For a long, long while now, The Wizard of Oz has been haunting me.

Every single day. Without fail. It tasks me.

Maybe you haven't noticed yet but The Wizard of Oz has to be the single most referenced movie of all time. I swear, it's a FACT. I come across at least one nod each and every day. When I turn on the TV, listen to the radio, read a book, browse the web, have a conversation, an Oz reference will crash land on my day like Dorothy's twister tossed house. Every day.

Television in particular seems to be infested by this strangeness. Bill O'Reilly always identifies people who "Live in the Land of Oz". SciFi shows have a requirement for at least one "Tin Man" episode. Seattle is touted as the "Emerald City". Not one half-hour sitcom series seems to be able to miss acknowledging Dorothy and Toto before being cancelled. Cable news pundits can't help but refer to "the man behind the curtain". Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead. Follow the Yellow Brick Road. You're off to see the Wizard. And you — and you — and you — and you were there. And your little dog, too!

It's crazy. I understand that The Wizard of Oz was traditionally broadcast around Easter every year for, like, evah. And every writer, producer and TV personality had it memed into them a gazillion times since childhood. So it's only natural they spew it back out — we all know what they're talking about, so it's easy. But c'mon! Every day?

After first noticing this almost paranormal phenomenon, I started cataloging the occurrences. The references piled up and it quickly grew into a disturbing daily chore so I gave up. I didn't need the burden. And, besides, I was troubled my detailing of Oz-related hysteria might seem a bit too weird, especially if it ended up as evidence of the prosecution to a jury contemplating my freedom one day. Probably wouldn't help my case's defense in the least. We all remember "Surrender Dorothy."

As for pointing out this little diddy-of-real-world-oddness to you here, my hope remains that others are enduring this strange Oz business as well and will confirm that's it just not me. Perhaps some Dr. of Thinkology will find his courage one day and adequately explain the Oz cause and method to discern a remedy.

And now I bet you'll start noticing it too. A Scarecrow around every corner, Winged Monkeys in the evening sky, Angry Talking Trees in your backyard. The Oz'll getcha. It's the Wicked Witch! What'll we do? Help! HELP!

But just as Auntie Em chastised Dorothy about her fears of how Miss Gulch might harm Toto, maybe I'm getting myself into a fret over nothing. Maybe.

Paranormal | Movies | Wizard of Oz

Delivered unto you by Grouchogandhi precisely at 5:22:00 PM