# 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:** 294
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5867 "2024-05-18T16:13:09Z")
Fountains of Wayne have a lovely wistful song, [**Halley’s Waitress**](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9rKxLrHrS3A&pp=ygURaGFsbGV5J3Mgd2FpdHJlc3M%3D). _Halley’s waitress_ _Never comes around_ _She’s hiding in the kitchen_ _She’s nowhere to be found_ _I just want some coffee_ _Is that too much to ask?_ _Halley’s waitress_ _Is not up to the task_ I’d always assumed that Halley was part of the singer’s dinner party. Nah. Halley is the comet. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5868 "2024-05-18T16:20:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m rewatching _Bravest Warriors_ and this time I noticed that the characters Beth Tezuka and her father, Johnny Tezuka, are voiced by actual daughter and father Liliana Mumy and Bill Mumy. It’s a very good series. (looks in fear to make sure the TV heard) ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5869 "2024-05-18T17:13:52Z")
Something that was just pointed out to me which blew my mind. In the movie _Love Actually_, Keira Knightley is only five years older than Thomas Brodie-Sangster. [![](https://www.pinkvilla.com/english/images/2022/12/1696447536_love-actually_1280*720.jpg) ](https://www.pinkvilla.com/english/images/2022/12/1696447536_love-actually_1280*720.jpg) ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5870 "2024-05-18T19:02:49Z")
Keira is apparently supposed to something like 7 years older than her real age, since the man she married in the movie is actually 7 years older than her. Thomas is supposed to be something like 3 years older than her real age, since the girl he is interested in is actually 3 years younger than him. I think there’s something typical of casting in this. You cast people as younger than their real age when they are children, since you’ll get more experienced actors that way. You cast people as older than their real age when they are just turned adults, since movie viewers want to pretend they will not noticeably age in their twenties. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5871 "2024-05-18T19:07:04Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Keira is apparently supposed to something like 7 years older than her real age, since the man she married in the movie is actually 7 years older than her. Excuse me, it’s 8 years. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5872 "2024-05-19T12:26:41Z")
The dividing line between those two has probably varied historically, though. It wasn’t too long ago that most “teenager” actors were in their 30s. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5873 "2024-05-19T14:57:57Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Keira is apparently supposed to something like 7 years older than her real age, since the man she married in the movie is actually 7 years older than her. I just think it’s funny that Knightley (18) was closer in age to Brodie-Sangster (13) than she was to Chiwetel Ejiofor (26), who played her husband, or Andrew Lincoln (30), who played the friend who was in love with her. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5874 "2024-05-19T15:08:08Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Keira is apparently supposed to something like 7 years older than her real age, since the man she married in the movie is actually 7 years older than her. Thomas is supposed to be something like 3 years older than her real age, since the girl he is interested in is actually 3 years younger than him. I think there’s something typical of casting in this. You cast people as younger than their real age when they are children, since you’ll get more experienced actors that way. You cast people as older than their real age when they are just turned adults, since movie viewers want to pretend they will not noticeably age in their twenties. I made a bunch of sloppy mistakes in this post, so here’s what I should have written: Keira is apparently supposed to be something like 8 years older than her real age, since the man she marries in the movie is actually 8 years older than her. Thomas is supposed to be something like 3 years younger than his real age, since the girl he is interested in is actually 3 years younger than him. I think there’s something typical of casting in this. I think that Keira’s character was supposed to be about 26 and Thomas’s character was supposed to be about 10. You cast people as younger than their real age when they are children, since you’ll get more experienced actors that way. You cast people as older than their real age when they are just turned adults, since movie viewers want to pretend they will not noticeably age in their twenties. I suspect that Andrew Lincoln’s character was supposed to be about 26 too, since his character and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character were supposed to be longtime friends. I agree that this is kind of funny. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5875 "2024-05-19T20:15:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The dividing line between those two has probably varied historically, though. It wasn’t too long ago that most “teenager” actors were in their 30s. Yep In Grease they ranged between 20 and 33, ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5876 "2024-05-19T21:16:22Z")
The main actresses of _Derry Girls_ are playing characters of 15 and 16 despite the fact they were 25. But this means nothing. Actors play roles younger and older than their actual age, which is irrelevant to the question of verisimilitude. They were all believable as teens, It’s known as “acting.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5877 "2024-05-19T21:18:04Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > They were all believable as teens, It’s known as “acting.” I didnt really buy the _Grease_ actors as teens. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5878 "2024-05-20T02:44:51Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Actors play roles younger and older than their actual age, which is irrelevant to the question of verisimilitude. They were all believable as teens, It’s known as “acting.” [Zendaya knows she still looks sixteen](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e-mNmO59DfM) ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5879 "2024-05-20T03:07:40Z")
> How d’you do, I > See you’ve met my > Faithful handyman > He’s just a little brought down because > When you knocked > He thought you were the candyman For the life of me, I swear I just realized the other day that “candyman” almost certainly means drug dealer. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5880 "2024-05-20T05:50:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > [@RealityChuck](#): > > > > Actors play roles younger and older than their actual age, which is irrelevant to the question of verisimilitude. They were all believable as teens, It’s known as “acting.” > > [Zendaya knows she still looks sixteen](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e-mNmO59DfM) Do you think she still gets carded when she’s in a bar? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5881 "2024-05-20T13:30:44Z")
I know she would be carded at Walmart. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5882 "2024-05-25T03:18:34Z")
I’ve heard the 1964 song “Leader of the Pack” by the Shangra-Las a number of times over the years. I had never thought it was particularly interesting. Just recently I heard it again and realized I had a lot of trouble understanding the lyrics. I listened to and watched a video on YouTube with the lyrics. It’s actually a complicated enough plot that it would make a good movie. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5883 "2024-05-25T04:08:58Z")
Possibly inspired by? > **[The Wild One (1953) ⭐ 6.7 | Crime, Drama, Romance](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047677/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk)** > > 1h 19m | Approved ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5884 "2024-05-25T19:52:11Z")
One of Godzilla’s recurring foes, and arguably the most formidable of them, is Ghidora, a three-headed dragon-like monster. I only just today saw it pointed out that “Ghidora” is a Japanese pronunciation of “hydra”, the multi-headed monster from Greek myth. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5885 "2024-05-26T23:56:34Z")
I was a kid when that song first came out, and I loved it. I didn’t have an issue understanding the lyrics, and I’m not even from Jersey. ---
**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:** [May 27, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5886 "2024-05-27T01:29:34Z")
A fan theory I just heard yesterday. Donkey in Shrek is actually [Lampwick](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJM9Wl1DfsM) from _Pinocchio_. The evidence offered: 1. All of the other characters Shrek meets in the forest have origins in fairy tales. So it would be consistent for Donkey to be from a fairy tale as well. 2. Donkey doesn’t have a proper name. This is because his memories of being Lampwick were erased by the transformation. 3. Donkey appears to be familiar with Pinocchio when they meet even if he can’t identify him. 4. In the book version, Lampwick was owned by an old woman after being turned into a donkey. In _Shrek_, we see an old woman trying to sell Donkey to the guards. [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=293) [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=295)