Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2007 July 25

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July 25

When was the Simpsons first translated?

When did the Simpsons first appear outside the USA? When was it first dubbed/subtitled for another market?

More generally, how long does an American TV show have to run and how popular must it be to be translated into another language? I'm sometimes surprised to learn that certain TV shows are completely unknown in non-Anglophone markets, whereas others are so popular. Bhumiya (said/done) 02:26, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Probably not what you're looking for, but the technical answer to your first question is that both the Tracey Ullman Show and the Simpsons show proper were shown in Canada at the same time as they were shown in the US. Obviously, no translation was required for most of Canada, but it is translated for the Quebec market (and also for the Mexican one). Those were probably the two earliest dubbings, though I don't know when they began. Matt Deres 10:40, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Some shows are dubbed and shown during the same season they are shown in the U.S. - such as Lost and 24. Others have a preset lag of 2-6 months, such as game shows and soap operas. For the Simpsons, it wasn't a matter of dubbing - it was a matter of being purchased. For example, it wasn't dubbed into French until a French market purchased rights to the series and then went through the trouble of dubbing it. -- Kainaw^(what?) 16:25, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Then I suppose I am confused as to why some shows, even ones which would seem difficult for non-Anglophones to comprehend, are traded widely (e.g. Family Guy, which has all sorts of allusions that must be lost in translation), while others seem to be completely unknown outside of Anglophone markets (e.g. The Venture Bros. and a lot of other Cartoon Network programs). Is it purely a matter of ratings, or are some networks less connected internationally? Bhumiya (said/done) 17:54, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

It all depends on the advertising dollar. If some television station in Elbonia can get advertisers lined up to pay for advertising for Family Guy, then the station will put in a bid to purchase episodes of Family Guy. It isn't common to see this inside the United States because of the vast number of shows we have that simply don't get aired. There is little incentive to gamble on a dubbed show. It does happen frequently in other countries though. -- Kainaw^(what?) 18:34, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Just found out - Simpsons appeared in France in 1990[1], in Italy in 1991[2], and so on... you can check all the versions of Wikipedia to see the start dates. -- Kainaw^(what?) 02:33, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks! Bhumiya (said/done) 03:51, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

You might also get answers from IMDb by clicking "release dates": this shows when a movie (or, i guess, a tv series) was first shown in various countries – but it's very often incomplete. —Tamfang 05:50, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

What film is this?

I read about an African film that i think won or was nominated for an award or was shown at an African film festival this year. It was set in a future where Africa was rich, and there were poorer European immigrants trying to get there. Anyone know what its called? Willy turner 16:01, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Farnham's Freehold?

hey jude

Is there any way to have a Wikipedia "expert" (contributer) add The Guess Who to the list of bands that has covered "Hey Jude". Also, I'd like more info on the cover, such as: the year the cover was made and if any members of the Beatles collaborated with them.

Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.17.56.152 (talk • contribs)

If such a list exists, you could edit it and add The Guess Who yourself. Bhumiya (said/done) 17:55, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Look here Hey_jude#Cover_versions DuncanHill 23:13, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

And if you've never heard it yet, listen carefully to Hey Jude to hear the muffled expletive, just before the na na nas. --Dweller 15:32, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Which version? —Tamfang 09:41, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

Dire Straits Romeo and Juliet Lyrics

Hi,

I am looking for the correct lyrics to the song "Romeo and Juliet", by Dire Straits. There are so many versions on the web, and most of them seem to be questionable. Can anyone help?

Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Julietsong (talk • contribs)

Most lyric sites are blatant copyvios, so I don't think you will get much in the way of links here. That song is rather simple though, is there a particular bit you are unsure of? I think I could come up with a reasonably complete set just by memory. 161.222.160.8 23:10, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Indeed. If you have a question about a particular section, post it. I have a couple different versions of the song from various Dire Straits CDs. Dismas|^(talk) 14:53, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

I particularly love the way they shrug off one of the greatest loves in history with the lines "You promised me thick and thin, yeah now you just oh Romeo yeah i used to have a scene with him" - I just love the idea of it. I guess it depends on the version but I rather like songmeanings.net as a site for lyrics - though I must say it is often questionably good quality. ny156uk 17:24, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure if you're taking into account the fact that the song isn't strictly based on the Shakespeare play. It's also based on a relationship of Knopfler's. Dismas|^(talk) 17:55, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Knopfler does have a habit of slurring his words to a live audience (check out the brilliant "Thagyoooooo" before Sultans of swing on Alchemy Live), so I recommend the studio version of Romeo and Juliet over any live version if you're trying to work out the lyrics. --Dweller 17:28, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

License plates in Commercials

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I put it here since it involves commercials. In the United States, car commercials had cars with no license plates for as long as I can remember, however lately they have had license plates but they are painted over the same colour as the car, allowing you to only see the letters/numbers in a certain lights. I've only noticed this in Toyota commercials (I think), but it might be in others.

My question is why did they start doing this, I can't find anything on Google.

Thanks a lot, --Anthonysenn 23:30, 25 July 2007 (UTC)