Quintessence

Thread Games
121

Sheena is a Punk Rocker

  • one of the most recognizable Ramones songs
  • the word ‘punk’ is specifically mentioned in both the lyrics and song title
  • written by Joey Ramone and clearly reveals underlying surf rock and bubblegum pop influences

Quintessential book in the New Testament

122

Matthew

  • first book in order, though not first written
  • one of the gospels, which have many more commentaries than the epistles
  • basis of Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and other literary works

Quintessential Psalm

123

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (and for the record, it must be the KJV)

  • one of the most quoted passages in the Bible
  • even non-believers are familiar with it
  • it sounds kinda bad ass

Quintessential Bruce Willis movie

124

Die Hard

  • Elevated Willis from TV actor to movie lead
  • Movie featured Willis in action and comedic scenes, displaying his range
  • His character seemed mostly in over his head and vulnerable, counter to what action stars were at time.
  • Spawned numerous sequels
    Quintessential NFL franchise
125

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • winner of the most Superbowls with 6
  • Steel Curtain defense of the 70’s is what any NFL franchise aspires to
  • perennial thread for them in The Game Room
  • all their head coaches have had lengthy tenures
  • appeal to the everyman - not snooty like Patriots, not douchebags like the Dolphins, not entitled rednecks like the Cowboys, not liberal pansies like the 49ers, etc

Quintessential MLB franchise

126

New York Yankees

  • Most championships of any team in any major sport in North America
  • More legendary players than you can count on both hands
  • In the biggest sports market in America

Quintissential junk snack food that is NOT chocolate or potato chips

127

As much as it pains me to say it…the New York Yankees.

  • They’ve won 27 World Series titles (the next highest is the Cardinals, with 11), and 40 American League pennants
  • Some of the biggest stars in the sport have played for the Yankees, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter.
  • Forty-four former Yankee players, and eleven former Yankee managers, are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
  • Their logo and cap are instantly recognizable, and known even in countries where baseball isn’t really known.
  • Their uniform, as well, is a classic, and has remained largely unchanged for decades.

On edit: Ninja’d! But, at least we reached the same conclusion. Working on the next one…

128

Popcorn

  • Traces of popped corn have been found in archeological digs in Mexico dating to 3600 BC.
  • Fairly simple to make, and can be made at home, as well as purchased pre-popped.
  • A staple of snack foods at movie theaters, sporting events, and circuses.
  • For many people, popping popcorn is a primary use for their microwave ovens.

Next: 1970s pop musician.

129

John Denver

  • While his career began slightly before the 1970’s and he continued to perform and remain in America’s consciousness throughout the 1980’s, his most memorable and biggest hits were all recorded during the 1970’s
  • Being a successful singer-songwriter his work embodies the zeitgeist of the shag carpet, back to nature, folky, 1970’s
  • he probably ate Grape Nuts for breakfast (the quintessential breakfast cereal associated with that decade)

Next:
Quintessential British television mystery show

130

Sherlock

  • Famous all around the world
  • launched two stars (Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman*)
  • created IMHO the best version of Sherlock Holmes, the quintessential detective
  • created IMHO the best version of Watson
  • has one of the best visual examples of “making connections” in any mystery show/movie

*I knew Martin Freeman as well, but I think between Office and Hobbit, this really helped restore his career and get it going again.

Next up:

Quintessential animated movie

131

Lion King

-Retelling of a classic tale (Hamlet)
-Done extremely well
-Great voice work
-Tim Rice/Elton John score
-Spawned a great Broadway musical

Quintessential Bob Dylan song

132

Disney’s Fantasia

  • Disney has always been the standard bearer for high-quality animation
  • Introduced mature content, very controversial at the time
  • First commercial film to use stereophonic sound
  • Set pieces conducted by Leopold Stokowski, a megastar of that time period
  • Influential to future animated films that went beyond young audiences

Next: Quintessential comedy team

133

Ack, Annie ninja’ed me, you Grinch!

Quintessential Bob Dylan song: Hurricane

  • iconic protest song
  • Dylan had to re-record the song to protect Columbia against lawsuits
  • led to retrials for Carter, and charges against him were dismissed in 1985
  • covered by multiple artists

Next: Quintessential comedy team

134

Abbott & Costello

-Who’s on First?
-Played so very well off each other
-Famous on stage, radio. film and television
-Set the tone for future comedy teams

Quintessential TV nerd

135

Steve Urkel

  • one might be tempted to name The Professor (Russell Johnson) on Gilligan’s Island as an early contender on television because the character exhibited erudition and emotional aloofness. However, his character largely lacked the requisite social awkwardness to qualify for the top spot. A later contender, Arnold Horshack, certainly displayed social awkwardness but was not brainy. Steve Urkel, however, is an archetypal nerd because he was not only was brainy and dressed uncool, but also exhibited social awkwardness/cluelessness in spades. There might arguably never been a Sheldon without there first being an Urkel.
  • he wore thick framed plastic glasses and ‘flood’ pants.
  • had an annoying nerd laugh.

Quintessential female political figure

136

Hillary Rodham Clinton

-Known by everyone in the world
-US Senator
-First first lady with an advanced college degree
-First woman to rule for President under a major political party (Democrat
-Has a solid, loving, long lasting marriage
-Good mother

Quintessential political scandal

137

Watergate

  • Gold standard in political scandals
  • 48 government officials were found guilty
  • Forced Nixon to be the only US president to resign from office
  • Almost all other scandals get the “gate” name because of Watergate
  • Showed the importance of the media as a check to the government

Quintessential Trump bankruptcy

138

Trump Entertainment Resorts (2009)

  • 3rd tier bankruptcy: Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts was renamed Trump Entertainment Resorts after declaring bankruptcy in 2004. Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts was a consolidation of his three Atlantic City casinos: Trump Taj Mahal, which declared bankruptcy in 1991, and Trump’s Castle and Trump Plaza Casinos, which declared bankruptcy in 1992.
  • he went down to 10% ownership and resigned as chairman of the board.
  • sued to keep TER from using his name on those structures, and they went bankrupt again afterward.
  • Make America Bankrupt Again

next: Quintessential leading man

139

The Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City

  • A casino, prompting the “how do you bankrupt a CASINO?” quips
  • Perfect symbol of Trump ostetentation
  • Involved in money laundering
  • Has since been bought by someone else, and is making a profit under a new name where Trump failed

Quintissential nonfatal childhood illness

140

George Clooney

  • is very handsome
  • has been lead man in lots of films
  • most of those films enjoyed success at the box office
  • is very handsome

pass on next submission (for RickJay’s childhood illness ninja)