Category: television

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What Is a Pooh, and Why Is Winnie One?

Winnie the Pooh is, in fact, a bear. He lives in the woods, he eats honey, he loves to sleep, he looks like a bear…all of the signs are there.

So why, then, is he referred to as “the pooh?” And what exactly IS a pooh, anyway?

I have to confess that I never really thought too much about it until someone asked me that question, and then, well, I just had to know the answer.

 

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To find it we have to travel way back in time to the 1920s when A.A. Milne first published his stories about the Hundred-Acre Wood

When the stories were very first written, Winnie wasn’t Winnie at all – in the original drafts he was Edward Bear. Then, on a visit to the London Zoo, Milne encountered a very friendly black bear who had been named after Winnipeg, Canada.

And thus, Winnie came into being.

But what is Pooh?

Well, Pooh referred originally to a swan.

In the book When We Were Very Young, Milne included a poem explaining how Christopher Robin would feed the swan in the mornings – a swan called “Pooh,” which is “a very fine name for a swan, because if you call him and he doesn’t come (which is a thing swans are good at), then you can pretend that you were just saying ‘Pooh!’ to show him how little you wanted him.”

Then the swan character was shown the door and Edward was renamed; Winnie the Pooh was born.

If that doesn’t satisfy you, A.A. Milne wrote in the first chapter of the first Winnie the Pooh book, “But his arms were so stiff …they stayed up straight into the air for more than a week, and whenever a fly came and settled on his nose he had to blow it off. And I think – but I am not sure – that that is why he is always called Pooh.”

So there’s that too.

The reasoning, of course, doesn’t matter all that much because the name stuck. Winnie the Pooh – or just Pooh – became an icon for children all over the world, and the rest, as they say, is history.

He even has his own holiday (Winnie the Pooh Day is January 18th, if you care to celebrate).

However he came by his name, and however you came to find him, there’s almost no chance you don’t love him – and I would never “pooh”a Winnie the Pooh date with my kids.

Or myself, to be honest.

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Diehard Jeopardy! Fans Created a Database of Almost Every Question Ever Asked on the Show

This is awesome!

Are you a Jeopardy! junkie? Do you tune in religiously to see how folks from around the country will perform under pressure and how wide their knowledge is?

I know I do! I love shouting along as Alex Trebek hosts the iconic show, and I’m always excited to see what the categories will be for the night.

Well, if you’ve ever wanted to take a really deep dive – and I mean really deep – into the show’s quizology, you need to check out a website called the J! Archive. Some diehard Jeopardy! fans created the website, which, as of today, contains a total of 384,440 questions from 36 seasons of the incredibly popular game show. The archive dates back to when Alex Trebek started hosting the show in 1984.

The website was founded 15 years ago by a patent attorney named Robert Schmidt. Since then, Schmidt has had help updating the J! Archive from a small group of hardcore fans of the show.

One of the people involved in the site is a man named Mark Barrett who has spent countless hours watching old VHS tapes of past Jeopardy! episodes in order to update the site (and, we assume, because he likes to). Barrett said that he has about 150 episodes that he taped to go through, but that there could be as many as 1,400 episodes worth of questions that need to be cataloged and added to the site.

Each episode catalogued contains all the important information, such as the date of the episode, the contestants, and, of course, the questions.

Spend some time on the site and give that brain of yours a workout!

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These Celebrities and Their Children Almost Look Like Twins

Genetics sure are funny things, don’t you think?

Some of us look more like our parents than others, but these kids are the spitting images of their famous moms and dads (lucky them) – actually, in some of these cases, it’s the kids who are the famous ones.

I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree with these folks…

1. Reese Witherspoon and Ava Phillippe

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Lunch with my girl ?

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2. Lisa Bonet and Zoë Kravitz

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My pal.

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3. David Beckham and Brooklyn Beckham

4. Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber

5. Tish Cyrus and Miley Cyrus

6. Demi Moore and Rumer Willis

7. Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson.

8. Kate Moss and Lila Moss

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@longchamp #nyfw

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9. Eugene Levy and Dan Levy.

10. Clint Eastwood and Scott Eastwood

Pretty wild, right?

Do you know of some other celebrities whose kids look just like them?

Tell us about them or share a pic in the comments. Please and thank you!

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If You’re a ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Fan, These Tweets Will Be Right up Your Alley

Have you seen Schitt’s Creek yet? It’s a hilarious show from Canada that was created by legendary comedian Eugene Levy and his son, Dan.

The misadventures of the Rose family as chronicled through the show have given it a serious cult following.

Let’s see some funny tweets about this popular show. If you know, you know.

1. It’s all true.

2. There she is.

3. Thoughts about this?

4. Ewww David.

5. Let that sink in.

6. That’s Moira Rose!

7. I think we know…

8. Vroom, Vroom.

9. All the acronyms.

10. Positively bedeviled.

I need to start binge-watching this show ASAP.

Are you a Schitt’s Creek fan?

Let us know in the comments and tell us what your favorite episode or moment is from the show, please!

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How Did Casper Became a Ghost?

We’ve all heard about the story of the friendly ghost who just wants to make friends – and if you’re anywhere close to my age, you have a strangely romantic relationship with Casper, since we all immediately fell in love with Devon Sawa when this happened:

But where did the story come from in the first place? How did Casper die? Why is he a friendly ghost and not a scary one?

There are a lot of questions if you think about it, and if you want answers, we might have a few.

Since his debut in 1945, Casper the Friendly Ghost has appeared in dozens of animated shorts and specials, hundreds of comic books, as well as the feature film referenced above. The affable ghost always searches among the living for friends instead of people to frighten and encounters problems due to his non-corporeal status.

The character was created by writer Seymour Reit and artist Joe Oriolo back in 1940. But before the duo could pen their children’s book based on the concept, the two were drafted, and while they were gone, the animation studio they worked for was sold to Paramount – a sale that included the intellectual property of all employees (what a racket).

They were given $200 for their then-untested character.

In 1945 he appeared in a short called The Friendly Ghost, but the film made no mention of how Casper came to be a spirit in the first place. It did reference siblings who enjoyed scaring people, but no other personal details.

He appeared in another short in 1948, There’s Good Boos To-Night. In that one, he is shown leaning on a tombstone (presumably his own), while his “neighbors” – the ghosts from the nearby headstones – go on their nightly haunts.

Casper began starring in comic books in 1952, and it was due to Harvey Comics that Casper finally got a ghost family: a mom and three uncles, who were later named Fatso, Fusso, and Lazo. Originally, none of the group had backstories, talked about what their lives were like when they were alive, or made reference to a beginning of their relationship to each other.

Basically, it seems that Casper’s early mythology sort of implied that he and the others like him were “born” ghosts and had never been alive at all.

The 1995 feature film, starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Devon Sawa, gave Casper a full living backstory. He told Christina Ricci’s character that he had been a boy named Casper McFadden who had died from the flu – perhaps the Spanish flu, based on his dress and the time period – at the age of 12.

In it, we also see Ricci’s mother portrayed as an “angel,” suggesting there’s a more complicated hierarchy and mythology for the dead than the comics had previously envisioned – perhaps something more along the lines of what’s established in It’s a Wonderful Life? But that’s just speculation.

The original creators had to let go of Casper before they could fully flesh out their idea of who he was and how he became a ghost – friendly or otherwise – so perhaps it’s fitting that the truth of his origins seem to be left up to whoever is continuing his story at the moment.

Though, to me, the fact that he seems to get so much comfort from hanging around a particular headstone seems the point to the fact that it is his headstone. That means he was once alive, and he perished before his time.

I know he’s a child’s character, but hey. Life isn’t fair, and sometimes a bittersweet touch is just what a story needs to make it come alive (see: The Fox and the Hound).

Or in this case, dead.

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How Did Casper Became a Ghost?

We’ve all heard about the story of the friendly ghost who just wants to make friends – and if you’re anywhere close to my age, you have a strangely romantic relationship with Casper, since we all immediately fell in love with Devon Sawa when this happened:

But where did the story come from in the first place? How did Casper die? Why is he a friendly ghost and not a scary one?

There are a lot of questions if you think about it, and if you want answers, we might have a few.

Since his debut in 1945, Casper the Friendly Ghost has appeared in dozens of animated shorts and specials, hundreds of comic books, as well as the feature film referenced above. The affable ghost always searches among the living for friends instead of people to frighten and encounters problems due to his non-corporeal status.

The character was created by writer Seymour Reit and artist Joe Oriolo back in 1940. But before the duo could pen their children’s book based on the concept, the two were drafted, and while they were gone, the animation studio they worked for was sold to Paramount – a sale that included the intellectual property of all employees (what a racket).

They were given $200 for their then-untested character.

In 1945 he appeared in a short called The Friendly Ghost, but the film made no mention of how Casper came to be a spirit in the first place. It did reference siblings who enjoyed scaring people, but no other personal details.

He appeared in another short in 1948, There’s Good Boos To-Night. In that one, he is shown leaning on a tombstone (presumably his own), while his “neighbors” – the ghosts from the nearby headstones – go on their nightly haunts.

Casper began starring in comic books in 1952, and it was due to Harvey Comics that Casper finally got a ghost family: a mom and three uncles, who were later named Fatso, Fusso, and Lazo. Originally, none of the group had backstories, talked about what their lives were like when they were alive, or made reference to a beginning of their relationship to each other.

Basically, it seems that Casper’s early mythology sort of implied that he and the others like him were “born” ghosts and had never been alive at all.

The 1995 feature film, starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Devon Sawa, gave Casper a full living backstory. He told Christina Ricci’s character that he had been a boy named Casper McFadden who had died from the flu – perhaps the Spanish flu, based on his dress and the time period – at the age of 12.

In it, we also see Ricci’s mother portrayed as an “angel,” suggesting there’s a more complicated hierarchy and mythology for the dead than the comics had previously envisioned – perhaps something more along the lines of what’s established in It’s a Wonderful Life? But that’s just speculation.

The original creators had to let go of Casper before they could fully flesh out their idea of who he was and how he became a ghost – friendly or otherwise – so perhaps it’s fitting that the truth of his origins seem to be left up to whoever is continuing his story at the moment.

Though, to me, the fact that he seems to get so much comfort from hanging around a particular headstone seems the point to the fact that it is his headstone. That means he was once alive, and he perished before his time.

I know he’s a child’s character, but hey. Life isn’t fair, and sometimes a bittersweet touch is just what a story needs to make it come alive (see: The Fox and the Hound).

Or in this case, dead.

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These Tidbits From Children’s Shows Might’ve Escaped You as a Kid

One interesting thing about being a parent is getting to watch kid’s television and children’s movies again as an adult. There are so many details that make no sense – and so many more that you finally realize are definitely not included for the kids in the audience.

To that end, these 14 pieces of information probably didn’t mean anything to you as a child….but you might find them interesting now.

14. Barney doesn’t exist.

Image Credit: PBS

I mean, obviously – but if you’ll notice, this “imaginary friend” only appears when there are no adults in the room.

13. Some Proud Family characters are named after Southern California streets.

Image Credit: Disney Channel

La Cienega and Sunset Boulevards, to be exact.

12. This puberty joke on Victorious.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

It’s actually pretty well-timed and funny.

11. This “balloon” looks a lot like a condom.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

But I guess they’d find a lot of those in the ocean these days.

10. Miss Yvonne’s mind had no place in a children’s show.

Image Credit: CBS

I mean, neither did Pee Wee Herman’s, it turned out. So.

9. Helga’s mom on Hey, Arnold! had a drinking problem.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

There’s definitely more than fruit in those “smoothies.”

8. Spongebob is about to get even weirder…

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Because crabby patties are made from crabs, so Mr. Crabs…yeah.

7. Patrick lives under a rock for a reason.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Because he’s that dumb and clueless that, yes, he has literally been living under a rock.

6. The Crusty Crab is shaped like a lobster trap.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I wonder what exactly they’re trying to say here?

5. I guess there’s no point in lying to kids about Hollywood at any age.

Image Credit: Disney Channel

They should know what they’re getting into, right?

4. The Victorious homage episode to The Breakfast Club made a few alterations.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I don’t think Bender said “vegan.”

3. There was a character named Faymen Phorchin on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Fame and fortune. Now that’s the kind of boyfriend I want.

2. Also on Victorious, Tori’s mom seems to be having an affair?

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I mean, I don’t know what else they would be implying.

1. That time Patrick thought Spongebob was saying “penis.”

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

One more reason to just lol at this show.

 

Do you have a moment like this, where an adult joke “got” you after several years of watching? Share it with us in the comments!

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The Paul Rudd ‘Hey, Look at Us’ Meme Is a New Favorite and Memers Are Killing It

Paul Rudd is just the best, isn’t he?

And he definitely seems to get better with age. Rudd was recently on the show Hot Ones and from one simple utterance – “Look at us. Hey, look at us.” – a new viral meme was born.

Let’s take a look at some really good examples.

1. Always a good feeling.

2. We made it!

3. New albums = Dropped.

4. That’s a huge accomplishment.

5. That didn’t work out according to plan.

6. Whoopsy daisy.

7. Let’s make it official.

8. Another milestone.

9. That’s a big relief.

10. Hahaha, never gets old.

Look at us!

What’s your favorite “Hey, look at us” meme that’s floating around social media right now?

Let us know in the comments!

The post The Paul Rudd ‘Hey, Look at Us’ Meme Is a New Favorite and Memers Are Killing It appeared first on UberFacts.

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Here’s How Alex Trebek Plans to Officially Say Goodbye to “Jeopardy!” Fans

I’m not looking forward to this one bit…

Alex Trebek has hosted the hit TV show Jeopardy! since 1984, and in those three-and-a-half decades, he’s become a beloved figure. His name and face are so synonymous with the television program, it’s hard to imagine anyone else hosting the show.

It was revealed last year that the 79-year-old Trebek has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and since then the public has been rallying by his side and hoping for a happy outcome as he has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

Trebek has said he doesn’t have a particular date in mind for his exit from Jeopardy!, but he added that when he leaves it will be “a significant moment for me, but I’ve kind of, in my mind, rehearsed it already. What I would do on that day is tell the director, ‘Time the show down to leave me 30 seconds at the end.’ That’s all I want.”

Trebek continued, “And I will say my goodbyes [and] I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention, and respect that you have shown me…then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.’”

Here is the video of Trebek’s interview with Michael Strahan where he discusses his farewell.

We’re going to miss you, Mr. Trebek! Thanks for all the great entertainment throughout the years!

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Here’s How Alex Trebek Plans to Officially Say Goodbye to “Jeopardy!” Fans

I’m not looking forward to this one bit…

Alex Trebek has hosted the hit TV show Jeopardy! since 1984, and in those three-and-a-half decades, he’s become a beloved figure. His name and face are so synonymous with the television program, it’s hard to imagine anyone else hosting the show.

It was revealed last year that the 79-year-old Trebek has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and since then the public has been rallying by his side and hoping for a happy outcome as he has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

Trebek has said he doesn’t have a particular date in mind for his exit from Jeopardy!, but he added that when he leaves it will be “a significant moment for me, but I’ve kind of, in my mind, rehearsed it already. What I would do on that day is tell the director, ‘Time the show down to leave me 30 seconds at the end.’ That’s all I want.”

Trebek continued, “And I will say my goodbyes [and] I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention, and respect that you have shown me…then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.’”

Here is the video of Trebek’s interview with Michael Strahan where he discusses his farewell.

We’re going to miss you, Mr. Trebek! Thanks for all the great entertainment throughout the years!

The post Here’s How Alex Trebek Plans to Officially Say Goodbye to “Jeopardy!” Fans appeared first on UberFacts.