What is the internet for if not for making light of a serious situation by sharing out-of-context references to old films?
Millions of people in the US have been given air quality alerts on Wednesday, with the smog illuminating New York and its surrounding areas with an orange haze.
The effect has been caused by wildfires in Canada, with winds pushing smoke south and east.
New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut states have all issued air quality alerts.
You can read our full report on the situation here.
Residents in New York City itself are suffering as much as any; outdoor activities have been cancelled and everyone is urged to stay inside as much as possible. Actress Jodie Comer has halted her Broadway show due to fears around air quality.
While the effect appears cinematic, it can be potentially damaging to lungs, and residents have been encouraged to wear face masks.
But Twitter users have at least seen the funny side of an unusual situation.
Here are some of the best memes:
Lord of the Rings-esque
Zach Silderberg compares the New York skyscape to the climactic scene in Peter Jackson’s fantasy film.
going out for a coffee in new york pic.twitter.com/Ikdr1HAcph
— zach silberberg supports the WGA (@zachsilberberg) June 7, 2023
Like something from a film?
‘Maddie from local news’ tweeted with a comparison to the brown backdrop of Hollywood studios that is used the Warner Bros. title card.
new york city pic.twitter.com/dSVfEpc54Z
— maddie from the local news (@fettyschwapp) June 7, 2023
Or from Breaking Bad?
This time a fan of the small screen compared the views to a scene from Breaking Bad.
currently interviewing these two gentlemen in new york https://t.co/PobGcu4pcS pic.twitter.com/yCAeoBwLG6
— Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) June 7, 2023
‘On one’
Ruben Ripalda tweeted: “Dang, New York is on one today”. It sure is.
dang new york is on one today pic.twitter.com/vbnEQ2ZCR3
— Ruben Ripalda (@itsRipalda) June 7, 2023
Follow the murky brown brick road
Another cinematic comparison was to the black-and-white scenes in Kansas before the colour transformation in The Wizard of Oz.
New York looks insane right now like look at this picture of my little sister that i took in Central Park this afternoon 😮 pic.twitter.com/2z1RmUj5kJ
— aram (@aramnotagoat) June 7, 2023
“New York looks insane right now,” Aram tweeted. “Like look at this picture of my little sister that I took in Central Park this afternoon.”
Smoking? Oh, vaping - that’s ok
Vaping is at least preferable to smoking.
just saw a girl pull down her mask for the smoke, to vape pic.twitter.com/i7JtGG1hdN
— alex 💭 ⁷ (@nothnghppens) June 7, 2023
New York, New York
“Just took this photo from my window in New York City right now. Unreal,” tweeted Joey Nolfi - in a suggested reference to a Drag Race classic episode.
Just took this photo from my window in New York City right now. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/HKJS6OVqf0
— Joey Nolfi (@joeynolfi) June 7, 2023
