# Worse place to live: the musical theatre universe, or the DC comics Universe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 1, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213 "2010-07-01T17:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/1 "2010-07-01T17:35:49Z")
Because I’m feeling silly, obviously By “musical theatre universe,” I mean a world that operates according to the rules of the Buffy episode “Once More With Feeling.” Strong emotions will move you (and others) to sing in an appropriate genre. No burning up, though. You’ll have a passable (at least) voice while under such influence; music will come from nowhere; and rhyming, rhythm, and dance will come instinctively. The DC comics universe is, of course, the current version. Pluses include a much higher proportion of hot people of both genders, the possibility of getting super-powers via lightning bolt or whatever, and enormously higher tech levels. The minuses include monthly alien invasions, weekly volcanic eruptions, and the Joker. Forced to choose between these two options (and death), which do you pick and why? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/2 "2010-07-01T17:42:29Z")
The answers to the poll question assume a different question than the thread title. I answered “which one would you rather live in?” which is pretty obviously the Musical Theater Universe on account of the not wanting to suddenly die factor. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/3 "2010-07-01T18:21:52Z")
I’ve secretly dreamed of living in the musical theatre universe for my entire life. Where do I sign up? ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/4 "2010-07-01T18:31:16Z")
Yeah, the thread title and the poll options don’t match. Perhaps a do-over is in order, and don’t let the flying monkeys do the typing for you. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/5 "2010-07-01T18:52:19Z")
The comics universe (DC, Marvel, whatever) would be worse. At least in the musical theater world they don’t wipe out the universe and start a new one every decade or so. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/6 "2010-07-01T18:55:27Z")
[Wein, Wieb und Gesang](http://www.freehandmusic.com/sheet-music/wein-wieb-und-gesang-op-333-piano-339329) – what more could you wish for? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/7 "2010-07-01T19:08:36Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Yeah, the thread title and the poll options don’t match. Perhaps a do-over is in order, and don’t let the flying monkeys do the typing for you. Do you come from some strange alternate universe in which I am not an asshole? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/8 "2010-07-01T19:12:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do you come from some strange alternate universe in which I am not an asshole? 😃 You _must_ have a goatee! Perhaps the Bizarro Skald is simple… I selected the option I preferred–the musical one, of course–and ignored the dissonance with the thread title. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/9 "2010-07-01T19:12:42Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do you come from some strange alternate universe in which I am not an asshole? 😃 Would you settle for an alternate universe where you are just confused? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/10 "2010-07-01T19:16:17Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Would you settle for an alternate universe where you are just confused? I wasn’t confused. I noticed the dissonance before I submitted the post, then said, “Fuck it.” ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/11 "2010-07-01T19:20:32Z")
I voted for the pure hell option. If, however, you expanded the rules so that all songs sung in the musical universe were written by Sondheim, I might change my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/12 "2010-07-01T19:23:56Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I voted for the pure hell option. If, however, you expanded the rules so that all songs sung in the musical universe were written by Sondheim, I might change my vote. I could leave in the SondheimVerse. But the WebberVerse? Death would not only be better, but MUCH better. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/13 "2010-07-01T19:33:56Z")
I have to choose the universe in which Wonder Woman and Power Girl exist. Rowr. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/14 "2010-07-01T19:39:49Z")
The musical Buffyverse. Not because I’m a big fan of Buffy, but this sold me: > [@](#): > > You’ll have a passable (at least) voice while under such influence You mean I won’t have a singing voice that would shatter plastic? I can sing! I can sing! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/15 "2010-07-01T20:09:04Z")
It’s really kind of tragic I’m unlikely to get magic or any super-gain (te deedly deedly pom) In a world with a Joker He may blow me into smoke or just liquify my brain Oh, I just don’t know why Superpowers go to the young - Older people sometimes get stung But they never even grow an extra tongue. (bim bum) Sure, a world full of singing would set my head to ringing But I probably survive (te deedly deedly pom) I may spend all day a-rhymin’ and I’d have to work on my timing But at least I’d be alive. To the tune of ‘If I only had a Brain’ ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/16 "2010-07-01T20:12:35Z")
I agree with **Duke** ’s reasoning. Plus, musicals _tend_ to end happily for everybody but the bad guys, while in modern comics, everybody who doesn’t die in random and violent fashion seems to wallow in misery, [del]even[/del] especially the good guys. So in the spirit of the OP, I chose a poll option that does not actually represent my opinion in any way. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/17 "2010-07-01T20:17:59Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > I agree with **Duke** ’s reasoning. Plus, musicals _tend_ to end happily for everybody but the bad guys, while in modern comics, everybody who doesn’t die in random and violent fashion seems to wallow in misery, [del]even[/del] especially the good guys. > > So in the spirit of the OP, I chose a poll option that does not actually represent my opinion in any way. And for Og’s sake, if you’re a woman and you pick the comic book world, _ **don’t get romantically involved with a superhero** _! You’ll end up stuffed dead into a refrigerator! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/18 "2010-07-02T13:45:09Z")
Do we have any idea which one will be safer in the long run? The Buffyverse has the singing, but also has the body-count. The Ozverse is pretty safe, unless you’re water-soluble. Dr. Horribleverse would seem to have the worst of both worlds, the singing AND the slaughter. Not that I’m only concerned with safety. What are my odds of getting superpowered in the Heroverse? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/19 "2010-07-02T17:49:34Z")
Musical Theatre Earth. I think I already live there. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213/20 "2010-07-02T17:53:08Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Musical Theatre Earth. I think I already live there. Well, let’s check. Think of your first love, who, all those years ago, ripped out your heart and ate it in front of you. Did a trombone start playing? Did a spotlight appear? Did clever rhymes immediately come to mind? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-place-to-live-the-musical-theatre-universe-or-the-dc-comics-universe/545213.md?page=2)