Talk:Compy Catalog

From Homestar Runner Wiki

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Page Title)
(Ahhh thing)
Line 127: Line 127:
The page for [[independent]] says it's a reference to Jif, but I don't know anything about that. Could someone check it and add it? [[User:Flicky1991|Flicky1991]] 13:24, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
The page for [[independent]] says it's a reference to Jif, but I don't know anything about that. Could someone check it and add it? [[User:Flicky1991|Flicky1991]] 13:24, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
 +
 +
== Ahhh thing ==
 +
 +
I was just thinking, the "Ahhh" thing when the Compe turned on may be a refrence to how a Mac does the "Ahhhhhhhh" thing when turned on. Just an idea. --[[User:Yay for a Person|Yay for a Person]] 23:32, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

Revision as of 23:32, 22 April 2010

Contents

Thumbs

Does anyone notice Strong Sad's thumb in this short? It's placed in a slightly humaner position. It only applies to (our) right, but I think it's worth mentioning. SI.com!

Mailsmith

I'm pretty sure that TBC speculated on the Poopsmith as the local mailman before, on some DVD commentary. Does anybody know which one it was and whether this should be mentioned in the article? --Cass from Germany 09:18, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

In secret identity's commentary, they speculated that Coach Z is the mailman. Is that the one you're referring to? Hagurumon 09:26, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
Oops, must have confused some things. Thanks for clearing that up! --Cass from Germany 09:44, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

McDonald's Reference?

When Strong Bad says "The Compé, because flat-panel sophistication demands made-up words", is he referencing those McCafé commercials? Just a thought, free 13:25, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

I don't think so; Café is a real word, just with Mc in front. Compé is not a real word. OpenSourceGreg 14:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
But the commercials did make up fake words, other than just café. They replaced the "e" in regular words with "é" to form fake ones, like "commuté". Actually, I was reminded of those commercials, too! Hagurumon 14:13, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
I was reminded of those comemrcials, also. The making up of words with ending é's, the fancying up of compy to compé, and even the fancying up of joke to joké. it reminds me of the MCCafé commercials. — Young Roy
Aaaand me too. In particular, the notion of the added é making everyday objects more special (or, though McDonald's doesn't say so outright, more quasi-European). AbdiViklas 17:50, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
Definitely a McDonald reference. 90.177.105.208 19:27, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
I don't think it's a reference to McDonalds. In TGS #11 the phrase "trés cuté" was used, pronouncing é in cuté the same as it's used in this cartoon. Considering that TBC have used accented e's similarly in the past makes me doubt that this is a reference to a recent advertisement campaign. That and referencing a McDonald commercial would be really lame.--68.211.112.7 00:34, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Yes, annony, but this time they're using the "everything is better with accents" campaign that McDonald's started. ("Accent, don't fail me now!") free 12:30, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

I've not seen these commercials, so I wouldn't know. I am a little surprised that this fact was removed with the edit summary saying it was per a comment on this talk page when support for this fact seems substantially stronger than opposition. Heimstern Läufer 19:52, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

I don't get that, either. I'll add it again. free 20:18, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Actually, i don't see enough of a connection either. Just an accented letter making things sound cooler? That's not enough in my opinion. — Defender1031*Talk 20:51, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
What exactly else are you looking for? TBC's not above using pop-culture/commercial jokes in the past. If it's not a reference to the Mickey D's campaign than what else it is a reference to? It's not just a coincidence, guys. --I slayed the Kerrek. Really. 23:43, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Who says it has to be a reference to something? can't it be a joke by itself? — Defender1031*Talk 23:46, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Yes, it is a coincidence. The Knights Who Say Ni 23:48, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
DeFender: I'm beginning to suspect the overall mentality here is such that nobody thinks TBC are capable of coming up with their own material *period*. It seems like however vague, people here *always* try to equate a joke or whatever to *something*, just for the sake of padding Real World References. It's, frankly, gotten to the point where that section might as well be called "Real World References With A Few Somewhat Similar Speculative Guesses As To The Origins Of A Joke Just So We Can Hang A Link To Wikipedia", for all it's ending up... Seriously, people. I'd *really* like to believe that for all the outside refs they *do* make, that TBC's jokes aren't *all* ripoffs of something else. (And that said, when they *do* make a reference, it's usually *quite* obvious, such as the Poopsmith dressing like the mailman from the Zelda series.) I don't think "it's the first thing it reminded me of", no matter how many people repeat that line, is good enough for something to be concretely considered a valid ref. -YKHi. I'm Ayjo! 04:42, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
A big part of humour is satire, and TBC aren't above using it. The question we should focus on is if there reasonable evidence to suggest that this is an instance of such satire. A good tool to have is access to the ad itself, and this can lead to more informed decisions. Now, as for my opinion: I do think there are enough similarities to suggest that TBC are satirizing the ad in some respect, especially given how current the commercial is. --Stux 05:50, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Oh, I fully understand the concept of satire. I've actually been working on a video game that's essentially nothing *but* parodies of existing RPGs. But, one thing about satirical humor is it just as often parodies an entire *concept*, rather than something completely specific. As such, they're more "Tropes" (subverted, for humor, of course) than out-and-out references. If I made a joke about "saving a princess", I'd like to hope people wouldn't automatically assume I'm making reference to Super Mario Bros., Dragon Warrior, or any number of *specific* fairy tales. All that said, I'm entirely neutral to this fact overall; my argument is more about the recent trend of such debates to begin with. -YKHi. I'm Ayjo! 16:39, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Oh, I fully understand the concept of tropes. I've actually been working on not getting sucked into the vast trope archive that is TV Tropes. Like I said above, the real issue is wether this is a specific parody of the commercial in question, or as you put it, a generic trope. I think in general similar discussions have adequately tried to address this concern in the past. However, if many of the running gags and references are in fact tropes, I personally wouldn't mind seeing links to specific trope articles on TVTropes (without going overboard of course). They have extensive H*R content, why not take advantage of it? Of course this is a separate issue that might be better discussed at a broader forum such as HRWiki talk:Standards. --Stux 17:40, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Oh, in Australia we don't get that commercial... OpenSourceGreg 08:16, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

It would make a lot more sense if it were just a reference to The Sam Coupe computers. Seriously, why didn't anybody get this? -Architect1

Looking up the SAM Coupé, I'd imagine no one made the connection because it was a British computer and most of us are American? PS. YK, are you familiar with Jay's Journey? :) --Jay (Talk) 16:19, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
Further, it looks nothing like the SAM Coupé. I'd say it's more likely to be the mcdonald's reference than this, and i've already said how likely i think the mcdonald's reference is. — Defender1031*Talk 18:27, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
Jay: Yeah, I've heard of it; Even has its own TV Tropes page, which is quite impressive for an RM2K game. Never played it, though. (Link?) Now we're getting off topic, though, so... =P -YKHi. I'm Ayjo! 21:00, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
I saw the commercial again last night, and I still think it's a reference. Another thing, the commercial has been played a lot in the U.S. (not sure about Atlanta, though) and even if the Compé isn't a reference to the McCafé, than Strong Bad's comments about how the accent makes everything better must be at least influenced by the McCafé commercials. It just seems too common to be a coincidence. free 23:54, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
Well, it could be a reference to both. It's just, wouldn't it make more sense to make a computer-computer reference than a computer-McCafe reference?Architect1

The Cheat Smiling

Another instance of the cheat smiling. ColdReactive 14:32, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

So put it in. The Knights Who Say Ni 16:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
No, I'd rather be lazy. ColdReactive 21:50, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
But you just posted on this talk page twice. free 21:58, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
Too bad. ColdReactive 00:25, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
(Character) smiling? Ugh... someone smiled, big deal.
We've been through this before. I can't remember what, but there was a good reason why we keep those. free 18:49, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Trivial Trivia

Eighty-thousand pennies is 800 dollars.

Is this obvious fact really necessary? --Periodic Table Greg 14:44, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

I would leave it in, but that's just me. i say take it to STUFF. lol The Knights Who Say Ni 16:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
I found it helpful. Originally I thought 80.000 pennies would be only 80 dollars, because I'm not too familiar with your currency system. (Edited because UI realized I just suck at math. However, my point still stands.) --Cass from Germany 16:19, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
It's best to keep it just for those who might not know US currency too well. Heimstern Läufer 16:22, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

new design

Anyone else notice that Stong Sad has a new design is this toon?--66.29.169.1 16:33, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

Yes, apparently. Nevermind. --66.29.169.1 16:39, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

new pages

Should we have a page for all the new computers? Or even better, just have a page for ALL other computers, including like the Block & Zappy, and have like Lappy 486 (Main articleLappy 486) it could work.--Crudely Drawn Cupcake 20:37, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

You mean something like this? —NFITC1talk 03:58, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
No, i mean a page for all the computers in the catalog. or maybe just a page for the catalog itself.--Crudely Drawn Cupcake 17:29, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Delay time?

Is it possible that Strong Bad emails didn't have any updates because he was waiting for Le Compe? The time was about 2-4 weeks, which according to my groggy, early morning memory, was about the last sbemail ago. Eh? Or am I going too much into a 2 second joke?Discopwahty1975 13:48, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

The last email was three weeks before this toon, which does fall in the "2-4 weeks" range... I'm thinking this could actually be part of the joke. --Emtu 00:22, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Strong Sad

At the end, I don't think that's Strong Sad. It reminds me of the voiceover from That Time of Year. (rct2guy 14:34, 4 August 2009 (UTC))

I'm absolutely sure it's his voice, he's just keeping it low. --Cass from Germany 16:06, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
It's clearest in that last line; you can hear that characteristic high voice with a slight whine. Heimstern Läufer 16:11, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

Frustrated scream

Don't we usually try to spell out things like that phonetically? I think it would be funny, in this case. -132.183.138.174 16:54, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

It would probably be something like: "What the-eugecheut-rROOOAagegit-REEHgegitich..." but I think "screams and stammers with frustration" works better. That was my favorite part of the toon, by the way. Omnisweater 17:06, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
See, I think that looks good. It seems quite accurate, moreso than just "screams in frustration". I say we put it in the transcript. -128.103.10.135 02:11, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Am I the only one who hears "Ricola" in the last part of his stammering? - CloneWarrior 02:41, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
My only suggestion is to put it in his actual dialogue line, instead of the next one. It's still a part of his speaking, even if you don't type it out. (Similiar to how it's POM POM: {bubbles} instead of {Pom Pom bubbles}.) --DorianGray 03:43, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Done--66.29.169.1 22:45, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Strong Sad's song

I am almost positive that the music and style of Strong Sad's song references another sbemail or toon, I just can't put my finger on it. Can anyone confirm or prove me wrong?

I coulda sworn that the song was from [Wikipedia:The Music Man|The Music Man]. They were singing about -some catalog- that was comming. -Espemon333
The fanfare that starts when Strong Sad sings is VERY similar to the one in Seventy-Six Trombones. However, the song I believe you are referring to is Wells Fargo Wagon, whose melody is quite different.
You have a point, uhh, well I'll just call you Kevin for now. So is that a real world reference, Mr. DuBrau? -Espemon333

The race is on.

Who will be the first to find out what computer fail of the past the Compe is based on?

It's more than likely the McCafé commercials, as both the commercial and this seem to say everything's better with accented e's. - Young Roy
Actually, I don't think the anon was talking about the name or the commercial, per se. I think what he/she *meant*, was "Which old (and presumably inferior) real-world computer was the Compe based on?" -YKHi. I'm Ayjo! 16:42, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
Looks like a modern Mac to me. After all, "iMac" is a made up word, too, remember. --Payphone Ed, too lazy to sign in
I think it does look like a SAM Coupe. SB says it's "European", it appears to have the actual computer bits in the keyboard, the only thing that throws me is the black finish. The Coupe used a TV as a display. I think that, in typical Compy style, they took a computer from 1992, covered it in black spraypaint, and plugged it into a 22-inch HDTV's legacy coaxial cable input.
The keyboard doesn't look like a Sam Coupé at all & there's no disc drive, but it's an excelent suggestion/guess on the name origin. It's even pronounced Kow-pay & was a problematic machine. http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/clones/samcoupe.htm Now if I could just find out what early crapfest the flat screen monitor was modeled after. Something with....scalloped edges.
You know there's another conversation a few sections up about this. free 11:20, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Hinges

None are visible as far as I see, so why are we assuming the logo is facing one way vs. the other?

How many computer ads have you seen with the machine upside down?
Well, most ads show the machine open, I think. I dunno how well the word "upside down" applies to something oriented laterally, unless someone is talking about laying it down on the screen side. Anyway, it seems like they'd arrange it such that the logo is right-side up, regardless of machine orientation. This is one example I got from a cursory google image search. I can't see any hinges on that either, but opinion here leads me to believe that the apple should be upside down if the clamshell opened towards the bottom. -132.183.140.243 13:37, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Stylish Ladies and Rat-Dogs

Those words don't ring a bell, do they? A close reference to ladies who carry chihuahuas in their purses. Paris Hilton's one example, so does it ring a "Tinkerbell" yet? --66.82.9.20 14:23, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

That's what it means. But as a phenomenon it's kinda abstract. I dunno if it's concrete enough to mention. (It's also joke-explainey) -132.183.140.243 14:28, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

SBCG4AP music

Is it noteworthy that the Grampy Aught-Six uses the strongbademail.exe song from SBCG4AP as its background music? 69.149.40.209 16:39, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Wait, WHAT?

If Strong Bad was waiting for the catalog for a year, then he must have been planning on destroying the Lappy months before he actually went into e-tirement. I'd also like to add that I once thought that this also meant that he was planning his being overshadowed by Hremails or even planning the existance of Hremails themselves. Of course, that reasoning was pushed out of my mind as I have been typing this, so...yeah. but, a buttdanceNeox ONION BUBS!YOU WILL RESPECT MAH AUTHORI-TAH!!! 00:21, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

he went into e-tirement some time around or just after September 23, 2008. I think "all dang year" just means all of this year, not going earlier than January 1. or it could just be that he was already that sick of using the Corpy at home, so it seemed like he had been waiting all year. i don't think he was planning to destroy the lappy last september. The Knights Who Say Ni 17:03, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Page Title

The page for independent says it's a reference to Jif, but I don't know anything about that. Could someone check it and add it? Flicky1991 13:24, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Ahhh thing

I was just thinking, the "Ahhh" thing when the Compe turned on may be a refrence to how a Mac does the "Ahhhhhhhh" thing when turned on. Just an idea. --Yay for a Person 23:32, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

Personal tools