| 1 | [[quoteright:350:[[WebVideo/RandyRainbow https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screen_shot_2022_02_04_at_194102.png]]]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ "Although his brain is smaller than his tiny little penius,\ |
| 3 | He is the very model of a very stable genius." ♫]] |
| 4 | ->''"You know, this song is kinda dated. It's supposed to be '''modern''' major-general. I'm gonna add a new verse."'' |
| 5 | -->-- '''Gordon Freeman''', ''WebVideo/FreemansMind'', Episode 45 |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | ''Theatre/ThePiratesOfPenzance'' provides [[SelfDemonstratingArticle a lyric most redoubtable]]:\ |
| 9 | The [[ModernMajorGeneral Major General's]] song therein is reckoned StockShoutOut-able,\ |
| 10 | And [[Creator/WSGilbert Mr. Gilbert's]] verses, as a vehicle for [[StockParodies parody]]\ |
| 11 | On many varied themes, are copied with particularity.\ |
| 12 | |
| 13 | To demonstrate the actor's elocution and acuity\ |
| 14 | In [[MotorMouth verbalizing twisted lines]] with perfect perspicuity,\ |
| 15 | [[Music/ArthurSullivan Sir Arthur's]] tune is catchy, too -- though some can't name the latter's song... |
| 16 | |
| 17 | ''(Latter's song? Now that's a tricky rhyme. Hm... Aha!)'' |
| 18 | |
| 19 | It's still become the model of the modern {{Filk|Song}} or PatterSong.\ |
| 20 | |
| 21 | ::''It's still become the model of the modern Filk or Patter Song\ |
| 22 | It's still become the model of the modern Filk or Patter Song\ |
| 23 | It's still become the model of the modern Filk or Patter Patter Soooooong...'' |
| 24 | |
| 25 | Because the tune in question is so very recognizable\ |
| 26 | To make a Trope about it is a project not despisable--\ |
| 27 | In short, most songs that recreate a patter most ephemeral\ |
| 28 | Are styled upon the model of the Modern Major General. |
| 29 | |
| 30 | ::''In short, most songs that recreate a patter most ephemeral\ |
| 31 | Are styled upon the model of the Modern Major General.'' |
| 32 | |
| 33 | Although there's one convention operettas deem canonical\ |
| 34 | In handing out a title for the songs within a chronicle,\ |
| 35 | And G&S initially obeyed the normal ritual,\ |
| 36 | They later broke the practice other writers find habitual: |
| 37 | |
| 38 | The standard is to designate with lyric in the genesis,\ |
| 39 | And those who dare to deviate are oft considered menaces.\ |
| 40 | But Gilbert changed the moniker in ''Songs of a Savoyard's'' print... |
| 41 | |
| 42 | ''(Wait. What rhymes with "Savoyard's print?" Uh...)'' |
| 43 | |
| 44 | And thus renamed a song toward which each musical [[PainfulRhyme enjoyer'd sprint!]] |
| 45 | |
| 46 | ::''And thus renamed a song toward which each musical enjoyer'd sprint\ |
| 47 | And thus renamed a song toward which each musical enjoyer'd sprint\ |
| 48 | And thus renamed a song toward which each musical enjoyer'd enjoyer'd spriiiiiint...'' |
| 49 | |
| 50 | Now, if you wish to find a Trope with noted similarities\ |
| 51 | Compare this one to Music/BillyJoel and [[WeDidntStartTheBillyJoelParodies fire-starting parodies.]] \ |
| 52 | But still, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral\ |
| 53 | You'll never beat the model of a Modern Major General. |
| 54 | |
| 55 | ::''But still, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral\ |
| 56 | You'll never beat the model of a Modern Major General.'' |
| 57 | |
| 58 | |
| 59 | ---- |
| 60 | !!Performed by Characters: |
| 61 | |
| 62 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 63 | |
| 64 | [[folder:Advertising]] |
| 65 | * A Advertising/{{Geico}} commercial has a guy singing the Major General Song, dressed in costume. |
| 66 | [[/folder]] |
| 67 | |
| 68 | [[folder:Audio Plays]] |
| 69 | * In the ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' audio, "[[Recap/BigFinishDoctorWho043DoctorWhoAndThePirates Doctor Who and the Pirates]]", the Sixth Doctor (Creator/ColinBaker) sings [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIdDXQ2h1Pc "I Am the Very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer" ]] (and other songs from ''Pirates, Pinafore,'' and ''Mikado'' are parodied). |
| 70 | [[/folder]] |
| 71 | |
| 72 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 73 | * In ''Fanfic/TheArchmagesLastBow'', the narrator puts together several sentences recreating the structure and rhyme of it to describe Twilight's magical knowledge and intelligence. |
| 74 | * In chapter 8 of [[https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2864001/tenner tenner's]] ''Series/DoctorWho'' fanfic, ''Growing Pains'', Doc is captured and experimented on by alien hunters. He fights back by singing this song until they meet his demands. Over and over and over. For ''[[PityTheKidnapper days]]''. |
| 75 | * In ''FanFic/ElementalsOfHarmony'', chapter seven has Pinkie Pie sing her own version: "I am the very model of a [[BreakingTheFourthWall modern cartoon character]]." And yes, [[MusicalWorldHypotheses there is a chorus]]. Par for the course with ponies, pretty much a hole-in-one with ''[[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Pinkie]]''. |
| 76 | * ''Fanfic/TheMLPLoops'': Loop 53.3 has Twilight Sparkle singing her own version for her coronation - "I am the very model of a Princess of Equestria". She's apparently been working on it for a while, and is looking for an excuse to do a BohemianParody at some point too. |
| 77 | * In ''FanFic/OriginStory'', at one point Alex sings the first line of a MajorGeneralSong she heard in a Website/YouTube video: "I am the very model of a [[MostCommonSuperpower busty superheroine]]..." It irritates her because, first, she can't get the tune out of her head, and second, the video, and thus the song, is about Alex herself. |
| 78 | [[/folder]] |
| 79 | |
| 80 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 81 | * In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe3'', the Minions sing a minionized version (i.e. nonsense syllables) on an ''Series/AmericasGotTalent''-style TV show. |
| 82 | [[/folder]] |
| 83 | |
| 84 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 85 | * TORN has one about Gandalf [[http://fan.theonering.net/writing/stories/files/whistler_sullivan.html here]]. |
| 86 | * [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3664259/1/I-Am-the-Very-Model-of-a-Mutant-Ninja-Terrapin I Am the Very Model of a Mutant Ninja Terrapin]]. |
| 87 | * [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13998697/1/I-Am-the-Very-Model-of-a-Little-Superheroine I Am the Very Model of a Little Superheroine]]. |
| 88 | [[/folder]] |
| 89 | |
| 90 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 91 | * One episode of ''Series/BabylonFive'' has Marcus and Franklin taking a long journey to Mars in the cargo hold of a freighter. After Franklin gets tired of playing SomethingThatBeginsWithBoring (it doesn't take long), Marcus starts singing The Major General Song to pass the time. At the end of the episode, he sings the ''entire song'' [[CreativeClosingCredits over the credits]] in place of the normal music. Near the end of the song, you can hear the crew trying to make him stop. No, not the freighter's crew, the ''production crew''. |
| 92 | * In the ''Series/Studio60OnTheSunsetStrip'' episode "The Cold Open", the cast performs a sketch including a parody of the song: "We'll be the very model of a modern network TV show." |
| 93 | * David Hyde Pierce's monologue, as host of ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', was inspired by this song and "When I Was A Lad" from ''{{Theatre/HMS Pinafore}}''. |
| 94 | * In the ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' episode "Fathers and Sons", Frasier, Niles and Leland Barton sing the first verse of the song. Martin tries to join in but [[MondegreenGag confuses the lyrics]], singing "awful facts about the scary hippopotamus" (instead of "cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse"). |
| 95 | * In the ''Series/MadAboutYou'' episode "Moody Blues," Paul directs a charity production of ''Penzance'' starring his father, Burt, as the Major-General. Parts of rehearsal and performance of the song are shown. When the lyrics slip Burt's mind, he improvises a few lines about his son. During TheTag, Paul and Jamie sing a verse about the show's credit roster ("Now the show is over and you can watch the credits roll"). |
| 96 | * Doctor Cox's "Rant Song" from the ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' musical episode was based on the Major General's Song according to the creators. |
| 97 | * Used for Russian spies' elocution lessons in the Britcom ''Sleepers''. |
| 98 | * [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Geordi La Forge]] sings a few lines of it for Dr. Crusher when she's trying to persuade him to audition for her on-board production. |
| 99 | * In a more memorable scene from ''Series/HomeImprovement'', Al sings the first verse of it in what he thinks is a soundproof booth. It isn't, and as a result, he receives a round of applause when he comes out. |
| 100 | * In ''Series/DiagnosisMurder'', Norman Briggs tried out for the role of the Major General, and Dr. Sloan helped him rehearse the Major General song. Briggs ended up playing one of the police officers. [[ButtMonkey Third police officer.]] |
| 101 | * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_10_(Israel) The Israeli Channel 10]] has suffered for years (since 2008) of financial difficulties that put it under risk of shutting down, which was further exacerbated by their open feud against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as they investigated and reported many of his alleged cases of corruption: Netanyahu went on the offence against the channel, bashing it and threatening to sue for slander and trying to block any government effort to relieve the channel of its debts, and using his own connections in the Ministry of Communications and in the channel itself. When the channel decided to comply and let go of their staunch opposition, they finally got some relief. In response, Israeli satire show ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gav_Ha%27Uma MatzĂ v haUmĂ¡]]'' featured [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7JJlD_qUfI a song set to this tune]][[note]]Mind you, the play, the tune, and its creators are virtually unknown in Israel; the show in general seems to be geared mostly towards the old liberal elite.[[/note]], starring the main panelists and involving the whole cast and crew as well, saying they got the message and [[BlatantLies refrain from criticising him]]. (Eventually the show did have its contract end, supposedly for financial reasons, though critics have suspected foul play; it was later continued, amusingly enough, on Channel 10.) |
| 102 | -->''We'll be good to Bibi, or we'll live with a sword on our neck:\ |
| 103 | Censorship is unpleasant; it's also unpleasant to see a channel close down.'' |
| 104 | * In ''{{Series/Quiz2020}}'', the miniseries based on the UK's Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire "coughing major" scandal, one of the early scenes shows Major Charles Ingram arriving for his first day in a new army desk job, where he tells his new superior officer that he's done a bit of amateur dramatics, at which point the superior starts singing the song, expecting Ingram to join in -- which he does with great embarrasment. It then turns into an OverlyLongGag as the superior officer launches into a second verse, and a third... |
| 105 | * ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' has a drunken Sheldon sing one about the periodic table of elements during a presentation in "The Pants Alternative". |
| 106 | * In the second episode of ''Series/GhostsUK'', the World War II Captain counters Alison's IgnoringBySinging by singing "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General." |
| 107 | * ''Series/TheGilliesReport'': In "Maralinga, Or Wise After the Event", the ghost of Sir Robert Menzies is summoned to appear before the Royal Commission and sings "I Was the Very Model of a Commonwealth Prime Minister": |
| 108 | -->''I was the very model of a Commonwealth prime minister\ |
| 109 | I never had a single thought original or sinister\ |
| 110 | I echoed the opinions of the British with impunity\ |
| 111 | And made myself their vassal at the slightest opportunity'' |
| 112 | * In the ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'' Short Treks short "Q & A", Number One sings the Major General Song as a demonstration of her HiddenDepths. |
| 113 | [[/folder]] |
| 114 | |
| 115 | [[folder:Podcasts]] |
| 116 | * ''Podcast/Wolf359'': |
| 117 | ** In 'Box 953', Lieutenant Commander Minkowski gets completely smashed off of a bad tranquilizer Hilbert gave her and drunkenly recites the entire song. |
| 118 | [[/folder]] |
| 119 | |
| 120 | [[folder:Print Media]] |
| 121 | * An old ''Magazine/{{MAD}}'' featuring a story about the Kennedy family using the music from ''Theatre/ThePiratesOfPenzance'' had UsefulNotes/DwightDEisenhower singing "I Am The Very Model of a Former U.S President". |
| 122 | [[/folder]] |
| 123 | |
| 124 | [[folder:Puppet Shows]] |
| 125 | * ''Series/TheMuppetShow'': |
| 126 | ** The Muppets stages a duet of the song with guest star and comedienne Gilda Radner and a seven-foot tall talking carrot. The scene bears an ironic resemblance to another scene in ''Pirates'', as Radner had requested a six-foot tall talking ''parrot'', but was misheard. |
| 127 | ** In the AwardShow episode, Scooter employs the tune to list all of the guest stars that had been on the show. |
| 128 | * The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre's skit recapping ''Series/DoctorWho'' Series 6 ends with a song recapping the season finale to the tune of the Major General's song. |
| 129 | [[/folder]] |
| 130 | |
| 131 | [[folder:Radio]] |
| 132 | * In the AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho episode [[Recap/BigFinishDoctorWho043DoctorWhoAndThePirates Doctor Who and the Pirates]], the Sixth Doctor sings a parody entitled "I Am the Very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer." |
| 133 | * The song has been used as both the lyrics and tune for the game "One Song to the Tune of Another" on ''Radio/ImSorryIHaventAClue''. Memorable examples include Tim Brooke-Taylor singing the words of "[[Music/SpiceGirls Wannabe]]" to its tune, and Tony Hawks singing its words to the tune of "Mad World" by Gary Jules. |
| 134 | [[/folder]] |
| 135 | |
| 136 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 137 | * ''Franchise/MassEffect'': |
| 138 | ** In ''Videogame/MassEffect2'', your [[MotorMouth motor-mouthed]] salarian MadScientist, bioweapons specialist and all-round genius Dr. Mordin Solus apparently at one point was the designated [[PatterSong patter singer]] in a [[AlienArtsAreAppreciated multi-species]] production of ''Theatre/ThePiratesOfPenzance''. If prompted, he will sing a re-working of the song called [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umN7YOsmGl4 I Am The Very Model of a Scientist Salarian]]. |
| 139 | ** [[DevelopersForesight If you got him to sing it in the second game]], the song appears again in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' [[spoiler:as a DarkReprise -- [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXZngNmIwlA Mordin sings it just before he dies.]]]] |
| 140 | *** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxVekZRIWyg Now produced in full by The 8-Bit Big Band]] |
| 141 | * Colonel [[VideoGame/TalesoftheAbyss Jade Curtiss]] in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydiP-q9Ndl0 this]] Website/YouTube video. |
| 142 | [[/folder]] |
| 143 | |
| 144 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 145 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUlJ_6WHfh8 A short sketch]] from ''WebAnimation/TheCyanideAndHappinessShow'' has a doctor explain to his patient all of his very serious and chronic health problems to this tune, with the patient happily clapping along. It isn't until the doctor finishes the song that he reads on his notes that the patient is also deaf. |
| 146 | [[/folder]] |
| 147 | |
| 148 | [[folder:Web Videos]] |
| 149 | * UsefulNotes/BarackObama is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3NMA0MyaA0 the very model of a modern U.S. President]] |
| 150 | * ''WebVideo/AskANinja'' answers the question "What kind of ninjas are there?" with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZJM6tj1-Ko this catchy little ditty.]] |
| 151 | * In ''WebVideo/FreemansMind'' episode 45, [[VideoGame/HalfLife Gordon Freeman]] sings a good portion of the song while in a firefight, berates his enemies for not singing the chorus ('''''"WHERE'S MY CHORUS?!"'''''), then decides that the song's too dated anyways and begins making up his own verses that pertain to his current situation. |
| 152 | -->''I can fire at a target and hit it at least half the time\ |
| 153 | or graph out an electron path while using only numbers prime\ |
| 154 | I calculate the fall rate of a bullet shot a thousand yards\ |
| 155 | I perforate the thick heads of a hundred military guards.\ |
| 156 | I can make a simulation of an atom bomb and build one too\ |
| 157 | Or flank a dozen men and ambush ten of them right out of the blue\ |
| 158 | From [=SMGs=] to [=RPGs=], I carry quite an arsenal\ |
| 159 | And skip around a war zone like a sub-atomic particle.\ |
| 160 | STILL NO CHORUS! Okay, come on, sing and I won't kill you! Those of you that are left, I mean...\ |
| 161 | Every soldier out here wants to kill me for my curiosity\ |
| 162 | I wage war on the whole damn world because of my tenacity\ |
| 163 | In matters combat tactical and physics theoretical\ |
| 164 | I am the very model of a modern Major-General.'' |
| 165 | * When ''Webvideo/MusicalHell'' reviewed ''Film/ThePirateMovie'', of course Diva had to end the episode by singing a version of the song! |
| 166 | [[/folder]] |
| 167 | |
| 168 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 169 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' a sober Barney [[{{Acrofatic}} is able to do backflips]] while singing this. |
| 170 | * The ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Zy6UcA8GA I am the Very Model of a Cartoon Individual]]". (And the three siblings repeat the last line of it in their shot [[TheStinger at the end credits of the episode]].) |
| 171 | ** The [[WesternAnimation/Animaniacs2020 revival]] would do another one, this time titled "[[https://youtu.be/-geE5JBw9uw I am the Very Model of an Ancient Roman Emperor]]". After which Wakko comments he likes the first one better. |
| 172 | * ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot'' ended its third season with a recap of the entire season, set to the song's tune. |
| 173 | * In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'', Brain sings a typically megalomaniacal parody of the song, titled "[[https://youtu.be/n9aYrURLHh0 A Meticulous Analysis of History]]", wherein he sings about past rulers and how he'll avoid the mistakes that led to their downfalls. Subverted as that song instead uses the music to the '''other''' Gilbert and Sullivan song sung by a ModernMajorGeneral type character, "When I Was a Lad" from ''Theatre/HMSPinafore''. |
| 174 | * At the end of ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrys'' episode "Sir Nigel," Nigel Thornberry sings a pastiche of the song about his family. |
| 175 | * In a ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTales'' episode entitled "The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment!", Archibald Asparagus sings the first two verses of this song when asked to sing about "Military Intelligence". |
| 176 | * In ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers'', our heroes apparently crash a ''Penzance'' performance, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA5MD-UIavs as pigs sing some of the first lyrics]]. |
| 177 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "One Good Turn," after Agent P leaves, Major Monogram sings, "I am the very model of a modern Major Monogram / I've information vegetable and animal and hologram." |
| 178 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' episode "The Evil League of Mutants", Baron Draxum's minions Muninn and Huginn start one of these detailing Draxum's role in the turtles' mutation, and then Draxum takes over the song and starts to sing about how he intends to unite the mutant villains of the show's cast to defeat the turtles once and for all. |
| 179 | * Peter Griffin of ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' once played the Major General in a community theater production of Pirates of Penzance, but couldn't keep up with the song and just mumbled through most of it. He forgets what song he's supposed to be singing and ends the fourth line with [[NonSequitur "with the eggs on top!"]] |
| 180 | [[/folder]] |
| 181 | |
| 182 | !!Songs: |
| 183 | |
| 184 | [[folder:Advertising]] |
| 185 | * [[https://www.ispot.tv/ad/nRlm/lightlife-modern-family-meal Two]] [[https://www.ispot.tv/ad/nRCy/lightlife-modern-bbq-meal commercials]] for vegetarian food company Lightlife parody the tune by singing about how "Lightlife is the model of a modern daily family meal" (or in the BBQ commercial, "a barbecue family meal"). |
| 186 | [[/folder]] |
| 187 | |
| 188 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 189 | * A Fan-made [[Literature/HarryPotter Sorting Hat song]] [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/679299/1/A_Sorting_Song_by_Severus lyrics]]. |
| 190 | * [[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104183651/www.journalfen.net/community/fandom_wank/824242.html?thread=84487346#t84487346 "I am the Very Model of a]] [[ShipToShipCombat disgruntled]] [[Literature/HarryPotter Harmonian]]". |
| 191 | * With apologies to Creator/NeilGaiman, a version for Vastra from ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 192 | -->''I am the very model of a monster-hunter general\ |
| 193 | Whether threats are mundane or ethereal or temporal\ |
| 194 | Thanks to the aid of my maid I have slayed them with a katana\ |
| 195 | And made a vow until I have repaid the debt on my honour\ |
| 196 | I'm happy in my scaly skin, and have a tongue that's prehensile\ |
| 197 | Though my tastes in sex and sustenance are difficult to reconcile\ |
| 198 | For my bedmate and my breakfast are both sentient mammalians\ |
| 199 | (Incidentally, while I'm lizardlike, I'm technically not alien)\ |
| 200 | I've been told that I should walk the boards and play a Shakespeare vill-i-an\ |
| 201 | But Dickens' London is not ready for an actress so reptilian\ |
| 202 | It's a shame because the name that I would gain would be the best I can\ |
| 203 | Victorian, Silurian, lesbian, and thespian! |
| 204 | * ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'''s Rincewind is [[http://www.lspace.org/fandom/filks/discfilk/coward-fleeing-gainfully.html the very model of a coward fleeing gainfully]]. |
| 205 | * ''Fanfic/FriendshipIsOptimalTheLawOfficesOfArtemisStellaAndBeat'': Vibrant is the very model of a modern magic unicorn. |
| 206 | * The fanmade play ''HMS Dumbledore'' has Draco Malfoy sing "I am the very model of a future evil overlord". |
| 207 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk7R_s_zwlM Modern Major]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Rarity.]] |
| 208 | [[/folder]] |
| 209 | |
| 210 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 211 | * The FilkSong [[http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~valkyrie/parody/xena.html "I am the Very Model of a Heroine Barbarian"]], said to be "from Creator/GilbertAndSullivan's little-known operetta, ''[[Series/XenaWarriorPrincess Xena; or, the Warrior Princess]]''." |
| 212 | * Music/TomLehrer's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGM-wSKFBpo "The Elements"]], from ''Music/AnEveningWastedWithTomLehrer'', is described by the author as "the names of the chemical elements [[ToTheTuneOf set to a possibly recognizable tune]]," which ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' would in time require a drunken Sheldon to sing. |
| 213 | ** Further parodied by Music/AmateurTransplants with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXROnzpsrlg "The Drugs Song"]] |
| 214 | ** Marian Call has [[http://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/the-elements-expanded a version of "The Elements"]] about many fictional substances. |
| 215 | ** Creator/TheBBC combined this with a ParodicTableOfTheElements for a promo listing the titles and presenters of some of their factual programming. |
| 216 | * [[http://f2.org/humour/songs/usenetpersonality.html "I Am the Very Model of a Usenet Personality"]]. |
| 217 | * [[http://lyrics.wikia.com/Tom_Payne:I_Built_A_Better_Model_Than_The_One_At_Data_General "I Built a Better Model Than the One at Data General"]]. |
| 218 | * [[http://www.poppyfields.net/filks/00124.html "I Am the Very Model of a Genius Computational"]]. |
| 219 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hKG5l_TDU8 "I am the Very Model of a]] [[TheSingularity Singularitarian]]" |
| 220 | * [[http://pendorwright.com/other/The_Modern_Sadomasochist.html "I Am the Very Model of the Modern Sadomasochist"]]. |
| 221 | * The Capitol Steps did a parody of this referring to US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, "I am the Very Model of a Mad Attorney General". Recently (in 2010), a slightly altered version of this made the rounds in Virginia referring to [[http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/581/cooch-is-the-very-model-of-a-mad-attorney-general State Attorney General Ken Cucchinelli]]. |
| 222 | ** Earlier, they did one about UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush ending with the line "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major [[{{Malaproper}} Genital]]." |
| 223 | ** And now they've done one about General David Petraeus. |
| 224 | ** Back in 2004 they had one about Wesley Clark (who was running for President at the time) called "I am the Very Model of a Modern NATO General." |
| 225 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3392B5R5BoA&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3392B5R5BoA%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&nomobile=1 "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Music Syllabus"]] |
| 226 | * Steve Goodie's [[http://thefump.com/fump.php?id=1860 "The Big Bang Theory Song"]] is about ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''. |
| 227 | * Traditionally, the conductor on the last night of Creator/TheBBC Proms gives a speech about the highlights of that year's concerts, thanking the performers and generally giving all involved a metaphorical pat on the back. In 1992, several concerts had featured the work of Arthur Sullivan to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth, and conductor Andrew Davies, being quite the showman, gave his speech in the form of a parody of the Major-General's song. |
| 228 | * Heading out into even more arcane fields - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x2SvqhfevE I Am The Very Model Of A Biblical Philologist.]] |
| 229 | * "Ad Infinitum" by Music/TheStupendium, a PatterSong from the perspective of ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'' character Spamton, alludes to the Major General Song in the line "And it’s there to explore, when you step in the door / The very model of a modern major general store!" |
| 230 | [[/folder]] |
| 231 | |
| 232 | [[folder:Print Media]] |
| 233 | * ''The Guardian'''s environmental page used to have a regular song parody. One of them did the Major-General Song: |
| 234 | -->In short, in matters green or with a pan-environmental twist,\ |
| 235 | I am the very model of a modern eco-activist. |
| 236 | [[/folder]] |
| 237 | |
| 238 | [[folder:Theater]] |
| 239 | * "Please Hello" from ''Pacific Overtures'' has the British Captain's part as a parody (all the captains sing in their national "hats"). |
| 240 | -->"Hello, I come with letters from Her Majesty, Victoria,"\ |
| 241 | "Who, hearing how you're trading now, sang Hallelujah, Gloria,"\ |
| 242 | "And sent me to convey to you her positive euphoria"\ |
| 243 | "As well as little gifts from Britain's various emporia." |
| 244 | * ''Dirty Little Showtunes'' has "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Homosexual". |
| 245 | * The biggest irony about [[SongParody parodies]] of the original song from ''Theatre/ThePiratesOfPenzance'' is that most speakers who perform parodies really ''are'' experts in whatever fields they sing about, unlike the character singing the original, a blowhard who truly knows very little about them. |
| 246 | * Right Hand Man from ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' has George Washington introducing himself in rap as the "model of a modern Major General, the venerated Virginian veteran". |
| 247 | [[/folder]] |
| 248 | |
| 249 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 250 | * The plot of ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' summarised to the tune of the song: [[http://gmc.yoyogames.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=395662&view=findpost&p=3312123 here]]. |
| 251 | * [[http://youtu.be/t4E_MScTXuo Khoodos]] has performed an eight-minute rendition of all of Pokemon's names from ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' to the tune of Music/TomLehrer's "The Elements", that being based off of the "Modern Major-General Song". |
| 252 | [[/folder]] |
| 253 | |
| 254 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 255 | * ''WebAnimation/OverlySarcasticProductions'' produced one for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5JUrz4ZN1E their 5K-subscriber video]]. Aptly titled the philosopher's song. |
| 256 | -->'''Red:''' ''I've read the works of countless ancient grumpy dudes who thought too much.\ |
| 257 | Their books as long and laborious as finals week's untimely clutch.\ |
| 258 | They all complain of human nature, sovereignty and social class\ |
| 259 | and speak with a precision gained by talking strictly out their ass.'' |
| 260 | * ''WebAnimation/LetMeExplainStudios''' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWq7kPlHqu8 I am the Very Model of a YouTube Individual]]", which is partially a vent about the trials and tribulations which comes with being a successful [=YouTuber=], and partially an affirmation that it's all worth it. |
| 261 | -->'''Rebecca:''' ''So be it vlogging, music, gaming, film, or animation\ |
| 262 | I'll enjoy the hell out of this job until my cancellation, so\ |
| 263 | Even if you think I'm narcissistic, unoriginal\ |
| 264 | I am the very model of a [=YouTube=] individual!'' |
| 265 | [[/folder]] |
| 266 | |
| 267 | [[folder:Web Comics]] |
| 268 | * ''21st Century Fox'' [[http://techfox.comicgenesis.com/d/20001121.html has this]] as part of a whole miniseries of Creator/GilbertAndSullivan spoofs. |
| 269 | * ''Webcomic/DarthsAndDroids'' has a version [[http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0218.html here]]. |
| 270 | * ''ComicStrip/PhoebeAndHerUnicorn'' has Marigold bragging about her Modern Magic Unicorn self, [[http://www.gocomics.com/heavenly-nostrils/2012/12/02 naturally]]. |
| 271 | * ''Webcomic/RustyAndCo'' has an [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/intermission/ intermission]] sung by Roxy the bard. This version is ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''-inspired, along with references to other fantasy settings. |
| 272 | * ''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'' gives us [[http://xkcd.com/1052/ Every Major's Terrible]], [[LampshadeHanging "which you may know from Tom Lehrer's]] ''[[LampshadeHanging Elements"]]'', lampooning the stereotypes and downfalls of assorted academic fields. There are multiple renditions on Website/YouTube by fans. |
| 273 | [[/folder]] |
| 274 | |
| 275 | [[folder:Web Original]] |
| 276 | * ''Website/{{Wikipedia}}'', in a break with their usual sombreness, has [[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Web_Encyclopedia_Song two]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Songs_about_Wikipedia/The_RfA_Candidate%27s_Song songs]] which use the tune ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Songs_about_Wikipedia among many others]]). |
| 277 | * [[http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/IAmTheVeryModelOfAModernEsoteriscist.php Not one,]] but [[http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/IAmTheVeryModelOfAnEclecticWiccanPagan.php two]] Neopagan versions. |
| 278 | * Website/{{Uncyclopedia}} has [[http://en.uncyclopedia.co/wiki/Uncyclopedian%27s_song the Uncyclopedian's Song]]. |
| 279 | * The Website/SCPFoundation have a [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-900-j Modern Major Keter-Class]]. |
| 280 | * And, of course, ''Website/TVTropes'' has [[SelfDemonstratingArticle this very article]]. |
| 281 | [[/folder]] |
| 282 | |
| 283 | [[folder:Web Videos]] |
| 284 | * A "theater nerd" offers up [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMQ4phPPLHA A Very Model Halloween]]. |
| 285 | * There's a WebVideo/BenDrowned version here: [[http://pastebin.com/xBaJ2RRb Statue of the Elegy]]. |
| 286 | * There's a fan-made [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twGP7CGy9_Y tribute]] to the eccentric [[LetsPlay Let's Player]] LetsPlay/{{Raocow}}. |
| 287 | * [=JoshScorcher=] pans ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa8UmLEAzzM&t=1099s Modern Game Calamity]]". |
| 288 | [[/folder]] |
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