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Old 10-13-04 | 04:09 PM
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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.
Old 10-13-04 | 04:14 PM
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From: the igloo
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?InSovietRussia
Old 10-13-04 | 04:36 PM
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I'm not sure if I remember those jokes from the Simpsons, but I know Family Guy did it one episode: "In Russia, road forks you."
Old 10-13-04 | 05:06 PM
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http://www.yakov.com/default.html
Old 10-13-04 | 05:43 PM
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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!"
Old 10-13-04 | 05:49 PM
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Good old Yakov Smirnoff. I think he is still working in Branson now. I saw him many many times on various talk shows, etc.
Old 10-13-04 | 07:26 PM
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Old 10-13-04 | 07:45 PM
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Wow, there are people who aren't aware of Yakov's "in soviet russia ____ _______ you" ?
Old 10-13-04 | 10:44 PM
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Even Bobby Hill knows Yakov.

Yakov doesn't just make you laugh, he makes you think.
Old 10-14-04 | 09:41 AM
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In soviet russia forum posts on you.
Old 10-15-04 | 08:23 AM
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Originally posted by Count Dooku
Even Bobby Hill knows Yakov.

Yakov doesn't just make you laugh, he makes you think.
Old 10-15-04 | 08:24 AM
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One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
Old 10-15-04 | 09:23 AM
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Originally posted by Groucho
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
LOL... I remember that, the one where no one is laughing because communism is all but gone and he's up on stage sweating it out.
Old 10-15-04 | 10:57 AM
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Originally posted by Groucho
One of the funniest sketches on the Ben Stiller Show was Yakov after the Berlin wall came down.
"I'm cold...I'm frightened...what will the new world order bring for Yakov...?"
Old 10-15-04 | 02:00 PM
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From: Central Illinois
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.
Old 10-15-04 | 02:35 PM
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Originally posted by Crocker Jarmen
Stop it, Jakov. Your teeth are hurting my eyes.
Old 10-15-04 | 11:56 PM
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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?
Old 10-16-04 | 02:31 PM
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In Russia DVD watches you.
Old 10-16-04 | 08:39 PM
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In Russia I have nowhere to go with this joke so I'm bailing.

No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
Old 10-16-04 | 08:56 PM
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Originally posted by Matt Millheiser
No one remembers What A Country, the sitcom?
Matt, I'm surprised YOU do.

Sounds an awful lot like "Mind Your Language"...

Old 10-16-04 | 09:06 PM
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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!
Village of the Damned
Old 10-18-04 | 07:36 AM
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I actually saw Jerry Seinfeld open for Yaakov Smirnov in the 80s.
Old 10-18-04 | 01:27 PM
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Little known Yakov Smirnoff fact: he created the mural that was hung at ground zero after 9/11.


Old 10-19-04 | 08:50 AM
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In soviet russia, the mural hangs you.
Old 10-19-04 | 09:47 AM
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Originally posted by renaldow
In soviet russia, the mural hangs you.
G'nite folks!

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