A joke I didn't know where else to share.

[MediocreAuthor]

Watching the original Thomas the Tank Engine show with my toddler, and I came up with this joke. I didn't know where else to share it, but I figured the AH is full of well-read folks who might understand the reference.

 

[StillStunned]

Apparently I'm not well-read enough to get the reference (at least not now), but was that the version of Thomas the Tank Engine that was narrated by Ringo Starr? I have fond memories of that version.

(Not as fond as my memories of the books, I must add.)

 

[SyleusSnow]

Edgar Allen Poe- The Cask of Amontillado.

I actually remember watching that episode. Wasn't smart enough to make the association, though.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Apparently I'm not well-read enough to get the reference (at least not now), but was that the version of Thomas the Tank Engine that was narrated by Ringo Starr? I have fond memories of that version.

(Not as fond as my memories of the books, I must add.)

@SyleusSnow got it right. It's a E.A. Poe reference.

But that particular episode was narrated (in the US at least) by George Carlin. Which was a shock for me, to be sure.

George Carlin: "Thomas was a cheeky engine. He loved rumbling down the tracks."
Also George Carlin: "Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, and Tits."

 

[StillStunned]

@SyleusSnow got it right. It's a E.A. Poe reference.

But that particular episode was narrated (in the US at least) by George Carlin. Which was a shock for me, to be sure.

George Carlin: "Thomas was a cheeky engine. He loved rumbling down the tracks."
Also George Carlin: "Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, and Tits."

It's as if the producers of both versions thought, "Who's the least likely person to narrate a beloved children's show? A member of one of the greatest rock bands in the world, and a foul-mouthed comedian? That'll work."

 

[Kumquatqueen]

It's as if the producers of both versions thought, "Who's the least likely person to narrate a beloved children's show? A member of one of the greatest rock bands in the world, and a foul-mouthed comedian? That'll work."

That's pretty much how they cast readers for the CBeebies Bedtime Story. (That's the BBC channel for under-fives)

Sod the kids, will the parents think it's funny?

Dave Grohl, Tom Hiddleston, Rag'n'Bone Man, Tom Hardy, Brian Cox, Patrick Stewart, Alex Kingston, Simon Pegg...

 

[bumpercars]

I haven't watched the show, but entombing someone alive is pretty fucked up. I hope this Sir Topham Hatt villain gets what he deserves.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I haven't watched the show, but entombing someone alive is pretty fucked up. I hope this Sir Topham Hatt villain gets what he deserves.

Henry was a Naughty Engine who didn't want to go out in the rain and get streaks on his paintwork, IIRC. It's definitely the main story that leads to nightmares, though I think a fair few stroppy carriages (the only female characters on the Isle of Sodor) and rude Engines end up in the scrapyards.

My in-laws got the boxed set of all 63 books for their grandchildren. I managed to ensure they were kept at *their* house.

Sir Topham, aka the Fat Controller until recent sensibilities meant he wasn't allowed to be called that any more, rules the Isle of Sodor and all the engines, who dream of Sir T confirming they are a Really Useful Engine and their drivers getting a nice tea break.

If you're getting sub/dom vibes, then yes, it's all there. I mean, it's probably meant to just be British post-war class structure nostalgia, but...

 

[alohadave]

@SyleusSnow got it right. It's a E.A. Poe reference.

But that particular episode was narrated (in the US at least) by George Carlin. Which was a shock for me, to be sure.

George Carlin: "Thomas was a cheeky engine. He loved rumbling down the tracks."
Also George Carlin: "Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, and Tits."

I always liked the idea that he was a groundbreaking comic, but did voices for a kids show.

 

[StillStunned]

If you're getting sub/dom vibes, then yes, it's all there.

Well, the books were written by a vicar, after all.

I can't remember how many of the books I had. Dozens. Some with the hard covers, a few with the soft covers.

Henry and Gordon were the big engines, and they were definitely bullies. Percy was a plucky underdog. James was nearly as big as Gordon and Henry, but much nicer. Or was that Edward I'm thinking of? There was a diesel that no-one liked.

There were also Donald and Douglas, the Scottish engines. Toby the tramway engine. Stepney the Bluebell engine, who was related to a charity, if I recall correctly. I also recall an old engine who was parked in a shed and then covered by a landslide - was that Duke?

stroppy carriages (the only female characters on the Isle of Sodor)

I want to say Clara and Anabel, but I could be wrong. At least they had names - mostly the carriages and wagons were just nameless, faceless grumblers who never wanted to cooperate.

 

[MrPixel]

I want to say Clara and Anabel,

Yes. Not especially a TtTE fan, but have to deal with some of it at hobby/toy shows.

 

[lovecraft68]

Just saw this and The Poe reference popped right up even though I never saw the show. Pretty ballsy reference for a kids show. The writer was having fun. This fits in with the things you put that your readers might not notice thread.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Well, the books were written by a vicar, after all.

There's something about vicars. Apart from the ones I knew growing up who kept coming round to people's houses and getting trolleyed on sherry, I know of one who is now housing a full-size crucifix that just happens to have a footrest and restraints attached, that a local kink club needed a home for when they closed down.

Though the lovely Rev Richard Coles (the one in the Communards who wasn't Jimmy Somerville, and has appeared on various panel shows as well as becoming a vicar) is very lovely and very gay, but to my knowledge not actually kinky. Not that I know him well enough to be told if he was!

I want to say Clara and Anabel, but I could be wrong. At least they had names - mostly the carriages and wagons were just nameless, faceless grumblers who never wanted to cooperate.

Annie and Clarabel. The people other than Sir T were also generally nameless apart from Thomas's Driver (which is hardly a name) and a few other drivers.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Okay, I got it straight off, but only because Poe was covered in my high school (dare I say as ‘modern’ literature, ‘cause it was!). I don’t think one needs to analyze it too deeply, but it’s funny.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Just saw this and The Poe reference popped right up even though I never saw the show. Pretty ballsy reference for a kids show. The writer was having fun. This fits in with the things you put that your readers might not notice thread.

For the record, the Poe reference was mine. That quote was not in the original show

 

[goldytheGoldfish]

https://www.amazon.com/What-Moves-Dead-T-Kingfisher/dp/1250830753

 

[goldytheGoldfish]

I couldn't get into Discord. What am I missing?

 

[lovecraft68]

For the record, the Poe reference was mine. That quote was not in the original show

Ah, okay I thought you created the meme from the show.

Still perfect for the image though.

Poe really played up the buried alive genre in his stories.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

For the record, the Poe reference was mine. That quote was not in the original show

Got it. I never watched TtTE in any case, but The Cask was pretty obvious for the Poe fans.

 

[Voboy]

I laughed out loud, @MediocreAuthor

"The nitre..."

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Got it. I never watched TtTE in any case, but The Cask was pretty obvious for the Poe fans.

Or perhaps also for Stephen King fans. When I first read the homage to Poe referencing this line in Dolan's Cadillac, I didn't make the connection

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Oops. There I go, culturally illiterate.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Oops. There I go, culturally illiterate.

I'm pretty sure the fact that I learn about Classic Literature from Stephen King is a sign that I might be regular illiterate

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Oops. There I go, culturally illiterate.

I didn't get the "For the love of God" reference either, and I know I read the Cask, many many years ago. And been to the frankly terrifying Masque of the Red Death immersive Poe theatre experience (they drew the line just in front of immuration of paying participants...) The only Poe I really remember is Nevermore (and thus plays on it like Nevermoor and Pratchett's Quoth, the raven).

 

[goldytheGoldfish]