# 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:** 256
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5107 "2022-11-10T16:50:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > In the Simon and Garfunkel song “A Simple Desultory Phillipic,” Curious, I looked up the chords to that song. On the word “Beatled” the chord is the flat-third which is a favourite Beatle chord change, e.g. on the word “lonely” in the chorus of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5108 "2022-11-10T17:00:56Z")
Some people get confused on Beatles songs when the sheet music shows John plays an Em11 chord. That’s an extra strum while he is moving his fingers and plays all open notes. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5109 "2022-11-10T21:41:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Of course, IMHO _It’s a Wonderful Life_ is not truly a Christmas film, whilst _It’s a Wonderful Life_ qualifies. Neither says Christmas the way _Die Hard_ does. 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![De\_La\_Rue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5110 "2022-11-14T23:34:14Z")
Superman’s [mom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lara_(character)) and [cousin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl_(Kara_Zor-El)) have names that differ by one letter. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5111 "2022-11-16T03:09:02Z")
KInda fits the OP but…often the question “Name a song containing a Super-Hero” will come up. I’ve never heard anyone mention T-Rex’s “Mambo Sun” which says _I’m Dr. Strange For You_ ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5112 "2022-11-16T22:07:03Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _I’ve been Ayn Rand-ed, nearly branded > A communist ‘cos I’m left-handed! > That’s the hand I use - well, never mind._ > > I just realized that that’s a reference to masturbation. I always assumed it was that the left-hand is used for wiping in cultures where the actual hand is used for wiping (as opposed to using the Sears catalog). ---
**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:** [November 17, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5113 "2022-11-17T19:28:23Z")
I found Quentin’s list desired actors for the various roles in Pulp Fiction. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52506853523_a215fd2e71_z.jpg "20221117\_125702") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/52506853523/) [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52505815442_ef2622b0be_b.jpg "20221117\_125712") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/52505815442/) Pam Grier as Jody is a completely different character, but not as much as Eddie Murphy playing Jules. 🤯 John Cusack as Lance would have been fantastic. Uma is nowhere to be found. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5114 "2022-11-17T19:29:26Z")
Eh, I guess the above isn’t really 100% in line with this topic, but… close enough. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5115 "2022-11-17T20:40:05Z")
I’ve listened to The Clash’s _Red Angel Dragnet_ for a few decades, and today it finally occurred to me that Travis is Travis Bickel from _Taxi Driver_. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5116 "2022-11-18T09:44:22Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Uma is nowhere to be found. Neither is Bruce, and they were both great. It’s interesting how _all_ the others were either the first or second choice. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5117 "2022-11-18T16:08:13Z")
Almost sixty years of watching Rocky and Bullwinkle and it just occurred to me the other day that during the closing credits, the music gets “stuck” on a phrase for six or seven repeats and then there’s a slap sound where someone smacked the conductor to get the music going again. The perfect place to put one final joke. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Q6pKf-tCosc/hqdefault.jpg "The Bullwinkle Show Closing (Boomerang Airing)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6pKf-tCosc) ---
**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:** [November 18, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5118 "2022-11-18T16:11:46Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > the music gets “stuck” on a phrase for six or seven repeats and then there’s a slap sound where someone smacked the conductor to get the music going again. I’ve always assume it was supposed to be a record player getting stuck in a loop. This was something that happened and you had to give the needle a nudge (or slap the record player) to get the song past the repeat. I’m not seeing how a conductor would get “stuck” like that. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5119 "2022-11-18T16:14:30Z")
That’s the joke. ---
**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:** [November 18, 2022, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5120 "2022-11-18T16:35:41Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > That’s the joke Then I’m not seeing it. Where’s the joke in a band playing the same note over and over? I can see the joke that a show would go cheap and use a record player for its music. And then would be inept enough to leave in the part where the record skipped. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5121 "2022-11-18T16:36:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m not seeing how a conductor would get “stuck” like that. Neurological condition? Like mistaking his wife for a hat? Happens to banjo players sometimes. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AMI5wR2P9jQ/hqdefault.jpg "Don't Leave Your Records In The Sun - John Hartford") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMI5wR2P9jQ) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5122 "2022-11-18T16:53:23Z")
Surreal humor, a band cannot get stuck, but it does, that’s the joke. ---
**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 18, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5123 "2022-11-18T16:56:50Z")
Nah, the joke is that the show is too cheap to hire a live band, which is revealed to the audience when the record player starts skipping. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5124 "2022-11-18T17:01:12Z")
It works at multiple levels! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5125 "2022-11-18T19:03:12Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m not seeing how a conductor would get “stuck” like that. The same way Bill Withers got stuck on “I Know” in _Ain’t no Sunshine when She’s Gone_. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CICIOJqEb5c/hqdefault.jpg "Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CICIOJqEb5c) ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5126 "2022-11-18T21:49:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Then I’m not seeing it. Where’s the joke in a band playing the same note over and over? > > I can see the joke that a show would go cheap and use a record player for its music. And then would be inept enough to leave in the part where the record skipped. I agree with Burpo. And the reason I agree is because of the slap. By the point this was cartoon started, people were used to records (and possibly films) skipping. And they would expect this music to be recorded. So, when the it starts skipping, you know it’s a record… until you hear the slap. Even if you slapped a record player, you wouldn’t hear a slap, at best you would hear a needle skitter. Also notice how the animation follows the “skipping” As for how a conductor would get stuck… We are talking about a cartoon where Bullwinkle pulls a lion, a rhino, a bear, and a tiger out of his hat at various times. They’re not really concerned about portraying reality. It’s a cartoon that takes standard tropes and then twists them. Pretending that the music acts like a stuck record but has to be reset by slapping the conductor is consistent with that [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=255) [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=257)