Last summer, while helping my dad and stepmom move, my younger sister and I had the delightful task of rummaging through their attic. We discovered boxes filled with nostalgic treasures—old notebooks, letters, and faded school projects. At the very bottom of one box, I stumbled upon a cherished VHS tape of Dirty Dancing.
“Look what I found—my Dirty Dancing tape!” I shouted.
“Uh, that’s mine,” my sister chimed in.
“Remember? I watched it every day after school. You were too little at the time!” I argued.
“Well, you lost interest, and then I did too,” she countered.
After some playful back and forth, I managed to sneak the tape back home. (Big sister win! She can borrow it whenever she wants, though.)
As a diehard fan of the film, I can’t help but reminisce about Baby’s iconic cutoff jeans, those steamy summer nights sneaking away to dance (to 11-year-old me, it truly felt scandalous), and the passionate love story between Baby and Johnny. With its unforgettable soundtrack, it’s no wonder this movie holds a special place in the hearts of those of us who grew up in the ’80s.
In the wake of Patrick Swayze’s passing, nostalgia has enveloped Dirty Dancing. Many of us still picture him as the strong and majestic Johnny, and it feels surreal that he’s no longer with us.
When I heard they were remaking the film, I was thrilled. Who wouldn’t want to relive those memories? However, as I started to read more about the new cast, a wave of realization hit me—I’m starting to feel ancient.
The new Baby will be played by Abigail Breslin, a name I vaguely recognize from Little Miss Sunshine. But the rest of the cast? Total strangers. Colt Prattes, portraying Johnny, looks fantastic, but can anyone truly fill Patrick Swayze’s shoes? No offense to Prattes, but that’s a tall order.
There is one familiar face—Debra Messing, recognizable from Will & Grace. But guess her role? Yep, she’s playing the mom. In just a few years, I’ll be the one wondering where my tween has gone, hoping they’re not out doing something scandalous… like dirty dancing.
This remake is set to air on ABC, which is kind of exciting. I remember when made-for-TV movies were a staple of my childhood, and I’m pleasantly surprised to see they still exist. But here’s the catch: when will I find the time to watch it? With my kids’ bedtime dictating my evenings (and yes, I know about DVRs, but we can’t afford to add anything to our cable bill right now), squeezing in a three-hour movie seems nearly impossible.
It’s clear this remake is aimed at a younger audience, which is great for them, but it also makes me acutely aware of my age. As the original Dirty Dancing debuted in 1987, next year marks thirty years since I would rush home to watch Johnny effortlessly lift Baby. So yes, I’m coming to terms with my age—even if I still feel like that 11-year-old girl at heart.
Regardless, I plan to watch the remake and am genuinely looking forward to it. But first, I’ll be dusting off my old VHS tape, popping it in, and cuddling up with my husband after the kids are asleep to relive those magical tween years once again.
And yes, we still have a VHS player and a collection of tapes because, well, we’re old. Did I mention that?
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Summary
The author reflects on the nostalgia of Dirty Dancing as a remake is announced, highlighting feelings of age as she recognizes the new cast. Despite these feelings, she looks forward to watching the remake while also cherishing the original film.