Sweep the Leg

January 19, 2007 3:45 PM

Sweep the Leg is a new music video by the band No More Kings. It is a parody of The Karate Kid and it was directed by Johnny himself. There are a couple of other funny cameos in the video as well. This is also related to a cool list of the best villains from 80s movies (Where Johnny is noticeably absent). Oh, and Johnny (William Zabka) was nominated for an Oscar last year. Via.
posted by bove (40 comments total)

So not to be the typical mefi hater...

... but that song, it was not good. Not. Good.
posted by macmac at 4:03 PM on January 19, 2007

It sounded like a bad version of Maroon 5. And Maroon 5 blows.
posted by Stan Chin at 4:08 PM on January 19, 2007

Who cares what the song sounded like? 80s villians! Karate Kid! This post can't possibly not rule.

YES SENSEI!
posted by bondcliff at 4:11 PM on January 19, 2007

Well, I'm not really a fan of the tune but the video was pretty clever.

Otherwise, great post. Took me back.

It's weird, but in my mind "Johnny" is to this day the epitome of preppy bully. I mean he had the bodacious 80s cool-guy looks, the awesome karate kicks, and a pack of sycophantic friends.

William Zabka could play that part to perfection. He was just as good in "Back to School".



/ Wax on
// Wax off
posted by C.Batt at 4:14 PM on January 19, 2007

William Zabka looks really good. He is a few years younger than me but still looks like 30.

During my early days of teaching Karate we actually all had Cobra Kai patches. I look back on that and cringe. We were NOT trying to be ironic.

The song. Well. Not my thing. But it certainly is catchy. The video? i enjoyed it over all. Exceptionally well produced but not very original.

Couldn't they just put some subtle "Raising Arizona" stuff in there and not hammer us over the head with it.

This may sound like sacrilege but this Tarantino trend of self-reflective pop-culture nostalgia is KILLING creativity. Enough already. Let's see something NEW people.
posted by tkchrist at 4:18 PM on January 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

Ok, the band called Sweep The Leg Johnny is quite a bit better than this.

I mean if half the video is the introduction to the song it had better at least be a guilty pleasure or involve a lot of driving around backwards at the very very least.

yeah i'm joining a pileon, i've become what i hate
posted by furiousthought at 4:19 PM on January 19, 2007

Maybe this will drive up demand for another sequel. You can't really end it with "The Next Karate Kid" Just like how you couldn't end Rocky with Rocky 5.
posted by banished at 4:19 PM on January 19, 2007

Pretty good video (watch until the music starts, then fast forward to the last 30 seconds), but terrible song.

WHERE'S THE PART ABOUT HIS OSCAR NOMINATION?
posted by Frank Grimes at 4:24 PM on January 19, 2007

Wax off

(NSFW)
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:27 PM on January 19, 2007

Not really digging the song, but I loves me some Mr. Belding...
posted by miss lynnster at 4:42 PM on January 19, 2007

WHERE'S THE PART ABOUT HIS OSCAR NOMINATION?

Here. 2004, not last year.
posted by Zed_Lopez at 4:44 PM on January 19, 2007

Maybe this will drive up demand for another sequel.

ONLY if they use my script.

Opening crane shot: Pan of OCTAGON - massive crowd screaming. Banners say UFC 68. Camera comes down into center of ring between two fighters. One is Ralph Machio sporting his bright pressed gi and headband. He is clearly out of shape. Paunchy and frail. The camera spins to a massive Tito Ortiz, seething, sweating, muscles bulging.

COMMENTATOR:
It appears we have a strange turn of events. Chuck liddel is a no show and a 43 year old 162 Lb Daniel LaRusso from San Diego is late entrant in his place... this is very unorthodox...

JOE ROGAN:
No shit. What is up with this nerd? A karate gi?

JUMP CUT TO: Interior Mini van in parking lot. A gagged, duct-taped, and clearly drugged Chuck Liddel lays on the shagged carpet in the back of the van.

JUMP CUT BACK TO OCTAGON:

(Crowd go's totally silent in astonishment.)

REF BIG JOHN MCCARTHY: (looking quite puzzled)
Um. Okay Tito? and... um... Karate Guy? You ready?

ORTIZ: (Shrugs, bewildered. Mumbles through mouth guard.)
Mrpghs Somph.

DANIEL: (Staring intensely. Bites lip.)
Yesss Sensei! Osu!

REF BIG JOHN MCCARTHY:
Wha? I take that means yes. Okaaayeee. GET IT ON!

ORTIZ: (Stands there thinking its a joke. Spits out mouth guard.)
Is Ashton Kutcher here? Seriously what is...

DANIEL: (Leaps forward does his signature front kick. It pops Tito in the mouth but has no effect.)

ORTIZ: (Stands there. Susses it all out.)
Seriously. Hey Karate guy? Who put up to this?

DANIEL: (Hears the ghostly voice of Mr. Miagi.

MR. MIAGI:
"What? You crazy. Look at that guy... he gonna KEEEEL you."

DANIEL:
You said Karate no here (points to fist) but HERE (points to head.

(ghost of Mr. Miagi appears in ring next to Ortiz. Sizes him up.)

MR. MIAGI:
"You listen to every crazy thing I say? Why you no listen when I say stay in college? Or when I say go find nice girl go get married? You crazy kid. Not Karate kid. CRAZY Kid. You not even KID you 40 years old!"

DANIEL: (Leaps forward does his signature front kick again. This time Tito catches his leg and sweeps him and stands on Daniels' chest.)
I BELIEVE! I BELEIEEEEEVE...

ORTIZ:
Hahahhaaa... that Ashton Kutcher.... where is he?
posted by tkchrist at 4:44 PM on January 19, 2007

Oh, and Ralph Macchio & Martin Kove have aged surprisingly well too, I have to admit.
posted by miss lynnster at 4:45 PM on January 19, 2007

I liked this music video until the music started. Then I got sad.
posted by milarepa at 5:00 PM on January 19, 2007

I noticed more Raising Arizona stuff than Karate Kid stuff.
posted by bardic at 5:05 PM on January 19, 2007

It's a shame such a good video was wasted on such a horrible song.
posted by bob sarabia at 5:16 PM on January 19, 2007

Snark all you like, mefi twits, this song is a great example of the "Post-postmodern omg indy rock was waay too sincere" attitude, only done well. I loved it, great post.
posted by eparchos at 5:28 PM on January 19, 2007

this was so cool. I esp liked the end.
posted by gminks at 5:31 PM on January 19, 2007

Yea, that song blows tree-climbing goats!
posted by snsranch at 5:33 PM on January 19, 2007

I don't know what surprised me more: seeing Ralph Maccio or seeing how well preserved he is.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 5:36 PM on January 19, 2007

Not to be confused with this (actually good) band.
posted by klangklangston at 5:57 PM on January 19, 2007

Did no else notice Mr. Belding?
posted by slow, man at 5:58 PM on January 19, 2007

no one
posted by slow, man at 5:59 PM on January 19, 2007

Y'know, I thought that was him from the side, but it looked way too old and, I dunno, methed, for me to think that was him from the front
posted by klangklangston at 6:06 PM on January 19, 2007

Yeah, I noticed him. He got old and fat.
posted by bob sarabia at 6:12 PM on January 19, 2007

klangklangston, I saw those guys live once. Pretty interesting group.
posted by bardic at 6:13 PM on January 19, 2007

Tarantino trend of self-reflective pop-culture nostalgia

Tarantino began this trend?
posted by absalom at 6:24 PM on January 19, 2007

great post... gotta watch the movie again now...!
posted by HuronBob at 6:26 PM on January 19, 2007

Tarantino began this trend?

Yeah. Mostly I think he did.
posted by tkchrist at 6:37 PM on January 19, 2007

That was the most awesome-est thing of my day!
posted by parmanparman at 6:44 PM on January 19, 2007

Dad, I wanna rock. I wanna roll. I wanna make songs so soft and soulless that they are going to be playing in othodontists' waiting rooms 5 years from now
posted by thecjm at 6:54 PM on January 19, 2007

Hey, look up higher in the thread. I spotted Belding first!!! Woo hoo!
posted by miss lynnster at 6:59 PM on January 19, 2007

Here is a link about the Oscar nomination. He helped write a short film called "Most".
posted by telseth at 8:29 PM on January 19, 2007

I also got excited when I thought this was about the real band, Sweep The Leg Johnny, one of my favorite live bands. (pic mp3)
posted by dobbs at 10:04 PM on January 19, 2007

Man that music was terrible, and it didn't even start until halfway through the video. Should have just left the music out altogether.
posted by pwally at 12:47 AM on January 20, 2007

You might think that human face on a fly was unique, but the Cars did it first.
posted by vagabond at 5:28 AM on January 20, 2007

It's weird, but in my mind "Johnny" is to this day the epitome of preppy bully. I mean he had the bodacious 80s cool-guy looks, the awesome karate kicks, and a pack of sycophantic friends.

I remember re-watching Karate Kid during my first winter break my freshman year of college and it suddenly occurring to me that I was actually older than the Cobra Kai bullies.

In fact, that was the exact moment when I ceased to be a child and became a man.
posted by snofoam at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2007

OMFG. That was awesome. The song - well, I'm not too hip to modern day music, but it was at least tolerable. But the video - HOLY COW! Amazing!

Maybe I'm too easily amused, but I loved it.

Now here's where I need some MeFi help: I recognized Kove, Zabka, and Macchio -- but were the rest of the guys in the trailer REALLY the Cobra Kai guys from the movie?
posted by davidmsc at 9:42 AM on January 20, 2007

I have to chime in that the music isn't my thing, but it didn't suck. It was supposed to be kind of kitschy.

Actually a pretty fun little flick.
posted by rougy at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2007

I think the concept was great. Not utterly unique -- writing about or from the point of view of an antagonist is certainly not an unknown device (in fact, it's sort of popular in some circles. Pop-u-lar). But of all the antagonists to pick! :) And the execution in the video was pretty good, especially with all the old stars, and the song works well as a vehicle for that. I think the production values on the music might not even be loathsome if they weren't already associated with Maroon 5's lukewarm material.
posted by weston at 12:02 PM on January 21, 2007