Talk:Towelie

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Please do not add mention of pop cultural references, continuity notes, trivia, or who the targets of a given episode's parody are, without accompanying such material with an inline citation of a reliable, published, secondary source. Adding such material without such sources violates Wikipedia's policies pertaining to Verifiability, No Original Research, and Synthesis.

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Douglas Adams

Towlie sounds exactly like Cheech Marin playing Tryone Shoelaces, even he mild southern accent. Any influence there or just coincidence? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.95.25.23 (talk) 09:54, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Anyone who's read the trilogy of five knows exactly what towelie's referencing. What's up Dr. Strangelove 12:48, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

Always know where your towel is.--67.86.119.65 (talk) 04:29, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

• It's clearly stated on the Comedy Central cite - on the other hand, we cannot determine from the commentary why they started saying this to begin with. Therefore, as a valid cited reference, it has every right to stay - removing it because "it clashes with the commentary" is pure original research/synth. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 12:52, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

Removing it has nothing to do with WP:NOR or WP:SYNTH. Any material can be challenged, it is up to the user adding it to Wikipedia is under a burden to prove it. In the context of this episode, the reference is to a conversation the writers had with their friends on a boat (according to the commentary).

If you wish to add the ccinsider blog information, you'll have to amend it to say that those people on holiday may have referred to a line from a series of books by Douglas Adams. Alastairward (talk) 13:00, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

I believe Comedy Central over your personal conclusions. There is no clash: it's from the novel and they were saying it on the holiday. How warped one's logic should be to see any contradiction here? NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 13:04, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

It's not a personal conclusion, I'm wondering why we should take a secondary source over the writers' actual words? Alastairward (talk) 13:21, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

You're not making any sense. Both sources co-exist without any contradiction. I'm off, will return to discussions later. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 13:53, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

It's relatively simple, if the commentary states (pretty clearly) that the towel gag is a reference to this holiday/break, then that's what the article should state. Any further analysis would involve a discussion of the holiday the writers were on, I didn't realise ccinsider reached that far... Alastairward (talk) 21:58, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

OK - they've been saying it during the holiday, but where did the phrase originally come from? The answer is in the CCInsider reference. There is no claim in the commentary as for them inventing the sentence, only about them saying it - and CCInsider gives the answer as for the origin of the phrase itself. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 23:17, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

Whereupon they seem to commit your favourite sin, WP:SYNTH. In the context of the article, the commentary seems to hold the truth and is verifiable to boot. CCInsider? Not so much... Alastairward (talk) 23:40, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

Well, it's your personal opinion again; CCInsider has gained the verifiable source consensus already. Your understanding constitutes WP:SYNTH - "if they've been saying that on the holiday, it couldn't have come from the novel" - no connection, again. Please don't create the connection where it so obviously doesn't exist. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 04:33, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Of course it's personal opinion, this is a talk page, what else would it be? I think this is a clear example of this "reliable" source overstretching and assuming too much. Shame they didn't listen to the commentary on the DVD. As such, their opinion cannot be used to say definitively that this character's catchphrase was a reference to Douglas Adams. Alastairward (talk) 09:45, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

We've been over this thousands of times - Comedy Central are a reliable source and it's not their opinion. You keep playing dumb... oh well, if you're that bored knock yourself out. I've already explained all logic and reason behind this reference, yet you keep ignoring all explanations and making completely preposterous conclusions. For the last time: there is no connection between the fact that they were saying it on a holiday and the second fact that the phrase originated from Douglas Adams. Making the connection - thus annulling one of the sources - is pure WP:SYNTH. Both references can peacefully coexist in the article for all reasons listed above. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 10:17, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Hang on a second, you're now agreeing with me? That there is no connection between the assumption (note that, an assumption) on behalf of this blog and the events described in the commentary? That's what I was saying all along! In the context of this episode, the character and his catchphrase came from the discussion mentioned in the commentary. It's not hard to see that CCInsider has been stretching a little bit too far on this one. Alastairward (talk) 12:21, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

No, I'm not agreeing with you. CCInsider don't assume, they provide inside information that's related to Comedy Central (hence the name). You are promoting your own speculations and POV's anywhere you can, yet you keep acting like you're the "Wikipedia Messiah." NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 13:18, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Ah, they provide "inside information". So you have a cite for that? (Remembering, as always WP:BURDEN) All you're doing is making them seem like some sort of tag-along for Comedy Central, instead of the pool of information you would have us believe. Alastairward (talk) 13:32, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

As neither of us has a cite, let's present the facts as they are:

• According to CCInsider, which, according to the latest consensus, is a reliable source, the phrase is a quote from the novel.
• According to the DVD commentary, they were saying the phrase during the holiday.
  

One does not contradict the other. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 13:42, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Since you're the one adding material, you're the one who needs a cite. Need I remind you of WP:BURDEN again.

Besides which, how does ccinsider know the details of this holiday they were on, or the circumstances that made them talk about towels? All we can objectively say is that the episode reference is in the commentary. Alastairward (talk) 15:23, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I've provided my cite - CCInsider. It's been defined as reliable (as the user has advised, both sources are cited) - end of discussion, any further analysis of any contradiction between the two sources is WP:OR and WP:SYNTH. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 16:30, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

It hasn't been defined and further discussion is not WP:OR and WP:SYNTH (they've been quoted quite a bit to you, surely you recognise their meaning?) If they're both to be cited, then the contradiction should be noted in the article, as should the fact that the CCInsider cite doesn't show it's own source and doesn't really suit in the context of why the writers chose this line as Towelie's catchphrase. Alastairward (talk) 16:40, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

If you can cite the commentary stating they invented the phrase without any connection to Adams, then you can successfully prove me wrong. Otherwise - end of discussion, since I've provided a cite to begin with. I'll return later. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 16:44, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

dude put a title next time

In addition to the admonition to bring a towel being a possibly Hitchhier's Guide reference, aren't fans of Hitchhiker's also sometimes called Towelies in the same sense Star Trek fans are Trekies/Trekers, Firefly fans are Browncoats, Doctor Who fans are Whovians, etc?

I've always kind of wondered if Matt and Trey didn't have a bet that they could make the stupidest character imaginable and then immediately market it and succeed. Thus the repeated instances of characters saying how worthless Towelie is, interspersed with advertisements for Towelie gear.

In another note, I've always considered this episode to be the finest spoof of the formula Dean Koontz uses in his novels to be found. 24.62.27.66 20:58, 11 February 2006 (UTC)

Comparison with "eXistenZ"

Has anybody noticed the similarities with the film eXistenZ? Story is grounded in the idea of a video-game; plot-twist after plot-twist (with the comments from characters "we don't care"); each side using the "protagonist" to "infiltrate" the other side? Seeing the Dean Koontz reference, however, probably goes to show that this kind of formula is ubiquitous. --70.48.51.220 04:48, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

Stacy Keibler

I heard rumor that Stacy Keibler was one of the models in the live action sequence, but I see no proof in her IMDb profile or her Wikipedia. Anyone know if this is true or not? (answer: YOU'RE A TOWEL!)

Okama gamesphere

Which console is this making fun of? Okama means gay in japanese... pretty funny if you ask me... Madskile 21:45, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

I don't think it's any particular console (although is strongly reminded me of the X-Box, probably just because of all the green), just one large parody. ≈ The Haunted Angel 21:53, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Its making fun of the Nintendo Gamecube. Hence "Okama" being a gizmo type of name such as Nintendo and "sphere" being the 3-D shape of a circle instead of square being the 2-D version of a cube. Get it? Cathys Son 23:50 12 October 2007

I say its a deliberate reference to Okama meaning "gay" in Japanese. Okama (お釜, おかま) Literally "a pot, a kettle", this word, always with the honorific prefix "O-", refers to a gay man, especially one who is viewed as effeminate or a drag queen. The word originated in Edo period of Japan as a slang word for the anus. In current use. I'm not buying the play on game cube. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.51.216.204 (talk) 09:23, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

And I say the same thing I've been saying every time someone tries to add that to the article: Wikipedia policy requires a reliable, verifiable source when adding such material. Saying "I say so" on a Talk Page is original research, which is prohibited. If you want to assert that the reference was deliberate, then find a source for it. As for Game Cube, it's not a question of Either/Or. The name "gamesphere", and its design, are obviously a reference to the Game Cube, just as it's possible that "Okama" is a reference to gay men. I don't know why you assume it has to be only one or the other, but in any event, you'll notice that the article doesn't mention Game Cube either. And please sign your posts. Nightscream (talk) 12:00, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

Oy, I said to myself I'd leave these articles alone but... I had to cite it. From Southparkstudios.com; "The Gamesphere represents the PlayStation 2, which is a trademarked product, so we weren't allowed to use the name. Gamesphere is take off on the soon to be released Nintendo Game Cube, which several crew members played with at E3." I've added this to the article and cited it. Also, I've added some external links. Now, back to wikiproject Star Trek! Alastairward (talk) 18:19, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

THANK YOU, ALASTAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) Nightscream (talk) 20:32, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

You're welcome! Alastairward (talk) 22:01, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

Uncited material

• There is a reference to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Kyle is reaching for the Gamesphere while hanging above the magma.
• The 6 failed Towelie clones that they discover at the Military base are a reference to the failed Ellen Ripley clones from Alien Resurrection, especially the last one who says "kill me" repeatedly.
• Tynacorp is a take-off on the name of the real military supplier Dyncorp.
• "TNA", used to describe Towelie's composition several times, is a common phrase used in place of "tits and ass".
• The scene of the "trap" laid by the military to capture Towelie halfway through the episode is very similar to the scene where Takashi, "Number 26", is rescued at the beginning of the manga and anime Akira.

Alastairward (talk) 13:16, 24 November 2008 (UTC)

Anybody considered elements of the episode are partially inspired by Perfect Dark on the N64? Particularly Tynacorp/dataDyne being a front for aliens disguised as humans. Perfect Dark also has it's fair share of wild, shocking plot twists similar in nature to the revelations during the Military/Tynacorp confrontation.

Also the fact the Gamesphere was partially based on the upcoming Gamecube, have the writers drew some inspiration to the famous and at the time of the episode relativity recent N64 game? I may be reaching as I haven't found any sources suggesting this however some of the plot and certainly the dialogue of the Military/Tynacorp reminded me of this game. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.195.48.36 (talk) 08:03, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

Boxxet and cites

From above; "If you can cite the commentary stating they invented the phrase without any connection to Adams, then you can successfully prove me wrong. Otherwise - end of discussion, since I've provided a cite to begin with. I'll return later. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 16:44, 2 December 2008 (UTC)"

I'm not about to try and prove a negative, that's just a logical fallacy of sorts. What I can do, is point out that the boxxet.com cite used, links itself to a dead site, that the user above claims would have supported his assertion.

Here's how it works, this site is used as a cite. The site uses this dead link as it's own cite. So I'm scrubbing it until another cite can take its place. Alastairward (talk) 20:41, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

For some reason the ccinsider entry is no longer online. Regardless, I've seen the original page many times, as have you (judging by your earlier replies in regards to this matter). The reference was undoubtedly coined on Comedy Central's website. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 20:47, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

It's pretty simple, if they use a CC website, provide it. If you yourself admit that it's not online, then we can scrub it. Would you care to take it to the reliable source board? Remember the burden is on you. Alastairward (talk) 21:08, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

The burden was on me back then, you read the ccinsider page and tried to scrub the reference anyway under the pretense of "my source not being reliable enough." The relevant discussion can be found here. The fact that the page is currently offline has nothing to do with the undisputed fact that you saw the original page when it was online. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 09:30, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

If a page that provided viable material is no longer online, then it may be a good idea to follow the procedures at Wikipedia:Dead external links. Nightscream (talk) 14:43, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

Boy, how I love these deaf conversations...

The page provides a cached version of the original page. While the original page is no longer online, the cached version is. The information can still be found, therefore it is still a source. NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 12:42, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

WP:BURDEN still applies (as does WP:CIVIL), what can I tell from the link you provided? Alastairward (talk) 15:00, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

I proved it to you a while ago, as the conversation (to which I've already linked) clearly indicates. As for WP:CIVIL, I recall "feigned incomprehension" being a clear breach, yet you never cease to use that one... NotAnotherAliGFan (talk) 15:30, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

Cultural Reference

Has anyone else noticed that Tynacorp's headquarters resembles the Tyrell Corporation's headquarters from the film "Blade Runner"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by EbolaRocks08 (talk • contribs) 08:48, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

The scene where the boys visit the "Secret Government Base" they see several disfigured prototypes of Towelie. One of the prototypes whispers: "Kill me". This is an exact replica of a scene in the movie Alien: Resurrection —Preceding unsigned comment added by RealDJDiaper (talk • contribs) 22:58, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

When Cartman finds the tampon at the beginning of the episode, he comments "I don't think it's for using, I think it's just for lookin' through." This is similar to a quote made by Lone Watie, Josey Wales' Indian companion in the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales, who says "All I have is a piece of hard rock candy. But it's not for eatin'. It's just for lookin' through." — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bthesaulnier (talk • contribs) 23:45, 12 November 2011 (UTC)

Please see WP:V, WP:NOR, WP:IRS and WP:SECONDARY. Nightscream (talk) 17:04, 13 November 2011 (UTC)

I've added back the Popeye reference. The clips at South Park Studios (see reference) have a tag referring to Popeye, I guess that is reliable enough a reference that there is a deliberate reference to Popeye in this episode. It does not tell that the musical theme in particular is concerned, but that seems obvious, I think. --Wwwdigi (talk) 20:45, 28 December 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Killb94, 13 July 2010

{{editsemiprotected}} Kenny falls in a vat of lava

Killb94 (talk) 20:56, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

I'm not sure I follow this request, this part of the plot summary has already been added. WikiuserNI (talk) 21:54, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

 Not done SpigotMap 22:14, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Relevant page history

Some old page history that used to be at the title "Towelie" can now be found at Talk:Towelie/Old history. Its associated talk page can now be found at Talk:Towelie/Archive 1. Graham87 12:44, 15 October 2010 (UTC)