I was paging through the Internet Movie Database, when I came across this bit of trivia about the movie Dirty Dancing. I’m referring to the fifth bullet item down:
This explains one thing: I remember posters announcing the re-issue, and thinking then “Why re-release that?”
But is there some back story which could explain this incredibly assholish behavior? I mean, I like O’Brien (although he’s not as good without Andy Richter) but this is just beyond the pale for ANYONE.
Huh? How?
It’s funny.
There clearly must be more to the story, even an asshole has to have reasons.
I remember when he was petitioning for the re-release. He made this huge deal about the fact that it’s ten year anniversary was coming up and kept having guests from the show come on and showing clips and the like. I don’t recall anything about him trying to have people boycott it afterwards though. If so, I’m sure it was a lame joke he was making, and he must have ended it pretty quick.
Sounds like Kibo’s “Petition NBC to revive Seaquest so we can petition them to cancel it again”.
It was all an elaborate joke setup. As soon as they said they were re-releasing it, he made a joke about how he loved the scene where she gets covered in glitter and dances (Flashdance), then it was all an “I’m a dumb-ass for mixing up the two movies” joke.
I think it’s hysterical.
Why do you think he’s an a-hole? Who did he hurt? Were you on line at the theatre for days waiting for tickets?
It’s Dirty Dancing for crying out loud! Anyone who took that petition seriously should ask me how much I want for my bridge in Brooklyn. :rolleyes:
Besides, his calling for a boycott wouldn’t have done anything. It’s all advertising. Would you not see a movie because Conan O’brien said to boycott it?
Conan is a comedy god. He made fools out of the Hollywood marketing types, and there is nothing funnier that making the powerful look foolish. It’s all relative; TV execs are far above Conan on the scale of assholishness, and I feel no sympathy for them when they get manipulated.
Amen. All hail Conan.
That sounds hilarious. And, while he does swear a lot more off-camera, Conan is hardly an a-hole.
My opinion of Conan has gone up because of this.
What? A late night comedy-show host pulling elaborate stunts for laughs and ratings?
Shocking!
My whole world view has just been shattered!
What’s next, a puppet dog that makes fun of everything?
:rolleyes:
Nobody puts Baby in a corner!
Now, about this bridge . . . is it two-lane, or four-lane? 
It’s not possible on the basis of I have a huge crush on him.
Okay, okay, call off the dogs everybody. I did a little morechecking around, and uncovered the following facts:
1- The movie was scheduled or re-release before O’Brien ever mentioned it,
2- His campaign to get it released was a lot less serious than I had supposed,
3- Dirty Dancing has grossed more than $175 million since its release.
So, it appears there really was no wrong doing on O’Brien’s part (i.e., being disengenuous). But on the other hand. . . . .$175 million dollars?!?! My GOD!
And can someone explain the context of that line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”?
I am now starting a new thread on the 80s “dance movie” phenomenon. Everyone feel free to contribute.
The entire re-release campaign was a joke, making fun of both the re-release of the Star Wars films and the fact that people are so devoted to a movie as bad as Dirty Dancing. It was barely even a “stunt” because it was so obvious. Conan was flabbergasted that anyone took it seriously (or appeared to, if indeed the re-release was already scheduled) and gave his earnest opinion of the movie.
Even if it was true, I don’t see how he’s an “asshole.” If a studio really did launch a movie just because a talk show and some of its fans, who couldn’t possibly guarantee its financial success by themselves, asked them to, they deserve what they get.
Johnny arrives at the last show of the season, and Baby is sitting in the corner, her parents on either side of her. so he says “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” Meaning, I guess, that she shouldn’t be sitting there all protected watching the show from afar, but that she shoud be out dancing with him.
I remember that stunt - I thought it was hilarious.
I would imagine due to all the publicity, the producers of Dirty Dancing made money off of it in the long run.