This past summer, while helping my dad and stepmom move, my younger brother and I dug through their attic to clear out our old stuff. We stumbled upon boxes filled with forgotten notebooks, letters, and dusty books—total treasures from our childhood. And guess what I found at the bottom of one box? An old VHS tape of Dirty Dancing!
“Look what I found—my Dirty Dancing tape!” I shouted, excitement bubbling over.
“Um, that’s mine,” my brother quickly retorted.
“Come on, remember? I used to watch it every day after school. You were too little back then!”
“Well, you got bored of it eventually, and I did too,” he replied with a smirk.
We eventually reached a truce, but I managed to sneak the tape back home with me. (Big sister wins again! He can borrow it anytime, though.) It’s clear I’m a huge fan of the film—the iconic cutoff jeans, those sultry summer nights spent dancing (the kind that felt downright scandalous at age 11), and the epic love story between Baby and Johnny. With a killer soundtrack, it’s pure gold, especially for those of us who grew up in the ’80s.
Since Patrick Swayze’s passing, nostalgia for the movie has hit hard. Many of us fondly remember him as Johnny—strong and majestic—and it still seems surreal that he’s no longer with us. So when I heard they were remaking the film, I was pumped. I mean, who wouldn’t want to revisit those cherished memories? But as I read more about the remake, a wave of realization washed over me: I’m feeling ancient.
The Cast
First up, the cast. I only vaguely recognize Abigail Breslin, who is taking on Jennifer Grey’s iconic role as Baby. I think I saw her in Little Miss Sunshine ages ago, back when I didn’t have kids. The rest of the cast? A total mystery to me. Colt Prattes, who’s portraying Johnny, looks pretty hot, but replacing Patrick Swayze? No small feat! No shade to Prattes—he’s a talented Broadway performer—but those are some gigantic shoes to fill.
There’s one familiar face, though—Debra Messing from Will & Grace! But guess what role she’s playing? Yep, she’s the mom. In just a few years, my tween will be a teenager and I’ll be turning into Mrs. Houseman, wondering where my kid has disappeared to and hoping they’re not out doing something wild—like dirty dancing.
Air Date and Time
The remake is set to air on ABC, which is kind of cool since I remember when made-for-TV movies were all the rage. I’m pleasantly surprised it’s still happening! But then comes the kicker: when on earth will I find the time to watch it? With my kids’ bedtime dictating my schedule (and yes, I know about DVRs, but I’m too broke from parenting to add anything to our cable bill), it feels impossible. And the movie’s supposed to run for three hours—how does that fit into a working parent’s life?
I’ve come to accept that this remake is aimed at a much younger audience, which is great for them, but it highlights how old I actually feel. Given that the original Dirty Dancing dropped in 1987 (yep, next year marks 30 years since its debut), it’s clear a lot of time has passed since I would rush home from school to watch Johnny effortlessly lift Baby over his head. So here’s my confession: I’m officially old—even if I could swear I was just 11 yesterday.
I’m looking forward to the remake, but I’ll also be dusting off my trusty VHS of the original, cuddling up with my partner after the kids are asleep, and happily reliving my tween years. (And yes, we still have a VHS player and a stash of tapes because, well, we’re vintage like that.)
Related Topics
For more on similar topics, check out this interesting post on home insemination. Also, if you’re considering this journey, this site has some great resources. And for those navigating fertility treatments, this article offers valuable insights.
In summary, the upcoming Dirty Dancing remake is stirring up all sorts of nostalgia for those of us who remember the original fondly, while also reminding us just how much time has passed. As we embrace the new generation enjoying this classic, we can still relish our own memories.