Something that is exciting but shouldn't be, in the same way that a poodle may be exciting to dog-lovers but would not be in the dark (where it cannot be seen). Full phrase: 'Exciting as a poodle in the dark'.
Your friend gets excited over something mundane and pointless. You remark: "That was a real poodle in the dark!"
by AspiringAristotle February 11, 2019