Echo Park is getting a pop-up video rental shop, with just one thing on the shelves: Hundreds and hundreds of VHS copies of Jerry Maguire. The 1996 film has inspired comedy website Everything is Terrible to set up the faux-shop, a perfect replica of a video place circa 1996, inside iam8bit Gallery in January.
Everything is Terribleis known for unearthing and sharing weird, and usually hilarious, bits of video—often things that were created completely earnestly in their own time, but now appear bizarre when looking back on them from years later. As part of that mission, in 2008, members of the collective behind the site started buying up every copy of Jerry Maguire that they found on a dusty thrift store shelf. From there, they went on to request their fans start sending in their own “Jerrys” (as they call the tapes) and have, at this point, amassed more than 12,240 copies, according to Consequence of Sound.
What will they do with all those tapes? Build a giant Jerry Maguire pyramid in the desert. Obviously. (Check out #JerryPyramid for all the ridiculous updates.)
To support them in getting that project built, they’re bringing out a bunch of their famous and funny friends for benefit performances inside the pop-up video store. Over the 16-day run of the pop-up there will be a series of individually ticketed events, including stand-up comedy from Kate Berlant and Brandon Wardell, a showing of Home Alone 2 featuring score music by L.A. Takedown and live concerts by Daedalus, Prettiest Eyes and Wu-Wu, among others. A Jerry Maguire Video Store Exclusive Membership Card includes passes for the entire event series plus bonus items and priority status at the Jerry art auction for $95. Who doesn’t want some Jerry art?
The Jerry Maguire Video Store is open noon to 10pm from January 13 to 29 at iam8bit Gallery. Admission to the gallery and the opening night party at 7pm on January 13 are free; other special events are $16, advance tickets now on sale.
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