Category: Television

“We don’t make mistakes; we just have happy accidents.”

From: The Joy of Painting

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Bob Ross

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from way in the past. But it does seem timely as Twitch, the video game streaming site, had just ran a marathon of Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting television series since October 29. A lot of kids of the ’80s and ’90s grew up watching The Joy of Painting, not because they actually painted, but rather because it was fun watching Bob Ross create a beautiful painting in under 30 minutes. Besides, he just sounded so positive, he made viewers believe they could paint like him if they actually just tried.

The quote is actually a running catchphrase of the show. He would say it frequently to viewers whenever it appears he made an error that ruined the entire painting. The clip below is from the episode aptly titled “Happy Accident” where Bob Ross actually wipes out an entire painting and shows viewers what can be done with it.

Geek wisdom: There are very few mistakes in life that cannot be corrected if you try hard enough. Even seemingly insurmountable problems can have solutions as long as you really take the time to solve it and not give up.

And even if you do make a mistake that is “permanent” and cannot be fixed no matter what you do, there’s still something you can do: learn from it. Take it as a learning experience so that, in the future, you don’t make the same mistake.

“‘Unagi’ is a state of total awareness.”

From: Friends

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Ross Geller

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the very popular sitcom Friends. The show focused on a group of friends (pretty obvious) with rather different personalities yet managed to stick together for a long time. The show launched the careers of many of the actors and actresses involved in the show.

The quote comes from Ross Geller (played by David Schwimmer). The episode starts out with Rachel Green (played by Jennifer Aniston) and Phoebe Buffay (played by Lisa Kudrow) commenting about a self-defense class they took and how they can pretty much defend themselves. However, Ross, who mentions he’s taken “kara-teh,” they actually won’t be able to protect themselves from attackers because they do not have, what he called “unagi.”

Trivia: What Ross probably means is “Zanshin,” which means pretty much what he thinks the word “unagi” means.

Geek wisdom: Even the smartest people can be wrong at times. In Friends, Ross is supposedly the most educated of the group. However, he flat out gets the word wrong and, even when confronted with different people commenting that “unagi” is an eel, he still never bothers to actually check if he was wrong since he “knows” he’s correct.

Ross’ mistake can happen to anyone, even you. Make sure to double-check your facts once in a while and be ready to admit when you’re wrong.

“I’m guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I’m guilty of being a dwarf.”

From: Game of Thrones

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Tyrion Lannister

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The hit fantasy television is based on George R. R. Martin’s book series entitled “A Song of Fire and Ice.” The series’ name actually comes from the first book of the series.

The quote comes from the sixth episode of the fourth season, The Laws of Gods and Men. Tyrion Lannister (played brilliantly by Peter Dinklage) is put on trial for the murder of King Joffrey during the Purple Wedding. Realizing the entire thing is a farce and he will never get a fair trial, Tyrion gives a defiant speech, stating what he is actually guilty of…

 

Geek wisdom: It’s hard to admit but various forms of discrimination is alive and well in our society. Whether it be racism, sexism or any other form of persecution, if someone is out of the social norm, they will be treated differently and, most of the time, unfairly. These people will have a difficult time getting a fair shake in the world.

As a society, we have to understand the cultural differences and actually break free from our preconceptions of social norms. This is the only way discrimination can truly be eradicated.

“I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.”

From: Firefly/Serenity

Genre: Television/Movie

Who said it?: Hoban “Wash” Washburne

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Serenity, a film sequel of sorts to Joss Whedon’s (sadly) short-lived sci-fi television series, Firefly. The film’s title is derived from the name of the Firefly-class spaceship the crew uses.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. In order to break through an Alliance barricade, Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds lures a horde of Reaver ships to the Serenity’s position to distract the Alliance ships. While this does work to a degree, the Serenity still has to find a way to slip through the Alliance forces. This is when Hoban “Wash” Washburne summons his courage to actually pilot the Firefly-class ship against seemingly impossible odds…

Geek wisdom: It’s incredibly easy to psyche ourselves out when under pressure. It’s easy to talk ourselves out of doing of even attempting to perform complicated tasks. In order to actually do them, confidence is key. We have to believe in ourselves whenever we do anything. Whether it be relatively mundane activities or extremely complex processes, we have to believe in ourselves that we can actually do it.

“Annie’s pretty young. We try not to sexualize her.”

From: Community

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jeff Winger

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Community. Initially, a sitcom on NBC, the show was cancelled, dashing hopes for the dream of it getting “six seasons and a movie.” But, with Yahoo! Screen coming in for the save and picking up the cult show, all that’s missing now is the movie. The story has evolved from Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale) trying to get a law degree from Greendale Community College to him actually becoming a faculty member. But Greendale is still the crazy school it’s always been.

The quote comes from the first season episode, “Investigative Journalism.” Buddy (portrayed by guest star Jack Black) attempts to join the study group. He then makes a sexual comment directed at Annie Edison (played by Alison Brie). Jeff quickly takes him aside and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We tend to put people on pedestals. We worship people celebrities and fantasize that our crushes have perfect lives. What we fail to realize in situations like this is that these people are people, too! Sometimes, our own imagination tends to get the better of us and we don’t realize that they may have their own problems and their lives, while it may seem perfect, isn’t a great as we think.

“Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel!”

From: Batman

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Narrator

The story behind the quote: While I’ve already created an earlier entry for the 1966 Batman camp-fest, that was for the movie. This time, the quote comes from the television series.

The 1966 Batman television series (starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin) followed the style of the older serial films. As such, each story arc was broken up into two episodes. The first episode will always end in a cliffhanger with Batman and Robin in some sort of jam. The episode will then end with the narrator summing up the Dynamic Duo’s predicament and advising viewers and fans to make sure to watch how they’ll save themselves.

Geek wisdom: In this ever changing world filled with uncertainty, it’s always nice to fall back on something you can rely on. It’s comforting to have something consistent.

“You’re in my spot.”

From: The Big Bang Theory

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Sheldon Cooper

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very successful sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. The story revolves around a group of four nerds/geeks who love nerdy/geeky things. Among the four, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) proved to be the show’s breakout star due to all of his quirky mannerisms and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

One of results of this obsessive-compulsive behavior is the need to sit on a certain part of the sofa. While he does have valid reasons for liking this spot (it’s never too cold/hot, great viewing angle of the television, etc.), Sheldon made it a rule that no one else is allowed to sit on it and he will chastise anyone if they do attempt to take his appointed seat. In fact, he says the quote so many times it’s become one of his more popular catchphrases.

Geek wisdom: We all have our own routines and we do get settled in our own ways. Sometimes, these little consistencies help us go through the turbulent and ever-changing world.

Yes, change may be a good thing. But there is something to be said about being able to return to something familiar as well.

“Stupid sexy Flanders”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Homer Simpson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from The Simpsons’ episode entitled Little Big Mom, which was first aired way back in January 9, 2000.

In a memorable scene, Homer sees Ned Flanders in a very skintight skiing outfit and Flanders innocently mentions that it feels like he’s wearing “nothing at all.” When Homer loses control while skiing downhill, he desperately tries to remember what his instructor told him to do when he does get into trouble… but he just can’t get the image of Flanders shaking his tuckus.

Geek wisdom: Our mind will tend to wander to different things throughout the day. This habit can easily distract us from what were supposed to be doing, making it difficult to focus. It’s very difficult to overcome this interference as it can even take over when we’re trying to remember something important.

During times like this, it may be better to try not to think about the thing we want to remember. Rather, just relax and let your mind wander back to what it’s supposed to be thinking off in the first place.

“You know what really grinds my gears?”

From: Family Guy

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Peter Griffin

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the extremely popular cartoon Family Guy. Fun fact: the show was initially cancelled after three seasons due to poor ratings. However, after the show started being aired on Cartoon Network and DVD sales went through the roof, Fox quickly pushed through with a new season… four years after it was initially cancelled.

The quote comes from the first part of the two-part series, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story. In the episode, Stewie has a near-death experience and decides to become good. His future self goes back in time to tell him what happens to him if he goes down that path.

However, the quote does not come from Stewie Griffin but actually from Peter Griffin. In the side story for the episode, Peter gets hired by a local news program after he delivers an angry tirade at a video store. Peter gets his own segment where he rants about everything that upsets him…

Geek wisdom: There will always be somethings that will upset you. It could be really something huge that affects the entire world. It also could be something really small and minute that other people will question why it bugs you so much. The thing you have to do, however, is not let the small stuff get you so riled up.

“Better call Saul!”

From: Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Saul Goodman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from not one, but two television shows. These shows being the phenomenal Breaking Bad and its spin-off, Better Call Saul. Breaking Bad follows Walter White, a nerdy chemistry teacher who gets cancer and decides to manufacture and sell meth in the hopes he will secure his family’s financial future. This starts his downward spiral into a life of crime. One of the more popular characters of Breaking Bad is Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk), a smarmy lawyer who is familiar with the criminal underworld.

In Breaking Bad, Saul uses the quote as a catchphrase for his commercials.

While it remains to be seen if the quote/catchphrase will be used in the new show or if we’ll see how Saul Goodman comes up with it, it is the title of the show…

Geek wisdom: Everyone needs a little help nowadays but there are times when we can be stubborn and try to tough it out. There is no shame asking for assistance, especially if you know another person will be better at resolving your issue for you.