# Obvious things about a creative work you realize after the millionth time (OPEN SPOILERS POSSIBLE) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117 "2009-07-24T13:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 133
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2641 "2016-11-21T21:51:35Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Given that it’s Airplane I suppose anything is possible, but I don’t think this is right. Nah, **Rilchaim** has this one right. Yeah, the guy also has food poisoning, but the joke is that on top of that, he has to listen to the most bland, soulless version of an Aretha song imaginable, and that just makes him sicker. Another homage I just realized: [Old school adventure hero The Phantom](http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/KingPhantom01-Cov-H-FOC-LiefeldVirgin-600x900.jpg) was very obviously the inspiration for goofy _Venture Brothers_ badguy [The Phantom Limb.](http://www.relatably.com/q/img/phantom-limb-quotes-venture-brothers/phantomlimbimage1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2642 "2016-11-22T23:23:51Z")
I remember from my astronomy days that there was once a seventh star in the Pleiades cluster, but it has apparently faded away until it’s no longer visible to the naked eye. Listening to the soundtrack of _ **The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly** _, I just realized that “The Story of a Soldier,” dedicated to “our comrades out there who sleep,” was written and sung in the style of a lullaby. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2643 "2016-11-23T01:30:23Z")
And the showdown at the end of _ **For a Few Dollars More** _ is completely unrealistic. No way you could accurately pick off your opponent with a Colt .45 (or whatever he was using) at that distance! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-xPxMAhMRfk/hqdefault.jpg "For A Few Dollars More - Final Duel - CSUN Studio Ensemble Concert 05/04/2009") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPxMAhMRfk) ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2644 "2016-11-23T03:20:27Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I remember from my astronomy days that there was once a seventh star in the Pleiades cluster, but it has apparently faded away until it’s no longer visible to the naked eye. The story is that one of the Seven Sisters was invisible, so I guess they’re the Ancient Greek version of the Fantastic Four. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2645 "2016-11-23T03:58:17Z")
Holy crap! I always thought Hadji on _ **Jonny Quest** _ was Hindu or Sikh. I just now realized that the name means he completed the pilgrimage to Mecca. So he’s actually a Muslim! Who’da thunk it?!? **DUH!!!** :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2646 "2016-11-23T04:27:58Z")
It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally realized what this line in Simon & Garfunkel’s _Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine_ meant. > [@](#): > > Are you worried cause your girlfriend’s just a little late? ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2647 "2016-11-23T20:38:25Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > The story is that one of the Seven Sisters was invisible, so I guess they’re the Ancient Greek version of the Fantastic Four. Actually I believe the seventh sister was sick or weak thus making her star virtually invisible. Or maybe she was a literal shrinking violet. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2648 "2016-11-23T20:49:08Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > Actually I believe the seventh sister was sick or weak thus making her star virtually invisible. Or maybe she was a literal shrinking violet. Good site on this: > **[The Pleiades – or 7 Sisters – known around the world](https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/pleiades-star-cluster-enjoys-worldwide-renown/)** ---
**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:** [December 4, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2649 "2016-12-04T14:22:50Z")
From Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues: “Better stay away from those who carry 'round a fire hose…” It was just five minutes ago that I realized he was referencing civil rights protesters being sprayed with fire hoses. I had thought it was just a nonsense rhyme. As for With a Little Help from My Friends, I originally thought the line was: “What would you think if I sang out a tune…” mmm ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2650 "2016-12-04T17:43:10Z")
Not a creative work, as such, but I just realized yesterday, after hearing a local supermarket ad touting their sale on Ore-Ida products this week, where the brand name Ore-Ida came from. Oregon-Idaho. As it turns out after researching it after having that revelation, the company was named that because their two biggest factories were in Oregon and Idaho. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2651 "2016-12-04T17:57:45Z")
Since Jayjay broke the creative barrier, I realized yesterday that UPS’s phone #, 1-800-PICK-UPS can be pronounced both “pick UPS” (how I always “heard” it) or “pickups”, which is what the person in the van will do to many packages - pick them up. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2652 "2016-12-04T19:53:42Z")
Arguably, branding and advertising ARE creative works. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2653 "2016-12-04T22:16:01Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > And the showdown at the end of _ **For a Few Dollars More** _ is completely unrealistic. No way you could accurately pick off your opponent with a Colt .45 (or whatever he was using) at that distance! > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPxMAhMRfk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPxMAhMRfk) I think most of the Colt .45 marksmanship, in all three of the Leone-Eastwood films, is preposterous. I still enjoy all three of them, though- the silliness was always part of their appeal for me. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2654 "2016-12-05T01:20:06Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Arguably, branding and advertising ARE creative works. All right, how’s this for a non-creative realization of the obvious: I’ve been driving for nearly thirty years, and only noticed last year that there are always speed limit signs right after highway on-ramps. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2655 "2016-12-09T14:15:59Z")
This isn’t exactly _obvious_ but I’ve watched Fellowship of the Ring dozens of times and didn’t notice this until now: Rivendell is in Autumn, where some of the leaves are yellow or even brownish. It is, after all, October. My mind had filled in the leaves as being all pure green because of my stereotypes about waterfall-filled Elvish glens :smack: Also, this is extremely non-obvious, but I noticed another thing that bugged me about the filming location of New Zealand. It’s the first film’s biggest flaw but at that an extremely minor one. I think the terrain should look more European. Upon watching it again, I noticed that it’s also the latitude. The light hits the ground more like southern Europe or the Carolinas than like England. (Incidentally, I think that’s one reason people think that Canada seems more European than the USA to many people above and beyond any cultural differences.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2656 "2017-01-13T02:31:46Z")
The next time you watch _ **TOS** _’s “Charlie X,” pay close attention to the scene where Kirk tries to explain to Evans why he shouldn’t swat girls on the ass. When they’re talking in the corridor, Kirk is wearing his standard “gold” tunic. He’s then called to the bridge, and when he and Charlie arrive in the turbolift, he’s wearing his green wraparound-thingie with the braid. The turbolift apparently has an optional function just like the instant costume change on Batman’s Batpoles! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2657 "2017-01-13T18:30:40Z")
Kirk stopped by his cabin with Charlie on the way to the bridge. He reiterates why it is wrong to swat girls. But he then goes on to say that there’s nothing wrong with watching men change their shirts. Or take a quick shower, for that matter. “Hey, Charlie, would you like to learn some wrestling moves? Say, do you like movies about gladiators?” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2658 "2017-01-13T21:03:55Z")
> [@Corner\_Case](#): > > Kirk stopped by his cabin with Charlie on the way to the bridge. He reiterates why it is wrong to swat girls. But he then goes on to say that there’s nothing wrong with watching men change their shirts. Or take a quick shower, for that matter. “Hey, Charlie, would you like to learn some wrestling moves? Say, do you like movies about gladiators?” Just finished watching “The Naked Time.” The part where Sulu tries to persuade Riley to go to the gym with him for a quick workout (and get all hot and sweaty, no doubt!) takes on a whole new meaning… :dubious: ---
**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:** [February 1, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2659 "2017-02-01T15:23:58Z")
I was singing Bob Dylan’s last lyric in Rainy Day Women #12&35: They’ll stone you and then say you are brave They’ll stone you when you are set down in your grave. And it hit me for the first time: _Gravestone_. And people don’t think he deserved a Nobel Prize for his lyrics? ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/2660 "2017-02-16T04:20:00Z")
Just heard of a connection between the first Tim Burton Batman movie and the Original Star Wars Not only was Red 6 (Porkins) in the Trench run and Lt Eckhart, fellow pilot Red 3 (Biggs) was the father in the family that was mugged at the beginning of the movie. “Put that map away, we’ll look like tourists” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=132) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=134)