# In Jokes and Running Gags: Lemme In! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 4, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781 "2008-06-04T17:57:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/41 "2008-06-06T14:49:33Z")
[QUOTE=1920s Style “Death Ray”] That Willhelm Scream would be one of those things that it’s best not to know about. I’m going to notice it every time I hear it now. [/QUOTE] That’s exactly what happened to me. Now it stands out every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/42 "2008-06-06T15:22:55Z")
[Red shirts.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29) ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/43 "2008-06-06T16:05:47Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] There’s a pineapple in every episode of [Psych](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psych). [/QUOTE] Likewise, there’s a Superman in every episode of _Seinfeld_. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/44 "2008-06-06T16:28:53Z")
Later episodes of _Sealab 2021_ have a running gag involving the code or serial number “934-Texas.” The meaning of this is known only the show’s writers. The Homestar Runner webtoons have various running gags, including but not limited to Lem Sportsinterviews, A. Chimendez, Thorax Corp. and the Delabors, Videlectix, Limozeen, and DNA evidence. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/45 "2008-06-06T16:35:56Z")
Julie Dwyer drowned in the pool at the YMCA. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/46 "2008-06-06T16:49:20Z")
[QUOTE=TubaDiva] Julie Dwyer drowned in the pool at the YMCA. [/QUOTE] Brain embolism mid-backstroke. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/47 "2008-06-06T16:52:24Z")
The [Utah teapot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_teapot), an early model for 3D rendering experiments, has been used in several animated movies. One nice image featuring the teapot is [_The Six Platonic Solids_](http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/images/small/CACMcover.512.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/48 "2008-06-06T19:56:03Z")
[prisoner]I’ll be seeing you[/prisoner] Always gives me the creeps when I see it. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/49 "2008-06-06T20:31:22Z")
Mornington Crescent isn’t really a game, and there are no rules. I only say this because it stopped being funny a long time ago. The ubiquitous “Hello, world!” program (the first program implemented in any language, which just prints “Hello, world!” to the standard output) comes from the first edition of “The C Programming Language” by Kernighan and Ritchie, where it is, appropriately, the first example program. “TINC!” stands for “There Is No Cabal!”, which refers to the days when there _was_ a Usenet Cabal that effectively controlled all of the high-bandwidth connections that could be used for Usenet traffic. The Cabal died a long time ago and blaming it for anything now is pure kookery. A pipe-smoking man named “Bob” is the God/Prophet/Chief Salesman of the Church of the Subgenius, created by Ivan Stang as an offshoot of Discordianism. Discordianism also gave the world the modern conception of Eris, the connection between the numbers 5, 17, and 23, “Fnord!”, the modern Illuminati, and an unhealthy obsession with the pineal gland. Asking if it’s serious likely means you’ve missed the point, but you’re a pope anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool_of_the_Conspiracy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/50 "2008-06-06T20:34:41Z")
[QUOTE=Illuminatiprimus] Want to bet? 😃 [/QUOTE] Shhh! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/51 "2008-06-06T20:45:49Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Kubrick and bathrooms. [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=GLOSSARY](http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=GLOSSARY) [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > A question for the Glossary: > Q. You pointed out in your Movie Glossary that in the movies nobody uses toilets for their real purpose. But of course you should have referred to Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” as an exception to this rule. That’s the question that triggers Ebert’s comment about Kubrick’s work always having toilets. Ben Kingsley in _Sexy Beast_ pees in his host’s toilet, then turns and continues peeing on the carpet. I haven’t seen _Sweet Sweetback’s Badaaaass Song_, but a review mentioned Sweetback doing one scene in a restroom, making a lot of toilety body noises. In a film I can’t recall the name of, Elliot Gould’s grad student character and a prof have a conversation at the urinals in a university restroom. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/52 "2008-06-06T22:17:03Z")
[QUOTE=rjk] The [Utah teapot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_teapot), an early model for 3D rendering experiments, has been used in several animated movies. One nice image featuring the teapot is [_The Six Platonic Solids_](http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/images/small/CACMcover.512.jpg). [/QUOTE] I was glad to read in the Wiki article that the teapot shows up in Microsoft’s Pipes screensaver - I’m not crazy after all! Yay! Well, not because of seeing teapots, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/53 "2008-06-06T22:39:40Z")
I don’t know if it’s a running gag, but has Jeff Bridges ever been in a movie where he _hasn’t_ removed his shirt? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/54 "2008-06-06T22:56:32Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] I was thinking the same thing. I have no idea. [/QUOTE] A line from 2001: A Space Odyssey, actually. Said by Poole’s parents during the birthday call. ---
**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 7, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/55 "2008-06-07T02:20:25Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] Likewise, there’s a Superman in every episode of _Seinfeld_. [/QUOTE] Richard Sanders wearing a band-aid on the set of the first WKRP led to Les Nessman always having one on his person somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/56 "2008-06-07T04:36:47Z")
Jon Lovitz likes to sneak in an exaggerated throat-clearing sound in many of his works (“ACH-hem! ACH-hem!”). ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/57 "2008-06-07T13:06:40Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] I don’t know if it’s a running gag, but has Jeff Bridges ever been in a movie where he _hasn’t_ removed his shirt? [/QUOTE] Likewise, I think every Goldie Hawn movie had a peek up her skirt from behind. Climbing a ladder, etc. Not that I’m complaining, now! ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/58 "2008-06-07T14:44:23Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] I don’t know if it’s a running gag, but has Jeff Bridges ever been in a movie where he _hasn’t_ removed his shirt? [/QUOTE] I don’t remember seeing him without his shirt in the movie [Stick It](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430634/), but that one wasn’t aimed at his usual audience, either. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/59 "2008-06-07T15:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] I hate that Wilhelm scream. It’s used so often now it’s just not cool. As if it ever was. Whenever a guy falls off a cliff or something and lets out a regular scream, I clap. [/QUOTE] My nine year old son was watching one of the Indiana Jones movies a few weeks back, heard the scream and said “That’s the same yell the guy makes in Star Wars (Return of the Jedi) when he falls in the sand pit!” So there ya go. It’s so over-used now that even nine year olds are picking up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781/60 "2008-06-07T16:07:43Z")
Sam Raimi uses the same 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 in every movie, it is his trademark. In Spiderman, it was Uncle Ben’s car. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-jokes-and-running-gags-lemme-in/451781.md?page=4)