Our Parents, Ourselves

A cartoon character from the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies Warner Bros. animated series, known for his futile pursuit of the Road Runner.

“it evolved from Niles to Nilesy to Niley to Nile E. Coyote and now simply "The Coyote."”— Niles

A 1954 American drama film directed by Elia Kazan, starring Marlon Brando. Eva Marie Saint won an Oscar for her role as Edie Doyle.

“[N.B. Eva Marie Saint's first (and Oscar-winning) film role was as Edie Doyle, Marlon Brando's love interest in 1954's "On the Waterfront."]”— Niles

Likely referring to the 1939 film adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel, directed by William Wyler and starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, widely considere…

“they're showing "Wuthering Heights" downtown. I think it's the most romantic movie ever made.”— Daphne

A French choux pastry ball filled with cream and often topped with chocolate sauce.

“My God, last night I ate a profiterole and lay awake 'til dawn waiting for my heart attack.”— Niles

German-born theoretical physicist (1879-1955), widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds in history. Used here as sarcastic address.

“Not football, Einstein, the Super Bowl.”— Larry

A fictional utopian place described in James Hilton's 1933 novel 'Lost Horizon.' Here used as the name of a local establishment (likely a bar or club).

“Oh God, look. The group coming in the door, they're from the Shangri-La.”— Niles

An 1847 novel by Emily Brontë, a classic of English literature depicting the passionate and destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.

“they're showing "Wuthering Heights" downtown. I think it's the most romantic movie ever made.”— Daphne

American poet, writer, critic, and satirist (1893-1967), renowned for her wit, wisecracks, and sharp literary style.

“she's a cute baby, but she ain't no Dorothy Parker.”— Roz

American rock singer-songwriter and performer, known as 'The Boss,' famous for extensive touring schedules.

“In college, I dropped out of pre-law because it interfered with Bruce Springsteen's touring schedule.”— Roz

A popular song written in 1931 by Tolchard Evans with lyrics by Stanley J. Damerell and Robert Hargreaves, often performed as an instrumental piece.

“Miss Germany just played "Lady of Spain" on a French horn.”— Daphne

The annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the most-watched sporting event in the United States.

“Not football, Einstein, the Super Bowl.”— Larry

A long, desperate forward pass in football, named after the Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary.

“A Hail Mary.”— Frasier

The hydrogen bomb, a thermonuclear weapon developed during the Cold War arms race, a major source of anxiety during the mid-20th century.

“And the H-bomb.”— Joanna

An ancient Roman city near modern Naples, Italy, destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Referenced in the scene title 'The Last Onion …

“A.K.A THE LAST ONION OUT OF POMPEII”— Frasier

An American chain of soft-serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants. Used here as a pun on Joanna being from Wisconsin, America's Dairyland.

“Well I hope he remembers to curtsey before the Dairy Queen!”— Frasier

The capital city of Venezuela, used here as a double entendre by Daphne.

“It's Miss Venezuela. If that dress of hers was slit any higher, you could see Caracas.”— Daphne

A city in Washington state, south of Seattle.

“Saturday he's made plans to, uh, drive Duke to Tacoma for that all day... Tacoma-Fest.”— Frasier

A classic cocktail made with vodka and dry vermouth, typically served in a martini glass.

“I'll have a vodka martini, very dry.”— Niles

A classic cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar.

“I used to live on cigarettes, whiskey sours and bacon cheeseburgers.”— Joanna

A fortified wine made from white grapes grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain.

“Oh, yeah? In high school, I ran my own informal shoplifting clinic. In college, I dropped out of pre-law because it interfered with Bruce Springsteen's touring schedule. And now I'm an unwed mother. W…”— Roz