Rain Man as inaugurating a common but mistaken media stereotype that people on the autism spectrum typically have savant skills, and references to "Rain Man", in particular Dustin Hoffman's performance, have become a popular shorthand for autism and savantism. Conversely, "Rain Man" has also been seen as "dispelling" a number of other misconceptions about autism, and improving public awareness of the failure of many agencies to accommodate autistic people and make use of the abilities they do have, regardless of whether they have savant skills or not. The film is also known for popularizing the misconception that card counting is illegal in
Oscar and the Lady in Pink (novel) funny, moving characters. These twelve days are to be his last, but thanks to Mamie Rose, who forms a close and affectionate bond with Oscar, they are to become legendary as Oscar "ages" ten years each day. Oscar has several friends in this novel, including "Pop Corn," "Bacon," and "Einstein." These names are nicknames given in relation to their diseases. He falls in love with "Peggy Blue," another patient who is entirely blue due to her sickness. In 2009, the author finished a film ("Oscar and the Lady in Pink") based on the novel with Michèle Laroque in the role