LIFE IMITATES ART
Things that were fake, before they became real.
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Total Records: 55
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BOGUS BUSINESS BUREAU
1Bad Twin LOST 2004 TV SeriesBBBLiteratureNovels

Bad Twin
Fiction novel by Gary Troup, one of the passengers on Oceanic flight 815. Sawyer finds and reads the manuscript. Released as a real life semi-canonical tie-in novel available in hardcover and audiobook. Published by Hyperion Publishing.



2Batman vs. Superman I AM LEGEND 2007 FilmBBBCinemaMovies

Batman vs. Superman
Ad for a new film visible on the side of a building, years before the DCEU and the real Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.



3BBC 4 AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY 1997 FilmBBBCinemaTV Stations

BBC 4
From Austin Powers' song Ming Tea: "Will ya make me tea? Make love to me? Put on the telly? To the BBC! To the BBC, Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! BBC 1! BBC 2! BBC 3! BBC 4! BBC 5! BBC 6! BBC 7! BBC heaven!" BBC did eventually launch a real BBC 4 five years later, in 2002.

4Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE 2001 FilmBBBFood ProductsCandy

Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans
Popular candy, similar to Muggle jelly beans, except the range encompasses every flavour imaginable, including vomit, toffee and earwax. Now available for real from Jelly Belly.

5Billy Graham's Bible Blaster THE SIMPSONS 1989 Animated SeriesBBBMediaVideo Games

Billy Graham's Bible Blaster
Rod and Todd's religious video game in the Flanders home. Later turned into an actual online game on the official Simpsons website, accessible through Rod's character biography.

6Bluntman and Chronic JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK 2001 FilmBBBLiteratureComic Books

Bluntman and Chronic
Stoner comic based on Jay and Silent Bob. Actual Bluntman and Chronic comic books created by Kevin Smith were published after the release of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

7Bluntman and Chronic CHASING AMY 1997 FilmBBBLiteratureComic Books

Bluntman and Chronic
Stoner comic based on Jay and Silent Bob. Actual Bluntman and Chronic comic books created by Kevin Smith were published after the release of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

8Bluntman and Chronic JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT 2019 FilmBBBLiteratureComic Books

Bluntman and Chronic
Stoner comic based on Jay and Silent Bob. Actual Bluntman and Chronic comic books created by Kevin Smith were published after the release of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

9Booty Sweat TROPIC THUNDER 2008 FilmBBBBeverage ProductsEnergy Drinks

Booty Sweat
Alpa Chino's energy drink brand.



10Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. FORREST GUMP 1994 FilmBBBDiningRestaurants

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Company Forrest establishes in honor of his friend Bubba. Inspired by the movie, an actual restaurant with the same name opened in 1996.

11Bust-A-Nut TROPIC THUNDER 2008 FilmBBBFood ProductsCandy

Bust-A-Nut
Alpa Chino's candy bar brand. Pop a cap in hunger!



12Catalina Wine Mixer STEP BROTHERS 2008 FilmBBBEventsFairs and Festivals

Catalina Wine Mixer
Annual mixer that didn't exist at the time of the movie, but does now as a result.

13The Caverns of Draconis [game] COMMUNITY 2009 TV SeriesBBBToysTabletop Games

The Caverns of Draconis [game]
Dungeons & Dragon module - not real module at the time, but the company DriveThru RPG created a real module that you can buy.

14Cheesy Poofs SOUTH PARK 1997 Animated SeriesBBBFood ProductsChips and Crackers

Cheesy Poofs
Cartman's favorite snack, eventually made into an actual product by Frito-Lay. I love Cheesy Poofs you love Cheesy Poofs if we didn't eat Cheesy Poofs we'd be lame.

15Chocolate Frog HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE 2001 FilmBBBFood ProductsCandy

Chocolate Frog
Chocolate candy in the shape of a frog. Each pack comes with a collectible card featuring a famous witch or wizard. Now available for real from Jelly Belly.

16The Cones of Dunshire PARKS AND RECREATION 2009 TV SeriesBBBToysTabletop Games

The Cones of Dunshire
Role-playing game that Ben creates. NBC worked with Mayfair Games to create a fully playable, though incredibly complicated, version of the game.



17Daily Bugle SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME 2021 FilmBBBPeriodicalsNewspapers

Daily Bugle
Internet news site that streams Mysterio's final video, revealing Spider-Man's secret identity. As part of the promotional campaign, several Daily Bugle news stands were put up in New York.



18Dunder Mifflin Copy Paper THE OFFICE 2005 TV SeriesBBBGoodsOffice Products

Dunder Mifflin Copy Paper
Primary product sold by Dunder Mifflin, eventually manufactured for real, licensed by Comcast and produced and sold by Quill.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples.

19ESPN 8: The Ocho DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY 2004 FilmBBBTelevisionTV Shows-Sports

ESPN 8: The Ocho
Spoof of over-expanding ESPN, covering obscure sports. In 2017, ESPN actually rebranded one of their networks, ESPNU, to "ESPN 8: The Ocho" for one day - August 8 - in honor of the movie Dodgeball, changing their programming to include disc golf, trampoline, dodgeball, cornhole, kabaddi, and the Firefighters World Challenge XXV.



20Eyeholes RICK AND MORTY 2013 Animated SeriesBBBFood ProductsChips and Crackers

Eyeholes
Snack food product. Rick: "You got to be careful Morty, If that guy catches you with a box of his Eyeholes, he'll come bursting in through a window and just starts kicking the shit out of you. But it's worth the risk. They melt in your mouth." Now available on Amazon.com from FYE in the form of white chocolate truffles with green strawberry filling.



21Fallout 4 YOU AGAIN 2010 FilmBBBMediaVideo Games

Fallout 4
Video game that Joanna gives Marni's younger brother - which didn't actually come out until 2015.

22Flutter Girl SINGLES 1992 FilmBBBMusicSongs

Flutter Girl
Song on the tracklist that Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam came up with for the tape of solo songs that Matt Dillon's character, Cliff Poncier, peddles in the film. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden later decided to record actual songs based on the titles.



23Heat Wave CASTLE 2009 TV SeriesBBBLiteratureNovels

Heat Wave
A Nikki Heat novel by Rick Castle, eventually adapted into a real novel by screenwriter Tom Straw.

24Jack Rabbit Slim's PULP FICTION 1994 FilmBBBDiningRestaurants

Jack Rabbit Slim's
Restaurant where Vincent and Mia eat, talk and dance. Vincent's assessment: "It's like a wax museum with a pulse."



25Machete GRINDHOUSE 2007 FilmBBBCinemaMovies

Machete
Movie trailer that accompanied Grindhouse, though Robert Rodriguez eventually made it into a full length feature film.

26Missing SINGLES 1992 FilmBBBMusicSongs

Missing
Song on the tracklist that Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam came up with for the tape of solo songs that Matt Dillon's character, Cliff Poncier, peddles in the film. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden later decided to record actual songs based on the titles.



27National Chicken Wing Festival OSMOSIS JONES 2001 FilmBBBEventsFairs and Festivals

National Chicken Wing Festival
After Bill Murray's character mentioned the fictitious festival in Buffalo, the city created a real version.



28Nike MAG BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II 1989 FilmBBBApparelClothing Products

Nike MAG
MAG = Magnetic Anti Gravity. Power-lacing shoe developed by real life company Nike. Nike eventually did make a show modelled on the sneakers worn by Marty McFly. In the 2011 release 1,500 pairs were produced, while a further 89 self-lacing pairs dropped in 2016.



29No Pun Intended THE LAST OF US 2023 TV SeriesBBBLiteratureBooks

No Pun Intended
Books of puns that Ellie reads. Officially licensed replica books are available for purchase.






30Nowhere But You SINGLES 1992 FilmBBBMusicSongs

Nowhere But You
Song on the tracklist that Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam came up with for the tape of solo songs that Matt Dillon's character, Cliff Poncier, peddles in the film. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden later decided to record actual songs based on the titles.



31Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale KDKA 1920 RadioBBBBeverage ProductsBeer

Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale
Beer product from a running gag commercial by American radio personality and radio host Regis Cordic, from his time at both WWSW and KDKA, featuring fake advertisements for Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale, "the pale stale ale with the foam on the bottom." The beer was supposedly brewed by Sir Reginald Frothingslosh at Upper Crudney-on-the-Thames. In 1955, Pittsburgh Brewing Company began issuing special Christmas-season cans and bottles of Olde Frothingslosh filled with real beer.

32Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale WWSW-FM 1931 RadioBBBBeverage ProductsBeer

Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale
Beer product from a running gag commercial by American radio personality and radio host Regis Cordic, from his time at both WWSW and KDKA, featuring fake advertisements for Olde Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale, "the pale stale ale with the foam on the bottom." The beer was supposedly brewed by Sir Reginald Frothingslosh at Upper Crudney-on-the-Thames. In 1955, Pittsburgh Brewing Company began issuing special Christmas-season cans and bottles of Olde Frothingslosh filled with real beer.

33Pepsi Perfect BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II 1989 FilmBBBBeverage ProductsSoft Drinks

Pepsi Perfect
Vitamin-enriched variety of Pepsi cola sold at the Cafe 80's in 2015. In October 2015, Pepsi released a limited quantity of Pepsi Perfect bottles to attendees of New York Comic Con that were dressed as Marty McFly.



34Phantasm: Ravager JOHN DIES AT THE END 2012 FilmBBBCinemaMovies

Phantasm: Ravager
DVD visible when Dave is on his couch watching a commercial for Marconi, the final installment of the Phantasm series, which didn't come out until 2016, 4 years after John Dies at the End.

35Pineapple Express PINEAPPLE EXPRESS 2008 FilmBBBDrugsMarijuana

Pineapple Express
The super special and rare strand of marijuana that Saul sells to Dale. Saul: "This is like if that Blue Oyster shit met that Afghan Kush I had - and they had a baby. And then, meanwhile, that crazy Northern Light stuff I had and the Super Red Espresso Snowflake met and had a baby. And by some miracle, those two babies met and fucked - this would the shit that they birthed." Dale: "So this is the product of baby fucking." Also described as smelling like God's vagina. Not a real strain at the time the movie was released, but is now able to be purchased at marijuana dispensaries.



36Psycho III THE FAR SIDE 1980 Comic StripsBBBCinemaMovies

Psycho III
Next installment of the Psycho film series, this one featuring a tank heading for a woman in the shower. The actual third entry in the Psycho film franchise came out 3 years later, in 1986. It did not, unfortunately, feature a tank.



37Quidditch HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE 1997 LiteratureBBBSportsSports

Quidditch
Wizarding sport played on flying broomsticks, now played as a real life sport.



38Reptar Bar RUGRATS 1991 Animated SeriesBBBFood ProductsCandy

Reptar Bar
Chocolate bar based on Reptar, the Rugrats' favorite dinosaur. Later, Entertainment store FYE sold real life Rugrats-inspired Reptar Bar. "Reptar bar, Reptar bar, the candy bar supreme! The candy bar that turns your tongue green!"



39Rick's Cafe Americain CASABLANCA 1942 FilmBBBDiningRestaurants

Rick's Cafe Americain
Rick's upscale nightclub and gambling den in Casablanca. In real life, a restaurant designed to recreate the bar from the movie called Rick's Cafe Casablanca opened in 2004 in Casablanca.



40Rocky V SPACEBALLS 1987 FilmBBBCinemaMovies

Rocky V
The Mr. Rental video tape rental machine contains Rocky movies, including future volumes that had not yet been released, as well as some that still haven't been released.



41Schraderbrau BREAKING BAD 2008 TV SeriesBBBBeverage ProductsBeer

Schraderbrau
Hank's home brew. "Home brewed to silky perfection." Eventually brought out of Hank's garage and into your fridge by Breaking Bad actor Dean Norris and Buellton, CA brewing company Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.



42Seasons SINGLES 1992 FilmBBBMusicSongs

Seasons
Song on the tracklist that Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam came up with for the tape of solo songs that Matt Dillon's character, Cliff Poncier, peddles in the film. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden later decided to record actual songs based on the titles.



43Sex Panther ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY 2004 FilmBBBPersonal CareCosmetics

Sex Panther
"Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries. Yep. It's made with bits of real panther. So you know it's good. They've done studies. Sixty percent of the time, it works every time." Eventually made into a real product that, instead of bits of real panther, combines notes of juniper with cedarwood and sandalwood, and even comes in a box that growls when you open it.



44Spoon Man SINGLES 1992 FilmBBBMusicSongs

Spoon Man
Song on the tracklist that Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam came up with for the tape of solo songs that Matt Dillon's character, Cliff Poncier, peddles in the film. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden later decided to record actual songs based on the titles.



45Spy THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1940 FilmBBBPeriodicalsMagazines

Spy
Tabloid magazine that served as the basis for Kurt Anderson and Graydon Carter's real world magazine of the same name, which skewered New York society in the 80s and 90s.



46Stan Mikita's Donuts WAYNE'S WORLD 2 1993 FilmBBBFood StoresDonut Shops

Stan Mikita's Donuts
Donut shop inspired by the Tim Hortons franchise in Canada. Created for real in 2017 in celebration of Wayne's World's 25th anniversary - one in Aurora, Illinois, and one in Los Angeles as part of the NHL All-Star Game festivities. "If we get your order wrong, you don't have to pay"



47Stan Mikita's Donuts WAYNE'S WORLD 1992 FilmBBBFood StoresDonut Shops

Stan Mikita's Donuts
Donut shop inspired by the Tim Hortons franchise in Canada. Created for real in 2017 in celebration of Wayne's World's 25th anniversary - one in Aurora, Illinois, and one in Los Angeles as part of the NHL All-Star Game festivities.



48Stay Puft Marshmallows GHOSTBUSTERS 1984 FilmBBBFood ProductsCandy

Stay Puft Marshmallows
When it comes time to select the Destructor, Ray thinks about the Stay Puft Marshmallow mascot, which then terrorizes New York City.



49Swingline Red Stapler OFFICE SPACE 1999 FilmBBBGoodsOffice Products

Swingline Red Stapler
Red was not an option at the time, but after the movie came out, Swingline produced a red stapler.



50Talkboy HOME ALONE 1990 FilmBBBTechnology ProductsAudiovisual Devices

Talkboy
Small electronic device that Kevin used to record everything from his uncle singing in the shower to clips from the movie Angels with Filthy Souls, eventually made into an actual product by Tiger Toys.



51Unholy Storm CASTLE 2009 TV SeriesBBBLiteratureNovels

Unholy Storm
A Derrick Storm novel by Rick Castle, eventually adapted into a real novel by screenwriter Tom Straw.

52Vesper CASINO ROYALE 1953 LiteratureBBBMenuMixed Drinks

Vesper
Cocktail James Bond names after the beautiful Vesper Lynd. Following its appearance in the movie, it became a popular real life drink.

FICTITIOUS TIMELINE
53November 13, 1937 LI'L ABNER 1934 Comic StripsDates20th Century: 1st HalfEvents

November 13, 1937
Holiday that inspired real-world Sadie Hawkins dances, where girls ask out the boys.



OTHER
54Mahmoud STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND 1961 LiteratureOtherQuotesQuotes

Mahmoud
Mahmoud: 'Grok' is the most important word in the Martian language-and I expect to spend the next forty years trying to understand it and perhaps use some millions of printed words trying to explain it. But I don't expect to be successful. You need to think in Martian to grok the word 'grok'. (While the word 'grok' was created for the novel, it can now be found in Merriam Webster's Dictionary).



55Tom TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR 2004 Animated SeriesOtherQuotesQuotes

Tom
Tom's novelty T-shirt depicting a top-hat doffing rat - which were actually produced and could be purchased from the show's creators: "Rats Off To Ya!"





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