Jokes We Don't Get

[SideshowTim]

I have always thought it was a Flaming Lips reference. Maybe it was just saying that Milhouse likes everything so It doesn't count that he likes Lisa.

[kuje]

Thats what I thought^, who or what are the Flaming Lips?

[eddie]

Originally posted by S.P.D Officer
Thats what I thought^, who or what are the Flaming Lips?

An amazing indie pop band.

Question from "Two Bad Neighbors": Is there a specific reason why Gerald Ford's license plate says (apparently) "MR. DUH"?

[Roger Myers III]

SSTim's explanation of the joke is right - and its also likely a "Lips" reference snuck in by a writer.

No, there is no specific reference behind the "Mr. Duh" plate, other than an irreverent dismissal of Ford's intellegence.

[eddie]

From "Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily":

Lisa: "Yeah, it seems like our house but everything's got a creepy Pat Boone-ish quality to it."

Who was Pat Boone?

[George Cauldron]

Pat Boone was a singer, the most popular of the 1950s, behind only Elvis Presley. He's also written a few books and hosted his own television show.

[joe]

Bathtub Gin in that Phish song Roger is also hinted to contain LSD from all the illusions the lyrics contain...

[Roger Myers III]

Again, George, in your zeal to educate, you miss the point.

The crux of the joke is what "Pat Boone" represents. Boone became famous in the late 1950's by recording "white-bread", "safe" versions of songs written & performed by their wild, passionate, (and scary to suburban whites,) black rock'n'rollers, like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, and many more. White-owned radio stations wouldn't play the originals, so Singers like Boone were brought into the studio to re-interpret the songs for impressionable young minds. Some will note that the Beatles started the same way, but I say with far more passion and respect to the originals (and they were songwriters to boot, not just interpreters.

Boone still does this, although more self-awarely. He did an album of Metal cover a few years back -- you may recognize his version of "Crazy Train" as the theme to "The Osbournes".

(Lawnboy: Sounds bogus. Few of their ealier lyrics DON'T sounds like they could be packed w/ "psychedelic" references.)

[Charmy]

Okay, here's one: In one episode, Burns and Smithers were discussing the need to cut down costs at the plant (At least, I think that's what it was). Burns says: I survived 2 recessions, six scares and eight years of McKinleynomics!

Anyone know what Burns was talking about when he said 'McKinleynomics'?

[George Cauldron]

I think he said it was five years of McKinleynomics, and he was talking about William McKinley's term in office. He was President of the USA for five years until he was assassinated.

[Roger Myers III]

... and to explain the joke....

McKinley was president from 1897 to 1901, the first year of his 2nd term. During that time, he reversed all anti-business gains enacted by his predecessor, Grover Cleveland. In fact, he was a very pro-'evil'-industrial-monopolist GOP president, which presumably Burns, (or, more correctly, Burns' parents,) would have looooved to have in office. The other half of the joke is that "-nomics" is a relatively new media shorthand-phrase, beginning around "Reaganomics." ["Nixonomics" is a phrase used today to discuss his policies then, but it wasn't used at the time.] So, the McKinley Economic Doctrine was not likely called what Burns calls it, though it has a nice ring.

[joe]

In Lisa the Greek, Krusty call Moe to put money on a football team. Then in the background, SSMel honks and Krusty says, "Oh yeah, Put SSMel down for 2 Grand."

I think it's hilarious but why? Does it imply Mel has a gambling addiction? does it imply that Mel wanted to make a smaller bet like $50 and Krusty bumped it up to $2000 just to be funny? or does it imply that Mel never wanted to bet at all and was just honking at Krusty just to get his attention?

[Roger Myers III]

It's funny because the betting is so routine with them that they can utilize a "honking" shorthand system to communicate bets. And, to a lesser extent, that SS Mel (who I don't believe had spoken in the series yet) communicates in honks. And bets big.

[Root Beer Tapper]

During one of the simpsons eps (cannot remember which one) Bart Meets The actor who played Dr Smith and the Robot from "lost in space". Bart MAkes some kind of comment about dr smith not being the one from the movie or somthing, But what Troubles me the most is when Dr Smith invites Bart back to his hotel room and the robot shouts "DANGER BART SIMPSON,DANGER"!

Is this meant to mean the actor who played dr smith had, errrm, lustings for young children?i certently can't remember the actor or indeed the charitor being accused of that kinda thing.

I hope this post doesn't offend anybody, its just a question thats been troubling me for a while.

[Charmy]

Dr. Smith being a pedophile was a running gag among the fans. It's been mentioned in 'Family Guy' too.
I'm not sure exactly why this joke popped up. Maybe there's no reason.

[Root Beer Tapper]

Why Do people think dr smith is a pedo?

[Roger Myers III]

I believe Jonathan Harris played Dr. Zachary Smith. And he's still alive, so let me say outright that I am under no interpretation accusing him of pedophlia, or anything like that.

The widespread perception of this "subtext" is likely rooted in the combination of a few factors. Smith was overwhelmingly involved with the Robinson kids in LIS, particularly obsessed with young Will (Billy Mumy) (The "Danger, Bart Simpson, danger! is a direct satire of "Danger Will Robinson, danger!" phrase prevalent in LIS) Harris also played Smith very broad and campy, with a melodramitic and effeminate flair, sort of like the Myyyyeesss guy. (I have no idea whether Harris himself is gay or not). Mumy, however, came out of the closet himself (IIRC), so that doesn't exactly weigh against it in some people's estimation.

It doesn't help that Smith performed the character while dressed in lavendar-lame bodysuits, space-boots, and bubble-helmet, too. But there is no - ahem - hard-core proof either way about the truth, if any, behind the perception.... there is only the freedom to utilize it in a split-second gag.

[eddie]

From "Lisa the Skeptic":

Bart: "Why we gettin' dressed up, Mom? Are we going to Black Angus?"
Marge: "Well...you might say we're going to the best steakhouse in the whole universe."
Bart: "So we're not going to Black Angus?"

What is this Black Angus?

[Roger Myers III]

Black Angus is a national chain of franchised steakhouses. Very middle-of-the-road, but not terrible either. ("Angus" cattle are selectly bred and fed to very exacting standards, supposedly to provide for very good, marbled beef - but "Black Angus" restaurants don't solely serve that type of beef - it just gets good associations from the name.)

[Miss Springfield]

What's the joke with Arby's being so bad, I've never heard of it.

[Dances In Underwear]

Okay, I got one. From Great Money Caper:

Ralph, covered in blood from Skinners Blood-Pack: "I look like Cable TV!"

Just a Random Ralph line, or something else?

[eddie]

Originally posted by Dances In Underwear
Okay, I got one. From Great Money Caper:

Ralph, covered in blood from Skinners Blood-Pack: "I look like Cable TV!"

Just a Random Ralph line, or something else?

Cable TV is traditionally known to be much more violent than network TV.

[Roger Myers III]

1) "Arby's" is a middle-of-the-road U.S. restaurant chain, lower quality than "Black Angus", but it's the same type of joke at that one.

2) Its not "traditionally" at all - cable tv in the U.S. is a paid-for service, so it used to enjoy a far laxer standard for showing foul language, violence (esp blood'n'guts) and sex. Broadcast (network & non-network) television is freely available, and therefore subject to the Federal Communications Commission guidelines. Today, now that the cable system is so prevalent, those FCC standards cover "standard" (advertising-supported) cable tv channels (TBS, TNT, Bravo, A&E, etc.), but not Pay tv channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, etc.)

[Miss Springfield]

What does homer mean when he says go back to Massechuettsetts pinko or however you spell it . To sideshow bob and the Im ona rolla gay. Krustys plane

[huh?]

Im ona rolla Gay(Or however you spell it), is a name parody of the plane Enola Gay. This is most famous as the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima at the end of World War II.

[Roger Myers III]

...and "I'm on a roll!" is a phrase for 'I'm succeeding' that originated in burlesque comedy, like "I'm killing this audience!"

"Pinko" is a right-wing perjorative for a communist, or, as used by very conservatives, any liberal. Massachussetts traditionally fields liberal politicians in the U.S. (or at least that's the traditional belief.)

[Magnum]

Was there ever a point to the "Hot and cold running chicks" line from Seprate Vocations?

[Roger Myers III]

Its simply a play on the phrase "hot & cold running water", i.e. Eddie & Lou get a lot of women. With sexy results!

[eddie]

In "When You Dish Upon a Star", Homer refers to Ron Howard as Hortseck, or something like that. Who is he referring to?

[Roger Myers III]

Homer calls Ron Howard "Horshack," the name of the geekiest "Sweathog" gang member on "Welcome Back Kotter". "Kotter" was broadcast, for a few seasons, right after "Happy Days" (on which Howard starred).