Blog Archives
Save Ferris (and This Moment)
Movie fans rejoice!
(See previous two blog posts)
The 2016 World Series will be The Cleveland Indians v. The Chicago Cubs.
The Cubbies blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 to win the National League Championship series 4-2 at Wrigley Field to advance to the World Series for the first time seven decades. Despite the fact that Aroldis Chapman was the winning relief pitcher, many of us watching pretended that the Cubs’ pitcher was 12-year-old Henry Rowengartner (1993’s Rookie of the Year).
We just had have to.
Now that the Chicago Cubs are through to the biggest stage in baseball, there are certain people who need to make a televised appearance at the first World Series game at Wrigley Field, sitting in their seats, wearing their same clothes, singing that same song…
Along with a Charlie Sheen/”Wild Thing” entrance and pitch, a recreated Ferris Bueller’s Day Off moment would go down in pop-culture history as one of the best ever.
Even more importantly, Back to the Future: Part II screenwriters Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale deserve tremendous credit for concocting a truly amazing (and admittedly shocking at the time) prediction for the way-off future of October 21, 2015.
Yes, the World Series still needs to be played, but Mr. Zemeckis and Mr. Gale were (potentially) one year away from being stunningly prescient about the Cubs from back in 1989 and the future existence of a Major League Baseball team in Miami, Florida (est. 1993).
And people say movies aren’t real life.
Save Nostalgia with a Twist & Shout
Spoiler Alert: This blog post contains details from the February 25, 2015 episode of The Goldbergs
(EW’s Community)
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
-Ferris Bueller
In a single word: Epic!
Adam F. Goldberg, sitcom’s connoisseur of the 1980s and leader of The Goldbergs, revived a treasured classic and booked the cameo of the year (plus Ben Stein…Ben Stein in the promo) in last night’s episode, “Barry Goldberg’s Day Off.” Expected a week earlier in the Two and a Half Men series finale, Charlie Sheen continued to fuel his feud with that show’s leader Chuck Lorre with tiger’s blood. Charlie declined a highly-anticipated return to his old show. Instead, Goldberg had the perfect timing and script for Sheen to make his prime time television return as the drug-addled addict character he played in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (you almost can’t write this) and it was great. As a matter of fact, Goldberg revealed that Sheen pitched his final line and, for those who saw it, it was hilarious.
“It’s about time, I feel like I’ve been sittin’ here for 30 f”in years!”
This episode was a perfect homage to the ’80s masterpiece with countless shot-for-shot remakes, the iconic wardrobe, unforgettable quotes and original twists (and shouting) custom-fit for The Goldbergs. Every single character nailed their part. They were all so choice. The story was ultimately about Barry discovering his inner-Ferris Bueller, despite the reality of being a Cameron Frye. Truthfully, it’s the dilemma most of us face, especially in high school. This tribute episode was special because of the movie, its place in our hearts and minds and it was a nostalgic time travel (without a Ferrari, flying car or phone booth) back to a time when John Hughes was king.
Some would argue he still is.
Hughes’ storytelling and all too-real portrayals of teen life was impeccable. His films and characters continue to stand the test of time. Sitting on the edge of my seat with a smile a mile wide during the entire show, Goldberg wonderfully reminded us that the past is never too far away and that it really feels good to win (had to) with a rockin’ song in front of a raucous crowd.
Life, in so many ways, is about moments. And each of us should have our own Ferris-inspired day off.
Adam F. Goldberg revealed at the end of the episode that he wanted to be the next John Hughes as a kid (note his childhood obsession with filming his uncensored family). In the modern television world, he’s as close as anybody. It’s always amazing to learn who or what motivates us at our most impressionable ages.
It’s clear that we will never forget the brilliant mind and vision of John Hughes.
P.S. I sent a tweet last night that read:
@TheGoldbergsABC is literally Epic!!! To quote myself, “I just believe in The Goldbergs” #FerrisBuellersDayOff
The second part of the message was an homage to a quote from the movie. It was commented on and re-tweeted. It even got “favorited” by a few people…including Adam F. Goldberg!
That’s epic!
Oh yeah (chicka chicka)
Happy 36th Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!!
Thirty-six years ago today, my parents, Robert and Deborah, stood at the altar in St. Monica’s Parish in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and declared their everlasting love to themselves, to their guests, as well as to the world.
Equipped with three children of their own, who are grown, they now play the part of grandparents to a strapping young lad in Garrett and a sweet darling in Ella. Having already survived three rounds (if you meet us, their kids, you’ll understand), they have been surprisingly anxious for rounds 4, 5 and beyond.
All we can say is, “God Bless Them!”
Plus a few other things…
They have loved us forever and have learned to survive,
especially when each of us started to drive
They have taken us to places all around this great world, including a few bars,
and maybe, someday, we’ll go to outer space with its infinite stars
From tests to plays to sporting events,
they helped with them all, which taught us what it means to be a Lentz
Through it all the past 36 years, they’ve been the best,
they are the best couple, that we’ll all firmly attest!
Now, it’s time to get down with your bad selves!!!
