commercial areas, but I’m betting the town does those, too, as they always look uniformly cleared, not like the patchwork of barely/not/really well that I used to see in NYC. To be honest, I’ve never actually checked the law. Maybe there’s a requirement that I’m ignoring because the town does it? > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > We are also supposed to shovel out any hydrants in front of our house, and I do that. I’m sure we aren’t required to clean the hydrants, because the town urges people to “adopt a hydrant” and volunteer to keep it cleaned out. I don’t usually bother to sign up, but we always clear the hydrant in front of our house. The next door neighbor told me that he used to do it until we moved in. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/58 "2026-02-02T00:20:40Z")
Our previous pets had always had interest in at least some “human food” – exactly which human food varied from pet to pet. Our previous cat was gaga for cantaloupe; the cat before him would come running any time he heard a can being opened, or anything hard being poured into a bowl, in both cases, because it sounded, to him, like cat food was being dispensed. Our current pets are a pair of orange tabby cat brothers. They have never shown any interest whatsoever in any food other than their own. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/59 "2026-02-02T00:26:38Z")
I also had a cat that went nuts for cantaloupe. I assume that’s what mice taste like. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/60 "2026-02-02T00:55:30Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m torn on the potato poll. I don’t like potatoes very much. I _do_ like tater tots and crispy fries, but they are not terribly healthy. I like potatoes quite a bit, but yeah, the health issue was front and center for me. If calories weren’t a real thing, then like others, I’d cheat and get bakers + toppings. I’d harvest the toppings and use them on/in countless other dishes, or sell off the edible gold foil! Since the evil genie knows this and would curse us, I’d go for the safer option of loaded potato skins - I like these, and it would be a less crazy carb option to have on occasion, though the cheese, bacon and chives are another risk. The alternate option would be potato salad. Because I hate potato salad. And that way I’d never be tempted to eat/overeat them. Granted though, if it weren’t for the genie (the genie is always there in these polls) I might try the altruistic option of having a literal endless supply of fresh, free hot food and bring them by a local food support group of one sort or another. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=4)