Popcorn began to be popularly served at movie theaters in the 1940s. “Get your popcorn ready” was used in newspaper advertisements for cable television (where cable subscribers could watch movies at home) as early as 1973.

The Dallas Cowboys football team signed wide receiver Terrell Owens on March 18, 2006, when he promised, “Get your popcorn ready because it’s going to be a show.” “Get your popcorn ready” has been frequently used in sports ever since, describing an exciting matchup or, when used ironically, describing a dull matchup.


16 March 1973, Idaho State Journal (Pocatello, ID), pg. 12, sec. C, col. 5 ad:
Get your popcorn ready.
(TelePrompTer Cable TV—ed.)

26 August 1974, The Daily Star (Oneonta, NY), pg. 16, col. 2 ad:
HBO=HOME BOX OFFICE
GET YOUR POPCORN READY

20 August 1976, Boston (MA) Herald American, “‘Night Music’ to become a movie with Hal Prince at the helm” by Fran Weil, pg. 46, col. 3:
Peter Bogdanovich will be represented on the screen by his newest directorial effort, “Nickelodeon,” and “Billy Jack Goes to Washington” will be at Redstone’s Circle. Have your popcorn ready.

Google Books
Holla If You Hear Me… No More Blind Dates, Please!
By Shawne A. White
Lincoln, NE: iUniverse
2004
Pg. 1:
Turn the page and get your popcorn ready.

Google News Archive
19 March 2006, The Blade (Toledo, OH), “A 3-ego circus in Dallas—Jones, Parcells, Owens” by Tim Dahlberg (AP), pg. C8, col. 5:
“Get your popcorn ready because it’s going to be a show,” Owens promised yesterday.

The Daily Illini
Column: With T.O. in Dallas, the saga continues
Posted: March 27, 2006 - 12:00 AM
Like sands through an hour glass, these are the days of our lives.

That’s pretty much how every story about Terrell Owens should begin - like a soap opera. If you thought last season’s episodes were good, just wait until the premiere this September.

“I will embrace the star,” said Owens, who gave a quick message to his newest fans. “Hey, just get your popcorn ready. Because it’s going to be a show.”

Google Books
Gentlemen, This Is a Football:
Football’s Best Quotes and Quips
By Eric Zweig
Buffalo, NY; Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books
2006
Pg. 28:
“All I can say is get your popcorn ready because it’s going to be a show.”
TERRELL OWENS, AFTER SIGNING WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS

The Motley Fool
Get Your Popcorn Ready for Summer Blockbusters
By Travis Hoium
May 16, 2011
The previews are over, cell phones have been turned off and the feature film is about to begin. After a horrible start to the year, movie theaters will be hopping for the next three months with a long list of blockbuster films.

IllinoisHSPreps.com
Get Your Popcorn Ready!
By Chris Pool
High School Illinois Publisher
Posted Oct 26, 2011
Ken Leonard has been coaching high school football for nearly four decades now and he’s had some very talented teams at Sacred-Heart Griffin but he says his 2011 edition might be his best yet.

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