We break from the political to kick off our shoes, and cross over to the cultural this morning. When guest Kevin Bacon learns that Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has banned dancing, he had no choice but to break the rules with an epic and entertaining Footloose entrance.
Using a shot-by-shot remake of Bacon’s memorable dancing scene from ‘Footloose’ and a high energy live finale with a group dance to the Kenny Loggin’s theme song in the studio, the results were so spectacular that Jimmy had no option other than to tear up the no dancing decree.
Jimmy’s ban just happened to coincide with the 30 year anniversary of the breakthrough Kevin Bacon movie ‘Footloose.’ Where were you in 1984, were you footloose? I frankly can’t remember, and trust any witnesses are equally forgetful.
The movie ‘Footloose’ was based on the actual 1979-80 high school class in Elmore, Oklahoma where dancing had been prohibited within city limits since the 1800’s. Prom was an event where everyone dressed up and sat down. The kids decided to present their case to the school board, in what is a compelling story of a town divided – over dancing.
Like the Texas kids in the movie, the Oklahoma class triumphed. In fact, when the Oklahoma kids won the right to dance at their prom, People magazine wrote a feature story about the struggle in Elmore, OK. Soon, movie offers were pouring in, music was being composed and the rest is history.