Best Detroit Red Wings Pop Culture References
By John Curran
Apr 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Ice girl carry octopus off the ice during the second period of the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Full House:
Much like
Scrubs,
the beloved TGIF sitcom
Full House
featured an actor who was a real life Detroit Red Wings fan. Dave Coulier, who played stand-up comic Joey Gladstone, could often be seen supporting the winged-wheel during the show’s eight-year long run. In the show’s intro Coulier can be seeing wearing a Red Wings’ jersey during a family picnic in the park.
Coulier grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan and played hockey as a child and teenager. Dave took his love for the game of hockey and the Detroit Red Wings to Hollywood with him where he was determined to show off his team pride while breaking into the entertainment industry. When asked about wearing the Red Wings’ jersey in the opening credits he responded;
"“When you grow up in Detroit, you’re a big Red Wings fan. When “Full House” started, I just wanted to work that into the show, and back then, you didn’t have to pay all these royalty fees to the NHL or the owners and you could just wear what you wanted. So, I just worked that in and I knew if I wore it in the opening titles it would run for every show if the show got picked up.”"
Home Improvement:
Home Improvement
was another popular family sitcom on ABC during the 1990’s that starred another real life Red Wings fan/Michigander. Tim Allen, who moved to Michigan at a young age, starred in the lead role as an accident-prone Bob Vila-esque character. The show took place in Detroit and featured many references to all the local Detroit sports teams.
During the episode titled “Neighbors” which aired during the eighth-season, Tim takes his always helpful neighbor, Wilson, to a Red Wings’ game at The Joe for his birthday. Wilson ends up winning a $10,000 prize for sitting in the seat chose during an in-game raffle.
Several other episodes of the show featured references to the Red Wings. In the episode “Love Is A Many Splintered Thing”, Tim is seen walking around the house in a Red Wings jersey while talking to his wife Jill. There was even an episode that mentioned keeping an octopus in the refrigerator to take the Wings’ game.
Next: Hockeytown In Hollywood