# There is nothing funnier than a mock nativity scene. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 15, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027 "2004-12-15T20:25:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/1 "2004-12-15T20:25:08Z")
I can’t link to it because it requires a subscription, but the first time I saw that Onion bit with the fake nativity scene featuring Hamburglar and Godzilla and some other weird stuff was like a dream come true. I’ve always been unable to resist the simple charm of random characters surrounding a nativity creche. I think Mr. Bean did something along these lines as well. It’s just so _subversive_. A friend of mine had a giant ostrich peering over the baby Jesus this season. I couldn’t stop laughing. I’m just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/2 "2004-12-15T20:50:17Z")
In the movie _Love Actually_, Emma Thompson’s character was talking to her daugher who just got her part in the nativity play Daughter: I’m the lobster! Mom: The lobster? Daughter: _First_ lobster. Mom: Are you telling me there was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus? Daughter: Duh. One of the other children was an octopus and another seemed to be Spiderman in king-of-orient garb. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/3 "2004-12-15T23:04:26Z")
A local plumbers office has a nativity including a neon green glowing alien. Actually, the alien makes several appearances a year, in different contexts. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/4 "2004-12-15T23:16:16Z")
Saw this on The Daily Show… [http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/08/beckhams.nativity.reut/](http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/08/beckhams.nativity.reut/) A snippet from the article: > [@](#): > > Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians called the exhibit at Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum in London a new low in the cult of celebrity worship. > > In the tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue hovers above the crib as an angel while “Posh Spice” Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham’s shoulder. > > Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Duke of Edinburgh star as The Three Wise Men. The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, British actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comedian Graham Norton. > > The Vatican was not amused. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/5 "2004-12-15T23:17:20Z")
It was a couple of years ago, I believe, that one of our posters recounted his nutty aunt and her habit of having her pet cats stuffed (after they died, of course). She would then dress them up and arrange them into a nativity scene, using a stuffed black cat as one of the three wise men, and, IIRC, a stuffed chipmunk as baby Jesus. Anybody else remember this? ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/6 "2004-12-16T00:15:59Z")
I should really put one together for the family tonight. I need suggestions. Shopping list: [ul] [li]One standard traditional nativity set[/li][li]One happy meal[/li][li]Assorted Teletubbies[/li][li]Assorted plastic dinosaurs[/li][li]Little metal cars[/li][/ul] What else? ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/7 "2004-12-16T03:10:21Z")
No nativity scene is complete without a 18"DHIBJD. ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/8 "2004-12-16T03:35:45Z")
Hm, maybe I should use my Matrix character plushies and arrange them into a Nativity scene at school. Neo and Trinity can be Mary and Joseph. Agent Smith can be Baby Jesus. The three agents can be the three wise men. And of course, my stuffed animals…I wonder what my teachers would say. > [@](#): > > Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians called the exhibit at Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum in London a new low in the cult of celebrity worship. > > In the tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue hovers above the crib as an angel while “Posh Spice” Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham’s shoulder. > > Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Duke of Edinburgh star as The Three Wise Men. The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, British actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comedian Graham Norton. > > The Vatican was not amused. And as an afterthought, I don’t understand why the Vatican is making such a big deal out of this… ---
**Author:** ![DarkPrince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@DarkPrince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkPrince)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/9 "2004-12-16T05:22:07Z")
> [@Jpeg Jones](#): > > What else? A ninja turtle. Wouldn’t be Christmas without Donatello. Or perhaps one of [these.](http://www.toyarchive.com/Aliens/Toys/OriginalDoll.html) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/10 "2004-12-16T05:48:38Z")
The best description of the retelling of the nativity story is found in John Irving’s _A Prayer for Owen Meany_. I laughed until my _ears_ hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/11 "2004-12-16T05:51:34Z")
> [@Jpeg Jones](#): > > I should really put one together for the family tonight. I need suggestions. > > Shopping list: > > [ul] > [li]One standard traditional nativity set[/li][li]One happy meal[/li][li]Assorted Teletubbies[/li][li]Assorted plastic dinosaurs[/li][li]Little metal cars[/li][/ul] > > What else? A 1920’s style Death Ray, naturally. Haven’t you learned anything? Oh, and a bunch of calamari. With lollipops. And a goat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/12 "2004-12-16T06:01:13Z")
Actually, come to think of it, there’s a variety of blowup dolls on a page somewhere on the Rotten Library. More than enough for a nativity scene, except for Lil’ Baby Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/13 "2004-12-16T06:11:54Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#): > > Actually, come to think of it, there’s a variety of blowup dolls on a page somewhere on the Rotten Library. More than enough for a nativity scene, except for Lil’ Baby Jesus. There’s always the Baby Jesus Buttplug.[(yes, linky)](http://www.divine-interventions.com/baby.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/14 "2004-12-16T06:42:27Z")
Maybe some MacFarlane figures. Like from the “faces of madness” or the “tortured souls” lines. You could have Naomi Armitage as Mary, a T-800 as Joseph, and pop the head off a “Spawn” figure and glue it onto a baby Jesus body. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/15 "2004-12-16T07:21:19Z")
In our family Nativity set, we added a little Santa & Reindeer Sleigh years ago. In recent years, I’ve added little plastic dinosaurs, Xena, and just this year Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Dora the Explorer (with B’day Party Hat, Cake, Boots the Monkey & the Weasel). I’m looking for a little Karloff Frankenstein. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/16 "2004-12-16T08:10:27Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > A 1920’s style Death Ray, naturally. Haven’t you learned anything? > > Oh, and a bunch of calamari. With lollipops. And a goat. 😃 When come back, bring frankincense, myrrh, and pie. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/17 "2004-12-16T08:43:36Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#): > > No nativity scene is complete without a 18"DHIBJD. How appropriate that **Tentacle Monster** makes this comment. I vote for a Cthulhu doll, a blow-up doll, and perhaps a more ‘clean fun’ oriented blow-up toy like a big shark or something. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/18 "2004-12-16T09:35:06Z")
But to make it Christmasy, make sure it’s the [Santa Cthulhu](http://www.rpgshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=34764&) … ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/19 "2004-12-16T13:31:23Z")
As I mentioned in the Madama Tussaud’s thread a week or so ago, I’ve replaced the traditional figures that came with my nativity set with action figures the last couple of years–characters from Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5 mostly, plus Dana Scully and a few hobbits. Include Capt. Sisko as Santa, and it’s a very festive holiday scene! ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027/20 "2004-12-16T14:50:00Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians called the exhibit at Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum in London a new low in the cult of celebrity worship. > > In the tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue hovers above the crib as an angel while “Posh Spice” Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham’s shoulder. > > Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Duke of Edinburgh star as The Three Wise Men. The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, British actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comedian Graham Norton. > > The Vatican was not amused. Some nutter went and attacked Mde Tussaud’s nativity scene last week, so it’s been taken out of public view. Pity, I thought it was hilarious. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-nothing-funnier-than-a-mock-nativity-scene/280027.md?page=2)