Your GO TO Media References

Cafe Society
1

The setting, a bubbling, bustling laboratory, with dopers running around in lab coats, with goggles and beakers

So, in this world where a lot of us are working round the clock to become funnier, more efficient, dare I say “Dennis Miller-ian” conversationalists, I had a discussion the other day with a friend on who are “go to” references where in making jokes. And I realized that I really DO have a list of media and pop culture references that I keep on hand for when I have to make smart ass remarks.

I thought I’d poll y’all here to see what you like to ‘go to’ in case I ever need to refresh my stash.
Crotchedy Male Actor: Abe Vigoda

Abe Vigoda is a great ‘go to’ when making jokes about unfortunate sexual partners, stinky cab drivers or when playing “who would you do?” It’s funny to throw Abe Vigoda in with, say, a Mark McGrath in Who Would You Do? Because it’s just so obvious, and someone, like my friend Joe, would inevitably choose “Abe Vigoda”

Example: Holy schinkeys, I think I might rather eat an apple from Abe Vigoda’s crotch than do that
Very Bad Sitcom: Small Wonder

An example of this: * My god, that movie made Small Wonder look like Shakespeare*
Obsucure 80’s Band: Talk Talk

Example: * Jesus Christ, didn’t I see that shirt on stage at the last Talk Talk concert?*

Sappy Sitcom for Whiners: Blossom

Example: What is this? A very special Blossom?
These are a few of my Go Tos. I also like to pull out a “Pam Dawber” every once in a while, or perhaps “GWAR” if the mood is right.

What are your go tos?

jarbaby

2

Well, there’s the classic Monty Python, of course, but that confuses my kids because they’ve never seen it.

I get a lot of mileage out of WKRP in Cincinnati, Paula Poundstone and The Princess Bride.

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Ther is the classic for us men: Bea Arthur. Sort of the Abe Vigoda of the female set.

Example: (when asked something unpleasant) I’d rather be ridden like a stallion by Bea Arthur*

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I think comedian Kevin James said it best when he said “I wouldn’t fuck her with Bea Arthur’s dick”

Now that’s quality.
I like to go with an Carol Channing sometimes, as well.

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Cool obscure film reference and saying:

Buckaroo Banzai, across the 8th dimension

Saying: “Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!”

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Sheesh, I didn’t mean to hit the Submit button. I meant to also add:

Bad Acting: Michael Pare

Example: Lorenzo Lamas makes Michael Pare look like Olivier.
Outdatedness: Flock of Seagulls

Example: Yeah, I heard that story. Back when I was listening to the new Flock of Seagulls record.
Lameness: John Tesh (of course)

Example: Watch that show? Are you kidding? I’d rather be strapped to a chair and forced to listen to the John Tesh Christmas album until my ears bleed.

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I try to use a Ron Jeremy referance whenever I can.

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For something so mind-numbingly bizarre as to be utterly incomprehensible: Emo Phillips Not to quote from, but just to hold up as an example.

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Also, just for fun, it’s nice to offer up Delroy Lindo. It’s just a great name to say. I like to use Delroy in the “who would you do” game, as well.

jarbaby

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Where the OP uses Abe Vigoda, I usually use Ernest Borgnine for the same purposes.

For me, Robert Urich is “the perfect TV actor,” with all the good and bad things that implies. Mostly bad, of course, but I might use him thusly:

“We’ll miss Anthony Stewart Head on Buffy; he’s the thinking man’s Robert Urich.”

For legislative departures from sanity, I like to use much-missed California Representative Bob Dornan.

“Bob Barr may be crazy, but he’s no Bob Dornan. Yet.”

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I tend to use Pee Wee Herman as my go to nerd reference.