DempseyTV: Pop Culture, Television, and Molumby’s Million

The Boxers in Action

by Howie Brown (Our Jack Dempsey)

I watch a lot of TV. I watch so much TV that sometimes I feel a need to change my initials to DVR. After a long week, one of my favorite things to do is to open my list of recorded shows and catch up on the shows I’ve missed. It’s like a TV To-Do list, and like any person with OCD tendencies — it feels great crossing items off the To-Do list.

Right now, the number one priority in my cue is Boardwalk Empire. This is for several reasons: 1) It’s about crime and corruption in NJ and I’ve been going through Sopranos withdrawal for years. 2) Much like Mad Men, I love exploring all the detail and grandeur from the not so distant past in our culture. 3) The first Empire episode — which began right around the time of the first rehearsal for Molumby’s Million – mentioned Jack Dempsey. I was sold.

This small connection to Molumby’s Million is significant because it got me thinking about why our culture loves these period pieces. I think one reason is that even though the characters are from a different generation, they are so easy to connect with since sometimes it feels like not much has changed from then to now. In fact, we can still see some of the same major issues represented in our present day culture. In Boardwalk Empire, one example of this is the back-door negotiations/smoke-filled rooms where the wheeling and dealing of politics happens. A politician surrounded by hookers??? Is that a scene from Boardwalk Empire or from former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer’s hotel room? For those playing the home game, the answer is of course BOTH!

In Molumby’s Million there are many themes and situations for present audiences to connect with as was pointed out in an early post by one of MM’s co-directors Randy Wise. On a personal note, playing Jack Dempsey has made me specifically realize the similarities with sports celebrities.

Jack Dempsey was labeled a war slacker by some because he never went overseas to fight in France during World War I. Nevertheless, he was still extremely popular and in particular in Molumby’s Million we get a glimpse of how Jack is very concerned about his public perception and legacy. I couldn’t help but notice some similarities with Lebron James and the flak he has taken from many sports fans since his decision to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat this summer. Just take a look at this Nike commercial where Lebron – like Jack Dempsey and countless other sports stars before him – tries to control the perception of his image. Lebron talks about his legacy, people call him a quitter (as they do Jack at times in MM), and Lebron’s even dressed up like Daredevil Jack in his cowboy costume.

This is just a small sample of some of the links between Molumby’s Million and present-day culture. Come out and see this wonderful production and see what connections surface for you.