# 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:** 306
**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:** [January 8, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6107 "2025-01-08T17:32:56Z")
They had another bit where Penn tied Teller to a chair, threw a sheet over him, and announced that they would now summon the spirit of Houdini. The “spirit” then appeared as the outline of a face pressing through the sheet and sang a duet with Penn. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6108 "2025-01-08T18:08:25Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think he did speak on stage during the act, but no one knew it at the time. That was the first time I heard him talk, but not during the act. I bought tickets so far in advance, that I was front row center, and picked the card for his woodchipper act. For those who haven’t seen it, the funny bit is, he talks on stage, but since he’s also running a woodchipper, no one can hear him. He gave me back the card I picked at the end of the act, and I went to get it signed after the show. As mentioned above, he talks to people off-stage like that, and he made a joke about “How good you were at picking that card!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6109 "2025-01-09T00:32:59Z")
When I saw P&T, they did some individual tricks; Penn would do one, then Teller, then Penn, etc. Penn did a trick where he got a volunteer from the audience. He handed the guy a video camera to look though, then Penn would get the volunteer distracted and do stuff that everyone in the audience could see, but the volunteer couldn’t. They were sitting at a small table with a white tablecloth, and Penn would point toward the ceiling, and the guy would look up with the video camera, and Penn would pull off the tablecloth and there was a red one underneath it. It goes on like that with Penn kind of pranking the volunteer on-stage. At the end, the guy takes off his ball cap and moustache, and it was Teller. So, while we were all thinking we were in on the jokes that Penn was pulling on some random guy, it turns out they were both pranking the audience all along. It was wonderful. I know they change up the tricks in their act from time to time, but they did my absolute favorite when I saw them. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PVzTy_Jpw0I/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHUBoAC4AOKAgwIABABGDcgUihyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDd_zNZ2M2gBAHl_CDkA87gsx2tKA "Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Looks Simple - Season 2 Episode 11 (2015)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVzTy_Jpw0I) And I had a few words with both of them after the show. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6110 "2025-01-15T22:41:46Z")
In _Ghostbusters_, Louis (the nerdy accountant who lives across the hall from Dana) keeps getting locked out of his apartment. Then he gets possessed by the Key Master. How ironic! ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6111 "2025-01-15T23:53:58Z")
It did take me a while to realize the Keymaster/Gatekeeper symbolism. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6112 "2025-01-16T04:17:08Z")
I just found out that Carol Brady’s name was Martin before she married Mike Brady. Which means the girls were also named Martin before being adopted as Bradys. So who would name their daughter Marcia if their last name is Martin? Marcia Martin? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6113 "2025-01-16T04:36:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So who would name their daughter Marcia if their last name is Martin? Marcia Martin? Marcia, Martha, Martin! ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6114 "2025-01-16T19:19:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So who would name their daughter Marcia if their last name is Martin? Marcia Martin? Similarly, although a bit off-topic for this thread, when I listen to NPR they often announce that the show was made possible by a grant from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. Really? Someone actually named their kid Peter Peterson? (Yes, and apparently he was Nixon’s Secretary of Commerce). ---
**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:** [January 17, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6115 "2025-01-17T00:37:27Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Someone actually named their kid Peter Peterson? I’ll see you and raise you [Fred F. French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_F._French). ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6116 "2025-01-17T00:40:55Z")
Off topic, but I can top even that. I once was in the Reserves, as a secretary, and there was one woman in the records named Floydene Earlene. I guess her dad must have really wanted a boy. I’d have hated him for that. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6117 "2025-01-17T00:42:28Z")
NPR also had to clearly annunciate its gratitude to the late Lou (pause) C. Kerr (not to be confused with Lucy Kerr). ---
**Author:** ![Pheoinix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7993a0/32.png) [@Pheoinix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheoinix)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6118 "2025-01-17T01:54:57Z")
What about this guy, father of England footballer Gary Neville > **[Neville Neville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Neville)** > > Neville Neville (26 September 1949 – 7 August 2015) was a British league cricketer, football agent and director. His sons are the former professional association football players Gary Neville and Phil Neville and his daughter is the professional netball player and coach Tracey Neville. > Neville played cricket for Greenmount Cricket Club in the Bolton Cricket League during the 1980s. His daughter Tracey cites this as her earliest sporting memory. > Neville and his wife, Jill, the one-time general... ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6119 "2025-01-17T02:54:49Z")
Or [Magnus Magnusson([Magnus Magnusson - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Magnusson))] ---
**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:** [January 17, 2025, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6120 "2025-01-17T03:56:23Z")
Or Obu Obu Obu. > **[The OBUS are on the Feud!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__bAh8nV9MI%5C)** > > Steve meets the Obus!Subscribe to our channel:http://bit.ly/FamilyFeudSubGet the Family Feud board game:https://familyfeud.shop Play Family Feud online:https... ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6121 "2025-01-17T04:16:11Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > I’ll see you and raise you [Fred F. French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_F._French). There ought to be a Francois de Gaulle. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6122 "2025-01-17T05:10:18Z")
> **[Boutros Boutros-Ghali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boutros_Boutros-Ghali?wprov=sfti1)** > > Boutros Boutros-Ghali (/ˈbuːtrɒs ˈɡɑːli/; Arabic: بطرس بطرس غالي, romanized: Buṭrus Buṭrus Ghālī; 14 November 1922 – 16 February 2016) was an Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1992 to 1996. Prior to his appointment as secretary-general, Boutros-Ghali was the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt between 1977 and 1979. He oversaw the United Nations over a period coinciding with several world crises, including the breakup ... ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6123 "2025-01-17T05:17:54Z")
Who promoted Major Major? ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6124 "2025-01-17T06:30:27Z")
Or the old favourite, Edward Woodward (also know as E-war Woo-war). ---
**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:** [January 17, 2025, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6125 "2025-01-17T08:29:08Z")
Note that Magnus Magnusson was born in Iceland and moved to Scotland with his family when he was a child. His name (at the time of his birth) was not in the format Given Name - Family Name. It was in the format Given Name - Patronymic, as is the case in Iceland. A patronymic is your father’s name (or occasionally mother’s name), followed by the word son or dottir, depending on whether you are male or female. Thus if you name your child after yourself, their name will be like that. As is typical for what happens when someone moves permanently from Iceland to another country, they just let their patronymic be their last name. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6126 "2025-01-17T09:58:58Z")
So in Iceland there can be four family names. Wife’s name comes from her father, husband’s name from his father. Boys and girls both named for their father but one has son on the end and the other has dottir. [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=305) [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=307)