Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2012 December 27

Welcome to the Wikipedia Entertainment Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

December 27

chef geoffrey zakarian, what is the name of his first wife

chef geoffrey zakarian, what is the name of his first wife? In 2005, when he marries his present wife, Margaret, the NYT stated that he had been divorced but I can find nothing identifying the name of his first wife. I'm also interested in particulars, such as the length of the marriage, cause of break up, presence of children, etc. 207.255.135.216 (talk) 05:50, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

An article from 2001 mentions that she is a psychotherapist, but I struck out on the name. EricEnfermero ^Howdy! 07:52, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

Giant spiders

Giant spiders are assuredly a semi-common entity in popular culture in modern times. But I'm wondering when they became so? With Tolkien, perhaps, as he created or re-established many other fantasy norms? I realize there are a handful of such spiders in mythology, but I'm uncertain of their exact scope. The article cultural depictions of spiders isn't really giving me what I want, as it doesn't make much reference to the size of the spiders being discussed except in a few cases, and some Google searching didn't turn up much either. If someone could recommend a place that specifically discusses the history of giant spiders in culture, that would be much appreciated. 207.118.80.250 (talk) 20:10, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

I'm not well enough up on Tolkien to know when his writing included giant spiders (mid-50s publication of LotR?), but in film they date back at least to the mid-1950s in the film Tarantula, and they were big ones: a "crawling terror 100ft high" as the film poster stated. And then there's this one from 1958. --Michig (talk) 20:22, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

This may be the earliest film example. --Michig (talk) 20:25, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

Another mid-1950's sf-nal example: Much of Matheson's The Shrinking Man deals with the hero's battling a (to him) giant spider. I'm not recalling earlier instances at the moment, but giant spiders definitely predate, and are independent of, Tolkien's widespread popularity. I vaguely recall something of the sort in Lord Dunsany, but I'm away from my books just now. Deor (talk) 20:31, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

(edit conflicted) That helps a bit, at least to disprove that Tolkien established/re-popularized the concept if B-movies were doing it at around the same time. Thanks. Anyone have any more info on giant spiders from older sources, such as mythology or classic/ancient literature? The only other thing I've specifically seen as a "giant" spider (other than the possible reference in Lord Dunsany's works referenced above that I will look into) is the Japanese Tsuchigumo, and I'm more interested in Western depictions. 207.118.80.250 (talk) 20:39, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

EDIT: Looking into info on Lord Dunsany's writings led me to this Google Books entry from one Encyclopedia of Fantasy, which does indeed reference the works of Lord Dunsany, as well as some other depictions of giant spiders. I think this source, along with looking into some of the works it mentions, will give me enough of an idea of the concept to sate my curiosity on it. 207.118.80.250 (talk) 20:49, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

I'm not sure you need a particular thread of common descent to figure out how giant spiders became a trope. The answer lies at arachnophobia, which is an extremely common phobia among both men and women. If you want to make your monster scary, it helps to play with inborn preconceptions. Dragons play into the common fear of snakes and other reptiles; giant spiders (and swarms of small spiders) play into fear of spiders, bugs, and other creepy-crawlies. Matt Deres (talk) 21:34, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

For one earlier depiction, see also Gustave Doré's 1860s illustration of Arachne (illustrating Dante's Purgatorio, Canto XII, "O fond Arachne! thee I also saw / Half spider now, in anguish, crawling up / The unfinish'd web thou weaved'st to thy bane." ---Sluzzelin talk 02:32, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Another pre-Tolkien example is "Little Miss Muffet". The spider is often illustrated normal-sized, but see for example this 1910s illustration by Arthur Rackham. ---Sluzzelin talk 04:40, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

I have a vague recollection that one of Baba Yaga's guises was a giant spider. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:41, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Partial list of movie spiders [1] - including "The Lost World" although I don't recall if spiders are in the original 1912 book. Tolkien had giant spiders in 1937 in The Hobbit. The 1933 King Kong spider apparently was cut from the film. Rmhermen (talk) 16:31, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Copy of the play "Da" by Hugh Leonard

I am trying to find a complete copy of the play "Da," written by Hugh Leonard in 1978 and performed on Broadway for more than a year 1978-79. There is a Wikipedia entry with references to everything but where or how to find a copy of it. Thanks 64.69.124.170 (talk) 21:52, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

http://www.samuelfrench.com/p/2512/da 216.93.234.239 (talk) 00:43, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Andy's Gang TV Show Clips

are there any tv clips of andys gang tv show in 1955 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 38.108.54.200 (talk) 23:18, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

There are clips on YouTube. There are also DVDs for sale on Amazon. 216.93.234.239 (talk) 00:45, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

What films and TV episodes show children dying and/or dead on screen?

On Postal (film), I see plenty of children die in a shooting scene, and in an overhead view of a reporter surrounded by their bodies, I counted about 63 bodies.

However, what are all the other films and TV episodes you know that show children dying on camera? If you have YouTube clips, may you link them? If not, may you link the articles of the films / episodes in question?

And finally, may I create a category that'll list all films & TV episodes that show dead / dying children in them?

Thanks. --75.39.131.9 (talk) 23:47, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

I'd expect countless medical/police dramas to have that theme. StuRat (talk) 23:50, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

The answer is that there are likely thousands of films and TV episodes which show dying or deceased children. It's a grouping which is far too huge and far too esoteric of a concept for anyone to have taken a study counting them exhaustively. To answer the final question, that'd be an unequivocal no. Wikipedia categories are not meant for this type of trivial, esoteric categorization. See Wikipedia:Overcategorization which contains at least half a dozen reasons why creating such a category would be a bad idea. --Jayron32 23:54, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

Okay, if they're countless, can you post youtube clips that stand out in your memory the most? Cite any film / episode that you remember best? Thanks. --75.39.131.9 (talk) 00:00, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Well, you can find it yourself, but The Little Match Girl is a real Xmas downer. StuRat (talk) 00:03, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

MacCauley Culken's character dies in My Girl, Garp's son dies in The World According to Garp, I'm pretty sure children die in Children of the Corn (film series), numerous episodes of Law and Order: SVU. --Jayron32 00:09, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Thanks. Of the SVU episodes you're referencing, which ones affected you most, or do you recall most? --75.39.131.9 (talk) 00:43, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

I'm not particularly affected by actors pretending to do things. --Jayron32 02:47, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

How about this one ? [2]. StuRat (talk) 02:58, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Nope, still make-believe. Still doesn't affect me. --Jayron32 03:22, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

If you want movies where children are also the killers, there's The Good Son, The Bad Seed, and Village of the Damned, to start. StuRat (talk) 00:28, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Only as long as they kill other children. If they kill adults, I would hope it's only in self-defense where their own lives are in danger otherwise.

Thanks for the turnout though, everybody. If you think of more, please keep posting.--75.39.131.9 (talk) 00:43, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

In all of those movies kids try to kill adults, although not successfully in The Good Son. They also kill other kids, in all but The Village of the Damned. StuRat (talk) 02:41, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

In Walk the Line, as I recall they depict Johnny Cash's brother dying on-screen after the sawmill accident. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:37, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

The most obvious answers to me would be Battle Royale and The Hunger Games. Adam Bishop (talk) 12:55, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Sorry, Adam and others that apply, but I didn't ask for teens/adolescents. If they're 12 or younger, they meet the criterion I'm looking for. Thanks. --76.250.252.34 (talk) 08:07, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Rue, according to List of The Hunger Games characters#Rue, is 12. Clarityfiend (talk) 10:41, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Can't remember if Lord of the Flies film showed the actual murder of Piggy. --TammyMoet (talk) 10:27, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

And it's not clear if that's a murder or an accident during "war games". StuRat (talk) 05:41, 30 December 2012 (UTC)

From my memory of the book, it was a murder. Can't remember the film, I know I saw it when I was studying the book but I wasn't paying attention (I don't like films). --TammyMoet (talk) 16:13, 30 December 2012 (UTC)

Breaking Bad is known to kill a few children during the story. This is actually a main plot driver, especially for the character of Jesse Pinkman. The most memorable instances of child death on the series can be see here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C9UZsdJ_-k — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hia10 (talk • contribs) 11:13, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Gavroche dies in every incarnation of Les Miserables. 216.93.234.239 (talk) 03:22, 30 December 2012 (UTC)

In anime, Ushio Okazaki dies in episode 21 of Clannad: After Story. Surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but Kenny McCormick from South Park used to die in every episode. Oh my God, they killed Kenny! You bastards! Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 05:48, 30 December 2012 (UTC)

Haley-Joel Osment dies in Pay It Forward. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 18:46, 31 December 2012 (UTC)