This weekend, I was walking behind two men who were discussing Varsity Blues, one of their favorite "college movies." I thought about correcting them, but didn’t, because (A) I knew I wouldn’t stop at telling them that it’s actually set in high school. I’d also have to share how, when I saw the film on opening weekend, the entire row I was sitting with said the "I don’t want your life" line along with James Van Der Beek. And (B) These gentlemen appeared to appreciate the film mostly for the whipped cream scene, and quickly launched into a conversation about their preferred cup size.
But back to the question at hand: Have you ever been tempted to correct a factual error you overheard a stranger make in a pop-culture conversation? And if you did, how was your input received? I’ve piped up when I’ve heard people struggling to name a song or movie or TV show. That’s just being helpful. But I’ve never had the cojones to correct them on something they think they know.
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I usually don’t correct the mistakes of others, but I often find that I make note of it and complain later. I have a tendency to remember dates and when I hear people say a movie was made in 1986 when I know it was ‘83, I want to scream.
Not to skirt the question, but did you ever think that they called it a “college” movie because that was when they saw it (while they were students in college), versus discussing what type of school in which the movie took place?
Mandi, it takes every bit of self-control I have not to correct people when they say Jake Gyllenhaal’s name wrong or misquote movies. I actually only do this with my close friends, because they already know what a nerd I am. I don’t like to inflict that on others until I get to know them. I actually did this the other day while discussing Casablanca. It went a little something like this:
Nose’s Friend: Ha, and then he says, Play it again, Sam.
Nose: Um, you know, he never ACTUALLY says that.
Nose’s Friend: You are such a nerd.
If it’s someone I know, even remotely, I don’t hesitate at all to correct/help them (i.e., “What was that guy in?” “Oh, you know, this and this and the other thing”). If it’s a total stranger, I’ll hesitate, but if they seem to be in a good mood I generally jump right in.
I’ve done it before but I usu try to stop myself b/c I know I look like a jerk. I did have to correct a friend who always refered to all tv shows as sitcoms. I held off for a year but one day just snapped and explained the difference between an hour long drama and sitcoms. Needless to say he looked at me like I was a crazy man for caring about the distinction. But, tv addicts have bad reactions like all other addicts I suppose.
I am the biggest nerd and annoyance ever and will totally correct someone or “be helpful” with the bit of trivia if I have it. It’s a fault, I know, but I can’t help it. I’ve gotten all sorts of reactions, from sincere thanks to a look that said “loser, who cares and who asked you anyway?”
My fav memory of this was when I was home for Christmas in Hicksville and saw the first LOTR with my fam. After the movie was over the group behind me went into this discussion about when the other movies were coming out, if they were getting made, etc. I kept my mouth shut as long as I could but after too many errors on their part I went into an “actually, they shot all the movies together…” speech that my family still laughs about. My sister said I was so annoyed I looked like I was going to punch one of the louder “know it all” men.
I’ve done it a few times, and I try to be as modest and “oh yeah, this is not a big deal, but…” as possible. It’s still a little awkward, though…
Happens all the time
. And it always happens before I actually realize I’m doing it, so it’s way too late to stop myself.
For example, once when I was in class, there were two kids sitting in the row in front of me, talking. At one point in the conversation, one of them turned to the other and said, “I’m so excited! American Gladiators premieres tonight, I’m so psyched to watch it!”. Before I could stop myself, I was leaning over and saying, “NO. That’s wrong. American Gladiators premiered LAST SUNDAY. You missed it.”
The reaction: strange looks. Also, a strange fury on my part for their lack of knowledge about premiere dates for a show I didn’t even watch.
Oh dear lord, Joan–are you serious? I have a pretty good head for trivia like that-but if you expect me to remember exactly what year every movie ever came out, there’s no WAY more than a handful of people could live up to that standard.
I’ve occasionally answered questions like that that people throw my way becuase they know I’ll know what David Hasselhoff’s ex-wife’s name is–but I think it’s sometimes cool when someone corrects me–but sometimes it’s just annoying/embarassing–guess it just depends on the delivery.
I was in the restroom after seeing Juno and overheard this conversation:
Girl #1: Oh my god, I LOVE Ellen Page.
Girl #2: Oh me too, she was SO good when she was on ALIAS.
Girl #1: Yeah, I’ve liked her ever since then.
Sadly I was in a stall (TMI?) and didn’t know who said it. I should have probably just shouted out at them.
I have corrected a few people becasue it kind of just slipped out but they responded by saying “oh really i didn’t know thanks for telling me so i dont look like a fool when i tell someone else.” but most of the time i just keep it to myself and bite my tongue so i dont say anything!!
I was at a bar last year, when I heard someone telling a large group that Marilyn Manson used to be on the 80’s TV show “Small Wonder”, as the robot girl’s brother. I interrupted him, and explained that, although there are many long-running rumors that Mr. Manson was a child actor, none of them are true. “No one asked you!” the man exclaimed, and he stabbed me in the shoulder with his pocketknife.
I also find that even when the info is solicited, like if we’re all sitting around, and someone will say, “Who was that guy on (insert obscure tv reference here)?” and I answer, I still get blank stares for knowing the answer.
It ain’t easy being a pop culture nerd.
I do it every day on a national radio program, they actually refer to me now if they don’t know what they are talking about.
I was at a fundraising gala for an organization where I had just been hired but hadn’t actually started working yet. The Bacon Brothers Band performed. Afterward, a board member and a celebrity at my table started talking about Kevin Bacon and the different movies he’s been in. At one point the Board member asked if he was in The Outsiders. The celebrity said she didn’t know, and at that point, though intimidated by my surroundings but not by my knowledge of The Outsiders, spoke up to assure them that he was not in the film, which then sparked a tangent on who else was in it. Then, one of them asked if Mickey Rourke was in it. I said no, but that he probably auditioned for it. They all nodded in agreement as if they were sure he had. A very surreal beginning to a new job.
I’ve got a photographic memory but I usually fight the urge to correct people on these things as they’ll stare at me like I’m from another planet for remembering trival triva in the first place.
I generally only correct if the misinformation is about something I really love. Trust me, if you’re going to discuss Gilmore Girls, X-Files, Battlestar Galactica or most of the iconic 80s movies with me, you’d better have your facts straight. Other wise, you’ll get to hear an all together too long discourse on how you are wrong and why such errors are detrimental to the entertainment experience as a whole.
Yeah, I’m a nerd.
Sadly, I always do it with everybody I know, and I can’t help myself. My family and friends are starting to like it, though, since I started getting phone calls from them just to know “who was that guy in…”. I’m like their own personal IMDB !
I have never corrected a stranger, but I have had someone correct me.
One day while watching “Blazing Saddles” with my two older sisters, I asked where the “We don’t need no stinkin’ badges” line came from. My sisters mocked me for hours, saying that it came from that movie, which I ashamedly believed. A year or so later, my college roommate and I were discussing the line, and I said it came from “Blazing Saddles,” at which point a professor turned around from the next table and informed us that the line came from “Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” then proceeded to laugh to himself throughout the rest of his lunch.
I still haven’t forgiven my sisters, and bring the story up from time to time.
I can usually restrain myself in public, but friends and family just have to deal. Although, they call me from wherever they are when they can’t think of some movie or actor’s name. In public what hurts is when people are struggling to remember “who was in that movie” and I can’t just list them. They always get it so wrong. Ugh!
I always have the urge to correct complete strangers about their pop culture knowledge (or lack of), but I’ve never had the nerve to.
I’ve been reading the comments and all I can say… OH MY PEOPLE! Finally people that have the same love for obscure pop culture that get back blank stares like Nose.
(Seriously, I’ve even wanted to comment back to some people that make mistakes on these boards all the time but I do or don’t depending on the size of the offense as in real life).
I can’t recall anything specific, but I know I’ve corrected strangers on Beatle-related things, but that’s about it.
This is like a support group! Yay!
No no no, don’t ever correct people in public. Instead, me and one of my friends will turn into catty know-it-all b*tches behind their backs. Ranting or scoffing about their mistakes. *cringes a little w/ shame* However, w/ family or other friends, there is the freedom to become the catty know-it-all b*tch to their faces. Honestly! I swear I’m not like that all the time! Hahaha. But being defensive about pop culture can get ugly…
I actually just did this today. Someone at my work was talking about Tom Cruise winning an Oscar, and I had to tell them, “No, he hasn’t won, but has been nominated three times.”
It should be noted this was a random person talking to someone (not me) and I completely interjected my knowledge and then left the conversation.
Constantly. I am afraid that some people have actually stopped talking to me. But serves them right for not being able to tell the difference between John C. McGinley and John C. Reilly
This isn’t quite the same thing, but last Friday I almost asked a group at a table next to me at dinner to stop talking about the previous night’s episode of Lost (which I watch online over the weekend). Would that have been rude if I had?
To Kirsten: no one here would blame you for dumping friends who don’t know the difference between John C. McGinley and John C. Reilly