List of sci-fi characters with an affection for 20th century pop culture
For some reason a lot of sci-fi shows seem to have a character who is interested in 20th century (pop) culture. Even if that show is set in the 24th century. It's probably because all the other centuries that followed sucked so much. Whatever it is, this article tries to list some of those retro-loving characters.
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John Crichton (Farscape)
Crichton was famous for making pop culture references that the aliens that he was surrounded by never understood. Since he was born in the 20th century it comes to no surprise that his pop culture knowledge was fairly extensive: Among others he made references to Star Trek, Star Wars, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Flash Gordon, Time Bandits and Woody Allen. The fact that nobody around him knew what he was talking about was a source of constant frustration for him.
Charles 'Trip' Tucker (Star Trek: Enterprise)
Something of a movie buff, Tucker was responsible for organizing a movie night on the Enterprise that usually featured 20th century movies, much to the annoyance of some of his crewmates who complained about the repetitiveness of his choices. As a fan of horror movies, his favourite movie was the original Frankenstein, as well as its two sequels Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. He also had a toy figure of Frankenstein's Monster.
Michael Garibaldi (Babylon 5)
Garibaldi was a big fan of Daffy Duck and his cartoons. He even went so far as to hang a framed poster of the character over his bed. He seemed to especially like the Merry Melodies cartoon Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century. He also loved 20th century motorcycles and used to build one in his quarters when he had the spare time.
Benjamin Sisko (Star Trek: Deep Space 9)
Sisko's main interest in the 20th century was the history of Major League Baseball. He was well versed in the names and achievements of the sport's greatest players despite the fact that baseball was effectively dead since the mid 21st century. He regularly played baseball with his son Jake on the Holodock of Quark's and even convinced his staff to play a game against the crew of a Vulcan ship. One of his most treasured possesions was an antique baseball from the 20th century that he kept on a stand on the desk in his office.
Tom Paris (Star Trek: Voyager)
Paris had a wide interest in the 20th century that was not limited to pop culture. For one he liked to tinker with 60's and 70's cars in a holoprogram he created. He was also fond of junk food, such as pizza and hot dogs. In terms of popular culture his love for pulp sci-fi is most notable. He spend a lot of time on the Holodeck as Captain Proton, in a holoprogram which he created based on the campy sci-fi shows of the 50's. He also replicated an old television set that he and B'Elanna would watch movies on (for example "The Untouchables" from 1959) while eating popcorn.
