Pop culture is full of references that we may or may not catch during our daily lives or while watching TV shows and movies. Some references may slip through the cracks and remain underrated, but they still leave an impact. This article highlights 10 underrated pop culture references that may have gone unnoticed, such as the nod to “Being John Malkovich” in “Zootopia,” or the “Cheers” references in “Frasier.” These references are a way for writers and creators to pay homage to their favorite pop culture moments and keep the spirit alive for generations to come.
10 Underrated Pop Culture References That You May Have Missed
Pop culture references are everywhere. In movies, TV shows, books, and even in our daily lives. Some of them are well-known and some are obscure. However, there are always a few that might slip through the cracks. Here are ten underrated pop culture references that you may have missed.
1. “What About Bob?” References in “The Office”
In the episode “Launch Party” of “The Office,” Jim and Pam dress up as the characters from the 1991 movie “What About Bob?” Bob Wiley and Dr. Leo Marvin. They even recreate a scene from the movie, where Bob is tied to the mast of a sailboat.
2. John Malkovich and “Being John Malkovich” in “Zootopia”
In the animated movie “Zootopia,” one of the characters is a psychiatrist named Dr. Frantic, who is voiced by John Malkovich. This is a nod to the 1999 movie “Being John Malkovich,” where the actor plays a fictional version of himself.
3. “Cheers” in “Frasier”
“Frasier” is a spinoff of the hit show “Cheers.” There are several references to “Cheers” throughout the series, including guest appearances by former cast members, and mentions of the fictional bar “Cheers.”
4. “Lost” References in “Once Upon a Time”
In the TV show “Once Upon a Time,” there are several nods to the popular series “Lost.” The creators of “Once Upon a Time” also worked on “Lost,” and some of the actors from “Lost” make appearances in “Once Upon a Time.”
5. “Doctor Who” References in “Sherlock”
“Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” are both popular British TV shows, and they share a lot of fans. In the episode “The Great Game” of “Sherlock,” the character Jim Moriarty references the “Doctor Who” episode “Blink.”
6. “The Princess Bride” in “Batman: The Animated Series”
In the episode “Appointment in Crime Alley” of “Batman: The Animated Series,” Batman quotes “The Princess Bride” when he says, “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
7. “The Dark Knight” in “Man of Steel”
In the movie “Man of Steel,” there is a scene where a truck crashes into a building sign that reads “LexCorp.” This is a reference to the fictional company owned by Lex Luthor, who was played by Jesse Eisenberg in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
8. “Back to the Future” References in “Rick and Morty”
“Rick and Morty” is a cartoon that is heavily influenced by “Back to the Future.” There are several nods to the movie throughout the series, including a character named Morty who is clearly inspired by Michael J. Fox’s character in the movie.
9. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” in “Glee”
In one episode of “Glee,” the characters perform the song “Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The episode even features a cameo by “Rocky Horror” creator Richard O’Brien.
10. “Harry Potter” References in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
In the TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” there are several references to the “Harry Potter” series. In one episode, Buffy makes a joke about Dumbledore, and in another episode, the characters read a book titled “The Hairy Potty.”
In conclusion, pop culture references are a way for writers and creators to pay homage to their favorite movies, TV shows, and books. These ten underrated references may have gone unnoticed by some, but they are a testament to the power of popular culture and its enduring impact on our lives.