5 Pop Lovingly-Executed Pop Culture References to Amadeus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Prolific composer, the Sultan of Salzberg, the Austrian ace, the Colossus of...generally a big huge deal - so it's no wonder that the pop culture references to this guy - and not even necessarily related to his musical stylings, which I hear were nice - pop up across the board.



1. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Not to be confused with their bogus journey, Bill S. Preston, Esq. and "Ted" Theodore Logan round up their historical buddies, take them to a contemporary shopping establishment, and hilaaaaarity ensues - Mozart all up in the synthesizer. Note: Joan of Arc cameo. Note note: ladies jumping in neon spandex.

2. Falco - Rock Me Amadeus. The only time Falco hit it big was when he ponied up on Mozart's fame - doomed to a life of VH1 Top One-Hit Wonders list...and not even at #1 (God bless you, Macarena).

3. Planet of the Apes, Simpsons style. So this may more or less count as a Falco reference but not even being in the top 20 of the One-Hit Wonders list means Falco doesn't get to have references - so we'll send this back to Mozart. Simpsons musical version of Planet of the Apes...this is actually how I was first introduced to Planet of the Apes...and Falco, watch it.

4. Biz Markie - Just a Friend. Showing great range in his influential reach, Amadeus even had his finger on the pulse of late 80s/early 90s rap sensations. Nothing harkens back to an "earlier time" like candelabras, even if you are out of tune...good on you, Biz Markie.

5. Monty Python - It's Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. I don't even find this skit particularly funny but John Cleese will always make a top 5 list by default. kgreatthanks.

And all Beethovan got was a lousy Charles Grodin movie. Unless you know of better Beethovan references in which case you should mash them up like so and send it my way.

UPDATE 04.29.2008: I've been notified by esteemed knower-of-all-things-Bill&Ted's, Mr. Austin Brey, that it is, in fact, Beethovan in Bill & Ted's excellent adventure. It's like it's amateur hour over here at Searchles Arbitrarily Judges Things. Those responsible have been sacked.