* Sniff *
What? I'm not crying. You're the one who's crying!
As part of the lead up to his new Netflix comedy special, ADAM SANDLER: 100% FRESH, the Saturday Night Live alum released a portion of the show which serves as a tender tribute to the late (and great) Chris Farley. The heartwarming tune, powered by Sandler's seasoned guitar licks, disregard for syllable counts, and offbeat brand of humor, commemorates the larger-than-life Farley on the 21st anniversary of his passing.
For the performance, Sandler sets the mood with some stark lighting, before strumming away on his electric guitar while singing the lyrics, "The first time I saw him he was sweeter than shit. Plaid jacket and belt too tight, he wasn't even doing a bit. Then he cartwheeled around the room and slow danced with the cleaning lady. He was a one man party. You know who I'm talkin' about, I'm talkin' about my friend Chris Farley." And with that, the crowd roars as a screen above Sandler's head reveals an on-going collage of some of Farley's most memorable moments. Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls.
Sandler and Farley became fast friends while working together on the set of Saturday Night Live in the early '90s. Outside the studio, Farley lived life by the seat of his pants, though his penchant for indulging in drugs would eventually lead to his death at just 33 years old. While his time here was short, Farley became a comedic legend among those who delighted in his slapstick antics, shameless sense of humor, and Belushi-like prat falls.
As if Sandler's touching tribute were not enough, David Spade, one of Farley's closest friends and ofttimes co-star, also paid homage to his fallen friend:
I can't believe it's been 21 years since Chris Farley passed away. The loss still stings as if it just happened. How does that work? I suppose that all we can do is celebrate the man, continue to wish him well, and cherish the laughs we get from re-watching some of his greatest work. Perhaps tonight I'll re-watch TOMMY BOY or BLACK SHEEP, as a way of remembering the blue-eyed SNL wonder.