HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: max@gargoyle.uchicago.edu (Max Ziff)
Subject: Roto-rooter
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Chicago
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 23:29:55 GMT

DYN Homer's Mr. Plow song: 

"Mr. Plow:  that's my name!  That name again is Mr Plow!"

is a rip-off of the roto-rooter jingle:

"Call Roto-Rooter, that's the name, and away goes trouble down the
drain."

The words are just similar, but the tune is the same.  I was expecting
home to get in legal trouble for it.
--
Donald Ziff (Max)                                    ziff@cs.uchicago.edu

``My baloney has a first name, it's H-O-M-E-R,
  My baloney has a second name, it's H-O-M-E-R''
From: cik6239@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (Jeff Devore)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Bart vs. the babe.
Date: 15 Nov 92 23:26:58 GMT
Organization: Educational Computing Network

In article <921115125744.23820ac9@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU> FELSON_ADJ@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU writes:
>Did anyone notice?
>  when the moose is eating homer's trash; the theme
>  music from northern exposure was played

I noticed that reference, but I believe the music only resembled the
Northern Exposure theme and was not actually the theme.

		Jeff Devore
From: Jawara@Applelink.Apple.COM (Ron Drake)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: YOU PEOPLE ARE INSANE! YOU CAN FIND A REFERENCE IN ANYTHING!
Date: 16 Nov 92 23:46:04 GMT
Followup-To: alt.tv.simpsons
Organization: Me, The Whole Me and Nothing But

> >So I'll say it again.  Watch the cartoon, enjoy it, take it for what it's
> >worth and move on.  It's only a f**ing cartoon! Get a life! Maybe the 
> >Simpsons are a reference to all the weenies of the world who spend more 
> >time at a computer than with people.  A bunch of nobodys.
> 

Look at it this way. The creators of "The Simpsons" and those of us who
seek out and enjoy the references they provide share a common culture.
We speak a common language, more or less. "The Simpsons" is a reflection
of our time, just as the best of the Warner Bros. and MGM Cartoons are
and were. Those cartoons are full of cultural and societal references.
The reason Jay Ward cartoons ("Rocky & Bullwinkle", "George of the Jungle")
are still funny and interesting is because the people who made them put
something more than just "gags" into them.

One of the functions of this newgroup is to let people in on the "inside"
jokes. We confirm their sources and reinforce our enjoyment of the
funniest show on TV right now. We have lives. "The Simpsons" is one of 
the few shows I consistently invest my time in because it doesn't ask me
to sit there like a lump and just watch it.

If this newgroup infuriates you so much, there is a simple, effective
expedient to ease your pain. I think you know what it is. We referential
wonks promise to stay on our side of the fence. They've got a name for
the weenies in the world...OOPS! Sorry. Musical reference. You should go
now.

Ron "MMMmmmm! Kirkburgers!" Drake
From: sichase@csa1.lbl.gov (SCOTT I CHASE)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Why producers would never admit to reading this newsgroup
Date: 18 Nov 1992 11:51 PST
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - Berkeley, CA, USA
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.254.196
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

In article <1992Nov17.183436.675@galileo.cc.rochester.edu>, jwlr@dali.cc.rochester.edu (James Willer) writes...
>The reason no one affiliated with the show will admit to reading
>this newsgroup is because they *don't*!!
>As I recall, someone on the net claimed to *know* someone affiliated
>with the show and that poster allegedly passed along some of the
>more interesting questions/suggestions/lutefisk ...
>(I am sure this will not be the end of this thread, much as I
>wish it would be ...)

Hmmm.  This is exactly the kind of denial one would expect from someone
who is affiliated with the show but doesn't want to be found out.  What
is it that you *claim* to do for a living?

-Scott
--------------------
Scott I. Chase			"It is not a simple life to be a single cell,
SICHASE@CSA2.LBL.GOV		 although I have no right to say so, having
				 been a single cell so long ago myself that I 
				 have no memory at all of that stage of my 
				 life." - Lewis Thomas
From: tina@diamond.UUCP (Tina Cacolice)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: The Simpsons in U.S. culture?
Date: 17 Nov 1992 20:35:43 -0500
Organization: Widener University Mail/News Gateway
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.widener.edu

>
>In article <1992Nov15.220938.27567@mksol.dseg.ti.com>, ctalbott@mksol (christopher j talbott) writes:
>>I think the actual reference was from the State of the Union address, where
>>George said something to the effect of "the American family needs to be more
>>like 'The Waltons' than 'The Simpsons'."  The Simpsons are a part of American
>>culture, but more because they're controversial (the sort of thing that
>>bored Michigan housewives write mean letters to sponsors about).  Personally,
>>I think the average American boy is a LOT more like Bart than John-Boy.
>
>What is "The Waltons"?  Another TV series?  (oops, I don't remember
>what the Simpsons' neighbour is named and am exposing my ignorance if
>it's them).  Perhaps you could describe what "The Waltons" are like.


The Waltons was an incredibly sappy "life affirming"  drama series
There was a whole lot of children and they were always happy
and always solved their problems by the end of the episode.
Completely unrealisitic.  (I'm sorry if there are Waltons fans in
this group, but I just couldn't stomach that show.)

The only good part about the show was that it begat some (maybe just
one) good actors.  Oh, and at the end of each show, most of them would
say goodnight to most of the rest of them.  That was pretty good:

"Goodnight, Grandma."  "Goodnight, Johnboy."  "Goodnight, Dad"
"Goodnight So-and-so"  "Goodnight yet-another"  "Goodnight, Johnboy."


>>|> Here the series was recently moved to 5 pm on Saturday afternoon, just
>>|> after Star Trek - a silly thing to do in my opinion.  The TV channel
>>|> might have a strange concept of the target groups of both Star Trek
>>|> and Simpsons, I dunno.
>>
>>Hey!  I watch both shows religiously!  In fact, most of the people I know
>>who watch Star Trek are ALSO Simpsons fans (or convert rapidly).  To me, 

I do, too.


>>I would imagine that the President-Elect probably does not watch the Simpsons.
>>I would imagine that ANY President-Elect would support police forces, since
>>the Executive Branch of the US Goverment is the part that ENFORCES laws.
>
>yes, well I remember hearing something about a hundred thousand new
>police officers or something like that (said by Clinton) and the
>Simpsons episode with Bart as a school "narc" brought that into my
>mind.  (I thought "narc" meant just a drug policeman, but apparently
>the meaning is wider as Bart was the generic school cop, searching
>lockers, arresting violent people and all).
>


I think "Narc" has evolved into meaning anyone that tells on another
for doing something perceived as "wrong."



-- 

"All the good signature file quotes are taken."

					-- responses to tina@rjlg.com


Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: bassler@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (bassler ryan p)
Subject: Re: Honking and Headlights
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 19:31:43 GMT

Jym Dyer <jym@mica.berkeley.edu> writes:
>=x= It is my contention that the headlights blink because his
>honking the horn causes the lights to dim out.  I've known a
>number of fine American cars (and one Audi) that have had this
>"feature."  My friends think that Homer is both honking the
>horn and flashing the lights.

>=x= I don't have a VCR that I can check this with.  Basically,
>if the lights go out with every honk, I think that means I'm

A MORON...This has to be the dumbest thread I've ever read here.
Can't a man honk the horn  and turn the lights on and off at the same time?
Is that so wrong?????   Please "light"-en up...
Stuck in Champaign
From: Jawara@Applelink.Apple.COM (Ron Drake)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Bart Meets a Babe
Date: 18 Nov 92 22:40:26 GMT
Followup-To: alt.tv.simpsons
Organization: Me, The Whole Me and Nothing But

In article <1992Nov13.171912.22090@udel.edu>, wagenfuh@huey.udel.edu (Karl
Wagenfuehr) wrote:
> 
> Is this the first Simpsons episode where they explicitly talk about sex?
> First the "Studs" parody "Hunks", then the conversation between Homer
> and Laura's mom.  Sure, they've aluded to sex all the time (including,
> of course, that educational movie), but this struck me as goign beyond
> just the innuendos and actually talking about "sex", and naming it as
> such.  Any views?
> 

One of HomeBoy's defining moments is in "Colonel Homer" when What's-Her-
Name (Lurleen?) propositions him. I'm not sure he can even imagine making
love to someone other than Marge and he probably thinks the world would
end if he did. And, as he was in this episode, he's slow on the uptake
when it comes to S-E-X. There are just too many other things he's passion-
ate about. Food. Beer. TV. Marge. Ummm...ummm...food...beer...TV...uh...
the kids...He likes sex but it isn't the first thing on his agenda. Oh!
Sleep! He likes to sleep.

P.S. Re: the Crabby DYN's for Bart's Girlfriend episode...Lisa sighing
over a worthless, loser rebel-type is completely in character. If you
don't believe me, I direct you to the "Why Don't Women Go For 'Nice Guys'"
thread at a discussion near you. And it's "women and seamen don't mix."

Ron "Jeez! You mean THIS discussion is flamebait, TOO?!" Drake
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: mbn@skeletor.hf.intel.com (Mike Northam)
Subject: Re: Maggie's price on the cash register in the opening?
Reply-To: mbn@greyskul.hf.intel.com
Organization: Shorter Software Solutions
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 20:50:44 GMT

>>>>> "andrew" == Andrew William Jackson <ajackson@ernie.Princeton.EDU> writes:

andrew> In article <damon.05kl@guild.socal.com> damon@guild.socal.com (Damon Anderson) writes:
>Does anyone know how much Maggie cost when she was passed over the bar code scanner in the opening of the show?  It goes by so quickly, I can't tell.  I believe it was in TV GUIDE once, but I missed it.
>
>--- Via UCI v1.16 (C-Net Amiga)

andrew> Sorry to dissapoint you, but Maggie's price is just
andrew> a bunch of random characters.  (they don't even
andrew> look like roman characters)

Au contraire.  As the FAQ says:
[DYN]
    ... that the cash register says that Maggie costs $847.63?

Better get your set (or VCR) adjusted.


--
Mike Northam, Shorter Software Solutions, on contract to Intel Corp.
(h) (503) 324-1831 (intel office) (503) 696-4860 (shorter) (503) 357-1010
mbn@greyskul.hf.intel.com
"You ducks are really trying my patience...but you're SOOO cute. --Apu 9F01
From: Jawara@Applelink.Apple.COM (Ron Drake)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Why producers would never admit to reading this newsgroup
Date: 24 Nov 92 00:15:56 GMT
Followup-To: alt.tv.simpsons
Organization: Me, The Whole Me and Nothing But

In article <1992Nov17.233611.16637@cs.wisc.edu>, rbrbrn@picard.cs.wisc.edu
(Robert Holmes) wrote:
> 
> Do you people really believe that the producers read this newsgroup?  Are you
> that grandiose or just nieve?  I really hope that you don't think that they > > get ideas from this group.  God, help us all!!!
> 
> BARON

Ideas? No. Feedback? Yes. Writers/producers/performers want as much
positive
feedback as they can get. They want to see if people "got" the references.
They want to hear what the reaction is to their efforts.

Will they ever stop lurking? I doubt it. Kinda like physics--even observing
a phenomenon affects the phenomenon. To do more than lurk would be to ruin
a good source of immediate feedback. If they're not lurking, our egos can
take it. Hell, dude--who needs them when we've got YOU!

O, Mighty Baron! You keep smacking us with that wrench. Can't you see
that it won't work? Keep it up and you will be absorbed. We may start
finding references to YOU in our daily lives. We might start a newsgroup
(alt.ref.baron). God help us all!!! "Blasphemy! Blasphemy!" (hee-hee)

ObReference: the music in "Crazy Vaclav's" Used Car Lot quotes the
"Yakov's Elixir" theme from "The Inspector General" starring Danny
Kaye.
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Ayn Rand
From: bigbro@netlink.cts.com (Kenneth Sullivan)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:08:55 PST
Organization: NetLink Online Communications, San Diego CA

hennessy@acsu.buffalo.edu (DOG BASEBALL!!!) writes:

> Inscribed upon tablet <3214@ucl-cs.uucp>, the mighty G.Joly@cs.ucl.ac.uk (Gor
> ::
> ::I thought that when Homer "tip-toed through the babies" he was acting
> ::out a scence from Alien (2?) where the liar of Alien larvae is
> ::discovered.
> ::
> ::Or was that "The Birds" (Hitchcock) with the pacifiers sounding like
> ::the birds?
> 
> 	My bet's on _T_h_e___B_i_r_d_s, because of the little
> scene afterwards with Hitchcock pushing the pram.  
> 
> 	btw:  4-head HIFI vcr's rule.  I've got the Sony 595hf and the nifty
> jog/shuttle dial is really great for seeing details you'd otherwise miss..
> like:  How much does Maggie cost?  hint: it's nonsense, but it's a number.
> maybe a product number.
> 
> ::
> ::Gordon.
> 
> -- 
>    /I\          Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.
>   /(*)\         hennessy@acsu.buffalo.edu                 
>  /IIIII\        "Leave EVERYTHING to ME!" - Powdered Toast Man       
> /IIIIIII\       Happiness is a warm gun.

I think t.v. guide said it was a bit more than $800 dollars, like 823.46 
or something like that.
awful cheap

--                    
INTERNET:  bigbro@netlink.cts.com (Kenneth Sullivan)
UUCP:   ...!ryptyde!netlink!bigbro
NetLink Online Communications * Public Access in San Diego, CA (619) 453-1115
From: tina@diamond.UUCP (Tina Cacolice)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Why producers would never admit to reading this newsgroup
Date: 18 Nov 1992 12:41:31 -0500
Organization: Widener University Mail/News Gateway
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.widener.edu

>
>In article <17NOV92.06423638@umbc2.umbc.edu> noel@umbc2.umbc.edu writes:
>>	Some people said they performed an experiment to see if somone who 
>>helped make "The Simpsons" read the newsgroup and had some success.  Then it 
>>was asked "Why don't say they read it?"
>>	The following is based on personal expereince from being on a mailing 
>>list for a certain cartoon series where the producer actually appeared.
>
>Do you people really believe that the producers read this newsgroup?  Are you
>that grandiose or just nieve?  I really hope that you don't think that they get
>ideas from this group.  God, help us all!!!
>
>BARON
>


Geez!  If you are going to make fun of us, at least spell "naive" right!!



-- 

"All the good signature file quotes are taken."

					-- responses to tina@rjlg.com


Xref: sparky alt.tv.simpsons:6724 comp.sys.mac.misc:19501
From: KitchenRN@ssd0.laafb.af.mil
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Adam West
Date: 23 Nov 1992 18:44:48 -0500
Organization: Widener University Mail/News Gateway
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.widener.edu

winnipg@sys6626.bison.mb.ca (Winnipg) writes:
> I remember a couple of years ago Adam West was at a car convention 
> wearing his costume and singing autographs for ummm $3.50 I think?
                          ^^^^^^^

*singing* autographs?  Was it a capella, or did he have musical 
accompaniment? :-)
From: stlucas@gdwest.gd.com (Joseph St. Lucas)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Lisa's sax playing
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:52:36 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: General Dynamics Corp.

My son has been playing the saxphone for a few years and
SWEARS that in the beginning scenes where Lisa is playing a sax
in school, that she plays a different tune each week, before launching
into the 'Simpsons theme' portion.  I can't really tell, having not paid
that much attention.  Anyone notice this or should I tell my son to
quit dreaming?

-- 
Joe St.Lucas    stlucas@gdwest.gd.com        Standard Disclaimers Apply
General Dynamics Space Systems: our last launch ATTEMPT, Galaxy 1R, leaving
me temporarily at a loss for something witty to say in my signature.
From: CHARLIE@ac.dal.ca
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: 11/12 Episode
Date: 20 Nov 1992 19:25:45 -0500
Organization: Widener University Mail/News Gateway
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.widener.edu

>From article <1992Nov13.171042.24584@unislc.uucp>, by mcs@unislc.uucp (Michael Sontum):
>> ... there is a reference to Bart getting a "wedgy". I have
>> never heard this term before and had to consult my kids for the answer.
>> Apparently a wedgy is when you pull someones underwear up. Am I getting
>> old or do others know the term "wedgy".

>I can remember my brother referring to this excrutiating trick
>as a shreddy (British English). Anyone else?

>  Andrew C. Moores 

A Cheeko.
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Scott Borders)
Subject: Re: Another Godfather reference?
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 92 16:51:45 GMT

rbrbrn@picard.cs.wisc.edu (Robert Holmes) writes:

[description of Bart's snowy, rapid-fire death deleted]

>In article <1ej7nlINNdp2@uwm.edu> sperry@convex.csd.uwm.edu 
(Robert Joseph Sperry) writes:

>COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE
>...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE
>NCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE
>IDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE...COINCIDENCE

I don't think this was a conincidence; the first thing that popped
into my mind when I saw this was the scene from the Godfather.
Definitely one of the best laughs in the show.

After I quit chuckling, I thought about it some more.  Didn't
Clyde (as in "Bonnie and . . .") get machine-gunned to death
as well?  Maybe this scene was referring back to the car show
when Bart was playing in Bonnie and Clyde's "Death Car."

Regardless of what you think of the references, Thursday's offering
was one of the better offerings OFF has given us.

--
"Mr. Plow:  that's my name!  That name again is Mr Plow!"

Scott Borders
sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu
borders_scott@tandem.com


--
From: syracurg@lp.musc.edu
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: RE: Roto-rooter
Date: 23 Nov 92 14:23:54 GMT
Organization: Widener University Mail/News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.widener.edu


     That's it!  Thanks to D. Ziff (Max) for identifying the tune.
   It's been driving me crazy since I knew it was "familiar" but I
   couldn't remember the product.  Even tho' it's connected to Roto-
   Rooter, I think it's probably a pretty generic tune that may have
   been used for other products.
mjs
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: tl24@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Tami  Luhby)
Subject: Re: Mr. Plow ad 2 reference?
Reply-To: tl24@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Tami  Luhby)
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 21:02:49 GMT

In article <168A7B921.KCSCHIE@vm.cmp.ilstu.edu> KCSCHIE@vm.cmp.ilstu.edu writes:
>In article <1992Nov20.210323.8536@news.columbia.edu>
>tl24@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Tami  Luhby) writes:
> 
>>
>>
>>Here's a reference for ya.  In the second Mr. Plow ad (the artsy one), a man
>>drops a snow shaker paperweight (you know those things you shake and it snows?)
>>to me this is a reference to Citizen Kane, where Kane drops one of those when
>>he dies at the beginning.  Anyone else catch this one?
>>
> 
>Hmmm... I thought about this when I watched it and wondered if it was
>a Kane reference, but I think it was probably something else. True,
>Kane drops a snow-shaker-thing when he dies, but the one in this
>episode was thrown to the ground and shattered. Methinks it's a reference
>... but to what?
> 
>Kyle C Schiebel

The snow shaker in Citizen Kane broke and shattered too.  I think its a  flat
out Citizen Kane reference.

-tl24
From: dalet@onecert.fr (Groupe SUPAERO)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Lookin' for Bart's punishments
Date: 17 Nov 92 10:58:19 GMT
Reply-To: dalet@onecert.fr (Groupe SUPAERO)
Distribution: world


 Hi Simpsons' fans !

 We are two french fans of OFF.

 We would like to know if someone has the complete list of 
what does Bart write on the blackoard during the title sequence.


     Benoit  &   Guillaume .

                   __&__
    |\/\/\/|      /     \
    |      |     |       |
    |      |     |  (o)(o)
    | (o)(o)     C   .---_)
    C      _)     | |.___|
    | ,___|       |  \__/
    |   /         /_____\
   /____\        /_____/ \
  /      \      /         \
From: bdm@druwa.ATT.COM (Brian Millham)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
Subject: Re: Homer listens to NPR. It's a Fact!
Date: 20 Nov 92 19:22:21 GMT

in article <1992Nov20.161627.13037@lsa.umich.edu>, gerald.b.ross@um.cc.umich.edu (Gerald Ross) says:

> Many NPR stations are located in the 88 - 90 Khz range
> (left side of dial).

One problem.. The radio was an AM radio.
--
Brian Millham     |Kitty      |Fletch |Dragon's Lair |Kick Man |New World
AT&T Bell Labs    |Ferrah     |Buddy  |Space Ace     |Sinistar |High Speed
Denver, Co.       |Dr. Pepper |       |              |         |
bdm@druwa.att.com |(ferrets)  |(cats) |(laser disc)  |(video)  |(pinball)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: jacobw@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Jacob Solomon Weinstein)
Subject: Re: Simpsons Moderated Group?
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 03:20:52 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.214252.3605@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> flaps@dgp.toronto.edu (Alan J Rosenthal) writes:
>It doesn't seem likely to happen, but I'd love it if alt.tv.simpsons itself
>became a moderated group, and I'd be happy to do the moderation.  I'd find it
>fun, and I have a feeling that the dramatically decreased traffic which would
>result would substantially pay me back for the time investment.
I have no plans to run for moderator, but if the people in every
newsgroup in the union can get my name on the ballot, I promise to run a
world-class campaign. I'll be appearing on alt.talk.Larry.King tomorrow to field
non-questions about my non-candidacy. So be sure to phone in-- I'm all
ears. 

Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons
From: phillips@tegra.com (Steve Phillips)
Subject: Re: Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria
Organization: Tegra-Varityper, Inc. Billerica, MA
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 21:30:00 GMT

In article <1ebn1mINNj67@cs.widener.edu> KitchenRN@ssd0.laafb.af.mil writes:
>
>BTW, what other shows have Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria done?  Not 
>necessarily together.

Don't forget Yeardley's great cameo role in "City Slickers," as the
checkout girl who crashes Billy Crystal's birthday party to announce
that she's pregnant by Phil, who is unfortunately married to another
woman.  Priceless.

-- 
============================================================================
Steve Phillips                                 "Half a mind is a terrible
Tegra-Varityper, Inc., Billerica, MA            thing to waste..."
tegra!phillips@uunet.com                         - Zippy the Pinhead
Newsgroups: alt.tv.simpsons