SNL: The Dakota Fanning Show: Thomas Pynchon as part of the “Cultural Zeitgeist” - 20070203

On a brilliant SNL skit this weekend, Amy Poehler played Dakota Fanning as star of her own talk show, a place “for child actors to discuss cinema, theater, politics, and the cultural zeitgeist at large.” Her guests on this week’s episode are Daniel Radcliffe of “Harry Potter,” and Abigail Breslin of “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Just after the 2nd minute in the video below, you get the most cryptic and hilarious reference of the whole video when Dakota responds to Daniel Radcliffe’s assertion that people have a “soft spot” for children’s books like “Harry Potter” and “Cat in the Hat” (which Dakota Fanning played a part in):

Dakota: Speaking of books, have you read the new Pynchon?

Radcliffe (shaking head): No.

Dakota: You know I never thought I’d agree with Michiko Kikutani but I really don’t think it’s his best work. Thomas Pynchon? Michiko Kikutani? Reggie? [as she looks to the band leader]

[Reggie shakes his head that he doesn't understand]

Dakota [turning back to Radcliffe]: If it’s not on the checkout counter at Walmart, Reggie hasn’t read it.

What do you guys think? Have seen any other good and obscure literary references out there in the real world?