# 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:** 338
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2025, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6747 "2025-11-27T14:44:41Z")
I went to Wikipedia to look up the Colossus of Rhodes, and some accounts had it _straddling_ the harbor entrance. It reminds me of the picture of the great British colonialist who had a cartoon drawing of him straddling Africa in the same way. The name: Cecil _Rhodes_. I remember the name of the Colossus. And I remember the name of the British magnate. And I remember the picture of him straddling Africa, which clearly was a reference to the Colossus and a symbol of his building of the empire. But until today I never realized that the picture was a pun on the names. 🤦‍♂️ [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Punch_Rhodes_Colossus.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Punch_Rhodes_Colossus.png) The name: ---
**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:** [November 27, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6748 "2025-11-27T14:56:45Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > and some accounts had it _straddling_ the harbor entrance. Only accounts from well after the fact, based more on Rule of Cool than on actual evidence. The ancients had some impressive engineering, but not that impressive. IIRC, it’s now thought that the Colossus was, internally, an ordinary stone tower, with the shaped bronze pieces of the statue hanging off of it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6749 "2025-11-27T16:26:07Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > > ‘2000’ used to be an indicator of the future; > > A.K.A. “the 21st century” > > **2001: A Space Odyssey** movie released 1968¹ > **Death Race 2000** 1975 film > **2000 AD** British comic magazine first published in 1977 > **Cherry 2000** movie released 1987 > > What others? > > ETA: ¹Apparently Clarke was a stickler for centuries beginning in the year ending in 01. And he was absolutely correct in doing so. Imagine yourself as the ruler of the universe, and your first order of business is to establish the new calendar. Are you going to make the first year of the first century be zero? Not unless you’re prepared to put up with the pointing and laughing at you, I dare say. ---
**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:** [November 27, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6750 "2025-11-27T20:10:37Z")
In _Planes, Trains, and Automobiles_, in the scene where they’re on the bus, there’s that couple heavily making out in the seats next to Neal and Del. After they catch Neal watching them the camera cuts back to Del and Neal for a bit, then back to the couple, who are now sitting in their seats smoking cigarettes. I just realized having them smoking was meant to invoke the old trope of a couple smoking in bed after sex. I’ve seen that movie many times and I never noticed that until now. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6751 "2025-11-28T00:09:43Z")
I’m wondering why he’s stringing wire. Did he have something to do with the telegraph system? ---
**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:** [November 28, 2025, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6752 "2025-11-28T01:05:46Z")
Google AI gives me the following: > The term “Trans-African telegraph” most commonly refers to the ambitious, but ultimately incomplete, Cape-to-Cairo telegraph line project championed by Cecil Rhodes in the late 19th century. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6753 "2025-11-30T14:03:40Z")
In _The Wizard of Oz_ , the Tin Man sings that if he had a heart, he’d “lock it with a zipper.” Zippers for clothing had been invented a few decades earlier and became trendy only in the early 1930s, which would make it roughly equivalent to a modern-day song referencing smartwatches or 3-D printing. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6754 "2025-12-01T16:58:13Z")
In The Music Man the mayor wants Harold Hill’s credentials. Since the story takes place in the 1920’s I can’t help wondering how far back you could go and not need or have paperwork identifying yourself. Or is it an anachronism since the play was written in the ‘50’s? ---
**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:** [December 1, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6755 "2025-12-01T17:38:44Z")
The paperwork wasn’t identification papers. It was proof that he was actually a professor who had had training at a particular musical academy/institute. The problem was that he was claiming he trained there and graduated before the academy was created. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6756 "2025-12-01T23:38:43Z")
Exactly. He’s asking for a diploma. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6757 "2025-12-02T02:26:50Z")
_The Outsiders_. Possible missing subtext that I just picked up on. Randy was in love with Bob. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6758 "2025-12-02T23:41:19Z")
Fawlty Towers. Sybil goes out of town but tasks Basil to get some repairs done for the hotel, but specifically was told not to use O’Reilly for the repairs. Manuel kept talking about the O’Reilly men but It did not click 'til about two decades later, that with his accent, he was calling them the Orally Men ---
**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 5, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6759 "2025-12-05T02:03:32Z")
As I get older it’s becoming more and more obvious that there are _three_ viable options on Gilligan’s Island… [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54964381561_32846f110f_b.jpg "Screenshot\_20251204\_200123\_Chrome") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/54964381561/) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6760 "2025-12-05T02:10:17Z")
It finally dawned on me why Yukon Cornelius calls the Snowman “Bumble.” It was “Abominable” reduced to a form a child can pronounce. It must have been plain as day to everybody but me. ---
**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 5, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6761 "2025-12-05T02:23:02Z")
… and me. ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6762 "2025-12-05T09:11:47Z")
Listening to the podcast “One Hit Thunder” about one-hit wonders, I learned that the band I had always called Lips Incorporated is in fact named Lips Inc. — pronounced Lipsync! My sisters and I all made the same mistake for these many years! We loved their big hit Funkytown! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6763 "2025-12-07T02:14:57Z")
Was just watching Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore says to Harry, “Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the Hat.” Meaning the Sorting Hat. So the house-assignment process at Hogwarts is _pulling names out of a hat_. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6764 "2025-12-07T02:32:58Z")
> [@jerseymule](#): > > the band I had always called Lips Incorporated is in fact named Lips Inc. — pronounced Lipsync! My sisters and I all made the same mistake for these many years! We loved their big hit Funkytown! The spelling is actually “Lipps, Inc.” with two "p"s. But I also missed the pun for a very long time. In my case, I probably would have caught the reference faster had there only been 1 “p”. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6765 "2025-12-07T03:58:23Z")
The Big Bang Theory theme and intro, with all the photos flashing by. I found by chance a website where some guy broke it down and tried to identify all the photos (he started in 2009 while the show was in its 3rd season, and had a lot of help from other people over the years). He had what I think is supposed to be all the photos posted individually on his blog page or whatever it is. I was surprised to count only 110 photos. As fast as they go by during the song, I would have thought there were a lot more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6766 "2025-12-07T07:27:39Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > _The Outsiders_. Possible missing subtext that I just picked up on. Randy was in love with Bob. You may be right. Have you also read That Was Then, This Is Now? The main character in it crosses paths with Randy. [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=337) [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=339)