Friday Night Karaoke — “Iconic Movie Songs, Karaoke Style”

Episode 66 | October 12, 2024

Main Theme and Purpose

This vibrant episode of the Friday Night Karaoke podcast is a joyous celebration of “iconic songs from iconic movies,” all performed karaoke-style by talented members of the FNK community. Hosts Mike Whiston and Joe Rubin guide listeners through a handpicked set of amateur performances, blending energetic commentary, nostalgia, music geekery, and plenty of friendly banter. The episode is less about flawless technique and more about shared love of movie moments and community spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Performances

1. Opener: “Suddenly Seymour” (Little Shop of Horrors)

[00:02–03:14]

• Performed by Paul Bright and Heather Ganari.
• The hosts marvel at the “FNK gold” of the duet and discuss both its Broadway and movie versions:
  • “Paul Bright jumping in there with that voice that Seymour. And then Heather Canari just perfectly coming in and harmonizing and owning the Audrey.” — Mike [03:51]
• Nostalgic reflections on local theater, Broadway adaptations, and the cultural imprint of the Little Shop of Horrors movie.
• Sets the tone for a night of beloved movie tunes.

2. Song: “If I Could Change the World” (Phenomenon)

[08:05–11:28]

• Sung by Eric Dubrowski, a staple and moderator of the community.
• Mike and Joe praise his evolving talent and joke about starting a “Karaoke Fitness” business.
  • “If I could change that song and the way you sang it, I wouldn’t change a goddamn thing. Cuz that was just… just freaking perfect.” — Mike [11:29]
• The hosts comment on how some iconic songs’ movie connections are surprising.

3. Song: “Be My Baby” (Dirty Dancing)

[17:07–19:44]

• Bonnie Rochelle delivers a “movie level” rendition.
• Hosts riff on the cultural power of Dirty Dancing and friendly envy towards great vocalists:
  • “I mean, that was, you know, that was movie level quality… so good. And I’m so jealous of people who can do that.” — Mike [19:58]
• Light-hearted commentary on forgotten actor names and missed opportunities for “Labyrinth” covers.

4. Song: “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (The Woman in Red)

[26:25–30:34]

• Chris Gonzalez impresses the hosts with an unexpected vocal range:
  • “Wow, dude, that guy has some range. Holy…” — Joe [30:41]
  • “He just crushed that tenor… all day long.” — Mike [30:56]
• Playful charades as the hosts try (and fail) to mime Stevie Wonder, leading to a string of jokes.

5. Song: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (I Love You Baby)” (10 Things I Hate About You)

[36:03–39:22]

• Sung by Mimi Walt, this performance brings out nostalgic memories and laughter at “stadium serenade” fantasies gone wrong:
  • “One day, you know, I’m gonna surprise my wife at… a stadium somewhere… I’m gonna sing that song. But it’s not gonna end the same way. I’m gonna be in jail, and then I’ll get divorced.” — Mike [39:47]

6. Song: “Fox on the Run” (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

[46:11–49:11]

• Rick Mendoza’s energetic, effects-laden take is highlighted for fitting the movie and the vibe perfectly:
  • “Sometimes, like, effects can actually hurt your singing… but then there’s the times that the effect matches the song perfectly. And in that case, it was exactly the effect to use.” — Mike [50:09]
• Banter about the Guardians’ soundtrack and soundtrack collecting.

7. Song: “East Bound and Down” (Smokey and the Bandit)

[54:20–57:21]

• Mark Cross closes the show with this rollicking, country-infused classic, which earns the hosts’ admiration:
  • “I feel like he was born with a cowboy hat on his head.” — Mike [57:31]
  • “He just owns it.” — Mike [58:23]
• Launches a tangent about baby teeth, entrepreneurial kids, and tooth fairy economics.

Community, Themes, and Podcast Culture

FNK Community Highlight & History

• The hosts repeatedly emphasize the growth and supportiveness of the FNK Facebook group:
  • “It’s nice to escape here for an hour and do this with you… There’s people of all walks of life on FNK, people that you may not normally hang out with. But everybody’s so supportive in this group. There’s no negativity… you get on there, you sing a song and everybody… they’re in there and they’re supporting you and they’re encouraging you and I love that.” — Joe [42:04]
  • The backstory of the group’s pandemic origins, believing it would be something small, and growing to 35,000 members.

Theme Weeks & Prizes

• The episode coincides with FNK’s 200th “theme of the week.”
• New theme announced for next week: “FNK Time” (songs about or relating to time) [61:09].

Running Gags and Fun Moments

• The “Eric Dubrowski drinking game”: Do a shot whenever his name is mentioned [07:12].
• Failed attempts at naming the actress from Dirty Dancing, ongoing “movie geek” quizzes, and plans for elaborate karaoke-inspired business ventures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the value of karaoke and community:

  • “It’s never about… the money or about the prize. It’s more about just the community and about fun.” — Mike [41:41]
  • “It’s my happy place on the Internet.” — Mike [43:48]

• On the nostalgia of movie songs:

  • “It just brings back really good memories… and that’s what I think the whole point of this theme or week is—just bringing back those good memories.” — Mike [39:29]

• On the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack:

  • “Whoever did the soundtrack for the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy… bravo, hat tip to that person, cuz. Holy crap. Great soundtrack all around.” — Joe [45:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment/Highlight | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | “Suddenly Seymour” performance and commentary | | 07:43 | Introduction of Eric Dubrowski and song | | 08:05 | “If I Could Change the World” performance | | 17:07 | “Be My Baby” performance and Dirty Dancing nostalgia | | 26:25 | “I Just Called to Say I Love You” performance | | 36:03 | “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (I Love You Baby)” | | 46:11 | “Fox on the Run” performance | | 54:20 | “East Bound and Down” performance and closing remarks | | 61:09 | Announcement of next week’s theme: “FNK Time” |

Tone & Style

• Friendly, inclusive, often irreverent and enthusiastic.
• Deeply nostalgic, peppered with personal anecdotes and self-deprecating humor.
• Focus on joy, encouragement, and community over technical expertise.

Concluding Encouragement

• Listeners are warmly invited to join the FNK Facebook group, participate or spectate, and share in the ongoing theme weeks.
• The show signs off with an affirmation of music’s power to unite and uplift:
  • “Please, if you have not joined the group already… Be part of the madness. Just participate, even if you’re not going to sing… show some support, or just sit back and watch. Either way, we want you to just be there…” — Mike [62:27]

For New Listeners

You don’t need to be a singer or a movie maven to enjoy: Friday Night Karaoke is a welcoming, laughter-filled space to revel in the songs and memories that shaped us all. Whether you belt it out, cheer from the sidelines, or just listen, the community—and its infectious spirit—keeps growing.

“Friday Night Karaoke — where the movies and the music never cut to credits.”