# 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:** 361
**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 18, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7207 "2026-08-18T21:48:22Z")
He had a small role in [_The Hunt for Red October_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIjnTKr8FS0), where he used an American accent. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7208 "2026-08-18T22:04:12Z")
I’m not sure why, but I Got A Man by Positive K popped into my head a few hours ago. I was curious who the female singer is. Turns out it’s him, he’s singing both parts. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VvYIpa1Ulvw/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/VvYIpa1Ulvw?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDVvYIpa1Ulvw ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7209 "2026-08-18T22:04:35Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He had a small role in [_The Hunt for Red October_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIjnTKr8FS0), where he used an American accent. He has done a lot of stage work including a Tony nomination. As with all Broadway actors he is required by law to appear on _Elsbeth_ which he has done 3 times, American accent. ---
**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 18, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7210 "2026-08-18T23:01:27Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Turns out it’s him, he’s singing both parts. That’s pretty impressive. He sounds like a woman to me. (That was a real blast from the past, oof.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7211 "2026-08-18T23:30:41Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > He sounds like a woman to me FWIW, they altered his voice in the studio. From wiki > In creating the song, Positive K provided not only the man’s dialogue but also the woman’s dialogue[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Man#cite_note-1) by raising the pitch of his voice using studio technology.[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Man#cite_note-2) ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7212 "2026-08-19T00:00:18Z")
Remember every scene you ever saw on television or film where someone was utterly grief stricken and crying? That’s how well some people can fake it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7213 "2026-08-19T00:25:52Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > That’s how well some people can fake it. Acting. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7214 "2026-08-19T00:42:30Z")
We’ve been watching episodes of _Home Improvement_ occasionally, and I like to have subtitles on when they’re available. So when we started HI, I saw, at the end of the show open, the subtitle, “What do you think? Should we put the kids in the middle?” and it was Jill speaking. I had never noticed it watching the show when it was running, and it came as a surprise. But how had I missed it? Now that I know it’s there, it’s (as the thread title specifies) obvious. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7215 "2026-08-19T04:18:31Z")
I just rewatched a clip of the O.G. Blues Brothers, and the diner scene where Arethra is _belting_ out R.E.S.P.E.C.T. she is dancing .. … in house slippers. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7216 "2026-08-19T05:24:42Z")
In that song, the backing singers at one point go **Re Re Re Respect**. Two of those backing singers were Aretha’s sisters (the other being Sissy Houston, later to be mother of Whitney). It turns out Re was the family nickname for Aretha, and one of those sisters (I forget their names, sorry) suggested it to the producer as a neat dovetail of her name and the song title. At another point they go **Sockit to Me, Sockit to Me, Sockit to Me, Sockit to Me** … etc. That same sister had heard that phrase on the street and also suggested it. Being used in that famous song got it a lot of currency, and it got picked up (and egregiously over-used) by Laugh In. I learned all this from the History of Rock in 500 Songs podcast! ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7217 "2026-08-19T05:30:43Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Professor Moriarty on Star Trek Yes his accent for that is generally very good. I honestly had trouble picking up on it being put on (I’m English). ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7218 "2026-08-19T06:12:39Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > the diner scene where Arethra is _belting_ out R.E.S.P.E.C.T. she is dancing .. [Think, not Respect.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTXszRHc0qs&list=RDRTXszRHc0qs&start_radio=1) But yes, I see the footwear. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7219 "2026-08-19T06:45:16Z")
You’re right, my mistake. ---
**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 19, 2026, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7220 "2026-08-19T09:01:51Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > I just realized today that _The Nanny_ is essentially a modern twist on _The Sound of Music_, complete with C.C. Babcock in the “Baroness” role. I was blown away to learn that _10 Things I Hate About You_ is just a modern-day retelling of _The Taming of the Shrew_. In my defense, however, I wasn’t a huge Shakespeare geek when I saw it the first few times. ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7221 "2026-08-19T10:01:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’m not sure why, but I Got A Man by Positive K popped into my head a few hours ago. I was curious who the female singer is. Turns out it’s him, he’s singing both parts. Shades of the late Clarence “Frogman” Henry, who in the course of the same song was a lonely boy, a lonely girl and a lonely frog. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Acting. 😛 Genius! [![](https://i.makeagif.com/media/8-02-2021/-Be1Kk.gif) ](https://i.makeagif.com/media/8-02-2021/-Be1Kk.gif) ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7222 "2026-08-19T16:35:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Are you trying to tell me that not only was he faking being British, he wasn’t even a hologram? He wasn’t even a criminal mastermind. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7223 "2026-08-19T22:07:36Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I was blown away to learn that _10 Things I Hate About You_ is just a modern-day retelling of _The Taming of the Shrew_. Same when I learned _Strange Brew_ is just _Hamlet_ with beer and toques. ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7224 "2026-08-19T22:34:04Z")
In _The Sandlot_, the gang is one player short of a baseball team until Smalls joins and brings their numbers to nine. During the epilogue, we learn that Squints and Wendy got married and had…nine children. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7225 "2026-08-20T13:10:30Z")
I have news for you about _Forbidden Planet_… ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/7226 "2026-08-20T13:22:24Z")
It’s _also_ a retelling of Taming of the Shrew?" 😁 [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=360) [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=362)