Wow! Doesn't it feel like August just snuck up on us? It's like this summer has just flown by and we couldn't be more torn. One one hand we are one month closer to the start of the new television season, but on the other hand, we don't want to let the nice warm weather fade away. As we count down the remaining days of summer, Stay Tuned will focus on that theme for every #ThrowbackThursday.
This week we will go back to those summer camp days...Back when we were new campers trying to adjust to living in cramped and hot quarters, bunking with other people, communal showers, and the bland mess hall food. After watching Camp Cucamonga, we kind of wish we had the chance to stay at this summer camp.
Camp Cucamonga was a made-for-TV movie NBC produced back in 1990 when the network still had NBC's Sunday Night at the Movies on its line-up. In general, networks often produced these made-for-TV movies just to generate ratings and revenue. Plot wasn't necessarily the biggest factor since these movies would rely mostly on the star power of its cast, typically actors from various popular TV shows. Camp Cucamonga was no exception as it was credited being a Who's Who of '90s television.
Touted as a family film for the summer, Camp Cucamonga focused on several plots. The primary plot was on the adventures and drama (as happens will all kids in camp) of the young campers. The subplots revolved around a family's attempt to pass the summer camp inspection, as well as the romance between camp counselors. Marvin and Millie (played by Cheers' John Ratzenberger and Mama's Family's Dorothy Lyman) are the owners of Camp Cucamonga and their daughter Ava (portrayed by an unknown Jennifer Aniston, who was part of NBC's flop Ferris Bueller) is one of the camp counselors who becomes romantically attached to the boys counselor (Head of the Class' Brian Robbins). The campers were led by Chad Allen (My Two Dads), Candace Cameron (Full House), Jaleel White (Family Matters), Danica McKellar and Josh Saviano (The Wonder Years). Additionally, Sherman Hemsley (Amen) played the camp inspector and newcomer Breckin Meyer was cast in a small role as a camper.
The rundown of the movie: Basically Danica McKellar plays the odd new girl to the camp and gets off on the wrong foot with Candace Cameron. Cameron makes life hell for the newbie meanwhile McKellar becomes buddies with nerdy Josh Saviano and attracts the attention of Chad Allen, who is Cameron's boyfriend at camp. Oh and Jaleel White portrays the anti-Steve Urkel. Hilarity and misunderstandings ensue and the kids make a rap video to attract new business when the threat of shutting down the camp becomes real. But don't take our word for it, just watch the links below and pretty soon you'll be singing "Cucamonga, Oh yeah, Oh yeah."
We hope you enjoy this little feature movie (if not you'll probably want some way to get your 90 minutes back!) and join us next Thursday for another throwback. Remember to keep it locked to Stay Tuned for anything and everything television!
