# Things that seem to appeal to no one **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 11, 2007, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234 "2007-08-11T08:15:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/81 "2007-08-13T19:22:03Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey] While I hate rapid-fire cutting as much as the next man (it singlehandedly turned me off The Bourne Supremecy), I think it works in Batman Begins. [/QUOTE] I disagree (and thus, agree with **chimera222** ). Batman just kicked 4 ninja’s asses! It was awesome! Except that I have no idea what he did. I might as well have just gotten up and gone to the bathroom when the fight started, and then come back when the fight was done, and whispered to someone “who won” and have them reply “batman”. Compare that to the scene in the Keaton/Nicholson/Burton **Batman** where Batman fights the guy with two swords, which is one of the best fight scenes ever. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/82 "2007-08-13T20:00:11Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] The taste of coffee. People like how coffee looks and smells and the warmth of it and the affect on their bodies. But the stuff tastes like garbage. Why do you think we dump all that other stuff in it? [/QUOTE] I love the taste of coffee–the taste is the only reason I drink it. I don’t like it unsweetened, but then I don’t like unsweetened chocolate either–does that mean that people don’t like the taste of chocolate? And now that I post I realize that I opened the window a long time ago and many more posts had since been made, including one referencing chocolate (though it was dark chocolate, not unsweetened.) ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/83 "2007-08-13T20:45:08Z")
Nair (or any cream hair removal product) is EEEVIL. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/84 "2007-08-13T21:00:39Z")
[QUOTE=Spoons] I have to agree with this. “So, Biff, what are your thoughts on today’s game?” [Mix and match and adjust as necessary any of the following:] – We/they came to play. – We/they caught a few good breaks. – We/they were really prepared going into today’s game. – When our/their [specific position] did \_\_\_\_, that was the turning point. – [Player name(s)] really turned the tide for us/them. – We/they really had to work hard today. – Our/their \_\_\_\_\_ is working well. – Our/their \_\_\_\_\_ needs a bit of work. – This victory means a lot to us. – This loss is a setback, but we’re not going to let it bother us. – It was a real good game. – We’re looking forward to meeting the [team name] next game. So let’s see what we can come up with in response to the above question: – Well, Jerry, they caught a few good breaks, but we were really prepared going into today’s game. We came to _play_! Our \_\_\_\_\_ is working well, but still we really had to work hard today. Gotta say though that when our [specific position] did \_\_\_\_, that was the turning point. [Player name] really turned the tide for us, and this victory means a lot to us. But anyway, it was a real good game. – Biff, what do you see for next game against the [team name]? They’re Number 1 in the [conference/division/league, etc.]. – Jerry, for sure we’re looking forward to meeting the [team name] next game. Yeah, our \_\_\_\_\_ needs a bit of work, but if our [player name] can do \_\_\_\_, that’ll turn the tide. They may be Number 1, but if they win, it’ll be because they caught a few good breaks. We won’t see it as a setback and we won’t let it bother us. We’ll be prepared and we’re looking forward to a real good game. Sound familiar? Again, I have to agree with **Lionel**. Always predictable. [/QUOTE] “Cliches are your friends. You’ve got to know them; you’ve got to know how to use them.” –_Bull Durham_ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kneepants_Erasmus_the_Humanist)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/85 "2007-08-13T21:20:28Z")
[QUOTE=cookeze] The marching band version of “Stairway to Heaven,” if there is such a thing. [/QUOTE] Er. I hatehateHATE that song…but… :o a marching band version would be _awesome_ !!! Yes. I am a band geek. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/86 "2007-08-13T22:00:09Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Fruit cake and cranberry sauce. Both seem to be put on the table just for tradition, maybe one person out of 20 likes them. [/QUOTE] True, fruitcake is universally reviled, but like _Sid Meier’s Colonization_ and _Starchaser: The Legend of Orin_, there is the possibility of a true delight being hidden from the masses even if they are absolutely certain that it does not exist. The problem is that _almost all_ fruitcake really _is_ that bad, thus forming an irresistible meme that 99% of the population is powerless to deny. You may not have ever _had_ fruitcake, yet you _know_ it’s bad, but you don’t know why. Everyone you talk to will agree with you; it’s part of our gestalt consciousness as society. The only hope for a cure is available here in Texas, from a small town south of Dallas called Corsicana. There, minions at the [Collin Street Bakery](http://www.collinstreet.com/) (which, ironically, is no longer located on Collin Street) work tirelessly to produce a small but well-in-demand supply of the world’s only truly enjoyable fruitcake, amongst the more pedestrian fare of cookies and other cakes. [QUOTE=MaxTheVool] I disagree (and thus, agree with **chimera222** ). Batman just kicked 4 ninja’s asses! It was awesome! Except that I have no idea what he did. I might as well have just gotten up and gone to the bathroom when the fight started, and then come back when the fight was done, and whispered to someone “who won” and have them reply “batman”. [/QUOTE] He was _prepared._😉 ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/87 "2007-08-13T22:01:46Z")
Circus peanuts. Now, inevitably someone is going to dive in her and speak their love of circus peanuts. I just want to know why, that’s all. ---
**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 13, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/88 "2007-08-13T23:15:02Z")
Well, the first thing that leapt to my mind was Nickelback. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t find them hilariously bad. I have to believe someone is out there taking this band seriously, because why else would they play it on the radio? Though to be honest, I feel that way about a lot of today’s rock music… ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/89 "2007-08-13T23:52:02Z")
I used to love Circus Peanuts! I don’t care for them much anymore, since they give me gut-rot. But the flavor is awesome and the texture is just right. I used to eat a half bag of them in one sitting. However, it’s widely recognized that I’m slightly _off_. ---
**Author:** ![santosvega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@santosvega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/santosvega)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/90 "2007-08-14T01:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > See also Hall & Oates, Journey, Kelly Clarkson, The Strokes, **Journey** , Creed, **Bon Jovi** , Bush, Night Ranger, and any of the GreatWhiteLionSnakes that came out of the 80’s. Come on, everybody secretly loves Journey and Bon Jovi. In my wanderings I’ve encountered few bands that are so secretly beloved by so many, regardless of age, ethnicity, country of origin, or professed musical preferences. Put “Don’t Stop Believin’” or “Livin’ on a Prayer” in any jukebox in any bar see how many people don’t start singing along. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/91 "2007-08-14T01:14:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Pochacco** > _My contribution is … pork rinds? I’ve never seen anybody buy them. The one time I tried them they tasted like feet wrapped in leathery burnt bacon. Who eats those things?_ My dad and his brothers. Last Christmas, my dad and one of my uncles were staying with me. They went on a walk, came back with three different brands of pork rinds purchased from the local convenience store, and proceeded to have a taste-test. My sister-in-law had given us some heavenly home-made chocolate truffles, which they decided would be perfect as a palate cleanser between bites. So they were having pork rinds with a truffle chaser. The sick thing is…it was a pretty good combination. ---
**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/92 "2007-08-14T04:54:53Z")
I guess it all depends on who you roll with. I have never met a person who owns, or who will admit to owning a Madonna, a Barbara Striesand, or Celine Dion CD or having it on their MP3. However, from what I understand, they are popular among some group of people, somewhere. I just don’t know them. I have to second Nickelback. Most bad music can be blamed on kids musical preferences (Britney), but I can’t imagine an 11 year old girl asking for a Nickelback CD for x-mas. Who is requesting it on the radio? I love chicarrones (pork rinds). Crunchy, salty, spicy, and extremely bad for you. ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/93 "2007-08-14T12:39:35Z")
I think the reason AFHV is still running is because of people who own old televisions, like me. The on-screen TV Guide displayed on a crappy old television screen tends to truncate America’s Funniest Home Videos down to America’s Funniest Ho… Naturally, lots of people go for it, expecting a wild, hair-pulling reality show, with terrifying women screaming, "Listen to this, really, listen up, this’s a good one: “Why…did the ho cross the street…” When it turns out just to be good old AFHV, we stay, disappointed (and a bit relieved) and watch for a few minutes, which gives the show a good bump in the ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/94 "2007-08-14T13:51:34Z")
It’s truncated to “AFV” now, and I don’t know if it technically stands for anything, but I don’t imagine that many people would be excited about watching “America’s Funniest Vi…” unless they get a kick out of clueless newbs frustratingly typing the delete key in a Unix editor. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/95 "2007-08-14T14:10:01Z")
[http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html](http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html) One purchase of an item in the USA by 1% of the population = 3,200,000 units sold. One purchase every moth for a year of an item in the USA by 1% of the population = 38,400,000 units sold. Even selling to one in a thousand persons you get 3,840,000 sales. Increase it to international and the world population is almost 22 times the market. You don’t have to have a popular product to sell a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/96 "2007-08-14T14:31:54Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Senior citizens. Really. My parents, along with most older people I know, seem to LOVE slapstick comedy, and AFHV really appeals to that crowd. It’s often a bit glurgey – for instance, cute kids and pets – something else seniors seem to like. [/QUOTE] Yes. The same thing happens in my wife’s family as I was brutually exposed to at her elderly aunt and uncle’s house. They were howling with every shot to the nuts as I can only guess they do every time it comes on. It never seems to get old for them like a brain damaged dog chasing its tail. I have a theory that more nuanced humor takes a long time to cultivate and requires lots of exposure to lots of different forms of it. Lots of older people never developed that trait so slapstick is high humor to them. I see the same thing in lots of foreign people. That brings me to my entry: 1. Clowns - lots of people are scared of them but that isn’t the real problem. They just aren’t funny or appropriate in this day and age. I am not saying they should be banned outright but red rubber noses should be a restricted item as well as wearing shoes X number of sizes above your real size for purposes of deception. ---
**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 14, 2007, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/97 "2007-08-14T14:40:54Z")
> [@](#): > > I have never met a person who owns, or who will admit to owning a Madonna, a Barbara Striesand, or Celine Dion CD or having it on their MP3. I proudly admit that I own every Madonna CD that I’m aware exists, and I assert that she is my number one favorite artist _of all time._ I love everything from ‘‘Borderline’’ to ‘‘Vogue’’ to ‘‘American Life,’’ I have loved her since I was a little girl, and I have strong emotional connections to just about every single one of her songs. ETA: And many of my friends are fans, including my husband, who never would admit to listening to her when I’m not around, but who has known me so long that he feels his respect for her work is a part of his identity. My point is: We’re out there somewhere. Maybe that’s the moral of this thread in general. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/98 "2007-08-14T14:44:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mesquite-oh] I guess it all depends on who you roll with. I have never met a person who owns, or who will admit to owning a Madonna, a Barbara Striesand, or Celine Dion CD or having it on their MP3. [/QUOTE] Yes, Yes, & Yes. Wanna make something of it? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/99 "2007-08-14T14:49:45Z")
[QUOTE=chimera222] … [/QUOTE] :dubious: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234/100 "2007-08-14T14:50:56Z")
[QUOTE=Spoons] I have to agree with this. “So, Biff, what are your thoughts on today’s game?” [Mix and match and adjust as necessary any of the following:] . . . .Sound familiar? Again, I have to agree with **Lionel**. Always predictable. [/QUOTE] None of those mentioned can beat John Starks, ex-Knicks player (a cutie I’d nail in a heartbeat but dumb as a Dodge made outta Doritos), who wasn’t playing that night because of an injury: Pre-Game Sportscaster: So, John, what do you think of the Knicks’ chances tonight? John Starks: Well, P-GS, it could go either way; we could win or we could lose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-seem-to-appeal-to-no-one/415234.md?page=6)