Happy Gilmore 2: A Nostalgic Return

Happy Gilmore 2 is now available on Netflix, although you won’t find the original key players from the first movie there. It’s not that they didn’t want to return; it’s just that time has passed. The original film was made nearly 30 years ago—can you believe that?

Sadly, both Bob Barker—who had a significant role in the 1996 film—and actor Carl Weathers have passed away. Nevertheless, Adam Sandler, co-writer Tim Herlihy, and director Kyle Newczek have found clever ways to honor their legacy in Happy Gilmore 2, particularly in a scene that pays tribute to the iconic showdown between Sandler and Barker.

For context, Barker had a memorable cameo in the first film, where Sandler’s character, Happy Gilmore, teamed up with various celebrities to compete in golf tournaments. One of those celebrities? None other than Bob Barker himself. Gilmore struggles on the golf course, prompting Barker’s character to get increasingly cheeky. The tension builds to a hilariously chaotic fistfight on the green, leading to Sandler’s famous line, “The price is wrong, bitch!”

Barker passed away in 2023 at the age of 99 but appears in a new confrontation in Happy Gilmore 2. This time, the clash is between Gilmore and his longtime rival, Shooter McGavin, portrayed once again by the comedic Christopher McDonald.

After his escapades in the first film, Shooter has spent the last 30 years in a mental institution, burning with pent-up rage. Their reunion takes place in a graveyard, where it seems many of the characters from the original film have found their final resting places.

The film includes a brief but amusing cemetery brawl between the two aging men, complete with gravestones that pay homage to the characters played by the late actors: Bob Barker, Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers), Grandma Gilmore (Frances Bay), and Donald “Jackass!” Floyd (Joe Flaherty).

Another nod to Chubbs comes in the form of Slim Peterson, Chubbs’ son, played by comedian Ravel Crawford. Slim has his own wooden hands—not due to an alligator, but a vending machine accident. True to form, when Gilmore meets Slim, he hilariously breaks his wooden hand while trying to shake it.

Although Weathers’ character had a shocking exit in the first film, Sandler originally planned to give him a bigger part in this sequel. However, following Weathers’ unexpected passing at 76, changes had to be made to the script.

In a recent interview, Sandler expressed his sorrow, noting that they had to undergo a significant rewrite. “It’s sad to see so many original cast members gone,” he said, reflecting on the legacy of Happy Gilmore 2. But amid the sadness, the team has found ways to honor their memories while still delivering laughs. Isn’t that what it’s all about?