Best Detroit Red Wings Pop Culture References
Mar 31, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Fans hold up a sign for Detroit Red Wings former player Gordie Howe during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Being that the Detroit Red Wings are one of the most popular and legendary teams in all of professional sports, it’s no surprise that team has found their way into several pop culture appearances throughout their almost 90-year history. In no particular order, here are some of the Red Wings’ most memorable pop culture appearances.
The Simpsons:
It’s only fitting that one of America’s oldest hockey teams would pop up in America’s longest-running sitcom. The Red Wings have found their way into a couple of memorable episodes from The Simpsons during the show’s 26 season run. Here are a couple of instances where Detroit found themselves in Springfield.
In episode 51 titled “Bart The Lover”, Bart’s hopelessly romantic teacher Ms. Krabapple places a personal ad in the local Springfield newspaper. Bart, who is currently serving a month-long detention sentence in the episode, decides to get back at his teacher by inventing a suave ladies man named “Woodrow” to respond to the ad. After receiving a racy picture from Krabapple in one of her letters, Bart responds by cutting out a picture of Gordie Howe from a nearby book and mails it to Krabapple, who ends up swooning over the handsome “Mr. Hockey”.
At the end of the episode the camera freezes on the framed picture of Howe and a list of his career statistics is displayed before the show’s credits roll. The original plan for the episode was to have Bart send Edna a picture of famous NFL quarterback Johnny Unitas, but the show was unable to secure the rights to use Unitas’ image.
The Detroit winged-wheel made an appearance during episode 401 titled “He Loves to Fly and He D’ohs”. In the episode Homer saves his boss Mr. Burns from drowning in a mall-fountain after Burns greedily tries to steal a quarter from Ralph Wiggum. Impressed by Homer’s heroic act, Burns offers to buy Homer dinner, to which Homer confesses his love for Chicago deep dish pizza.
So naturally the well-to-do Mr. Burns and Homer take Burns’ private-jet to Chicago for some authentic deep dish pizza. While sightseeing in the Windy City Homer and Burns stop at a shop called “Ferris Bueller’s Day of Beauty”. Upon the duo’s exit, Homer is dressed in a #9 Detroit Red Wings’ jersey in reference to the movie that the store was named after (more on that later).
Next: Going Down To South Park
Mar 6, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) makes a save in front of Detroit Red Wings left wing Drew Miller (20) on a shot by center Joakim Andersson (18) in the first period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
South Park:
Springfield isn’t the only animated town that the Detroit Red Wings have visited. The team has also made a couple of cameos out west in the insane Colorado mountain-town of South Park. You can’t mention hockey in Colorado without bringing up the Red Wings at some point.
Detroit’s most famous appearance in South Park came in 2006 during the episode “Stanley’s Cup”. The episode was a parody of the The Mighty Ducks movie. In the episode one of the show’s main characters, Stan Marsh, ends up doing community service in the form of coaching a fledgling pee-wee hockey team à la Gordon Bombay.
To make a hilariously long story short, Stan’s team is invited to play a game against a more-skilled pee-wee club during the intermission of an NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings. The other pee-wee team ends up not showing for the game, so the Avalanche, out of the kindness of their hearts, let Stan and his ragtag group of pee-wee players finish the rest of their game against the Red Wings.
Needless to say the last-minute and a half of the episode finds the Red Wings hilariously showing no mercy on the young hockey players. The Wings physically assault the five-year old children by mercilessly checking them into the boards, firing slap-shots at the goalie and even punching them in the face. The Wings win the game 32-2 and celebrate Stanley Cup style to the tune of “We Are The Champions” by Queen.
In another episode titled “Broadway Bro Down”, the Red Wings’ jersey makes an appearance on a very unlikely character, Elton John. In the episode famous Broadway composers such as Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Andrew Lloyd Weber and the aforementioned Elton John are all satirically portrayed as beer-loving, macho, sports fans who hang out at Hooters in their favorite team’s jerseys.
Next: Wings Fans Wearing Scrubs
Apr 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings fan holds a sign in the stands in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Scrubs:
Hey everybody remember
Scrubs
? Scrubs was a fairly popular medical comedy that ran on NBC and later ABC for nine years. The show had some pretty funny slapstick moments, and for better or worse, it also introduced us all to Zach Braff. Scrubs also gave the Red Wings some more prime-time TV exposure.
John C. McGinley, who played the cruel and quick-witted Dr. Cox, was the character responsible for bringing the Detroit Red Wings into the show, most notably for often wearing a Detroit Chris Chelios jersey in several episodes. In real life, McGinley is actually a huge Red Wings fan who narrated Detroit’s 2008 Stanley Cup Championship DVD. The actor also lives in Malibu, California and shares a neighborhood with none other than Chris Chelios.
During the fifth-season of the show in an episode titled “Chopped Liver”, Dr. Cox grudgingly goes on a double-date with some co-workers and feigns interest while talking with the other male, Keith. After Cox’s girlfriend slaps him and tells him to make an effort, he immediately becomes interested in the conversation when Keith mentions he likes the Red Wings. Dr. Cox lifts up his shirt to reveal a Red Wings’ jersey under his button-up and tells Keith to sit in silence for the next twenty-minutes while he explains why the Red Wings are the greatest team ever.
Next: More Prime-Time TV Love For Hockeytown
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
Apr 18, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) is congratulated by teammates after he socred a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:
This classic 1980’s movie may feature the most well-known Detroit Red Wings’ pop culture appearance of all time. To quote the title character Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”, or you might miss the Red Wings’ jersey featured throughout most of the film.
If you haven’t seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off you’re either too young, or just completely missing out on one of the greatest coming of age movies of all-time. If you ever pretended to be sick to get out of school, or a planning to, this movie is for you.
But I digress. Ironically enough, the movie takes place in Chicago and follows a high school student and his friends on the most epic sick-day ever. Ferris’ depressed best-friend, Cameron, spends most of the film/day running around the Chicago area in a Gordie Howe jersey like a true bad-ass.
It always seemed a bit odd that Cameron’s character wore a Detroit Red Wings’ jersey in the Chicago-based film, even more so considering that film’s writer/producer/director, John Hughes, spent his teenage years in Chicago and based most of his movies in the area. But before Hughes moved to Illinois, he spent the first twelve years of his life in Grosse Point, Michigan, where he grew up idolizing Gordie Howe.
Speaking of “Mr. Hockey”, it was none other than Howe himself who sent the famously worn jersey to Hughes to be worn and displayed in the film.
“I sent them the jersey. They asked me for the jersey and I sent it out. It was nice seeing the No. 9 on the big screen.”
Next: Kid Rock is the Real McCoy and a Real Fan
Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
In Popular Music:
The Detroit Red Wings have had several other in mentions in pop culture. The team has not only been mentioned in popular movies and TV shows, but also in some popular music. Here are a few noteworthy lyrical references to the team.
Native Michigander Kid Rock has made several appearances at Red Wings’ games throughout his life, but he also has used his musical skills to celebrate the Red Wings. In 1998, Rock released his breakout album, Devil Without A Cause, which would eventually go on to sell over 11 million copies. The album featured a great homage to Steve Yzerman as well as Rock’s self-proclaimed drinking abilities.
In the song “Wasting Time”, Rock starts the first verse with a cocky self-boasting rap. In the seventh line of the first verse, Rock states that he’s, “in it to win it like Yzerman, can drink about fifteen Heinekins”. I personally like to throw this song into my pregame playlist.
And as all good Red Wings fans know, Kid Rock also wrote and recorded the anthem “Hey Hey Hockeytown”. The song is used as the Red Wings’ goal-song at the Joe Louis Arena and rekindles memories of the late 1990’s Detroit team.
Another personal favorite song of mine that features the Red Wings is “Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)” by the late Warren Zevon. The song chronicles the life-story of a fictional Canadian player/enforcer named “Buddy” who despite his lack of skills, aspires to play in the NHL. In the song Buddy grew up dreaming of seeing himself score for the “Wings or Canucks”. If you haven’t heard this song, it’s definitely worth a listen.
So there you have it. As you can see from this list the Detroit Red Wings’ status as one of professional sports most historic teams have allowed them to be immortalized in some of pop culture’s most recognizable mediums. It goes to show you the impact that the Red Wings have had on fans who have carried their life-long love for the team into their professional careers.