Chicagoist Weekend Theater: Bleacher Bums

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 30, 2014 7:45PM

Wrigley Field is 100 years old, and to celebrate all of the dashed dreams and frustrated ambitions of Cubs fans and teams past, let's all watch Bleacher Bums.

The Museum of Classic Chicago Television uploaded the 1984 WTTW television production to its YouTube page last year.

Bleacher Bums was originally a Chicago stage production dreamt up by the Organic Theater Company, based on an idea by Joe Mantegna who appears here. (Fun fact, horror fans: the original stage production of Bleacher Bums was directed by Stuart Gordon, of Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Stuck fame.)

As the MCCT writes: "Originally produced in 1979, and set in 1977, this broadcast is from 1984 (the last time it was shown on TV), when the Cubs had a good run at the pennant."

That's how you know it's old. Watch the first three parts here, then check out the rest at the Museum of Classic Chicago Television.