Actor Randall Park is a far cry from the underachieving video store manager he portrays in "Blockbuster."
Yet when "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Superstore" producer Vanessa Ramos began creating the Netflix series about the country's last Blockbuster video store, Park, 48, became her writing model for analog dreamer Timmy.
It's not just that the "Fresh Off the Boat" star can deliver a joke; resistance to Park's self-deprecating charm is futile.
"When you're keeping a Blockbuster store alive in 2022, and you've been beaten down by life, you have to make an emotional connection," says Ramos. "And you can't not root for Randall Park"
As "Blockbuster" rolled out Thursday – ironically on video-conquering streaming giant Netflix – Park spoke to USA TODAY about the romance around VHS (and later, DVD) rentals and his too-real video store work experiences. (Edited and condensed for clarity.)
Randall Park:In 'Always Be My Baby'
Question: Blockbuster was a cookie-cutter corporate chain store in America's strip malls, but now we remember it fondly. Why?
Answer: It's the nostalgia of simpler times. I loved going there and just getting lost trying to find the perfect movie. I always ended up renting the same one over and over: "When Harry Met Sally." I probably saw that 100 times.
Did you rack up any late fines growing up?
I was always very prompt with my video returns. I didn't want to get hit with any fees because I was broke. I even had one of those machines with the sole function of rewinding the VHS tape.
Are those actual Blockbuster uniforms on the show?
It's pretty legit. There are logo specifications for that slight angle, it has to be at 10%. One more percent, and it's not the Blockbuster logo. So it is an authentic replica of the original uniforms.
Timmy expresses undying love for actress Diane Lane from the first episode when pushing 2003's "Under the Tuscan Sun." How real was that?
I hadn't seen "Tuscan Sun" until after filming that scene. I was like, I'm recommending this, so I should check it out. And I loved it. I totally get why Timmy would recommend that film.
You actually worked in a video store growing up in Los Angeles. What was your go-to recommendation?
"Harry Met Sally." Again. I loved rom-coms. They were my jam.
What was your work experience there like?
It was a mom-and-pop independent video store called New Wave Video, right near my junior high school. This tiny video store was just struggling to get by. This was when Blockbusters were the place to go. We were the underdog at the time.
Local celebrities and drunken Santas play key roles in "Blockbuster." Were there any sightings of either at New Wave?
Definitely no celebrities. This store was a tiny hole-in-the-wall with double doors leading into the adult section. Yeah, we had that adult section, which was constantly growing because that was the store's big moneymaker. No glitz and glamour about this store. This was not a place for celebrities.
What did your parents think of the job?
They were OK with it; they just wanted me to have a job. They didn't know about those double doors.
What fiascos happened at New Wave that would be worthy of your own sitcom?
Oh my gosh, they were all very not Not Safe For Work stories that happened behind those double doors. People would go in there and stay there for way too long. It was like, 'Who wants to go in there and check on those guys?'
Were police ever called to the store?
No, but there was always theft happening, and it was always in that adult section. No one was ever stealing "When Harry Met Sally." They were behind those double doors stealing a bunch of other stuff.
Speaking of not safe at work, Timmy's "Independence Day" speech on the Blockbuster counter was inspiring, but also dangerous with those slippery DVD covers. Were there any mishaps?
There were takes where I almost slid on a bunch of DVDs, but I found my footing. That's just stunt work. That's what had to be done. But seriously, standing on that counter giving that speech was epic and ridiculous.
"Blockbuster" refers to the internet exploding and DVDs ruling again. Will that day ever come?
I think so, and I hope so. I think those were some good days. It's just nice to work for your content, get in a car and peruse some shelves. It's more satisfying once you sit down (and) pop that DVD in to watch it.
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