I need an explanation of a Simpsons quote
10-13-04, 04:09 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Northfield, MN
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I need an explanation of a Simpsons quote
Everyone is probably familiar with the famous quotes from the Simpsons:
"In Soviet Russia, potato eats you!"
or
"In Soviet Russia, revue watches you!"
This has led to many laughs and later in my college Russian class a proposed t-shirt of Mr. T saying, "In Soviet Russia, the fool pities you!" That's all well and good, but what is it about?
Is it a parody of someone? Who?
Please don't tell me it's just a funny joke, because if it is, it makes no sense at all.
"In Soviet Russia, potato eats you!"
or
"In Soviet Russia, revue watches you!"
This has led to many laughs and later in my college Russian class a proposed t-shirt of Mr. T saying, "In Soviet Russia, the fool pities you!" That's all well and good, but what is it about?
Is it a parody of someone? Who?
Please don't tell me it's just a funny joke, because if it is, it makes no sense at all.
10-13-04, 04:14 PM
#2
DVD Talk Limited Edition
10-13-04, 05:06 PM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
10-13-04, 05:43 PM
#5
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stop making me feel so old. I remember seeing Yakov Smirnoff frequently on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and various improv shows in the 80s. He told several variations of the "In Soviet Russia, TV watches YOU" joke but his main catchphrase was "What a Country!"
See also, "When I got to America, I saw an ad in the paper: 'We guarantee our furniture and stand behind it for six months.' That's why I left the Soviet Union! I don't want any people standing behind my furniture!"
See also, "When I got to America, I saw an ad in the paper: 'We guarantee our furniture and stand behind it for six months.' That's why I left the Soviet Union! I don't want any people standing behind my furniture!"
10-13-04, 07:26 PM
#7
10-15-04, 08:23 AM
#11
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Count Dooku
Even Bobby Hill knows Yakov.
Yakov doesn't just make you laugh, he makes you think.
Even Bobby Hill knows Yakov.
Yakov doesn't just make you laugh, he makes you think.
10-15-04, 09:23 AM
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Groucho
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
10-15-04, 10:57 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by Groucho
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
10-15-04, 02:00 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
In Russia is freedom of speech. In America is also freedom after speech. -- Yakov Smirnoff
In California, you can always find a party. In Russia, The Party can always find you. -- Yakov Smirnoff
Yakov has also been in a few movies, the one I remember off hand is "Moscow on the Hudson" (1984?), which also had Robin Williams and a young Maria Conchita Alonso (who was later in The Running Man).
I didn't realize that Yakov was in Branson. I might have to go see him sometime.
In California, you can always find a party. In Russia, The Party can always find you. -- Yakov Smirnoff
Yakov has also been in a few movies, the one I remember off hand is "Moscow on the Hudson" (1984?), which also had Robin Williams and a young Maria Conchita Alonso (who was later in The Running Man).
I didn't realize that Yakov was in Branson. I might have to go see him sometime.
10-15-04, 11:56 PM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not to change the subject. Well, I'm not changing the subject, but I am changing the Simpsons quote. To me, this one always sounded like it had some inside reference, but I have no idea what it could be. It's from episode "The PTA Disbands".
Marge: There's something about flying a kite at night that's so unwholesome.
Bart: [creepily] Hello, mother dear!
sound file link
Anybody know?
Marge: There's something about flying a kite at night that's so unwholesome.
Bart: [creepily] Hello, mother dear!
sound file link
Anybody know?
10-16-04, 08:39 PM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
In Russia I have nowhere to go with this joke so I'm bailing.
No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
10-16-04, 08:56 PM
#20
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Sitting on a beach, earning 20%
Posts: 9,917
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Originally posted by Matt Millheiser
No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
Sounds an awful lot like "Mind Your Language"...
10-16-04, 09:06 PM
#21
Moderator
Originally posted by RKillgore
Not to change the subject. Well, I'm not changing the subject, but I am changing the Simpsons quote. To me, this one always sounded like it had some inside reference, but I have no idea what it could be. It's from episode "The PTA Disbands".
Marge: There's something about flying a kite at night that's so unwholesome.
Bart: [creepily] Hello, mother dear!
Not to change the subject. Well, I'm not changing the subject, but I am changing the Simpsons quote. To me, this one always sounded like it had some inside reference, but I have no idea what it could be. It's from episode "The PTA Disbands".
Marge: There's something about flying a kite at night that's so unwholesome.
Bart: [creepily] Hello, mother dear!
