# 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:** 276
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5507 "2023-08-25T16:40:11Z")
[![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHFQVJ8UMAIrgr5?format=jpg&name=small) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHFQVJ8UMAIrgr5?format=jpg&name=small) ---
**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:** [August 25, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5508 "2023-08-25T16:49:08Z")
> [@alovem](#): > > Those examples have nothing to do with what I mentioned: actors who look like family, not real-life relatives. Julia Roberts and Kyra Sedgwick were cast as sisters in _Something to Talk About_ (1995) based on their physical resemblance. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5509 "2023-08-25T16:54:40Z")
The two that I confused for an embarrassingly long time were Leslie Bibb and Leslie Mann. It wasn’t just that I confused one for the other; for a long time I thought there was a single actress who had been _Big Daddy_, _Knocked Up_, _Talladega Nights_, and _Zookeeper_. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5510 "2023-08-25T16:55:22Z")
Haven’t seen the film, but that looks like a good example. Maybe someone should start a thread about this: films with lookalikes cast as relatives and actors who could be cast in such films. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5511 "2023-08-25T16:57:21Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > the modern obsession with continuity drives me nuts. I was the opposite as a kid. I hated when a series brought on a guest actor in a part as some important member of a family, and they were never seen or heard of ever again after that episode. Or something was said or done that was completely contradicted a couple of episodes later. If you’re telling a story tell the _story._ Otherwise, just do a variety show. I’ve mellowed a bit since then, but shows have gotten a lot better with continuity. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5512 "2023-08-25T16:58:14Z")
Géza Röhrig (of _Son of Saul_) could play Mark Ruffalo’s long-lost Hungarian brother: [![](https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2016/01/Son-of-Saul-close-1024x640.jpg) ](https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2016/01/Son-of-Saul-close-1024x640.jpg) [![](https://cdn.britannica.com/97/219497-050-B1B58B0F/Mark-Ruffalo-2018.jpg) ](https://cdn.britannica.com/97/219497-050-B1B58B0F/Mark-Ruffalo-2018.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5513 "2023-08-25T21:25:35Z")
A friend of mine on movie night recently remarked that he didn’t know both Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman were in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. He assumed Portman was playing both roles. According to the Internet, not even their own mothers could tell them apart once they were in makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5514 "2023-08-25T23:04:57Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The role of Mary Cooper (Sheldon’s mom) on **The Big Bang Theory** was originated by Laurie Metcalf. On the prequel series **Young Sheldon** the role is played by her daughter Zoe Perry. Although Perry looks in some ways like a younger Metcalf, in other ways she doesn’t. I wonder if in the final episode of _Young Sheldon_ (whenever they get around to making it), the voice of the narrating Sheldon (Jim Parsons) says, while summing up what happened to all the main characters in later years, “My mother decided to lose some weight.” Metcalf is distinctly thinner that Perry. ---
**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:** [August 26, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5515 "2023-08-26T13:41:02Z")
I first saw Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man, as the redheaded Mary Jane. Years later, I saw that she was in Hidden Figures, and assumed that she was Harrison’s redheaded secretary. Nope: She’s the blonde in charge of the computing groups (the one who mostly interacts with Dorothy, not the one who mostly interacts with Katherine). Of course, this being Hollywood, I have no idea what Dunst’s actual natural hair color is. ---
**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:** [August 26, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5516 "2023-08-26T14:53:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Of course, this being Hollywood, I have no idea what Dunst’s actual natural hair color is. I believe she’s naturally a blond. Here’s [a picture](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/7/7f/Hedril.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20141216002231&path-prefix=en) of her from an episode of _Star Trek_ she did when she was around eleven. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5517 "2023-08-26T15:39:45Z")
That link didn’t work for me. Here’s another: > **[Dark Page (1993)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708695/mediaviewer/rm1891818752/?ref_=tt_md_1)** > > Kirsten Dunst in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) ---
**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:** [August 26, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5518 "2023-08-26T15:44:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I believe she’s naturally a blond. Here’s [a picture](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/7/7f/Hedril.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20141216002231&path-prefix=en) of her from an episode of _Star Trek_ she did when she was around eleven. That doesn’t mean much, since she was also redheaded in Interview with the Vampire at around the same age. Makeup artists can dye an actor’s hair at any age. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5519 "2023-08-26T16:53:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > …when she was around eleven. Funny, her teeth haven’t grown since then. (Cite: I have a friend who always mentions her “baby teeth”.) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5520 "2023-08-27T09:18:01Z")
And [here she is](https://youtu.be/C0X3CLJVMJU?si=oQfB19qE1p30cKjK) with blue hair doing a cover of _Turning Japanese_ by the Vapors. I know…it’s a wig. And it’s a manga-inspired video. Note: may include a quick shot of an anime nipple on a sign in the background. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5521 "2023-08-28T12:58:18Z")
I believe she’s a natural blond. Though she’s played several redhead roles, IMDB shows a considerable number more blonds. Also, she’s blond in most of her publicity shots like at events, as opposed to movie shots. ---
**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:** [August 28, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5522 "2023-08-28T14:12:39Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I believe she’s a natural blond. Though she’s played several redhead roles, IMDB shows a considerable number more blonds. Also, she’s blond in most of her publicity shots like at events, as opposed to movie shots I did a little search and found these two pictures from when she was a toddler (at least, that’s the claim). That’s about as “born blonde” as they get. [![](https://media.allure.com/photos/5771a1c28d432b9e20f91324/1:1/w_1920%2Cc_limit/magazine-2009-12-masl07_dunst.jpg) ](https://media.allure.com/photos/5771a1c28d432b9e20f91324/1:1/w_1920%2Cc_limit/magazine-2009-12-masl07_dunst.jpg) [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/43/f3/b2/43f3b22ce3cecdb605750af44a8d5b3f.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/43/f3/b2/43f3b22ce3cecdb605750af44a8d5b3f.jpg) ---
**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:** [August 28, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5523 "2023-08-28T15:17:09Z")
I was born blonde, but my adult hair is dark brown. It changed over during elementary school. ---
**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:** [August 28, 2023, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5524 "2023-08-28T15:22:29Z")
Normally movie theme songs have nothing to do with the movie and share at most a common title. However Bruce Springsteen’s _Streets of Philadelphia_ describes exactly what Tom Hanks’ character is going through in its movie _Philadelphia_. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5525 "2023-08-28T18:50:31Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I was born blonde, but my adult hair is dark brown. It changed over during elementary school. Same here. I was platinum blond as a toddler, had yellow hair by first grade, and some combination of brown/ash blond by junior high. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2023, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5526 "2023-09-02T03:11:53Z")
Not the millionth time, only the second or maybe third time, but the ending to The Last of Sheila puzzled me when I watched it tonight. Maybe it was the terms of the game that I don’t remember or understand, but in the photo, where the six characters are lined up under the name Sheila, one for each letter, I had thought that the letter for each person represented their own secret. But it didn’t. It represented the secret that was on their card (which was someone else’s secret). I don’t see the point of that, nor how it would help anyone win the game if they happened to notice the arrangement. [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=275) [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=277)