Cause This is Thriller, Thriller Night
January 28, 2007 5:02 PM Subscribe
Cause This is Thriller, Thriller Night. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has always been a classic. Everyone's seen the original. MeFites have seen the Lego version, the Bollywood version, and from the streets of Lexington, KY.
But you might have missed it at a University of Washington talent show. In a kid's closet. Or performed by a cute 2 year old. Or even from the cast of Final Fantasy.
Regardless, you simply can't miss the rendition by some bored workers in an office parking lot and break room. Or my favorite, bride, groom--an entire wedding party--at the reception.
In the wedding party version, the groom is setting off my gaydar. Big time.
posted by Quiplash at 5:12 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by Quiplash at 5:12 PM on January 28, 2007
say what you will about michael jackson. once upon a time - that. motherfucker. rocked.
posted by phaedon at 5:33 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by phaedon at 5:33 PM on January 28, 2007
That was bad (in the Michael Jackson sense, of course). The wedding one in particular was hilarious, I loved the lady in the blue dress at the right.
say what you will about michael jackson. once upon a time - that. motherfucker. rocked.
Most things rock when they have anything to do with Quincy Jones.
posted by biscotti at 5:44 PM on January 28, 2007
say what you will about michael jackson. once upon a time - that. motherfucker. rocked.
Most things rock when they have anything to do with Quincy Jones.
posted by biscotti at 5:44 PM on January 28, 2007
I was actually at that wedding...They put it quite a bit of rehearsal and pulled it off marvelously. I emailed the groom about your post so I'm hoping he'll pop into the thread to comment...
posted by Dr. Zira at 5:59 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Dr. Zira at 5:59 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
The CG characters in the Final Fantasy version looked less lifelike than the zombie cast in the original video. I can't figure out if that's good.
posted by L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg at 6:14 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by L. Fitzgerald Sjoberg at 6:14 PM on January 28, 2007
[Oh, and Quiplash, having known the groom for several years, I can tell you he is way too classy a person to comment on your childishly inappropriate homophobic comment, so you can stop stewing in the juices of your own embarassment.]
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:20 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:20 PM on January 28, 2007
He's setting off my Jewdar. Come one, fess up. He's a little Jewey, isn't he?
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:22 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:22 PM on January 28, 2007
Quiplash: "In the wedding party version, the groom is setting off my gaydar. Big time."
I'm glad it wasn't just me. My immediate thought was -- does this guy really need a beard badly enough to get married? Who does he think he's fooling?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:43 PM on January 28, 2007
I'm glad it wasn't just me. My immediate thought was -- does this guy really need a beard badly enough to get married? Who does he think he's fooling?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:43 PM on January 28, 2007
Best. First wedding dance. Ever.
And I thought my wife and I were cool for entering our reception to The Greatest American Hero.
Jeez, man! How did they manage all the rehearsals??
posted by ericbop at 6:44 PM on January 28, 2007
And I thought my wife and I were cool for entering our reception to The Greatest American Hero.
Jeez, man! How did they manage all the rehearsals??
posted by ericbop at 6:44 PM on January 28, 2007
I was actually at that wedding...They put it quite a bit of rehearsal and pulled it off marvelously.
I got the feeling that the only reason he got married was to do this routine at the reception.
Man: Will you marry me?
Woman: Yes!
Man: Great! Let's do "Thriller" at the reception!
posted by Kibbutz at 6:44 PM on January 28, 2007
I got the feeling that the only reason he got married was to do this routine at the reception.
Man: Will you marry me?
Woman: Yes!
Man: Great! Let's do "Thriller" at the reception!
posted by Kibbutz at 6:44 PM on January 28, 2007
I think quiplash has gotten his gaydar and his awesomedar mixed up.
posted by flaterik at 6:49 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by flaterik at 6:49 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
Dr. Zira: "[Oh, and Quiplash, having known the groom for several years, I can tell you he is way too classy a person to comment on your childishly inappropriate homophobic comment, so you can stop stewing in the juices of your own embarassment.]"
Do behave Dr. Zira. The comment was only homophobic if you think that there's something *wrong* with being gay. I see nothing in quiplash's comment that suggests such a thing.
But if the groom is averse to people making such comments, I'd suggest he avoids mounting any more large scale choreographed dance productions.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:52 PM on January 28, 2007 [4 favorites]
Do behave Dr. Zira. The comment was only homophobic if you think that there's something *wrong* with being gay. I see nothing in quiplash's comment that suggests such a thing.
But if the groom is averse to people making such comments, I'd suggest he avoids mounting any more large scale choreographed dance productions.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:52 PM on January 28, 2007 [4 favorites]
So wait - what exactly are Michael Jackson's strong personal convictions?
posted by niles at 6:57 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by niles at 6:57 PM on January 28, 2007
No, mcdermott, there's nothing wrong with being gay. But calling somebody who's getting married to a woman gay is offensive.
I find it a stupid remark.
posted by jouke at 6:58 PM on January 28, 2007
I find it a stupid remark.
posted by jouke at 6:58 PM on January 28, 2007
The groom is gay, if you want to use the older definition of "happy and having a great time". That wedding looked like lots of fun.
posted by mrbill at 7:04 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by mrbill at 7:04 PM on January 28, 2007
Awesomedar indeed. A stunt like that could make me love a man forever.
posted by TheGoldenOne at 7:06 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by TheGoldenOne at 7:06 PM on January 28, 2007
The groom is also a cartoonist; Here is the series of comic strips that he did for the wedding as party favors. The tiny paper cranes and the chocolate fountain mentioned therein also played a role at the reception.
The men in the wedding party and at least one of the ladies have several years of taekwondo experience (in fact, three of the four men in the wedding party have black belts), so I think rehearsing it for them was like working on another "form." I want to say they did it in four or five rehearsals, but again, I'm hoping the groom himself can come in and comment more on the process.
The people you see in that video are some of my favorite people on this planet. They are kind, brilliant, and funny folks and it tickles me pink that they get to add your positive vibes to the happy memories. I am incredibly lucky to count them as friends, so thanks, Kenneth for posting this, because they are awesome people and they deserve the kudos.
ericbop: You are officially my new hero.
jouke: You said it better than I did, thanks.
posted by Dr. Zira at 7:19 PM on January 28, 2007
The men in the wedding party and at least one of the ladies have several years of taekwondo experience (in fact, three of the four men in the wedding party have black belts), so I think rehearsing it for them was like working on another "form." I want to say they did it in four or five rehearsals, but again, I'm hoping the groom himself can come in and comment more on the process.
The people you see in that video are some of my favorite people on this planet. They are kind, brilliant, and funny folks and it tickles me pink that they get to add your positive vibes to the happy memories. I am incredibly lucky to count them as friends, so thanks, Kenneth for posting this, because they are awesome people and they deserve the kudos.
ericbop: You are officially my new hero.
jouke: You said it better than I did, thanks.
posted by Dr. Zira at 7:19 PM on January 28, 2007
"..the groom is setting off my gaydar."
You can be male, like to dance, and still not be gay. Did we learn NOTHING from Emmit Smith, people? How soon we forget.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:05 PM on January 28, 2007
You can be male, like to dance, and still not be gay. Did we learn NOTHING from Emmit Smith, people? How soon we forget.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:05 PM on January 28, 2007
Much obliged, Dr. Zira. As a gay man, the only thing gay I thought about it was how much I wanted to do it for the wedding I won't get to have. Sniff.
Glad the videos made some people happy--even better that folks were even there!
posted by kenneth at 8:10 PM on January 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Glad the videos made some people happy--even better that folks were even there!
posted by kenneth at 8:10 PM on January 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Next big Meta meetup, you all know your duty now. Make sure someone brings a video recorder.
posted by FunkyHelix at 9:00 PM on January 28, 2007
posted by FunkyHelix at 9:00 PM on January 28, 2007
There's also the drum line version.
posted by quoththeraven at 9:45 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by quoththeraven at 9:45 PM on January 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
That 2 year old child sucked, man.
Stupid kid did not get one step on the beat. Hey, Kid! Don't quit your day job. And if somebody knows HIM they can tell him from me: YOU SUCK AT THRILLER.
posted by tkchrist at 11:49 PM on January 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Stupid kid did not get one step on the beat. Hey, Kid! Don't quit your day job. And if somebody knows HIM they can tell him from me: YOU SUCK AT THRILLER.
posted by tkchrist at 11:49 PM on January 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Good grief people...please lighten up. My original comment was not intended as an insult; there's really no need to get your girdle in a twist over it. It's my way of saying a) he's cute and b) he handles the necessary choreography extremely well.
I mean, if you told me I set off your, uh, straightdar, I would have had a good chuckle.
If I knew taekwondo, I might have said he set off my taekwondodar.
Excuse me, I think the dictionary police are knocking at the door...
posted by Quiplash at 11:53 PM on January 28, 2007
I mean, if you told me I set off your, uh, straightdar, I would have had a good chuckle.
If I knew taekwondo, I might have said he set off my taekwondodar.
Excuse me, I think the dictionary police are knocking at the door...
posted by Quiplash at 11:53 PM on January 28, 2007
The wedding dance made my day. I'd love to see what they do if they ever renew their vows.
posted by Ljubljana at 1:10 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by Ljubljana at 1:10 AM on January 29, 2007
No kidding Quiplash, the dude should take it as a compliment if anything...
posted by Flashman at 1:50 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by Flashman at 1:50 AM on January 29, 2007
Not actually Thriller, but the zombie hoard dancing in Dead and Breakfast deserves a mention.
posted by bap98189 at 3:27 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by bap98189 at 3:27 AM on January 29, 2007
Duuuuuuuude, that is just mind blowing!
If I ever go down the marriage route, I think I want something like that. I'll probably do the Indian version. Or something.
Seriously, awesome concept, very well-executed. Looks like everyone had a lot of fun doing this! :-)
posted by the cydonian at 4:58 AM on January 29, 2007
If I ever go down the marriage route, I think I want something like that. I'll probably do the Indian version. Or something.
Seriously, awesome concept, very well-executed. Looks like everyone had a lot of fun doing this! :-)
posted by the cydonian at 4:58 AM on January 29, 2007
I don't know from gaydar, but rehearsing to do the Thriller dance for a wedding reception and then pulling it off with a high degree of proficiency is gay. Gay, gay, gay.
And I know this because, I once played in a band at a gay wedding reception where the bridal party acted out the Time Warp scene from Rocky Horror.
posted by psmealey at 5:17 AM on January 29, 2007
And I know this because, I once played in a band at a gay wedding reception where the bridal party acted out the Time Warp scene from Rocky Horror.
posted by psmealey at 5:17 AM on January 29, 2007
No luv for Jennifer Garner-Affleck in 13 Going On 30? I mean, that was the utter apex of her pre-Bennifer II adorability!
posted by the sobsister at 5:51 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by the sobsister at 5:51 AM on January 29, 2007
Here is a link to my favorite cover of Thriller. (mp3, not youtube-- scroll down and enjoy!)
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 5:57 AM on January 29, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 5:57 AM on January 29, 2007 [1 favorite]
Jennifer Garner is indeed teh cuteness. But why does Mark Ruffalo continue to get work in Hollywood? As an actor, that guy is not just lame, he's Ben Affleck Lame. /OT
posted by psmealey at 6:05 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by psmealey at 6:05 AM on January 29, 2007
I love the thriller dance, and I love people who do the thriller dance. I am severely delighted.
posted by simonemarie at 8:41 AM on January 29, 2007
posted by simonemarie at 8:41 AM on January 29, 2007
KALIMA!!!!!!
kalima.. ma.. ma.. ma..
what the hell is he saying there?
posted by phaedon at 8:44 AM on January 29, 2007
kalima.. ma.. ma.. ma..
what the hell is he saying there?
posted by phaedon at 8:44 AM on January 29, 2007
psmealy - because he was in "You Can Count On Me." see that movie, might change your mind.
along with best performance by a culkin, ever.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:23 AM on January 29, 2007
along with best performance by a culkin, ever.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:23 AM on January 29, 2007
The LEGO Thriller kids' web site LEGO Goes To Hollywood may be long off the air, but their viddy lives on. A comparison of LEGO with the original (from the Price rap on).
There must be something in the air....
posted by goetter at 10:37 AM on January 29, 2007
There must be something in the air....
posted by goetter at 10:37 AM on January 29, 2007
Super :D
posted by autoverzekering at 12:16 PM on January 29, 2007
posted by autoverzekering at 12:16 PM on January 29, 2007
Pennsylvania State University's marching band, the "Blue Band," did this en masse last year, and the year before, the drum line did it too.
posted by pax digita at 2:43 PM on January 29, 2007
posted by pax digita at 2:43 PM on January 29, 2007
I repudiate the FPP. I've never seen the original. I've never even heard the song.
So there.
I guess.
posted by Target Practice at 4:52 PM on January 29, 2007
So there.
I guess.
posted by Target Practice at 4:52 PM on January 29, 2007
The wedding one was good - but they should have put the bride in the front (not the centre, just off to the side). She had the best dress.
posted by jb at 5:04 PM on January 29, 2007
posted by jb at 5:04 PM on January 29, 2007
Awesome.
Every time there is a Zombie walk, where if fails to happen (that, unbeknownst to most of the zombies participating, a small group of zombies has rehearsed "Thriller", and one of them has the music on the boom-box his corpse is dragging down the street, and suddenly, they all hit it), zombie walks lose points in my book.
I'd be up for it :)
posted by -harlequin- at 5:49 PM on January 29, 2007
Every time there is a Zombie walk, where if fails to happen (that, unbeknownst to most of the zombies participating, a small group of zombies has rehearsed "Thriller", and one of them has the music on the boom-box his corpse is dragging down the street, and suddenly, they all hit it), zombie walks lose points in my book.
I'd be up for it :)
posted by -harlequin- at 5:49 PM on January 29, 2007
I don't suppose the choreography is notated and available anywhere? Or does everyone who wants to do this have to watch the video a zillion times?
posted by -harlequin- at 5:53 PM on January 29, 2007
posted by -harlequin- at 5:53 PM on January 29, 2007
Fuzzy Monster, thanks for the props! I still want someone to set a video to it. For me, no other pop music will ever top Thriller (the song, not just the video). I have a longstanding feud with a friend who insists that Billy Jean is superior. If he turns out to be right, I owe him a subscription to Private Eye. If he's wrong, four years of Penthouse for me.
posted by jake at 10:17 PM on January 29, 2007
posted by jake at 10:17 PM on January 29, 2007
jake, thank you for the song. Incredibly well done. Some friends (including mefi's own The Card Cheat) and I get together every now and then for 'Music Listening Night'-- we sit around, have a few drinks (okay, more than a few) and take turns dropping awesome music onto the stereo. On Sept. 8th, 2006 I played your cover of 'Thriller' as the grand finale of the evening and it went over huge. Again, so well done.
I guess music is subjective but if I had a say (which I don't) I'd say you've got four years of Penthouse heading your way.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:43 AM on January 30, 2007
I guess music is subjective but if I had a say (which I don't) I'd say you've got four years of Penthouse heading your way.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:43 AM on January 30, 2007
Your favorite band* sucks!†
* Michael Jackson song
† is less brilliant / faith-inspiring than my favorite
posted by jake at 9:32 AM on January 30, 2007
* Michael Jackson song
† is less brilliant / faith-inspiring than my favorite
posted by jake at 9:32 AM on January 30, 2007
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