January 26, 2009

Are they real?

Frequently asked about female bosoms, this question also applies to the characters on Disney made-for-t.v. movies.

Yesterday, I shattered my childrens' lives when I explained why, in the behind-the-scenes video clips from High School Musical, the movie director kept calling Troy Bolton by the strange name of Zac.



The concept of acting is a bit too abstract for my deep thinkers.

"His name is TROY BOLTON!" screamed Cortlen at the television set.

After cast members misidentified Troy a few more times, Cortlen unsheathed his plastic He-Man sword. Sensing that my television was about to be stabbed, I turned off the DVD.

"Acting is sort of like pretending," I explained to the confused and distraught.

My words were met with three blank stares and one inquiry about the number of hours left until dinner would be served.

"Like when you pretend to have a broken leg when someone accidentally steps on your foot," I continued.

Three light bulbs flickered, and then went out. Fake injury metaphors only get you so far in my house.

I tried a different example, hoping that the difference between real and make-believe would be more transparent when applied to a cartoon.

"Transformers are just pretend," I said.


I hoped for a flash of understanding; what I got instead was a stunned look of collective disbelief.


"Transformers are too real!" three kids yelled.


I was forced to admit defeat when, after telling the story to my neighbor, she showed me this video:



I want an Optimus Prime outfit so bad.

26 comments

Steph said...

So they ARE real...I always wondered. And for a split second I thought how cool it would be to design that costume for my youngest. Naaaa...Way too much thought would have to go into it!

Brennan S said...

Okay, that takes me back to 5th grade! I never really like the cartoon that much but I still love x-men.

Charlotte said...

That is awesome!! I won't show my kids, though because then they will want that for Halloween. In fact, I may want to reconsider showing my husband.

And it took a long time for my kids to get the cartoons aren't real thing. They believed in Spiderman longer than Santa Claus.

Dolly said...

My boys were deep into the world of Power Rangers-long ago. We had everything P.R. in our house. My four year old son, these days, is into sword fighting. All things swords!! Luckily, this fits right into our scripture reading BOM:) He would of made a great Ammon.

Alisha said...

oh kids. lol. Is this what I have to look forward to. Lucky me. lol. Am I the only one who can't stand high school musical? lol. My mom showed me Grease when I was a kid. Grease kicks high school musicals butt! lol

Emily said...

I cannot let my 4-year-old see that. He will beg for a transformer costume for the rest of his life.

wannabee free said...

too funny about not showing your husband! I want to know why HIGH SCHOOL musical is shown to 5 yr olds? isn't it about high school? It really drives me crazy that they are marketing teen stuff to my preschool kids. that is why we don't have a TV and don't know who Hannah Montana is. Dsney princesses are bad enough!

becca said...

oh wow, now I know what to do with all my recyclibles. My kids are really confused about actors... They cant figure out why Santa Claus (Tim Allen) is also the Shaggy Dog and sounds a lot like Buzz Lightyear. In fact, maybe that is what you could do, show them a lot of movies with the same actor playing different roles.

Stephanie said...

um, wow. That's all. (Why are they all "grown-ups"?)

Heather said...

How about using Halloween or dress up time to help explain acting? Only now that we are dressed up someone is going to video us (worth a try). Or tell them the directory is getting early Alzheimer's and can't remember names. LOL

Crystal said...

LOL, people have way too much time on their hands I can see haha.

linda said...

that is so sweet. I totally want an outfit like that. If only I knew the names of all the different transformers. Maybe I can get my husband to make me one...

LeAnn said...

I wonder if any of those guys are single??????

Lindsey said...

I LOVE the transformers! I can't believe that people have made those costumes. Oh wait, yes I can. Some people don't have spouses or children! I'm honestly impressed that those costumes actually TRANSFORM! Sorry, I'm a bit of a geek.

Thanks for the laugh!

dymphnasis said...

Wicked funny! You will find that you are destined to mostly lose in these situations. I remember a time when my children were young and I was unable to explain anything without referencing something Disney. It was a frightening time.

Angela said...

Best
post
ever.

Okay, I say that too often. But really, highlight of my procrastination session.

Brossettelewis said...

Did you tell them Santa was fake too? Go Mom!

So, are your twins real? {snicker snicker :P }

But more importantly , where do I find out how to make those transformers!!!!! DH and DD#1 would love me forever if I managed to steal those.

Lydia said...

Zac Efron doesn't exist in our world either, only Troy. My gets get upset when actors do more than one movie. It really blows their minds.

Nikki said...

Really?!?! Those guys remind me of the kids I secretly made fun of in High School.

Ninny said...

Okay- that is HILARIOUS!!!

Nancy B said...

(Sigh)...So I guess you are going to tell me that Oscar the Grouch is actually a puppet and doesn't really live in a garbage can? That sucks. That really sucks.

Unknown said...

Okay so many things to say about this one...NO I do not like high school musical either...glad to hear there are others willing to admit it! CANNOT stand it to be exact! My 9 yr daughter LOVES it..or should I say all of them (3 of them now, right)??

I LOVE TRANSFORMERS...I am so guilty of feeding my sons addiction. He is four...we have the movie and the "guys" as he calls them! This video was so cool. I would have loved to have seen that live! Someone put a lot of time and effort into that! Oh wait..i guess I missed the point. We were making fun, right? Ooops...haha!

Jaime said...

This is funny b/c I took my daughter to see a HSM play and afterward she met Sharpay and got her autograph, and she said to me quite confused, Sharpay is really nice not mean like in the play. I had to explain she was only acting and pretending to be mean; it was her character. She was shocked at how nice she really was!

Karen said...

At our recent Disneyland trip, my kids were completely upset that they didn't run into Troy or Gabriella to get their autographs. They are Disney, right?

NOBODY said...

Wow, they're like trekkies, only cooler.

My 72 year old mother calls Billy Ray Cyrus "Doc". I don't think it ever really sinks in for some people.

Becky said...

OK that was awesome. My three year old knows ALL the words to that song, so I totally appreciate it that much more:)