Couple goes into the cage, cage goes into Shark Con, Jaws at Shark Con

“Part of the film’s charm today is almost the nostalgia factor of remembering what it was like to see it then.”

-James Cameron, on Jaws

There’s this memorable 1986 SNL sketch within which William Shatner, the show’s host for that week, pokes devastating fun at Star Trek geeks.

Written by Robert Smigel and co-starring Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey and a Spock-eared Jon Lovitz, Trekkies gather at a Star Trek convention to meet their idol, Captain James T. Kirk.  Upon being introduced, Kirk coolly addresses the podium, answers the most absurd questions from the audience, yet fails to understand why fans have become so obsessed with the show.  He ultimately tells the attendees to all “Get A Life.”

Since that sketch and long before it, Comic Con and annual conventions of the sort, have appeared exponentially in cities around our media-loving nation.  And why wouldn’t they?  These movies, TV shows, comic books and characters that emerge from them are as culturally significant as anything else we celebrate.

Comic Con isn’t the only traveling assembly drawing crowds of nerds.  There’s such a thing as Shark Con, which BCole kindly treated me to on my glorious 57^th birthday.  Tickets for two… Jaws nerds please!  In only its tenth year of existence, Shark Con doesn’t have quite the reach of Comic Con but give it time.  This is an animal that already has an entire week named after it.

Tampa’s annual gathering of Carcharodon carcharias aficionados added an extra flair this year.  Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of one of the greatest films ever, one that changed moviemaking as we know it, one of Jaws’ three biggest and only surviving stars, Richard Dreyfuss was to be in attendance.

BCole and I even contemplated wearing shark onesies for the occasion because that’s how we roll.  Take that, Shatner!

If your nerd-meter wasn’t already registering on high alert with that last comment, wait until you see the pictures below.

As it turned out, Richard Dreyfuss had fallen ill and was unable to make the trip, despite my, BCole’s and countless other fans practicing repeatedly in our heads what we’d ask him if only given the opportunity.  The 77-year-old Dreyfuss, aka Matt Hooper, announced on social media outlets he had come down with pneumonia and bronchitis.  He posted pictures of himself, sick, dejected and apologetic as he covered himself in a Jaws 50^th anniversary blanket.

BCole had splurged for a meet and greet with the movie star, but Dreyfuss’ absence would not stop us from having a swimmingly good time.  We made the most of it.

If you’ve never embraced your inner geek and attended one of these cultural conventions celebrating our cinematic or cartoonish obsessions, you’re missing out on a fun time.

What you’ll find is booth after decorative booth adorning the aisles of your local convention center as far as the eye can see, with artists, impressionists, stars, crafts, concessions, businesses, you name it.  If it was associated in any way with sharks or scary movies, you could find it at this year’s Shark Con.

While the stars from Jaws, other than Dreyfuss, have passed on, others who appeared in the film still do autograph appearances like the girl who yells “Sh-Sh-Shark!” to the boys who swim in the water with the fake shark fin (one of whom is ironically now the chief of police on Martha’s Vineyard).  And, of course, no celebration of Jaws could be complete without the fellow who played that little Kintner boy.  Fortunately, his guts were not spilled all over the dock for this convention.

The cast members answered questions from the audience and recalled memories from being in the film.  In addition to the cinematic version of sharks, there were also speakers from statewide aquariums discussing sharks’ place in the animal kingdom.

We weren’t there for any biology lessons.  We were there to shop, ride motorized shark bulls and pose for photos with a guy who looked exactly like Robert Shaw (Quint), cracking bad one-liners in an adopted New England accent.  See for yourself below.  This guy was the spitting image.

Rows upon rows of creative Jaws paraphernalia made it quite the afternoon.  Dreyfuss or no Dreyfuss, thank you, love, for coming up with such a memorable Surprise Birthday Sunday.  And I now, proudly present, Jaws geeks in their natural habitat.

We’re gonna need a bigger website.