# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/361 "2019-11-11T15:02:22Z")
I have to go to work now so any further answers may be some time in coming. However, I am betting someone gets it before I get back. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/362 "2019-11-11T15:09:35Z")
Was he more famous for dancing than playing the instrument? Did he appear mostly on variety shows? Did he appear mostly on late night shows? Was the instrument a drum set? (I’m thinking the badump bump played after a joke) Did he break dance? Was he suspended with cables? Was he known for wearing some kind of outfit while performing? (Ex: Elvis jump suit) ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/363 "2019-11-11T15:28:21Z")
Is it Gene Gene The Dancing Machine from The Gong Show? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/364 "2019-11-11T15:33:33Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > Is it Gene Gene The Dancing Machine from The Gong Show? Seems to fit! ---
**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 11, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/365 "2019-11-11T19:07:39Z")
I think you got it! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/366 "2019-11-11T20:37:25Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > Is it Gene Gene The Dancing Machine from The Gong Show? You got it! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/367 "2019-11-11T20:42:52Z")
Indeed the whole Gong Show is a rich mine for lateral thinking puzzles. The idea got me to reading more and just … wow. Indeed if you don’t know about “Have You Got a Nickel?” and the Gong Show, you are better off. Do not google it! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/368 "2019-11-11T20:46:07Z")
Just as a datapoint, I am 31 and like Biotop’s younger colleagues, I have no idea who that is and barely know what the gong show is. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/369 "2019-11-11T20:52:44Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Just as a datapoint, I am 31 and like Biotop’s younger colleagues, I have no idea who that is and barely know what the gong show is. This is either very sad or very fortunate. ---
**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 11, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/370 "2019-11-11T21:12:04Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Just as a datapoint, I am 31 and like Biotop’s younger colleagues, I have no idea who that is and barely know what the gong show is. You REALLY can’t appreciate what you’re missing. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/371 "2019-11-11T21:19:39Z")
**Jim had quite the crowd with him when he got arrested. However, down at the police station, he argued with the police…and they let him go! They even drove him home. Why?** ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/372 "2019-11-11T22:29:16Z")
Had Jim committed a crime? Is there something unusual about his home? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/373 "2019-11-11T22:33:09Z")
[Oh, wow, Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine. That takes me back.] Something to do with his ability to communicate? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/374 "2019-11-11T22:35:36Z")
Did the police have good reason to believe that Jim committed a crime? Was a crime actually committed? Did the police know Jim’s identity at the time that he was arrested? Were some of the crowd friends of Jim’s? Were some of the crowd relatives of Jim’s? Were some of the crowd enemies of Jim? Were some of the crowd people who did not know Jim? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/375 "2019-11-11T22:51:07Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Had Jim committed a crime? > Is there something unusual about his home? No to both. > [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Something to do with his ability to communicate? No > [@Chronos](#): > > Did the police have good reason to believe that Jim committed a crime? **YES** > Was a crime actually committed? **NO** > Did the police know Jim’s identity at the time that he was arrested? **NO** > Were some of the crowd friends of Jim’s? **NO** > Were some of the crowd relatives of Jim’s? **NO** > Were some of the crowd enemies of Jim? **NO** > Were some of the crowd people who did not know Jim? **NO** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/376 "2019-11-12T03:01:48Z")
Did the crowd believe Jimmy had committed a crime? Is this puzzle based on a true story? Was there mistaken identity? Did Jimmy say or do something that was misinterpreted? Is Jimmy’s manner of arguing with the police relevant? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/377 "2019-11-12T03:28:20Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Did the crowd believe Jimmy had committed a crime? NO > > Is this puzzle based on a true story? YES > > Was there mistaken identity? NO > > Did Jimmy say or do something that was misinterpreted? YES > > Is Jimmy’s manner of arguing with the police relevant? NO KK ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/378 "2019-11-12T03:30:44Z")
Was Jim Jim Morrison? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/379 "2019-11-12T03:53:18Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Was Jim Jim Morrison? No. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/380 "2019-11-12T07:54:29Z")
Were the members of the crowd human? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=20)