Last night, I was idly watching Best in Show on comedy central. I love that movie. Seen it dozens of times. But there is one scene in it that consistently leaves me puzzled.
Harlan Pepper is getting his bloodhound ready for the show. Christy Cummings comes by, compliments the dog, introduces herself, and chats with Harlan for a few minutes.
So, what’s the point of this scene? It’s not funny, nor does it advance the “plot.” But it must have some significance, right?
So, what am I missing?
It seems like there are a few “pointless” scenes in all the Christopher Guest mockumentaries like this one, but this is often because other scenes were cut out. Did you try watching all the deleted scenes at the end? There might be one that connects to this scene and makes it make more sense in context–a payoff for a joke that was set up, for example.
The thing I like about that scene is how she announces, “I handle Rhapsody in White,” and then gives him this look like, “I’m soooo important. Bow down before me.” Then she laughs and says, “But I guess you already knew that,” as if the first bit wasn’t insulting enough. Then after she leaves he watches her with this pissed-off look.
Just a little glimpse into the characters, I think.
Doesn’t it kind of reinforce her character as the reigning champ who fully expects to win again? From what I remember she’s trying to flaunt this, and he isn’t the least bit impressed. He doesn’t even really know who she is.
On preview, what Scarlett67 said.
My favorite gag in this movie is the clocks behind the desk at the hotel. I like my humor subtle.
I always understood that scene to be Christie Cumming’s way of trying to psyche out the competition. She picked out a dog and handler that she saw as possible threat to Rhapsody in White, and made SURE he knew who she was and that her dog was a champion.
Ah, yes. That makes perfect sense. Thanks.
BBVL–are the deleted scenes on the DVD? I ought to get my hands on that. Thanks for the heads-up. I only have the VHS.
Servo: What was the deal with the clocks behind the desk in the hotel?
I didn’t notice this until the third or fourth time I watched it. Behind the check-in desk there’s a row of clocks. The first time I noticed them I started laughing because they were all set to the same time. They’re trying to give the impression of a high-class joint but the guy who put them up cluelessly set them all to the local time. The shot cuts to the Flecks, and then back to the clerk with the clocks and now I almost fall of the couch laughing because the clocks are all labled with different cities but…they’re all cities in the same time zone: New York, Boston, Baltimore…
I thought it was hysterical.
I’ll have to watch for that!
Love this movie - particularly the fact that Eugene Levy does, in fact, have two left feet.
Rhapsody has two mommies!!
I always thought that that scene was (should be) a set-up for a future scene. Like she was going to do something evil to Harlon or his dog. It had that uncomfortable feel to it.
I watched the extras on the DVD quite a while ago, but I don’t think they had anything more related to that scene.
I always thought the way she was handling the dog, Christie Cummings (but you knew that!) was checking out the main competition, bone structure and fur and Guests’ look said he knew what she was doing/not fooled and that follows the subtext that **Winnie, and Scarlett ** said which I agree with.
Thats a parrot not a bumble bee!
Well it is bee-like
I showed my dog for awhile, and I recognized Cummings behavior right away. She is the “top dog” and wants all the competition to know it. Not all the bitches in the ring are the 4-legged kind. I also showed horses for many years, and the first thing I learned about dog shows is that dog people make horse people look sane. 
My dog had fun sniffing 3000 other dogs’ butts and picking out toys from the vendors, but the people I met were overwhelmingly… bitter is I guess the best word.
Since the question has been answered, I’d just like to add that Parker Posey’s line to the hotel manager after the frantic search for Bizzee Bee: “What are you? Are you a wizard?! A genius?” became part of my commonly used phrases for some time.
GonzoGal and I use “This is a bear in a bee SUIT!” anytime something fails to live up to expectation or is falsely advertized. Parker Posey is so damn funny.
My parent’s dog is about as laid back as you can get, much like Parker Posey’s dog. We love to walk by her and exclaim, “Look at her! Just look at her! She’s FREAKING out!”