# I can't believe she's never heard of The Mikado! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271 "2011-11-17T21:05:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/61 "2011-11-18T20:27:04Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Why are we talking about The Mikado, but quoting from Pinafore? Damme, that’s too bad! > [@beowulff](#): > > Well, we’ll just need to find an appropriate punishment… Not so fast. From bias free of every kind this trial must be tried! ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/62 "2011-11-18T20:32:45Z")
In your young woman’s defense, there is a portion of theater majors who refuse to believe that musical theater should be considered a part of “theater.” It is “musical theater,” and as such not to be considered seriously by those interested in becoming involved with “Theater.” I mean, after all, one does not “act” in musical theater. (just channeling some theater majors). ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/63 "2011-11-18T20:33:24Z")
I’m disappointed that the Wikipedia disambiguation page for the term Mikado doesn’t include the [Chevy Mikado.](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsdjySqKQlI/TB03fn6ePjI/AAAAAAAAD_I/l1dfMXiUe7Y/s1600/1979+Chevrolet+Luv+Mikado.+-+3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/64 "2011-11-18T20:39:20Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > As did Magnum PI with at least one episode. I loved when Magnum, TJ, and Rick had to perform “Three Little Maids.” And, of course “Chariots of Fire” had a major (almost continual) Mikado reference. Rick loved it so much that, at the end of the episode, he was rehearsing “I Am a Pirate King” (horribly) so that he could audition for the lead in \*\*\*Pirates of Penzance \*\*\* next season. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/65 "2011-11-18T20:42:07Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _The Mikado_ is a **great** production. My favorite part is where Chevy Chase shoots the giant albino, whose corpse gets caught in the ropes and lowers the rigging of the _HMS Pinafore_ onto the stage… I have to admit, my first exposure to G&S and \*The Mikado \* was from [this movie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077578/) as well. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/66 "2011-11-18T21:32:40Z")
There’s only one universal pop culture reference and if you’re name ain’t _ **Superman** _ you’re not it. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/67 "2011-11-18T21:48:56Z")
I mentioned Dr. Who in a staff meeting the other day. No one knew what that was. I mentioned Puff the Magic Dragon to a woman of about 19 a couple weeks ago. Blank look. I mentioned the Velvet Underground to a 60-year-old self-professed Lou Reed fan on Sunday. Not one clue. There is no such thing as common knowledge anymore. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/68 "2011-11-19T03:06:12Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > (Assuming this isn’t a whoosh) Is there another Itzhak Perlman??? :eek: > > Oh, and am I only person here who has seen \*The Mikado \*performed in Yiddish? In Yiddish? for real? Wow! I live a sheltered life out here in the Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/69 "2011-11-19T03:18:52Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > I mentioned the Velvet Underground to a 60-year-old self-professed Lou Reed fan on Sunday. Not one clue. OK, of all those, this is the one I _really_ don’t understand. That’s like being a long-time Paul McCartney fan and not knowing he played in The Beatles. Granted, The Beatles were a good bit more popular than VU, but in terms of influence and importance, they’re about equal. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/70 "2011-11-19T04:54:23Z")
If you are a theatre major on the university level, you should probably know who G&S are and their major works. And in my humble opinion… If you not a theatre major on the university level and you have ears and taste, you should know who they are so you can avoid them at all costs. G&S are the most overrated hacks in the musical world. No good music came from the UK until 1964. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/71 "2011-11-19T06:48:01Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > In Yiddish? for real? Wow! I live a sheltered life out here in the Midwest. [This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqb_8BL7tpE). They’re very big on Long Island. > [@Zebra](#): > > If you not a theatre major on the university level and you have ears and taste, you should know who they are so you can avoid them at all costs. G&S are the most overrated hacks in the musical world. No good music came from the UK until 1964. I’ve got a little list . . . and you’re on it! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/72 "2011-11-19T07:24:20Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > [A Metulous Analysis of History](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjs7NL-YnfU), although they don’t reference G&S by name. Animaniacs proper did them at least once - a whole cartoon based around them, in fact. Episode 3 has the HMS Yakko segment, which does parodies of several songs from Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore - With Catlike Tread, I Am The Captain of the Pinafore, Never Mind the Why and Wherefore, and [I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHHlcyjXTSk). I think they may have done another Major-General parody at some point, since they did a lot of list songs, and it’s a good choice to go to for them. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/73 "2011-11-19T13:43:19Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > If you are a theatre major on the university level, you should probably know who G&S are and their major works. > > And in my humble opinion… > > If you not a theatre major on the university level and you have ears and taste, you should know who they are so you can avoid them at all costs. G&S are the most overrated hacks in the musical world. No good music came from the UK until 1964. So… Purcell, Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams… none of that was any good? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/74 "2011-11-19T14:29:46Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > So… Purcell, Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams… none of that was any good? Nope. But G&S are sublime. Anyone who hates them is seriously lacking in something fundamental to being Human. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/75 "2011-11-19T17:29:33Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > G&S are the most overrated hacks in the musical world. No good music came from the UK until 1964. Not so. Yes, they did fall into a rut for a while and then came up with the Mikado, which was wonderful. Even Shakespeare had off days, and the Beatles too. Paul McCartney wrote a lot of crap that made it popular because of good melody, but crap lyrics. “Let Em In” is hardly quality music. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/76 "2011-11-19T19:01:42Z")
Hacks or not, [we have evidence](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQ-y589mx8) they’ll still be remembered in 150 years. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/77 "2011-11-19T19:11:08Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > OK, of all those, this is the one I _really_ don’t understand. That’s like being a long-time Paul McCartney fan and not knowing he played in The Beatles. Granted, The Beatles were a good bit more popular than VU, but in terms of influence and importance, they’re about equal. Paul McCartney was in another band before Wings? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/78 "2011-11-19T20:14:57Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I was chatting with a 30-ish banker type at my train station, and found he has never heard of Sharon Tate or Florenz Ziegfeld (or his _Follies_), and did not known what a Munchkin was (the \*Oz \*type, not the doughnut type). > > Admittedly, my pop-culture references can be a bit _outre_, but I think a basic level of cultural knowledge can be expected . . . Sharon Tate is common pop culture knowledge? I barely remember her as being somone Charles Manson killed. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/79 "2011-11-19T20:40:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Sharon Tate is common pop culture knowledge? I barely remember her as being somone Charles Manson killed. I’m telling you, Superman or GTFO. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271/80 "2011-11-19T21:22:40Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Can you think of a G&S reference in popular culture less than 30 years old? Off the top of my head - songs showed up from time to time in “Cheers” and “Frasier.” “Mad About You” had an episode about putting on Pirates of Penzance. Animaniacs did a Modern Major General parody. Aaron Sorkin loves G&S, so SportsNight had G&S references, the “It’s Surely to Their Credit” episode of the “West Wing”'s title is a direct reference and involved an argument about G&S, and song lyrics showed up more than a few times throughout the show, and Studio60 did a parody of Modern Major General and kept referencing back to G&S over their episodes. Several quotes in the final season of “Angel,” after Gunn had the download into his head. I wouldn’t be surprised if hasn’t heard of the Mikado, but Gilbert and Sullivan is (are?) hardly obscure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-shes-never-heard-of-the-mikado/603271.md?page=5)