Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2010 May 10

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May 10

The Swimming Song

I'm looking for the name of an artist who covered "The Swimming Song" (Originally by Loudon Wainwright III).. It's a male singer with a bit of dopey, slighty humorous voice... I'm pretty sure it's an Australian band.. Thanks for any help 85.240.31.38 (talk) 13:03, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

This site lists versions by New Riders of the Purple Sage, Eddi Reader, Nic Jones, and Lucy Kaplansky - Vetiver have also done a version. Ghmyrtle (talk) 06:49, 14 May 2010 (UTC)

Copyright Date at the end of Programme credits

I often see ©<Production Company> XXXX written below the Production companies logo shown at the end of the credits. Does the year refer to year of first broadcast or year when episode was filmed, as I am confused. Paul2387 17:05, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

In the US, the date is supposed to be the first date of publication, so for movies it's the year it was first publicly shown. See page 2 of this informative circular from the US Copyright Office. Comet Tuttle (talk) 17:29, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Same goes for the UK. If you pay attention around new year, not only will you notice that the dates change on January 1st, but you'll also be able to spot those few programmes that had their debut moved forward or back over new year too late to be re-edited, because they have the "wrong" date on them. --Hence Piano (talk) 15:06, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

It Ain't 1918... true story?

There's a song by Sparks from the mid-1970s, "It Ain't 1918". It tells the story of a WWI soldier named Johnny who got married and bought a Stanley Steamer car, and apparently continued to live as though it were 1918 long after technology and style had moved on. Johnny and his wife lived in St Louis and were quite well known ("everybody in Missouri knows them"). A rich St Louis woman named Miller buys them a modern home and car, which they refuse, apparently angering Miller and others. Full lyrics are here. Something about the narrative structure of this song, like the specific names and places, suggests that this might have actually happened. Any old-timey car buffs or St Louis historians hear of anything like that ever happening? Andrew Lenahan - Starblind 17:30, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

name of song

in this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9MtJK8mP5A&feature=PlayList&p=5E338340B9730843&playnext_from=PL&index=33 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tom12350 (talk • contribs) 19:10, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

I'm Going Slightly Mad. --Michig (talk) 19:32, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

How did anyone think to have Lawrence Olivier narrate The World at War?

I've been listen to the DVD boxset of this again, and I wonder. Though a great actor, Olivier had not had a particularly notable wartime experience, had never had much involvement with television as opposed to films or shows and was still highly active in his main career. Is there any information about how anyone even considered asking him, or that he would accept? Prokhorovka (talk) 20:00, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

LOTS of actors do voiceover work on the side, especially if they have a mellifluous voice, or sometimes just a recognizable one. Its really easy work, usually the entire narration can be recorded in less than a week, often in only a few days. Some actors have made careers out of frequent narration for films like this, see Peter Coyote. Likely, someone asked him "Hey, we're doing a documentary that needs narration. Want to do it? Its an easy week's work..." and he said "sure, why not." Happens all the time. --Jayron32 20:26, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

True, but he had never done anything like it in the past or since, and he was a huge name to approach. Prokhorovka (talk) 20:31, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Olivier was a perfect choice - great voice for the subject matter, and echoes of his film delivery of "once more unto the breach" & "St Crispin's Day" would have resonated for many viewers. The only other actor who had a voice up to the job was James Mason, but I think his war record was rather weak, and choosing him could have offended some because of this. DuncanHill (talk) 20:34, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Fair enough, thank you both. Prokhorovka (talk) 09:28, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

Youtube Cat Clip

I have seen on a few shows a viral clip of a cat with it's mouth hanging open in apparent amazement, most memorably on Russell Howard's Good News. Can someone link me to this clip please and explain the background to it.

Thanks, Prokhorovka (talk) 20:04, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

OK I've tried to find it on YouTube again and done so so easily I wonder how I failed the first time, this is now just a question about it's background. Prokhorovka (talk) 20:06, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Lolcat. Eagles 24/7 (C) 20:09, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Does that apply to the clip I'm referring to, or it is a similar meme? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Prokhorovka (talk • contribs) 20:24, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

It probably applies to the clip you're referring to, but can you show me the link to it? Eagles 24/7 (C) 20:27, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GToE3mdkBc Prokhorovka (talk) 20:30, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

That's not Lolcat. It just looks like someone videotaped their cat making that funny face after another cat touches them and it's become popular. Eagles 24/7 (C) 20:35, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

I think we're looking at a cat with a closed mouth, that happens to have an oval-shaped spot of black fur on its chest, and matching black fur on its chin, which from a certain angle, in a youtube-quality video creates the illusion of a gaping mouth. No teeth, no tongue... I call fake. 98.226.122.10 (talk) 00:58, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

Good point, and disappointing that I didn't spot it despite owning 3 cats myself. Thanks all. Prokhorovka (talk) 09:29, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

It was on =3 on YouTube... Chevymontecarlo. 11:52, 12 May 2010 (UTC)

Just google "Surprised cat" it is in the video links! I searched it myself as i found it very funny! : ) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.49.180.89 (talk) 15:14, 12 May 2010 (UTC)