ENCINO MAN

The fish out of water. The nerds yearning to be cool and popular. Standing up to bullies. And a good old fashioned American prom. What’s not to love? To grasp? To hang on to for dear life!? For 30 years and counting, I’ve referred to brains as "melons", food as "grindage", know unequivocally that Sweet Tarts are a member of the fruit group, and I’ve wanted to stick my face under a Slurpee machine so bad and go to town, all because of this movie. And one day, god willing, I’ll bloody do it! I suspect it’ll be in my 70s when attempting this wild and totally unhygienic act as my antics will simply be chalked up to senility. But I digress. Just one year later, Pauly returned in ‘Son in Law’, arguably my favourite of his films. His acting chops weren’t exactly stretched here either. Shore essentially played the same character, just toned down a smidge and with some more humility and righteousness, which is probably why I loved him so much in this. Brendan Fraser returned for a brief, wordless cameo to appease fans - the first of two he would inevitably do for Pauly, the third being in 1994’s ‘In The Army Now’.

These days, my Pauly Shore fandom only extends as far as my arm, being his often-funny rants on his Instagram feed. But I do limit my viewing as, especially in these last few years, some have some pretty strong feelings and opinions about things that should really remain private. However, my loyalty remains, as does the question: why? Is it simply nostalgia? Pauly Shore was a pivotal and prominent figure in my adolescence. Is it his mum and my obsession with The Comedy Store and the stand up comedy scene of old? Is it because he is unapologetically himself? Pauly’s childhood was less than typical (whatever “typical” means), and his personality in the 90s and now reflects that. You can’t help but give him props. He knew who he was, he knows who he is, he doesn’t try to change it or apologise for it. He’s aware of his strengths and weaknesses, and he also knows he has a legion of loyal fans across the globe because of it.

Love him, hate him or curse his ineffability, Pauly Shore undeniably has “it” and it has served him well. 30 years after he smashed it out the park in ‘Encino Man’, we’re still talking about it - and him - with love and revelry. There’s no expiry date on charisma.