When you think of bingo, nursing homes and their elderly residents inevitably come to mind. However, in recent years, the game has become increasingly popular, with young people taking an interest in the game. A 2022 survey from a Milwaukee casino showed that more millennials play bingo than older adults. Surveys show that 80% of people who regularly play bingo are under the age of 41.
Interestingly, 45% of respondents still believe bingo is an “old people’s” game. Likewise, other games that were previously associated only with older generations of players, such as the Chinese game of Mahjong, are now increasingly played and played by Millennials and Gen Z in trendy, movie-inspired settings across the United States. For younger generations, these classic games learned from grandparents and older family members are an opportunity to socialize and catch up with old friends away from stuffy venues like boozy nightclubs.
One of the factors contributing to bingo’s growing popularity among younger generations is undoubtedly the rise of digital platforms. Nowadays, enthusiasts can easily play bingo online on betting sites and apps. Reputable betting platform Thunderpick offers a variety of bingo games based on your preference, from the classic 90-ball bingo to newer variants such as 30-ball and 80-ball bingo if you want a change of pace. Most of the bingo games on the site also borrow many familiar pop culture images, from Greek or Egyptian mythology to cowboy westerns that are closely associated with film and television. Much of the on-screen depiction of bingo is identical to games we’ve seen online, such as Big Momma’s House 2, which famously demonstrated the difference between 75-ball bingo and 90-ball bingo , a player declares “Bingo” even if they haven’t played it yet won – newer variants require specific patterns to win.
Given that bingo is so popular both online and offline, it’s no surprise that we see these crossovers happening in the media. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the movies and TV shows that made bingo famous:
Beach Blanket Bingo
Released in 1965, this film is the fourth in a series of five party movies. Compared to the other entries on this list, Beach Blanket Bingo is actually one of the few movies that doesn’t fall into the stereotype that only older people play games. Instead, the film follows a group of friends who get into a series of ridiculous situations, including skydiving, kidnapping, and a love triangle.
Although the film did not introduce the characters playing the game, it spawned a hit song featuring the game’s title, performed by singer and actor Frankie Avalon, who is also known for comedy musical hits such as The iconic Grease movie from The School Dropout. Regardless, the film is a testament to Bingo’s enduring popularity, dating back to the days of Buster Keaton’s cameos.
The Simpsons (Season 10, Episode 20)
Depending on who you ask, The Simpsons is arguably the most famous and iconic animated television series. While not exactly about bingo, one episode of the series focused on Lisa Simpson’s visit to Springfield Retirement Castle, where she hosted and hosted sessions for elderly nursing home residents. Play bingo.
Like most media depictions of bingo, The Simpsons has some humorous jabs at the game’s popularity among seniors, with one elderly resident repeatedly joking: “You’re sinking me.” of Battleship! — refers to a completely different card game. However, this isn’t the only instance of bingo in the Legends animated series. There was a scene in the bingo hall in Season 25, Episode 14. He had no idea what game they were playing.
Big Mom’s House 2
Back on the big screen, Martin Lawrence’s Big Mom became another iconic movie character due to her ridiculous character design. In the second movie, Big Mom must go undercover to investigate a case at a nursing home. If you haven’t noticed the pattern by now – Big Mom continues to participate in and dominate the family’s daily bingo game.
In a scene considered by many to be one of the funniest in the entire run, Big Mom also ends up trying to help a resident cheat in the game. These days, Martin Lawrence is busy reprising his other action-comedy series Bad Boys with pal Will Smith. Still, as moviegoers become increasingly nostalgic, it will be fun to see Big Momma on the big screen again.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 5 Episode 4)
Finally, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the witty sitcom starring Larry David, famously featured the comedian in seemingly normal situations that turned out to be chaotic. In this episode, David ends up accusing his father’s nursing home of “rigging” their bingo game.
In one of the episode’s many awkward scenes, David attends a bingo night at his father’s retirement home and wins the much-coveted bingo game, before the situation immediately escalates into murder charges. Of course, David doesn’t actually murder anyone, and the scene ends with him being run over by an elderly resident who may or may not be a kamikaze pilot.
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