American pop culture references in GG: are they easy to understand?

[beabea]

Hi all.

I really can't wait for the new season to begin; to help me get to the
season premiere, I though it would be a good idea to "distract" me
asking something that's been on my mind for a while now.

GG dialogues are really an important part of the show and they're filled
(esp. Lorelei and Rory's ones) with references to the American pop
culture. It's sometimes really hard for me (here on the other side of
the ocean) to understand what they are referring to.

Being a great movie fan, it's easier for me to understand movie related
things; for examples it was easy to get the "Grease" reference when in
ep.204 (Road trip to Harvard) Rory called Lorelei "Rizzo".

Things get harder when they name someone who is (probably) popular in
the U.S. but is totally unknown in foreign countries (e.g. Lorelei
saying "How dare you accuse my face of that! My face is calling Gloria
Alred when we get home." - ep 2.22), although in these cases google can
usually be of great help (I still have to look up who's Gloria Alred).

The real challenge is when they name someone only with the first name,
or when they quote a TV show or comic strip or...; for instance, who the
hell are Gertie and Emma (ep 217 L: By the window, Elma. R: Got it,
Gertie)? or think about the "blah blah blah Ginger" quote that I would
have never understood if someone didn't explain it here in the NG.

OK, now I'll stop babbling and here's my question: do Americans find
those references clear? all of them? or does it happen sometimes that
they are obscure even to those of you who live in the States?

Thanks.
beatrice.

[dlci]

"beabea" <***@libero.it.bea> wrote in message news:fb3p11-
[snip]

Post by beabea
OK, now I'll stop babbling and here's my question: do Americans find
those references clear? all of them? or does it happen sometimes that
they are obscure even to those of you who live in the States?

Sometimes I miss them because they are said so quickly, and almost as throw
away lines. I'll have to re-watch that part of the show (if I taped it)
with the closed captioning on to see what I missed. And sometimes the
references are just too esoteric for me - even being an "older" US
resident.... :) These lines are often the funniest and best parts of the
show - so it's worth the effort !

[beabea]

Post by dlci
Sometimes I miss them because they are said so quickly, and almost as throw
away lines. I'll have to re-watch that part of the show (if I taped it)
with the closed captioning on to see what I missed.

If it wasn't for the transcripts I find on the web, I would miss
the 25-35% of the dialogue more or less; other shows (Friends for
example) are much easier to understand.

Post by dlci
And sometimes the
references are just too esoteric for me - even being an "older" US
resident.... :) These lines are often the funniest and best parts of the
show - so it's worth the effort !

You're absolutely right!
And it's nice to see some authors who do not treat their viewers/fans as
idiots who are unable to understand non-physical jokes or words with
more than two syllables.

Thanks,
beatrice.

[SBP2]

Post by dlci
Sometimes I miss them because they are said so quickly, and almost as throw
away lines. I'll have to re-watch that part of the show (if I taped it)
with the closed captioning on to see what I missed. And sometimes the
references are just too esoteric for me - even being an "older" US
resident.... :) These lines are often the funniest and best parts of the
show - so it's worth the effort !

I love those obscure references. When it's one I understand, it's like a
private joke between me and the writers. Those I don't get right away aren't
usually that difficult to find, and not understanding them doesn't really
affect the overall enjoyment of the show.

Steve B.

[J.Duluoz]

Post by SBP2
I love those obscure references. When it's one I understand, it's like a
private joke between me and the writers. Those I don't get right away aren't
usually that difficult to find, and not understanding them doesn't really
affect the overall enjoyment of the show.
Steve B.

It's exactly how I feel too. But I will say that I feel like the ones
that I understand were made for me and I don't care for the others. If I
don't catch them the first time I will not find them funny anyway.

[SBP2]

Post by J.Duluoz

Post by SBP2
I love those obscure references. When it's one I understand, it's like a
private joke between me and the writers. Those I don't get right away aren't
usually that difficult to find, and not understanding them doesn't really
affect the overall enjoyment of the show.
Steve B.

It's exactly how I feel too. But I will say that I feel like the ones
that I understand were made for me and I don't care for the others. If I
don't catch them the first time I will not find them funny anyway.

Once, many months ago, I found myself wandering through some of the many GG
websites. One had a page dedicated to the arcane references that always
appear.

What became obvious immediately is that this site was primarily targeted at
teens: They didn't think there was any reason to discuss who Macy Gray was
(at the time, I couldn't even be sure that was the name Rory said in the
pilot, let alone who Macy Gray was!), but they didn't have a clue who Edgar
Bergen was, or what it meant to "run with the bulls."

I answered about a half-dozen of those references for them, and left. I
don't think I've ever stumbled on that site again, but I just found it so
interesting the difference in what references people did and didn't
recognize.

Steve B.

[Carl Muffoletto]

It's as much an age and gender thing. As a 57 year old male, born and raised
in the Eastern US, I don't get many of the references to recent pop
culture, especilly references to pop music, or dress and fashion. I have my
eight year old daughter explain them :)

I do better with old movies or politics. My wife who is almost a generation
younger then me, and much closer to Lorelei's age, gets many more
references than I. But we still record the show and watch it several times
to catch almost everything.

Carl

Post by beabea
Hi all.
I really can't wait for the new season to begin; to help me get to the
season premiere, I though it would be a good idea to "distract" me
asking something that's been on my mind for a while now.
GG dialogues are really an important part of the show and they're filled
(esp. Lorelei and Rory's ones) with references to the American pop
culture. It's sometimes really hard for me (here on the other side of
the ocean) to understand what they are referring to.
Being a great movie fan, it's easier for me to understand movie related
things; for examples it was easy to get the "Grease" reference when in
ep.204 (Road trip to Harvard) Rory called Lorelei "Rizzo".
Things get harder when they name someone who is (probably) popular in
the U.S. but is totally unknown in foreign countries (e.g. Lorelei
saying "How dare you accuse my face of that! My face is calling Gloria
Alred when we get home." - ep 2.22), although in these cases google can
usually be of great help (I still have to look up who's Gloria Alred).
The real challenge is when they name someone only with the first name,
or when they quote a TV show or comic strip or...; for instance, who the
hell are Gertie and Emma (ep 217 L: By the window, Elma. R: Got it,
Gertie)? or think about the "blah blah blah Ginger" quote that I would
have never understood if someone didn't explain it here in the NG.
OK, now I'll stop babbling and here's my question: do Americans find
those references clear? all of them? or does it happen sometimes that
they are obscure even to those of you who live in the States?
Thanks.
beatrice.
--
She may be an angel who spends all winter/Bringin' the homeless blankets
and dinner/A regular Nobel Peace Prize winner/But I really hate her
... I'll think of a reason later
(T. Martin/T.Nichols)

[beabea]

Post by Carl Muffoletto
It's as much an age and gender thing. As a 57 year old male, born and raised
in the Eastern US, I don't get many of the references to recent pop
culture, especilly references to pop music, or dress and fashion. I have my
eight year old daughter explain them :)

Too bad I don't have a daughter :)

I didn't think about it, but sure age, gender (and culture or personal tastes)
are the keywords here.

Thanks,
beatrice.

[Tara O.]

Post by beabea
OK, now I'll stop babbling and here's my question: do Americans find
those references clear? all of them? or does it happen sometimes that
they are obscure even to those of you who live in the States?

I don't in regards to music. I know the classic & 80s films well enough to
catch references to those but anything new or anything political, forget it.

[NickKnight]

Post by beabea
Things get harder when they name someone who is (probably) popular in
the U.S. but is totally unknown in foreign countries (e.g. Lorelei
saying "How dare you accuse my face of that! My face is calling Gloria
Alred when we get home." - ep 2.22), although in these cases google can
usually be of great help (I still have to look up who's Gloria Alred).

If you want to know every thing there is to know about
Gloria Alred watch Fox news. Her name is bound to come
up when the discussion turns to Scott Peterson.


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[NickKnight]

Post by beabea
who the
hell are Gertie and Emma

I have no clue who they are.
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[STARS!!!]

Post by NickKnight

Post by beabea
who the
hell are Gertie and Emma

I have no clue who they are.

I just assumed they were names she pulled out of thin air. Not meant to link
to any pop culture reference points.

[Wayne Brown]

Post by beabea
OK, now I'll stop babbling and here's my question: do Americans find
those references clear? all of them? or does it happen sometimes that
they are obscure even to those of you who live in the States?

Well, I'm an American (48 years old) and of all the examples you quoted,
"blah blah blah Ginger" was the only one I got. So you're not alone. :-)

[beabea]

Post by Wayne Brown
Well, I'm an American (48 years old) and of all the examples you quoted,
"blah blah blah Ginger" was the only one I got. So you're not alone. :-)

Well, that makes me feel better :)

Thanks to everyone who answered me.
beatrice.

[walkietalkie]

Did anyone notice this week that Rory made a pop-culture reference that even
Lorelai didn't get until later? Of course I now forget what it was...

Post by beabea

Post by Wayne Brown
Well, I'm an American (48 years old) and of all the examples you quoted,
"blah blah blah Ginger" was the only one I got. So you're not alone. :-)

Well, that makes me feel better :)
Thanks to everyone who answered me.
beatrice.
--
If you want to know what God thinks of money,
just look at the people he gave it to.
Dorothy Parker

[madeupagin]

Post by walkietalkie
Did anyone notice this week that Rory made a pop-culture reference that even
Lorelai didn't get until later? Of course I now forget what it was...

Post by beabea

Post by Wayne Brown
Well, I'm an American (48 years old) and of all the examples you quoted,
"blah blah blah Ginger" was the only one I got. So you're not alone.

:-)

Post by walkietalkie

Post by beabea
Well, that makes me feel better :)

It was Jimmy Carter and the Iranian Hostage Crisis of the 70's.

What got ME was the reference to the Turkish Hash dealer, which for the life
of me, I can't remember the movie, Midnight something, LOL. That was pretty
good!

Tere

[ZoomZoom]

Post by madeupagin
It was Jimmy Carter and the Iranian Hostage Crisis of the 70's.
What got ME was the reference to the Turkish Hash dealer, which for the life
of me, I can't remember the movie, Midnight something, LOL. That was pretty
good!
Tere

Was it Midnight Express?

Sandy

[madeupagin]

Post by ZoomZoom

Post by madeupagin
It was Jimmy Carter and the Iranian Hostage Crisis of the 70's.
What got ME was the reference to the Turkish Hash dealer, which for the life
of me, I can't remember the movie, Midnight something, LOL. That was pretty
good!
Tere

Was it Midnight Express?
Sandy

OH, SANDY, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! That was it!!!

Now I can get back to work, LOL.

tere

[Brian]

Rory also made a reference to the old MTV cartoon "Daria"

Post by walkietalkie
Did anyone notice this week that Rory made a pop-culture reference that even
Lorelai didn't get until later? Of course I now forget what it was...

Post by beabea

Post by Wayne Brown
Well, I'm an American (48 years old) and of all the examples you quoted,
"blah blah blah Ginger" was the only one I got. So you're not alone.

:-)

Post by walkietalkie

Post by beabea
Well, that makes me feel better :)
Thanks to everyone who answered me.
beatrice.
--
If you want to know what God thinks of money,
just look at the people he gave it to.
Dorothy Parker

[STARS!!!]

~t

Post by Brian
Rory also made a reference to the old MTV cartoon "Daria"

YES!! I loved that. I was/still am a big Daria fan. Definitely had to mp3
that one...

And it's not that old. "Daria" aired from 1997-2001

[SBP2]

Post by STARS!!!
~t

Post by Brian
Rory also made a reference to the old MTV cartoon "Daria"

YES!! I loved that. I was/still am a big Daria fan. Definitely had to mp3
that one...
And it's not that old. "Daria" aired from 1997-2001

In fact, it's still airing on the Noggin network (don't blame me, I didn't
name it!) in reruns. Though they do tend to edit the shows a bit for
content, which is more than just a bit annoying.

Steve B.

[madeupagin]

Post by SBP2
In fact, it's still airing on the Noggin network (don't blame me, I didn't
name it!) in reruns. Though they do tend to edit the shows a bit for
content, which is more than just a bit annoying.

When they go to the "older" teen shows, they call it the "N" network.

Tere

[STARS!!!]

Post by madeupagin

Post by SBP2
In fact, it's still airing on the Noggin network (don't blame me, I didn't
name it!) in reruns. Though they do tend to edit the shows a bit for
content, which is more than just a bit annoying.

When they go to the "older" teen shows, they call it the "N" network.

Yeah, I've heard about the Noggin/N edits. Idiots. Haven't seen any though.
Noggin isn't on my cable system's line-up.

[SBP2]

Post by beabea

Post by madeupagin

Post by SBP2
In fact, it's still airing on the Noggin network (don't blame me, I

didn't

Post by madeupagin

Post by SBP2
name it!) in reruns. Though they do tend to edit the shows a bit for
content, which is more than just a bit annoying.

When they go to the "older" teen shows, they call it the "N" network.

Yeah, I've heard about the Noggin/N edits. Idiots. Haven't seen any though.
Noggin isn't on my cable system's line-up.

It's still a great show, but they'll often stomp on a punchline, such as the
title for one of those "Sick Sad World" commercials that often pop up. And
about a week ago they ran the episode where Daria and Quinn went to the rock
concert -- I can't remember the name of it to save my life. If you remember
that one, the parents waited until the girls left, and then ran around the
house making whoopee. Not that they showed anything, it was all just sly
looks and innuendo. But all of that got chopped. Weird.

Steve B.

[STARS!!!]

Post by SBP2
about a week ago they ran the episode where Daria and Quinn went to the rock
concert -- I can't remember the name of it to save my life.

Alterna-palooza


If you remember

Post by SBP2
that one, the parents waited until the girls left, and then ran around the
house making whoopee. Not that they showed anything, it was all just sly
looks and innuendo. But all of that got chopped. Weird.

Why did they even pick up the show if they knew they would have to alter it?
It just doesn't make sense to me. I realize any airing is better than no
airing but it still is annoying.

[SBP2]

Post by STARS!!!

Post by SBP2
about a week ago they ran the episode where Daria and Quinn went to the

rock

Post by SBP2
concert -- I can't remember the name of it to save my life.

Alterna-palooza

Thank you.

Post by STARS!!!
If you remember

Post by SBP2
that one, the parents waited until the girls left, and then ran around the
house making whoopee. Not that they showed anything, it was all just sly
looks and innuendo. But all of that got chopped. Weird.

Why did they even pick up the show if they knew they would have to alter it?
It just doesn't make sense to me. I realize any airing is better than no
airing but it still is annoying.

Big time. Especially because it airs at 10 pm -- late enough that no one
should be offended or educated by anything they're likely to say on Daria.

Steve B.

[Ann Johnson]

Post by beabea
Hi all.
GG dialogues are really an important part of the show and they're filled
(esp. Lorelei and Rory's ones) with references to the American pop
culture. It's sometimes really hard for me (here on the other side of
the ocean) to understand what they are referring to.

Sometimes I don't know what they're talking about, and I was born and lived
in the U.S. for 45 years. I don't let it distract me. I especially don't
get the music references because I'm not into music. A lot of the movie
references fly by me too.

[Agnes428]

Post by beabea
Hi all.
GG dialogues are really an important part of the show and they're filled
(esp. Lorelei and Rory's ones) with references to the American pop
culture. It's sometimes really hard for me (here on the other side of
the ocean) to understand what they are referring to.

Sometimes I don't know what they're >>talking about, and I was born and lived
in the U.S. for 45 years. I don't let it >>distract me. I especially don't
get the music references because I'm not >>into music. A lot of the movie
references fly by me too.

BEing of the younger generation, I have >>>a hard time alot of time with

the refrences, >>>usually I don't really worry about the >>>ones I don't get. I
don't know if anyone >>>else got that comment that Lorelai made in >>>"The Big
One" about Sephora.

Post by beabea

Max: "I must say, I've been a teacher for ten years now and, it wasn't

until today I realized, it must be very hard to be a girl."

Post by beabea

Lorelai: "And with the invention of Sephora, really expensive, too.
At first I had no idea what she was talking >>>about and then this summer I

saw a

Post by beabea

Sephora store and realized what it was. In case anyone is wondering what it

is, Sephora is a line of cosmetics.