# 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:** 44
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/861 "2011-02-13T21:26:50Z")
In calvin and hobbes, calvin is actually alone by himself nearly 80% of the time. He has no other friends or relationships other than his imaginary friend. In actuality, he’s an extremely lonely and disturbed child. Schroeder, in Peanuts, is secretly gay. He’s the only character that never had a crush on anyone, ever, except beethoven. Of course, that’s in contrast to the openly gay character of Marcie. (As I was researching this, I just found out Peppermint Patty’s full name is Patricia Reichardt.) Homer Simpson has a single hair that begins at one temple and reaches all the way around to the other temple. Eric Cartman was sexually abused by either his mother, his mother’s boyfriends and/or his uncle. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/862 "2011-02-13T21:30:31Z")
It took me years to realize that _Fancy_ by Reba McEntire, was about prostitution. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/863 "2011-02-13T22:03:05Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > In _Dune_, the spice is called “melange” and it is said repeatedly that “the spice is life.” > > “Melange” means “mixture.” One of its synonyms is “variety.” > > So, you could say that variety is the spice of life. Given Frank Herbert’s propensity to hit the reader over the head with a Serious And Obvious Metaphor on every single page – I doubt he was either that subtle or that whimsical. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/864 "2011-02-13T22:44:04Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > IEric Cartman was sexually abused by either his mother, his mother’s boyfriends and/or his uncle. What are you basing this on? ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/865 "2011-02-13T22:54:49Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > I was watching Keeping Up Appearances, a Brit-com about a snobbish social climbing woman and her hen-pecked milquetoast husband and noticed something I hadn’t really connected before. The main character, Hyacinth Bucket insists that her last name is pronounced “Bouquet” (Boo-KAY) trying to make herself seem more sophisticated (her husband says he USED to be plain old Charlie Bucket before he married Hyacinth). Her sisters are Rose, Daisy and Violet. In nearly 15 years of watching the show, I never caught the underlying joke of her name. She and her sisters are all named for flowers and she insists her last name be pronounced as “Bouquet” (as in flowers). Huh Charlie Bucket as in _Charlie and the Choclate Factory?_ ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/866 "2011-02-13T23:26:15Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Huh Charlie Bucket as in _Charlie and the Choclate Factory?_ Coincidence. Both are just supposed to be unremarkable names. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/867 "2011-02-13T23:34:04Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > Coincidence. Both are just supposed to be unremarkable names. Hyacinth’s husband is named Richard. Where’d he get Charlie from? ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/868 "2011-02-13T23:54:33Z")
You’re right. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/869 "2011-02-14T00:08:22Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Eric Cartman was sexually abused by either his mother, his mother’s boyfriends and/or his uncle. > [@Lakai](#): > > What are you basing this on? On the fact that Cartman’s mom is a dirty slut. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/870 "2011-02-14T00:10:36Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > In calvin and hobbes, calvin is actually alone by himself nearly 80% of the time. He has no other friends or relationships other than his imaginary friend. In actuality, he’s an extremely lonely and disturbed child. > > Schroeder, in Peanuts, is secretly gay. He’s the only character that never had a crush on anyone, ever, except beethoven. On a related noted, I take it you know about [the Calvin & Hobbes/Fight Club connection](http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cfightclub.html)? As for Schroeder, I challenge your conclusion because (1) he’s only eight, (2) he was also liked other classical composers like Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, and Chopin, and (3) it seems to be based on the assumption that any male who has an interest in classical music must be gay (NTTAWWT). ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/871 "2011-02-14T02:48:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Uh, no. Is there evidence of this in the movie? No. Does there have to be? It just seemed to make sense. I haven’t read any of the novels, though: did Fleming give him a consistent backstory that would preclude that? I mean, the Doctor regenerates, which is something the writers came up with when Hartnell became too ill to continue. Are we just supposed to accept all the different actors playing JB 007 as being the same **person** , not just the same agent? I mean we could, it doesn’t bother me, but I like my theory. Connery’s character was Agent 007 for a number of years, until he a) retired b) was killed on a mission we didn’t get to see because it failed c) was promoted d) had to be silenced e) other. And then Lazenby’s 007 either fouled up his second mission, which we also didn’t get to see, or he was just someone they stuck in that slot until Moore’s character, the guy they really wanted, was available. And later Dalton’s character replaced Moore’s for another of the above reasons, and so forth. If I’m wrong I’m wrong, but is there really a problem with my theory? (Plus, would a double-0 give his real name to all and sundry?) ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/872 "2011-02-14T02:55:43Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > No. Does there have to be? It just seemed to make sense. I haven’t read any of the novels, though: did Fleming give him a consistent backstory that would preclude that? > > I mean, the Doctor regenerates, which is something the writers came up with when Hartnell became too ill to continue. Are we just supposed to accept all the different actors playing JB 007 as being the same **person** , not just the same agent? I mean we could, it doesn’t bother me, but I like my theory. Connery’s character was Agent 007 for a number of years, until he a) retired b) was killed on a mission we didn’t get to see because it failed c) was promoted d) had to be silenced e) other. And then Lazenby’s 007 either fouled up his second mission, which we also didn’t get to see, or he was just someone they stuck in that slot until Moore’s character, the guy they really wanted, was available. And later Dalton’s character replaced Moore’s for another of the above reasons, and so forth. If I’m wrong I’m wrong, but is there really a problem with my theory? (Plus, would a double-0 give his real name to all and sundry?) From Cracked, [6 Insane Fan Theories That Actually Make Great Movies Better](http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/), top of the list: #6, “James Bond” Is Not a Man, But a Code Name ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/873 "2011-02-14T03:17:50Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Are we just supposed to accept all the different actors playing JB 007 as being the same **person** , not just the same agent? I’d love to see the MI6 job board when the 007 slot comes up. “Applicant _must_ love the ladies.” ---
**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:** [February 14, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/874 "2011-02-14T05:01:07Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > From Cracked, [6 Insane Fan Theories That Actually Make Great Movies Better](http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/), top of the list: #6, “James Bond” Is Not a Man, But a Code Name Actually, the premise of “James Bond” being a code name for more than one agent was used in the 1967 Bond spoof version of **Casino Royale**. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/875 "2011-02-14T09:55:44Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > What are you basing this on? Watching the show. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/876 "2011-02-15T17:00:57Z")
**Superhal** , can you be more explicit? What about the show conveys that to you? Overt lines? Plot on screen? Events depicted? Or are you reading between the lines, and if so, which lines? (Not that I care. But you didn’t actually answer the question.) ---
**Author:** ![Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_The_Heavy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/877 "2011-02-16T15:14:18Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Are we just supposed to accept all the different actors playing JB 007 as being the same **person** , not just the same agent? Well, his marriage in _On Her Majesty’s Secret Service_ is referenced in several other films, particularly _For Your Eyes Only_, where Roger Moore visits Tracey’s grave before killing Blofeld. Plastic surgery could explain the different appearances. In _Majesty_, Blofeld fails to recognize Bond even though they’ve met before. Unless it was one of Blofeld’s doubles. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/878 "2011-02-16T16:07:15Z")
I like to think that Blofeld is a codename for the current head of SPECTRE, and Bond has encountered at least two different ones. The bald ones might be the same person, though played by different actors. However, I think the DAF one is a different person. NSNA happened in an alternate universe. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/879 "2011-02-16T16:26:26Z")
> [@](#): > > I like to think that Blofeld is a codename for the current head of SPECTRE, and Bond has encountered at least two different ones. The bald ones might be the same person, though played by different actors. However, I think the DAF one is a different person. NSNA happened in an alternate universe. Ironically, in the books its pretty much the opposite – Blofeld is always the head of S.P.E.C.T.R.E., but his number changes on a regular basis, so he’s only SPECTRE #1 some of the time. But the leader is always Blofeld, and always the same person. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/880 "2011-02-16T16:34:16Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > So, you could say that variety is the spice of life. :smack::smack::smack: Even if it wasn’t intentional on the part of Herbert, that’s still awesome. > [@Superhal](#): > > In calvin and hobbes, calvin is actually alone by himself nearly 80% of the time. He has no other friends or relationships other than his imaginary friend. In actuality, he’s an extremely lonely and disturbed child. He’s friends with Susie. And the strip \*intentionally excluded \*other characters because Watterson realized early on that it was more interesting that way. His early experiments with including other characters (having Calvin be a Boy Scout, having his uncle visit) made it clear to him that they only got in the way of what he actually wanted to write. It was especially problematical to include other characters because of the dual nature of Hobbes; constantly having Calvin around other people would have meant that Watterson would have had to more explicitly state exactly how Hobbes worked (or eliminate him entirely). It has zero to do with Calvin being “lonely and disturbed.” > [@](#): > > Schroeder, in Peanuts, is secretly gay. He’s the only character that never had a crush on anyone, ever, except beethoven. Of course, that’s in contrast to the openly gay character of Marcie. (As I was researching this, I just found out Peppermint Patty’s full name is Patricia Reichardt.) Of course… A prepubescent boy who doesn’t actively chase girls, explicitly because he wishes to emulate his never-married idol, is clearly gay. And so is a prepubescent girl who wears shorts and hangs out with a tomboy. :rolleyes: Did you just completely forget that Marcie is [portrayed as having a crush on Charlie Brown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcie)? > [@Rilchiam](#): > > Are we just supposed to accept all the different actors playing JB 007 as being the same **person** , not just the same agent? Did you see the new \*Star Trek \*film and insist that Kirk, Spock, et al. were all code names, too? How about Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale: were they portraying different men, all codenamed both Batmand and Bruce Wayne? Franchises–especially long-running ones–reboot. Sometimes it’s by making a new version of the same core character (_Dr. Who_), sometimes it’s by setting events in the past or the future of the same universe (The new \*BSG \*vs. _Caprica_, TOS \*Star Trek \*vs. _Next Generation_, _DS9_, etc.), but just as often it’s by getting a new set of actors to play the same characters. [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=43) [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=45)