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[Note: For all future movie podcasts, we will be posting each episode of What A Cartoon Movie! in two parts. Patreon has a file size limit per upload, and we want to maintain the highest quality bitrate for these mega-long podcasts. Please check your Patreon RSS feed for the second part of this episode!]

Everybody get up, it's time to slam now, we got a real podcast going now! Yes, this month's movie is Space Jam, and we're joined by Thad Komorowski of the Cartoon Logic podcast in our history segment to help us explore how Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan teamed up in 1996! Then Bob and Henry go over the film scene by scene, meaning weird CGI body horror, sexy rabbits, off-model ducks, weird background characters, and Bill Murray cameos galore. Listen now and enjoy!!

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Comments

Alex Irish

Space Jam was, without a doubt, the biggest announcement of my childhood. I was fully hyped at the prospect of a movie that combined my favorite cartoon characters with the world's most famous athlete. As a precocious nine year old when it came out, I was the ripe age to be indoctrinate by the marketing machine. I had virtually all the merch, including one of those Space Jam jerseys I took to a Muggsy Bogues signing, to which he didn't even see the front and hastily signed the back. Space Jam inspired me to play basketball for a time, and Lola Bunny was the most singular instance of me having a cartoon crush. Warners marketing had fully worked on me. As you guys pointed out, the story is full of missed opportunities, but nine year old kids don’t tend to think about these logistical fallacies. Kids like me were charmed by the shiny movement of it all, years before I gained a more critical eye for storytelling choices.

Rhomega

Space Jam is a special memory for me. On the last day of 5th grade, and elementary school in 1997, we had a graduation ceremony, and then we went back to our homeroom and I watched Space Jam for the first time on a projector hooked up to a VCR. I watched it again about 2 years ago, and I don't feel it's that great. It's one of those nostalgic letdowns. But hey, that Lola sure is something, huh?

Robert Flaxman

As a kid who watched Looney Tunes endlessly AND was a big Bulls fan, this was right in my wheelhouse. I haven’t watched it since the late 90s probably, and I’m sure I would hate it now, but I automatically started dancing to that Quad City DJs song leading into this episode. Still bangs!

Tricia

Fun fact, Wayne Knight was 4-5th choice for that role, Michael J Fox and Dennis Hopper were considered first but weren’t interested in being billed under Jordan and Bugs Bunny

Kat Heagberg

I probably saw this movie in theaters more than any other: I actually saw it opening night because my dad was a huge Looney Tunes fan and also from Chicago, so even though he had zero interest in sports, he liked Michael Jordan. I also saw it several times in the dollar theater (free air conditioning! . . . Well, dollar air conditioning) and for some reason my sixth grade class saw it at the dollar theater on a field trip. I think they played it off as “Michael Jordan is inspirational!” By that time I’d seen it so often that I opted to read a book in the theater. I’m tempted to watch it again (and loved this episode!) but should probably just let it lay to rest in my hazy ‘90s nostalgia.

Devin Hoffarth

I cannot wait for you guys to inevitably talk about Loonatics Unleashed. And just drink ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT.

Adam Esat

After watching The Last Dance, I really wish they leaned more on his pettiness and competitiveness in the movie. Looking for any excuse to destroy his opponent. And considering how many opportunities they had in this, it kinda sucks to see them completely sucking out what made Michael "I took offense to that" Jordan interesting/entertaining as a person.

Maverick

The only memory I have of Space Jam is being locked out of my cousin’s room at a family party when he and a bunch of my other older cousins were gonna watch it on VHS. I’m sure I’ve seen it since then but as a Zoomer cusp (23, generations are fake), I have a lot more attachment to the Quad City DJs remixes on YouTube, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden and just looking up the Space Jam website every now and again. With everything Looney Tunes consolidated into HBO Max I’m curious about the direction the still scheduled sequel will take. I’ll get a kick out Bugs Bunny saying “Fortnite” that’s for sure.

Justen Brown

Despite being a 90 minute commercial there's something to be said for the story about a greedy manager who steals the talent of (mostly black) athletes to profit off of uncaring clients. It was one script revision away from being truly subversive.

Curtis Bostick

Nobody ever points out how weird it is that the movie goes out of it's way to imply that Michael Jordan sucks at baseball. Like, he has the opposing catcher literally telling him what pitches are coming and how to respond and he still messes it up. And then the sportscaster roasts him for it. Yet we're supposed to care that he has to get back to the game at the end?

crystalhearts

Oh man, when I saw this I was an easily advertised-to nine year old who did not recognize American celebrities, so the scene where various people are golfing made me realize that I was in for a rough ride.

Gabe

Second time fun internet people I listen to have mentioned The Last Dance. Currently halfway through it and do find it pretty fascinating, as a non-sportsy person. As someone that does fall into the category of being nostalgic for Space Jam, I fully admit it's a soulless cash cow. Though I will say that whenever I happen to catch the last 15 or so minutes of it on TV (has happened a handful of times), I've enjoyed it... I doubt I could stand watching the entirety of the movie, though. Soundtrack is great, too. Add this alongside Jennifer's Body for poorly received movies with stupendous soundtracks.

Anonymous

I'm reminded 40 Million Dollar Slaves is on my to-read list. Just insane that athletes in general are expected to make their entire life's living off of maybe 10 years of sports-ing.

Nick Rothe

Re-watching it made me smile wide to see Bill Murray with the classic St.Paul Saints cap at the end!!

TruckNuttz 420

Really glad to hear all the shop talk guys- especially with the hidden pro-union politics of the show. I used to be an organizer and I am wondering if the union stuff will maintain prevalent in the 2021 reboot, given that right to work (for less) is even more widespread now. Also- that in itself would be interesting given the movies mentions of slavery and RTWs connection with Jim Crow politics in both the Norther and Southern regions of the US. Found a neat article about the hidden union agenda in the old movie as well- THE HIDDEN PRO-UNION POLITICS OF ‘SPACE JAM’, by Steven Perlberg.