Bingo, the popular British game, has become a sort of cultural phenomenon throughout the country. It has become so popular that many films and TV shows featured it in a few of their scenes. The bingo-themed scenes are usually light-hearted, aiming to put viewers in a good mood.
An important factor that contributed to this game’s popularity worldwide was its launch in online casinos, such as https://bingo.paddypower.com/. Online casinos made bingo more accessible to a wider range of players, offering them a variety of prizes and bonuses. Being able to play it on the go on mobile devices gave a tremendous boost to this industry. But, perhaps the biggest factor was its pervasive nature when it comes to pop culture, as evidenced by these top nine bingo scenes in movie and TV history.
1. Inglourious Basterds
Although this film doesn’t feature the game itself, there is a phrase that became a memorable quote from it: ‘That’s a Bingo!’. As highlighted by https://www.theringer.com/, the phrase resonated with the viewers and it is even recognised as one of the best Quentin Tarantino scenes of all time.
2. Bad Grandpa
As with all of the Jackass films, this one is up to no good. In the bingo scene, Johnny Knoxville’s elderly title character gets into a bingo hall to stir up some trouble. There, he starts acting in ways that disgust the other players to cause the shock effect that everyone expects from his films. It’s a classic, even if only for the unwilling participants’ responses to his actions.
3. King of the Bingo Game
The whole plot of this short film revolves around bingo and one player that hopes to win the big prize for his family. The film is an emotional roller coaster, with many ups and downs presented throughout. It is definitely worth a watch for fans of the game!
4. Better Call Saul
This spin-off and prequel of Breaking Bad, as discussed in https://www.vulture.com/, follows the story of lawyer Saul. In one of the episodes’ scenes, he decides to host a game of bingo for the elderly as an attempt to win over new, potential clients. This doesn’t turn out well, though. By the end of the scene, he ends up having a mental breakdown and lamenting the direction his life is taking.
5. The Babadook
Even horror enthusiasts can get a taste of bingo in a scene from this popular film. Amelia, the main character, works in a care home and in order to engage the residents, she starts a bingo game. As this goes on, though, her instability begins to become more apparent and the gravity of the situation she finds herself in dawns on her.
6. Rampage
This thriller portrays best how dedicated bingo players are to their game and how captivating it can become once they start playing. When a killer enters a bingo hall and wanders around, he doesn’t even get noticed because no one lifts their eyes from their books. NEVER interrupt a die-hard player’s game.
7. Big Momma’s House 2
This film has one of the highest-quality and funniest bingo scenes out of them all. Momma decides to show the family how she spends her spare time and takes them to a bingo game. There, one of the children starts indiscriminately shouting ‘bingo’ in the middle of the game. I think we can all imagine what happens after that.
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm
In this cult classic sitcom, comedian Larry David joins his father for a game of bingo in his retirement home. Things don’t go as planned though, because he starts losing his cool, which causes many laughs amongst the audience. Remember to always keep your cool. Not just at bingo, though.
9. Beach Blanket Bingo
This 60’s comedy is proof that bingo has been a popular game for over 80 years. During a bingo game, some of the participants start swapping numbers on their bingo cards, which leads to a messy love triangle.
10. The Simpsons
While it isn’t a scene every fan will remember there was indeed a scene and it has a few good laughs. The called calls out the number, the players can’t hear what he is saying then the caller shouts out BINGO when no-one has one. It’s funnier than it sounds I promise.
It’s not news that bingo is a game that’s been popular for decades. However, it’s easier to forget just how popular a plot device it has been in film and TV. These scenes are a testament to that fact.