5 Pop Culture Cups of Joe
Written by Suzanne on March 20, 2009
Call it a Cup of Joe, java, or plain ol’ coffee there are many ways to ask for a cuppa caffeinated bliss. I fell in love with the taste of coffee when I was just a kid. I believe it started at the Thrifty ice cream counter. My favorite flavor was Java and I’d always get a scoop of Bubble Gum with it. The saying, you are what you eat, is true. Bubble gum and coffee is a combo that describes my personality deliciously.
When other kids wanted hot cocoa after dinner I wanted coffee with milk and sugar. I’ve tried many substitutes from chicory root to Soyfee but they never quite measure up.
So I did some research about coffee in pop culture. Two things I just can’t get enough of.
1. Coffee in Commercials
Just this morning I made the coffee a bit too strong again. Strong is great when you have a primo brand of coffee to start with but if you try to make diner style coffee strong you get “bad taste”. Here’s a retro commercial of a housewife dealing with this very same scenario. Let’s see how she solved her morning coffee catastrophe.
2. Coffee in Music
Emmett Miller’s “You’re the Cream in My Coffee”, The Ink Spots “Java Jive”, Bob Dylan’s “One More Cup of Coffee”, Wendy & Lisa’s ”Waiting for Coffee”, and The Squeeze’s “Black Coffee in Bed”. We’d need a few pots of coffee to keep us going with the long list of java in music. Let’s take a coffee break. Click here and have a listen to Frank Sinatra sing The Coffee Song.
3. Coffee in Television
Friends gathered at the Central Perk. Alice filled coffee cups at Mel’s Diner. Dr. Frasier Crane met with Daphne and Niles for a caffeinated beverage at Café Nervosa. Even soap operas like the Young & the Restless used a coffee shop to set the scene.
Caffeine in excess is proven to increase irritability. Watch what happens after these guys had too many mochas at the Y&R coffee shop.
4. Coffee in Film
Just like television, movies have used coffee shops as backdrops, coffee cups as props, and even coffee as a central theme. Have you seen Coffee and Cigarettes by Jim Jarmusch? This film is a series of vignettes starring Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, and Bill Murray just to name a few. You can see a few clips in this creative Cinema & Coffee videoart on YouTube:
In 1961 a short film called This is Coffee was made. It’s full to the brim with coffee information.
5. Coffee Table Books
This housewife isn’t fond of dusting her coffee table but she sure loves coffee table books. I have two favorites on display. One is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the other is Studio 54. A little Depp and a little disco is all I need to make dusting more fun.
On my quest to quench my coffee thirst, I found this great site devoted to coffee table books. Click here to do some book browsing. I think I need a few more coffee tables.
Any other pop culture Cups of Joe out there you’d like to share?
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March 20th, 2009 at 1:01 am
I just stopped by your blog and thought I would say hello. I like your site design. Looking forward to reading more down the road.
Reply to Jeff Atkinson
March 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hurray for coffee!
Coffee is great, I am sure it’s really not good for you, but nobody really wants to hear it, LOL.
I can imagine a group of scientists, coffee in hand, reading the results of some lab tests and promptly throwing them away saying “oh well, nobody lives forever.”
I gotta chex out the movie Coffee and Cigarettes, looks good and has some cool people in it.
Reply to petemayo
March 20th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I love coffee! Even though I’ve recently switched to tea in the morning (which I find incredibly strange after almost 20yrs) I still love coffee, the smell, the taste–yum! Actually though, in response to petemayo, coffee is good for you (in moderation as with most things in life) my Grandma used to swear by it for headaches. Lo and behold, check the bottle of Excedrin and you will see caffeine in the ingredients.
Reply to M
March 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Coffee is great. I drink too much coffee.
Reply to Diane
March 20th, 2009 at 11:01 am
While I am primarily an iced tea drinker I appreciate all the work that goes into your 5 on Friday. Speaking of Sweeny Todd, here is an example of why I want kids one day…
Reply to "D"
March 20th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Well sure, but how do I make a good cup of coffee?
Good post today, and I feel a little responsible. lol
Reply to angie
March 20th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@angie Did you watch the vintage Folgers clip? As Mary said, Instant Folgers! Tastes Good as Fresh Perked! Try it and let us know.
Reply to Suzanne
March 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
oh man, that was the best thing i have read in months! i’m going to brew a 4 cup pot in your honor right now.
Reply to renata
March 20th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
@renata Make it 5 cups in honor of The 5 on Friday. Thanks for stopping by and come again soon.
Reply to Suzanne
March 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am
Mmmm, java….I heart the Five on Friday!!!
Reply to Audrey
March 21st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Dear Suz,
Make me waffles… That is all. Hehehe.
Always,
“D”
Reply to "D"
March 21st, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Hellooo, Newman… What a delightful assemblage of clips ‘n thoughts you offer here. You’ve done your homework and I am grateful to discover your site!
Reply to PoMoXian
March 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
@D Waffles coming right up! @PoMoXian Thank you! I’m grateful you stopped in for a visit. Hope to see you again soon.
Reply to Suzanne
March 21st, 2009 at 10:01 pm
LOVED the vintage Y&R clip! LOL I remember that episode, sad to say! LOL
Reply to Melyssa
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:32 am
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Reply to EarnMoneyInternet
August 28th, 2009 at 8:27 am
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Reply to Housewife in Hollywood » Blog Archive » Goodbye Joe: 5 Coffee Alternatives
August 28th, 2009 at 11:49 am
ireallylovecoffeeandthewayittastesandsoundsinthemorningsjustlikeyoudo!!!sorryfornospacesbuti’mwaytoojackedup!!!itmustbeallthecoffee…
Reply to Chad