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EASTER EGGSTRA: 15 Hidden Slams And Dunks In 'Space Jam'

Sometimes, you just need a bunch of cartoons to spread some pro-union messages.

EASTER EGGSTRA: 15 Hidden Slams And Dunks In 'Space Jam'

April 19, 2021

With everyone absolutely delighted and excited about the highly-anticipated sequel (right? right?), we thought we’d take a look at some of the hidden messages, meanings, and Easter eggs hidden in the original classic 1996 movie that saw Michael Jordan and Bill Murray play basketball with a bunch of cartoons. Celebrities really do live the dream.

15

Michael Jordan

EASTER EGGSTRA SPASE Bill Murray's UAM intention of joining the NBA in the movie is a callback to a string of basketball ads he did in the early '90s. When Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 1993 and later signed on to play baseball, it inspired the NBA to do — Screenrant

14

EASTER EGGSTRA AM The Dover Boys SPASE cameo. P P The cartoon characters from Merrie Melodies created by Warner Bros. in 1942 can be seen in the stands. The cartoon was produced by Leon Schlensinger and directed by Chuck Jones, and the cameo spawned a cheeky (but small) petition to — Looney Tunes Wiki, Change.org

13

EASTER EGGSTRA SPACE AM The Mighty Ducks jab. 5 G+A P 9 When Daffy suggests they call themselves the Ducks, Bugs says: What kind of Mickey Mouse organization would name their team the Ducks? The Walt Disney Company created The Mighty Ducks franchise and founded The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim — SB Nation

12

EASTER EGGSTRA SPAGED AM Larry Johnson references his famous '90s commercial. Johnson featured in a series of Converse commercials titled Grandmama in the '90s. When the NBA players lose their skills to the Nerdlucks, Johnson remarks: My grandmother played better than I do. — Warner Bros. Wiki Transcript, Commercials

11

Space Jam

EASTER EGGSTRA SPAE AM The Doctor Who reference. When the Nerdlucks dress as they're donnina bistrenchcoat, a an oversized scarf. It was modeled around the fourth Doctor in the British sci-fi show, played by Tom Baker. Interestingly, Baker also starred in a series of commercials, in which he sold the Prime — Looper, Commercials

10

EASTER EGGSTRA SPACE JAM Homer Simpson has a cameo in the movie. Well, the actor who voices him does. During the scene where the Nerdlucks dress up in their Doctor Who ensemble, they take a seat next to Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond. Sitting next to her is Dan — Today

9

Space Jam

EASTER EGGSTRA SPASE JAM The Schlesinger Gym where the Tune Squad practice is a reference to a cartoon producer. FuL SCHLESINGER GYM Leon Schlesinger, whose production company later became Warner Bros. Cartoons studios, brought the Looney Tunes series to life.

8

EASTER EGGSTRA SPASE AM Shawn Bradley references his missionary work. During his college basketball years, Bradley took two years off to do missionary work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the movie, after the NBA players lose their skills, they talk about what's next for them — LDS Living

7

EASTER EGGSTRA SPAGE JAM There are pro-union messages scattered throughout the film. The 1940s was considered the golden era in animation. It was also the era of labor strikes and picketing animators who, in 1945, famously clashed with Burbank police outside Warner Bros. studios. — MEL Magazine

6

Space Jam

EASTER EGGSTRA SPAGED UAM The emergency cartoon character union meeting. 839 ONLY This is what Porky Pig suggests when the aliens first arrive in Looney Tune Land. The meeting happens at Union Hall 839, a reference to the real-life Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839. CRACKED COM — MEL Magazine

5

EASTER EGGSTRA Charles Barkley SPAGE AM references a rumor about himself. In the early '90s there was a tabloid rumor making the rounds that Barkley was dating Madonna. Barkley, who was married at the time, denied it and said that the media's attention had led to his mother-in-law having a — Film clip, Seattle Times

4

Space Jam

EASTER EGGSTRA SPACE AM There's a cameo of the first ever Looney Tunes star. Before Bugs Bunny, Warner Bros. created Bosko, the first ever main and recurring cartoon character. — CBR

3

EASTER EGGSTRA SPASE AM The Bill Murray joke that was more true than funny. When Daffy asks Murray how he was able to get to Looney Tune Land, Murray says: Producer's a friend of mine. Just had a Teamster come and drop me off. Murray was, in fact, friends with — MEL Magazine

2

1

EASTER EGGSTRA SPAGED JAM Bill Murray and his St. Paul Saints hat. Fhn3s Throughout the movie, Murray is seen sporting a St. Paul Saints hat. That's because he's a Co-owner of the Minor League Baseball team. — Twitter, Visit Saint Paul

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