Running on Empty

Factual error: In cooking class, the teacher said "two stalks of celery" and Michael handed Lorna one stalk, which she started to separate. One "stalk" is actually the entire bunch (or head), which is made up of 8-10+ "ribs" connected at the bottom. Two ribs will equal about one chopped cup - about right for the tuna walnut casserole made with one can of tuna. Americans typically use the word "stalk" interchangeably with "rib", calling a single rib/ stick/ branch a stalk, but the stalk is the entire bunch. (00:37:02)

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Factual error: The timeline is flawed. Baseball season typically runs Mar/Apr through Sept/Oct - Michael was on teams in FL then NJ. The Spartanburg newspaper article Harry was reading the morning after the Popes fled FL was dated Mar 19, 1987 - Spring. Travelling to NJ as well as during the Popes' stay there, all tree leaves were green - Summer foliage. After asking Michael where he was applying to college, Lorna told him he'd have to apply next term - meaning January. So, was it Spring, Summer, or Fall?

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Other mistake: Mr. Phillips told Michael (Danny) that he'd like to hear him play on his "Steinway at home", but didn't say when or give Michael his address, but Michael was able to ride his bike to the Phillips' house. Michael was in this new school (and State) for only one day, so it seems unlikely that he'd know where Mr. Phillips lived. (00:26:33)

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More mistakes in Running on Empty

Lorna: You are certifiable! What is this? Some sort of smart-ass joke? You're taking cooking?
Michael: I want to learn how to cook.
Lorna: Yeah, right. You have some burning desire to learn how to make apple brown betty.
Michael: What are you doing here if you think so highly of it?
Lorna: Well, they wouldn't let me take auto mechanics, and I didn't have time to take the issue to the Supreme Court.

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Trivia: Martha and River were already "girlfriend/ boyfriend" since co-starring in "Mosquito Coast" (1986). After "Running On Empty" (1988), their relationship ended in 1989 because Martha did not like River's use of drugs.

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