“Lola’s a Sexy Bunny”: Comedian Ron Funches Remembers ‘Space Jam'

Funny man Ron Funches fondly remembers 20 years of 'Space Jam.'

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Image via Complex Original
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Before Space Jam's 1996 release, we'd never imagined that Michael Jordan would dunk on cartoon players, that Jay-Z would ghostwrite for Bugs Bunny, or that a cartoon rabbit could make us sweat. Our five-part "Space Jam: 20 Years Later" package grapples with all of these incomprehensible truths and many more, exploring the legacy of the worst-best film ever made. 

By Ron Funches, As Told To Justin Caffier

Over the course of history, some things are just undeniably classic and wonderful and demand to be celebrated. Like the moon landing, Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Space Jam.

You could say I’m an original Space Jam head. I saw it in the theater and I’ve seen it a million times since. I grew up in Chicago, so I was super-excited when I saw a movie coming out that contained my three favorite things in the world—Michael Jordan, cartoons, and slam dunking. It was already set up to be the best movie ever for me.

As much as I loved Michael in the movie, it was the cartoons who really spoke to me. Bugs was great and all, but the character that really jumped out was Lola Bunny. I had to do some serious self-reflecting at that point, like, “man, what’s going on in my life where I’m interested in this cartoon bunny?” It wasn’t that big a surprise, actually. I’d already been attracted to several cartoons before. My first few crushes were Penny from Inspector Gadget, and then Jessica Rabbit [from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?], of course. But this was the first cartoon animal that had pulled me in. Fortunately, it stopped there and I didn’t wind up joining the furry community or anything of that nature. Still, there’s no denying that Lola’s a sexy bunny. 

Lola Bunny Space Jam

But the Tune Squad wasn’t about romance. They were a basketball team. And when it comes to fundamentals, there’s nobody on that team better than the Tasmanian Devil. You want him on your squad at all times, because that dude’s got no fear. He just goes at it. He’s on the boards hard. He reminds me of, like, a Dennis Rodman mixed with Ben Wallace mixed with a little bit of Russell Westbrook ‘cause he just comes at you with the anger.

Now, I hear there’s a sequel with LeBron coming, which I’m excited about, but I’ve been pitching a sequel of my own for years. I’m actually more into wrestling than basketball these days so my version would be more WWE-focused, starring me and John Cena. I’d call it Space Slam. And, uh-oh, did I forget to mention The Rock is in it? That’s right, John Cena and The Rock versus the Monstars. Maybe we got Kevin Hart in it too. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t want to see that.

You want the Tasmanian Devil on your squad at all times, because that dude's got no fear... He reminds me of, like, a Dennis Rodman mixed with Ben Wallace mixed with a little bit of Russell Westbrook.

If you think about it, they could do these like Tyler Perry movies and just pump out a new Space Jam every year.

That said, I’m not opposed to getting involved with the already planned sequel either. In fact, I’m very interested. I’m willing to audition, I’m willing to learn how to play basketball better, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get onboard. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m writing a sitcom with LeBron right now. Maybe that’s my in. I’ll have to talk to him.

Either way, my part in this sequel writes itself. You don’t have to mess with the plot too much. If we’re going off the formula of the original, I’m the Wayne Knight character, the comic relief, the foil. I’d be great as an assistant coach. Or maybe a towel boy. I’d even be a cheerleader. The point is, whatever they need me to be, I’m in.

And think about this: If the one of the Monstars happened to mistake me for a pro and took me over, cartoonishly exaggerating my features, you’d have a very sleepy, giggly, and stoned-looking animated alien creature on the screen who doesn’t play much basketball, but would be undeniably adorable.

I’m glad we’re all taking the time to remember this special anniversary in cinema history. Space Jam is one of the few DVDs I still own. Every now and then, if I’m bored, I’ll just bust out the movie and give it a watch. I’ve tried to introduce my son to it, but he’s just like “Dad, who’s this old dude? They made a movie about the crying Jordan meme? Why do the aliens want to steal our memes!?” He doesn’t really love it like I do, but that’s ok.

 

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