Harry Potter and the Pop Cultural References

DB1 Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 10:59 PM EST

in the movie 'the covenant' at the begining, like the firt 10 mins, Reid says 'harry potter kiss my ass' when he uses his powers

maggie Fri, Jul 20, 2007 at 01:17 AM EST

in one of the episodes in the second season of "weeds" isabelle compares her mom to voldemort, how celia's just lying low until she becomes stronger and then she'll be back.

Alicia W. Thu, Jul 19, 2007 at 09:55 PM EST

Here's a link to a Prisoner of Azkaban parody called "Sirius Black". It's sung to the tune of "Baby Got Back".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLaF8zTp3aw

ProphecyGirl16 Thu, Jul 19, 2007 at 06:06 PM EST

I see the Buffy one I was going to use has been said, but also in Angel season two when the gang is looking through the library for the hidden portal to Pylea, Lorne comments that it is really nice there and he's "tempted to show up tommorrow with a copy of Harry Potter."

...I feel like a nerd.

Buttercup Thu, Jul 19, 2007 at 04:43 PM EST

In the cartoon Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy a number of episodes feature Toadblats School of Sorcery. The villian is Lord Moldybutt, the boy is Nigel Planter, and there is a Chamber Pot of Secrets. There are other references but I can't recall them.

Kayla S. Thu, Jul 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM EST

When House was in rehab he made a comment about one of the workers, something like, "When I lead the big patient rebellion Voldemort here is the first to go." Also, on an episode of "Will and Grace" Karen says that she pretends to like the Gryffindors by she secret loves Slytherin boys.

Beezus Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 04:42 PM EST

Check out this article from the Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed_waldenmartjul18,0,801652.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed

Alissa Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 04:08 PM EST

I was just on TVtattle, and I stumbled across this spoof of Harry Potter, aptly titled "Welcome Back, Potter."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB_poq2XDkw

captain awsome Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 04:04 PM EST

on the soap opera passions the witch tabitha keeps talking about how she doesn't want to send her daughter to hogwarts. there are some funny quotes i just can't remember them right now. sorry this post was so useless.

mgm Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 04:00 PM EST

Also from the same episode of Charmed, Piper refers to the baby as being "no muggle" considering he had such gifted powers in the womb.

to HP reader and watcher.. Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

Yeah, he played Bartie Crouch Jr. as I recall, which was a Goblet of Fire character...

kgreen Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:57 PM EST

In Book VI of Stephen King's Dark Tower Series: The Wolves of Calla, villagers are attacked by horseback riding wolves hurling "sneetches" at them.

Monika Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

In a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode from either season 6 or 7, I can't remember, Dawn scoffs the idea of buying school supplies at the magic store saying that she is not going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Meghan Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:18 PM EST

Anna- I remember that Colbert Report interview, too! It was with Al Franken:
http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=60301

em Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:07 PM EST

Also, on the "Scrubs" episode with Mandy Moore, when descirbing herself to J.D. she says "And I love Harry Potter so much that sometimes I wish I was a wizard." I feel ya Mandy.

em Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:05 PM EST

Not sure if this has already been mentioned. In "Wedding Crashers", when Vince Vaughan is trying to seduce Isla Fisher on the beach he goes into a rant about random things that are all connected and he says "Harry Potter if he exsisted".

HP reader and watcher Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:56 PM EST

Wasn't David Tennant in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, not the prisoner of Azkaban?

Andrea Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:38 PM EST

In the forward to the book The Lake House by James Patterson, he calls the readers "Muggles."

FabK Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:29 PM EST

Forgot about the Office HP references. Love Dwight! There's another SNL HP reference. Here's the transcript from Two A-Holes at a Travel Agency.
Female A-Hole: I wanna go to Hogwarts.
Travel Agent: You mean from the Harry Potter books?
Male A-Hole: Yeah. You guys got trips on magic school?
Travel Agent: Sir... that's not a real place.
Male A-Hole: Mm-hm. All right. They don't go to there, babe. Probably gotta go online for that, right, somethin' like Orbitz or somethin'?
Travel Agent: NO, it's a fictional place. You cannot GO there.
Male A-Hole: Right, right, right, gotta wait till summer, the wizards are outta school, right?
Travel Agent: No, never. It's impossible. You can never go to Hogwarts; it doesn't exist.
Male A-Hole: It's invisible, right.

Meghan Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:28 PM EST

The Daily Show did a piece on the release of the last Harry Potter book, featuring Rob Corddry attempting to pretend he was JK Rowling in order to get his hands on the book early. Here's the link to the Motherload video of it:
http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=16334

Meghan Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:23 PM EST

Also, here's the Potter references in the Doctor Who episode everyone has been mentioning:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BvuPz_UwwM

Meghan Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:18 PM EST

Someone mentioned the Monsters Inc trailer, you can find it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IDRjbn2BPG0

mark in nyc Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 11:41 AM EST

To make the Dr. Who comments even more tounge in cheek (if youdo not watch the show) David Tennant, the current Doctor was in HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Talk about full circle!

mark in nyc Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 11:41 AM EST

To make the Dr. Who comments even more tounge in cheek (if youdo not watch the show) David Tennant, the current Doctor was in HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Talk about full circle!

Alex Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 11:11 AM EST

Whoops, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSM1D2Gkdts

Alex Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 11:11 AM EST

French and Saunders' Comic Relief parody Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan is pretty good, especially for Jennifer Saunders' impression of JK Rowling. Just don't scroll down to the comments, it looks like they have spoilers.

Anna Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 10:46 AM EST

I don't remember who he was interviweing...but Stephen Colbert and his guest were getting into a heated discussion--they were pointing their fingers at one another and their fingers ending up touching and Colbert said, "Our wands must contain feathers from the same phoenix!" It was hilarious, and I hope someone out there can remember the specifics better than me!

liz Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

In the seventh season of Buffy, Andrew makes a comment about the "first" not being a great villain name. He says it should be more like Lord Voldemort.

Steph Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:57 AM EST

In the Devli Wears Prada, the book AND the movie, Miranda Priestly makes the main character track down the not-yet-released Potter book for her daughters.

Katie Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:48 AM EST

In the movie Wedding Crashers - the scene where Vince Vaughans character and "the stage 5 clinger" are sitting on the beach - Vince is talking about how everybody is connected or something to that degree and he mentions Harry Potter as one of those people.

meg Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:39 AM EST

"No man should outlive his fictional wizard!!" One of best Simpson's quotes!

Jackie Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:26 AM EST

Yes, South Park had a funny Harry Potter bit: in the episode "The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers" Craig says he doesn't want to play pretend LotR anymore and goes to join the kindergarteners playing pretend HP. Cartman then yells at him saying: “Fine! Go play your Harry-Butthole-P***y-Potter!” Later on, Cartman and company pass by the HP kids and Cartman calls them queer or something to that effect.

Dana Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:16 AM EST

I can't believe I know this but the kid's show Arthur did an episode in which a book was coming out which bore striking resemblence to Harry Potter except there were a lot of vegetables (don't ask)

mgm Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 09:03 AM EST

On Charmed, they are trying to figure out what to name Piper's son, a name starting with P, and Paige suggest Potter, though Leo nixes that idea.

Harold Parmington Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 08:49 AM EST

The Snitch of quiddich fame featured prominently as a weapon in Steven King's Dark Tower series.

Sarah Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 08:33 AM EST

In the current Simpsons Movie TV spot, Homer's playing with his Spider-Pig, then at the end he says, "He's not Spider-Pig anymore. Now he's Harry Plopper!" and the pig's dressed like Harry. My kids love it and can't stop quoting it!

Auriana Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 08:29 AM EST

I'm currently reading "First Among Sequels" by Jasper Fforde. Harry Potter is mentioned as going to make a rare appearance at the Council of Genres to discuss whether the Bookworld should lend out characters to video games. When the time comes it's announced that Harry will not be coming due to "copyright reasons" and most of the officials on the council put their autograph books away disappointed. And I think someone already mentioned the Robot Chicken episode.

Elizabeth Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 08:06 AM EST

I remember in the Da Vinci code, the main character is telling his publisher about how the best coverup of all time is hidden within the best selling book of all time (referring to the bible) and the publisher mistakingly assumes that they are talking about Harry Potter.

Jennifer Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 07:59 AM EST

On a recent episode of Dr. Who, the Doctor has teamed up with William Shakespeare to banish witches from Shakespearean London. In an effort to "cast" a spell to imprison the witches, the Doctors suggests "Expelliarmus" as a rhyme. And it seemed to work!

Joey W. Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 06:58 AM EST

from E!, The Soup's retooling of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" as a love story ... er, between Harry and Ron:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjUWSfj7fE&mode=related&search=

kcholt68 Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 01:03 AM EST

There was the "Monsters, Inc." trailer that spoofed the first movie. They were both in theaters at the same time.

- kch, moviedearest.blogspot.com

Amanda Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 12:02 AM EST

One Harry Potter spoof I cannot stop watching lately is from this season of the Simpsons, with the "Angelica Buttons" book series. Homer appears in the story as a Dumbledore-ish wizard called Greystache. Homer peeks before reading to Lisa and cries about poor Greystache. (Best part: a signed picture--"Dear Homer, Sorry for dying, Greystache"--where did he get it?)I actually liked this spoof better than the one from the Halloween special.

Kristi Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 11:45 PM EST

In season two, episode nine of Veronica Mars, Veronica is given a detention sorting old school files alphabetically. This punishment is almost identical to one Snape inflicts on Harry in Half Blood Prince. The similarities are not lost on Veronica, who responds to her punishment saying "And I can't use magic right?"

Bob Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 11:30 PM EST

There's a great series of spoofs on www.potterpuppetpals.com which are also on YouTube.

rachel Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 10:54 PM EST

A recent episode of two and a half men in which the son (what's his name?) replaces his harry potter posters with swimsuit models. Dad, Jon Cryer, is devastated. Then, when Jon Cryer leaves the room, son puts on his Potter-esque glasses and says "hello ladies, i'm Harry Potter."

JEM Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 10:28 PM EST

There's an episode during season 5 of Buffy, I believe it's the second episode of the season when Joyce is trying to get Buffy to hang out with Dawn and Buffy tries to explain they're going to the magic shop and Dawn walks in and says something like "Oh, like I REALLY want to go to Hogwarts." Then when she sees Buffy and Joyce's blank expressions she rolls her eyes and says "read a book".

laf Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:38 PM EST

On Gilmore Girls, Miss Patty is saying to girls practicing walking...Now, walk smooth. That's the new Harry Potter on your heads. If they should drop, Harry will die, and there won't be anymore books.

Erin Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:37 PM EST

There's also a Buffy episode near the end, where Faith comes back and seems so much cooler than Buffy, she asks the potential slayers "Why are you down at Hogwarts in the basement?"

Goldeneyez Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:25 PM EST

About a year ago, one of the ESPN sportscasters commented that the game he was watching was "like Quidditch".
I can't remember whether it was football or soccer, but hubby and I got a kick out of it.

SuzieC Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:20 PM EST

There's one that appeared in Lost, season 2. When Sawyer gets glasses, Hurley sees him and says "Dude, looks like someone steamrolled Harry Potter."

Ginny Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:10 PM EST

On one of the first episodes of Gilmore Girls (actually, it may be THE first episode) Miss Patty has her ballet students balancing "the new Harry Potter" book on their heads. She tells them that if the book falls, Harry will die. In a later episode, Brian's suggestion to name Lane's band "The Harry Potters" is shot down by Zach and the others.

Lately, on the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert has been displaying an "early edition" of Deathly Hallows, revealing "spoilers" such as "Hermione's a dude!"

Dan Daoust Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 09:08 PM EST

Oh, Lindsay, the world was your oyster. Was it worth it?

Are you nerds still talking about Harry Potter?

Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:59 PM EST

On a Doctor Who episode, the Doctor mentions reading the seventh book and saying he cried. Later on in the episode, Martha uses a magic word from the books.
Seth Green's failed sitcom about himself and three other guys living in an apartment. He comments at one point that it will be like "Harry Potter and the really quiet apartment" to children he's suppose to be watching.

Adam B. Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:55 PM EST

Robot Chicken Harry Potter and the Monster Pubertus: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GNcw5uBEnEA

Jen Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:43 PM EST

What about wizard rock? Harry and the Potters, the Remus Lupins, and the Whomping Willows plus tons more bands are all making music devoted to the boy wizard.

Corinne Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:40 PM EST

In the Dixie Chicks documentary movie, "Shut up and Sing", Natalie Maines' son dresses up as Harry Potter for Halloween.

Katechill Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:38 PM EST

Harry Potter features in Stephen King's Dark Tower books towards the end of the series, resulting in a pop culture chemical reaction that actually singed my eyebrows off as I read it.

Erin Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:37 PM EST

I'm double posting, but my favorite spoof (besides the SNL one here) is a law revue that is posted on youtube. The first minute is kind of slow...just J.K Rowling and Harry Potter talking, but then Harry launches into a fantastic song with Dumbledore. It's slightly inappropriate...but hilarious. Here's the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFz2uRIDnpk

erin Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:32 PM EST

Someone already mentioned the Beach games episode of The Office, but in the episode "The Convict" of The Office, Michael tells everyone that in prison there are Dementors. Karen then asks "Dementors? Like in Harry Potter?" It's great...only three more days!!!

abp Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:28 PM EST

What about Miranda Priestly's seemingly impossible request for Andy to secure the as-yet-unpublished HP manuscript in The Devil Wears Prada?

Vicky Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:17 PM EST

From The Office episode Beach Games:

Dwight: We will be called Gryffindor.
Jim: Really? Not Slytherin?
Dwight: Slytherin are the bad guys, Jim.
Jim: I know. Okay, we will be Voldemort.
Dwight: He who must not be named? I wouldn’t do that.
Jim: Vol-de-mort, Vol-de-mort …

Joey W. Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:17 PM EST

American Idol's Blake Lewis's friend (remember those infamous partying photos posted on perezhilton.com?) -- and his "Harry Potter Rap." Look closely: Blake is Harry Potter himself.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=4932845

Corinne Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:14 PM EST

In the Office episode "The Fire" (season 2), Dwight chooses between 2 Harry Potter books as ones he would take if stranded on a desert island.

thank you for possibly spoiling me Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:09 PM EST

Anyone who does not want to know what potentially happens in Deathly Hallows probably SHOULDN'T click on the link to the extended simpsons parody of HP because someone posted page by page spoilers. Regardless of truthiness, with all the spoilery things floating around I would rather not have seen this. so, do watch the video, but don't read the comments section on the youtube page.

Penelope Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:05 PM EST

Also from Buffy...there is an episode in season five, I believe it is the second one, where Dawn makes a reference to Hogwarts.

Ellipsian Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00 PM EST

Whoops...I meant "compares Giles *to* Dumbledore."

Ellipsian Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59 PM EST

Naturally, I must bring my favorite series ever, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" into this: at some point in the series after "Dark Willow" has been restrained, Willow compares former Watcher (and somewhat uptight older British guy) Giles as Dumbledore.
Of course, it makes perfect sense, as "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon (and my friendly neigborhood hero) is purported to be a big "Potter" fan.

Julia Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59 PM EST

The Lord of the Rings episode of South Park mentions Harry Potter. I'd write down the exchange, but I don't think the website would let me get away with it.

Maleah Tue, Jul 17, 2007 at 07:54 PM EST

Last week's episode of Doctor Who had a reference. The Doctor and Martha went back and met Shakespeare, and at the end when trying to create a rhyme to banish the witches (Hey, it's Doctor Who) Martha filled in the last word with "Expelliarmus". The Doctor then commented "Good old J.K."