I didn’t think I would be posting about that “Frolf” episode of the show Happy Endings again, alas this is too funny NOT to post about.
If you recall, the show “Happy Endings” did an episode where they had disc golf in it. But, they referred to it as Frolf and eventually said it was not a sport. Though it made me laugh, I understood that people would get upset.
Apparently, people were more up in arms about it than I originally thought in this post from last week.
People must have written/called the network and show, because two of the “stars” from Happy Endings decided to “apologize” for what they did for disc golf.
I was going to embed it, but it automatically plays if you do that and I don’t personally like it when sites do that. So, I’ll just leave the link. Please check it out, however. It’s funny to a point (I’m not afraid to laugh at things like this. It is what it is.)
But, the best is when two world champions — Nate Doss and Val Jenkins fire back.
This is classic stuff.
And, it’s also proof, in my eyes, that Doss and Jenkins get it. What’s done is done, so why not fight back with the same sort of humor?
The show does have a following, I’m sure. Most silly comedies like this do.
The September 28 show (which featured the Frolf stuff) received a 3.1 rating, which was 7.25 million viewers.
The breakdown shows that the 9:31-9:45 p.m. timeslot had 7.976 viewers (which drastically dropped from the last minute of Modern Family (9:30-9:31), which had 12.542 million viewers.
From 9:45-10 p.m., the ratings went down to 6.572 million viewers. Now, I can’t say all of those are obviously disc golfers. But there were some for sure. And I also dare say it’s because other people realized that the show, well, sucks. Outside of Elisha Cuthbert, of course.
This week’s episode dropped, though was strong for it’s timeslot. It had a 2.9 rating with 6.92 viewers. Again, is this disc golfers? Not all. But, the show did have a chance to gain many new viewers and it didn’t do that.
I realize shows can’t cater to everyone. But when it has a chance to widen it’s viewership, it should take advantage. Could the show have poked fun at disc golf and still gained the viewers? Absolutely. Unfortunately, they basically had everyone involved with it take jabs. And that’s what disc golfers were fired up about.
Personally, it doesn’t bother me too much. I am an active geocacher and that is made fun of by many people. It happens. But I can see both sides of this. The disc golfing world was hoping this was something that would help elevate the sport. It obviously didn’t.
Still, as someone who studied journalism and public relations, I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as bad PR. People will see past the silliness and investigate the sport. Will it grow by the millions? Of course not. But, more good than not will come out of this.
Especially if curious people see both videos. It might show that, hey, this disc golf isn’t so bad.
And truthfully, it’s going to take a lot more than a brief moment or two on a silly half-hour show to push disc golf to the mainstream.
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Hey PJ! This is the other PJ! I am glad I found your blog. Funny stuff.
My take…. I am not completely sure Nate and Val really do “get it.” The humor in the cast members’ apology goes one more level than I think people realize. It is meant to be complimentary — for real. For comedians, this type of insulting humor is the best form of flattery. Think of the exposure disc golf is getting as a result.
If Nate and Val do get it, and their “firing back” is meant to actually say thanks, then I am the one who doesn’t get it. And it would not be the first time!
Thanks again for posting!
pj
Hey there and thanks for stopping by. I actually don’t think the cast members apology was that funny. Just going off the whole show itself. It’s that sense of humor that all people don’t always like. I get it. I knew it wasn’t “serious.” But to say that they did it with humor — yet Nate and Val don’t get it — I think would be wrong. I think you could very well be right about the cast members. But I also don’t think Nate and Val were firing back fully. I think it was meant as funny, too. I give them props that they keep a straight face the whole time!
It’s not Disc Golf vs. Frolf, it’s Bolf vs. Frolf!
Bolf! I love it!
In a time when disc golf disc manufacturers are trying to lesson the legitimacy of Professional Disc Golf the sitcom putting down the sport is a real boost for a sport where even its facilitators are doing the same thing. Good to hear that frolf is in the mainstream and so many players like Doss and Jenkins are exited to share their passion. It was funny how the PDGA for months had been talking up this sitcom as the flagship that is going to take Disc Golf to a new level. Calling Mark Cuban Disc Golf is multi million dollar business for disc manufactures that want to leave it just the way and it is a Billion Dollar baby for someone with heart and vision!
Henk – I’m assuming this comment is tongue in cheek (at least the first part)? If so, you gave me a good chuckle! Thanks for stopping by!
The greatest physical benefit to playing golf is getting exercise from walking. Walking for 18 holes is often the equivalent of walking 3-to-4 miles. This gets the golfer’s heart going and blood pumping. It is a stimulating if not rigorous activity. Golfer who play three or four times a week are getting quite a bit of exercise.
gold community: That is true about regular gold as it is disc golf. I think even more so with disc golf because the terrain is usually a little rougher than traditional ball golf.
i really don’t think anyone got it as to the relevance of happy endings promoting disc golf. i dare say 99.99999[to infinity]% of the people who even noticed a pdga sticker or the frisbee as a 1 in a million ad for disc golf were us players that were TOLD to look for it so how the heck is that promoting our sport? i like val a lot but; why would 2 of the top players even remotely think of sending any message to the cast for such a stupid show that will probably soon be canceled? i am probably not as mad at the show as i am at the pdga that allowed itself to be played!
Dave — I know I personally didn’t any sticker. I barely noticed the basket they had set up.
As for the two sending a message, I don’t know why they did it. Maybe they felt slighted. I know I got a good chuckle out of it, however. On the flip side of that — why would two actors from the show do the same with their “apology?”
I will agree with you on the mad part. The show — it’s Hollywood. It’s not the first time they slighted something. I also agree that the PDGA got played, which is a shame. Though who knows what the Hollywood Yahoos told them when they first approached them.
Thanks for stopping by!
In ball golf you played on tree lined fairways. In disc golf we play on tree infested fairways!
Rock — totally the truth there! It’s another reason I love disc golf over ball golf!
Most disc golfers were mad not because of the comments but because the PDGA (and it’s members) got played. According to the PDGA, they were approached by the producers of the show asking for PDGA branded merchandise that would be “prominently displayed in an upcomming episode” and would “bring positive exposure” to the sports. The PDGA turned around and told its members to looks for a “disc golf related” episode. Blame goes to the PDGA for not fully understanding what they were supporting.
I don’t see how the cast members appology was anything of the sort – it came off as a grap for more publicity and seemed anything but genuine.
Nate and Val’s appology seems to be aimed at disc golfers in a (funny) attempt to gain more exposure and fans.
I still crack up everytime I watch it and hear Val say, “as disc golfers, we understand how your cast feels to be unrecognized” or when Nate appologizes for their extreme statements and says he regrets them, “much like we regret the 30 minutes spent watching the show”. Very funny stuff.
Scott — Thanks for stopping by. And I agree on what disc golfers were mad about. I imagine when you are the top organization in the sport, some trust is out there in the hopes that one won’t get played. Unfortunately, the producers don’t care about the game or the PDGA — rather what they think will help their show.
The cast members thing was obviously another jab, which is I’m sure what prompted Nate and Val to respond in a (funny!) way. I actually think that video helps the sport even more because it shows that the players can be funny and down to earth!
I really really want one of those light blue shirts
Ha!
I’m a golfer…and I think all of it is kinda silly. The (Val & Nate)comments-video was clever & cute. I just think the name Frolf is (fill-n-the-blank)….I’ve only heard that word said 1 or 2 times in 20 yrs., and both times by non-athletic people who were a little clueless. Disc-Golf is far more relevant (now) than some stupid sitcom, and just wait 10 yrs! I had never heard of the show…nor will I watch it. Although an episode w/ naked-female-celebrity-disc-golfers might make me tune in!
See, you’re onto something here, Bill. I agree with the usage of the word. And the show isn’t that great and its lifespan will definitely not match disc golf. But the end part. That episode. Elisha Cuthbert is on the show. I think you should pitch that idea to the Happy Endings producers. Maybe the name would make more sense then!
It’s fun to revisit this tempest in a teapot. Serious disc golfers have been searching for legitimacy and respect ever since Ed invented the Disc Pole Hole in 1976. Most serious disc golfers want the world to take the game very seriously. That’s why the word Frolf grates on the ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. Guess what: most rec players think DG is a fun, healthful, cheap activity, and don’t care how the world perceives it as long as their local course is open. The Happy Endings people thought it was funny that so many serious disc golfers were offended by their silly episode. Really, who can blame either group for their polarized perception?
Joe, it’s a slow climb, I’m sure. I did a blog post around Labor Day about my experiences at the Vibram Open and some of my thoughts on taking the sport mainstream. And I’m with you about the rec players (as that’s what I am!) — it’s fun, cheap and healthy and I love it! As for Happy Endings, being I think the show is stupid anyway, I couldn’t take it serious!
When is the Tim Conway movie entitled “Dorf On Frolf” coming out? That might be fun. Any attention to the sport that is remotely positive should be greatly appreciated. Maybe the individuals at the PDGA who were approached, should have taken a little more effort to to safeguard the “brand”. We all know that people in the media cannot always be trusted, especially Hollywood producers. Anyone who plays disc golf should be fully aware of some of the PR liabilities that promoters of the sport must contend with(much like the extra baggage one might find in the parking lot at a Dead show). Consider this a lesson in public relations, this was mild compared to some of the other possibilities that we might have experienced. The next time someone begs for some free stuff with our logo on it for a show broadcast on national network TV, maybe someone should oversee the production and ensure that the reputation of the brand is respected. All of the people who dedicate their time to the sport through their involvement in the PDGA are to be commended for their efforts, but the world of entertainment is a completely different ocean filled with sharks and other unfriendly creatures. Thanks Nate and Val for your commentary. I noticed that you chose not to display any logos for your sponsors in your video. Do you think that your endorsement deals may have been put in jeopardy by your statements? I will look forward to seeing you guys this summer when the tour comes back through our town. Go Team Jenkins!
Dorf on Frolf could be a major hit!
And I totally agree with this post. As someone who has worked in or with media for many years, it can be sketchy when dealing with certain parts. I think there was too much of a rush to get “mainstream.” It’s a slow climb and needs to be thought of and worked in that situation. And, truthfully, there’s no such thing as bad PR. How many people might have looked up frolf or disc golf? In the end, it won’t kill the sport, that’s for sure!
Agreed, too, on Nate and Val’s approach. It was humorous and well done.