Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2010 March 13

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March 13

American Girl

What has happen to it this past decade? Know that Mattel Company acquired it in 1998 or whatever happen. The founder/whatever (Pleasant Rowland) else was title retired in 2001. Have to say it hasn't been the same as what it was before with Ms Rowland being in charged of it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs) 00:59, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

The American Girl article (assuming that's what you're asking about) has various "controversies", but I don't think it addresses the rhetorical question you're asking. You're probably best off to hit up Google and see what you can find others saying about it. I feel safe in saying that there is probably not a shortage of opinions, blogs, etc. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:09, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Thank you, an interesting answer to my question. Please see below as to what I meant.--Jessica A Bruno (talk) 03:28, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

For anyone who's confused, American Girl is a line of dolls in historic period dress. StuRat (talk) 02:38, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

A-Ha Take On Me

What does lead singer Morten Harket sing in the song "Take on Me" by a-Ha in the second verse?

"So needless to say I'm odds and ends, ???????????????? Stumbling away Slowly learning that life is ok Say after me It's no better to be safe than sorry"

I can't understand it, anyone knows what he sang? Here's the link for the music video if you want to hear/see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EXxMlIExpo thanks. Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 03:55, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

There are a jillion sites for song lyrics. You're missing "But that's me". Clarityfiend (talk) 04:11, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

I've been to some sites, but "But that's me" still sounds nothing like what he sings. Those lyrics are to short for what he does sing. Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 04:14, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I've found that lyrics on the web are often wrong, sometimes very wrong. Most sites seem to have this line wrong. He does not sing "but that's me". The line is:

So needless to say I'm odds and ends,

But I'll be stumbling away.

He sings "but I'll be" with an odd timing, which makes it a little hard to catch the words, but I'm 100% sure that's what he sings. It's a little easier to understand in the rarely seen original video.

These words also have the advantage of making sense, considering the message of the chorus. Our article on "Take on Me" says, euphemistically, that "The lyrics are a plea for love", but really they seem to be a plea for sex before he leaves, maybe addressed to a stranger or fan: "I'll be gone in a day or two...." —Kevin Myers 07:07, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Oh, that sounds much better, "But I'll be", thanks everyone, I appreciate it, and I must say, this is my favorite song since Monday. Hee hee. I was listening to that first, rare version earlier today, and it is a little bit easier to understand. Thanks. Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 08:24, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Thanks again, it's much better then I having to sing "Zipper la me." Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 09:25, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Scene from an old film

Our headmaster used to show us old films on a projector when we were at school around 1980. the films were from much earlier though. I remember he would show us Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments. And there was this other film, a kind of Sword and Sorcery thing (Black and White?) and the main scene I remember is this bit where the protagonist had to bathe in dragons blood to protect himself from some evil foe. But he had a leaf stuck to his back, so the blood didn't wet him there, and this spot on his back became his Achilles' heel. Maybe an arrow got him here and that was how he died? Ring any bells? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.111.107.244 (talk) 12:11, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Possibly Fritz Lang's Die Nibelungen (1924). Though this is a really old and silent movie. ---Sluzzelin talk 12:16, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, I think that's it. Amazing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.111.107.244 (talk) 22:44, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

The bathing scene can be viewed toward the end of this clip. Start at 6:51, for example. ---Sluzzelin talk 08:29, 14 March 2010 (UTC)

Top Gear quote about all things of quality being from Europe

Resolved

A few years ago Jeremy Clarkson said on Top Gear something to the effect of "Nearly all things of quality come from Europe". (It might have been only about cars, but I don't think so.) Does anyone remember the exact quote or in what episode this was? Thank you in advance. 83.81.42.44 (talk) 20:13, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Don't have the exact quote at hand but he and Richard were comparing the merits of an American muscle car (Dodge Charger? Ford Mustang?) vs a BMW M6 convertible. In the same quote he mentioned Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (the finalists in one of the recent tennis Opens) and something soccer-related (France winning the World Cup?) to illustrate that everything Europeans do is better. Wikiquote didn't give me anything though...try Google? Zunaid 07:34, 14 March 2010 (UTC)

The only episode that I see on our list that mentions the M6 is episode one of series 7. I don't think it's this episode though because during this one, the guys decide that all French cars are rubbish while looking through a customer satisfaction poll. They also mention that Japanese cars feature prominently in the top of the same poll. I will agree with Zunaid in that I seem to recall the comment being made while they were driving American cars. Dismas|^(talk) 07:55, 14 March 2010 (UTC)

Wow!...this took more Google-fu than I knew I had in me...Top Gear Series 8, Episode 6. Jeremy Clarkson: "OK, remind me - who were the last four teams in the World Cup? All European. Women's finalists at Wimbledon? Both European. Men's finalists, both European. Anything in any walk of life is better done by Europeans and it's the same with cars." You're welcome. Zunaid 14:52, 16 March 2010 (UTC)