“Get your popcorn ready” (prepare to watch something exciting)

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.
     
Business Insider
10 Sports Quotes You Didn’t Know Were Trademarked
XAVIER MORALES, SECURE YOUR TRADEMARK
JUN. 16, 2014, 4:49 PM
(...)
“Getcha popcorn ready” and “I love me some me” (Terrell Owens)
“Getcha popcorn ready” originated during Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens’s 2006 touchdown celebration, where he took a fan’s popcorn and dumped it into his helmet.
   
He resurrected the popcorn episode later in his career with an unforgettable note to reporters. Owens, known for being a media ham, left a note for reporters on his locker reading: “Dear Reporters, Due to the magnitude of this week’s game and high volume of questions for the Original 81 about the other 81, I will be taking all questions immediately following Sunday’s game. Sincerely, Terrell Owens. P.S. Getcha Popcorn Ready.”
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark GET YOUR POPCORN READY
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 030. US 046. G & S: Popcorn
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 78843270
Filing Date March 22, 2006
Current Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition November 7, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) TERRELL OWENS ENTERPRISES, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FLORIDA SUITE 307-A 800 FAIRWAY DRIVE DEERFIELD BEACH FLORIDA 33441
Attorney of Record H. JOHN RIZVI
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE POPCORN APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date January 31, 2008
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark GETCHA POPCORN READY
Goods and Services IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Clothing, namely, shirts, t-shirts, pants, shorts, caps, dresses, skirts. FIRST USE: 20071200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20071200
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77342298
Filing Date December 3, 2007
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition February 17, 2009
Registration Number 3920071
Registration Date February 15, 2011
Owner (REGISTRANT) Owens, Terrell INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 1015 N.E. 97th Street Miami FLORIDA 33138
Attorney of Record H. John Rizvi
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE