# Extremely popular, or even legendary entertainers whose work you've never seen/heard **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654 "2010-07-31T04:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/61 "2010-08-03T14:45:07Z")
Pretty much any of the new singers (Lady Gaga, Jonas Brothers, Beyonce, Rhianna, etc.) and any of the reality TV “stars” (Heidi/Spencer/Hills people, any of the Bachelorettes/Bachelors, etc.) Now get off my lawn! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/62 "2010-08-03T14:49:45Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > My point is not that you’ll definitely watch reality shows, just that you never know what you’ll end up being forced to watch in another period of your life. Love of reality shows might not be a dealbreaker, but being forced to watch them would be. There are seriously better things to do with your life than literally waste 10 hours a week or more on completely non-fun things. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/63 "2010-08-03T15:26:53Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > > [@StusBlues](#): > > > > I’ve never read Terry Pratchett. No desire to, either. > > > > I’ve never seen most of the popular reality shows. _Big Brother, American Idol, Survivor, The Apprentice, Jon & Kate,_ the whole schmear. I’ve seen them on the checkout stand and on my program grid, but never, ever watched them. Nor will I. > > Are you married or dating? Just asking. > > I thought I’d never watch a cooking show. Then I got married. That’s pretty much all she watches. > > My point is not that you’ll definitely watch reality shows, just that you never know what you’ll end up being forced to watch in another period of your life. I live with a woman, and have for about a year. She doesn’t like them either. Unless you count _Hell’s Kitchen_, which I really don’t since there seems to be a real point to that show. If that makes me a hypocrite, so be it. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/64 "2010-08-03T15:45:19Z")
Garth Brooks is the biggest selling solo act in the U.S. ever, yet the only song I know is “Friends in Low Places”. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/65 "2010-08-03T15:56:45Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > > [@suranyi](#): > > > > My point is not that you’ll definitely watch reality shows, just that you never know what you’ll end up being forced to watch in another period of your life. > > Love of reality shows might not be a dealbreaker, but being forced to watch them would be. There are seriously better things to do with your life than literally waste 10 hours a week or more on completely non-fun things. Well, I said “force” tongue-in-cheek. Actually, we’re together in the living room, she’s watching TV, it’s on a cooking show. I’m not actively watching, but I can’t avoid it either – if I want to be with her. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/66 "2010-08-03T17:47:45Z")
Just about any country western singer/band, the more recent ones (within the last ten years) that bring thousands of fans to the state fair every year. It’s as if I’m living near an apple orchard, and while I don’t care about or much like apples, every fall thousands of apple lovers make a pilgramage to the orchard. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/67 "2010-08-03T17:51:20Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Garth Brooks is the biggest selling solo act in the U.S. ever, yet the only song I know is “Friends in Low Places”. Which is one more song than me. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/68 "2010-08-03T17:53:10Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > I’ve heard of Frank Zappa. I know his band was the Mother’s of Invention. I know he has kids named Dweezil and Moon Unit. I know in the 80’s that he and other singers went to congress to testify against parental warning labels. I know he had an album called **Weasels Ripped My Flesh** , and I know he’s dead. > > As far as I know however, I have not ever heard a single song from him. I have one recording by Frank Zappa–his version of John Cage’s _4’33"_. That is not a joke. It actually is on a John Cage CD collection I have, and that’s the only thing I’ve ever “heard” (to my knowledge) by FZ. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/69 "2010-08-03T17:55:49Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Garth Brooks is the biggest selling solo act in the U.S. ever, yet the only song I know is “Friends in Low Places”. The Don Imus parody, sung by “Rush Limbaugh” is hysterical: Cause I got friends with white faces And a burning cross that you know chases Them Jews away, then we call it a day. We’re might big on the master races. We just slip on sheets and pillow cases. Yes, I’ve got friends with white faces. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/70 "2010-08-03T18:05:05Z")
There’s some big movies I’ve missed. I’ve never seen _ET_. I haven’t seen any of the Batman or Spiderman movies. I haven’t seen _Dr Zhivago, The Graduate, Love Story, The Passion of the Christ_, or _Cleopatra_. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/71 "2010-08-03T18:08:27Z")
I never saw Michael Jordan play basketball. I don’t think I have ever seen any great basketball player play. (I don’t follow basketball.) Likewise for baseball and most other sports. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/72 "2010-08-03T18:37:31Z")
Oh this may be relevant. Last night I discovered my Mig had never even heard of Cheech and Chong! I would never have imagined, given his adoration of the herb, in addition to being Mexican he wouldn’t know Cheech Marin. I was so excited to show him **Up in Smoke**. I was not disappointed either. The look of shock on his face when he saw them lighting up that giant pipe-sized joint was precious. Tonight we’ll be watching **Nice Dreams**. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a James Bond movie now that I think about it. I don’t watch many movies though. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/73 "2010-08-03T19:10:56Z")
I was going to say **Joss Whedon** but I just looked at his IMDB profile and found that he did _Dr. Horrible_ so that’s out. I had no idea he was a middle-aged balding fella, tho. I’ll say **Neil Gaiman** and **Terry Pratchett** instead. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/74 "2010-08-03T20:06:35Z")
Ditto for lady gaga and pretty much any chart material from the last 10 years. Also,being from the UK I know the name, Michael Jordan but would have no chance of picking him out of a line-up. And I am a HUGE sport fan. The man has just slipped under my radar. Interestingly, had you asked me a couple of years ago I might have said Brian Eno. Now that I am thoroughly bored of the same old chart bollocks I actually have started to listen to him. Of course I now realise I’ve been hearing him all my adult life. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/75 "2010-08-04T16:00:38Z")
Just about every celebrated show that came out on premium cable: _Entourage, Larry Sanders, the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The L Word, Deadwood_, and so on. Just about every celebrated show that came out on basic cable: _Nip/Tuck, The Wire, The Shield_, and so on. In fact, the only premium cable series that I’ve ever watched, much less liked, has been _Hung_. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/76 "2010-08-04T17:49:22Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I have always despised Woody Allen and made a point of never seeing or reading anything he has done. Even before the whole bruhaha. > > When he dies, it will be HAPPY DANCE TIME for me!!! How can you hate someone you’ve made a point of never seeing or reading? I’m not being snotty - I’m really confused about how this is possible.😕 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/77 "2010-08-04T18:05:53Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > How can you hate someone you’ve made a point of never seeing or reading? I’m not being snotty - I’m really confused about how this is possible.😕 I would have assumed it was because of the issues with his marriage. But she then she said it was before that. ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/78 "2010-08-04T18:36:02Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I have one recording by Frank Zappa–his version of John Cage’s _4’33"_. > > That is not a joke. > > It actually is on a John Cage CD collection I have, and that’s the only thing I’ve ever “heard” (to my knowledge) by FZ. How is it? I bet it really kicks ass, in an inimitable Zappaesque way. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/79 "2010-08-05T17:03:48Z")
I stayed away from Firefly until earlier this year, and still only one episode. Never watched Dollhouse. Music: Every indie band on earth Frank Zappa Not read: Robert Jordan Terry Pratchett (outside of school) Heinlein, Asimov, Gibson, Clarke Not seen: Every HBO/Showtime series except Rome and True Blood Okay, I’m just trying to bait the board at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654/80 "2010-08-05T17:08:04Z")
I’ve never read a Harry Potter book or seen any of the movies. No desire. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-popular-or-even-legendary-entertainers-whose-work-youve-never-seen-heard/548654.md?page=5)