Culture

The anniversary of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” celebrated with a virtual table read

Source: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

A few minutes every morning is all you need.

Stay up to date on the world's Headlines and Human Stories. It's fun, it's factual, it's fluff-free.

It’s back to school at Ridgemont High! A star-studded cast got together for a virtual table read of classic 80s flick “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” to raise funds for the organization, CORE. For the 38th anniversary, the 1982 comedy made a modern comeback with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Jennifer Aniston, Dane Cook, Morgan Freeman, Henry Golding, Jimmy Kimmel, Shia LaBeouf, John Legend, Ray Liotta, Matthew McConaughey, Sean Penn and Julia Roberts.

Accumulating more than 4 million views on YouTube and other platforms, the showstopping performance raised over US$135,000 (HK$1.46 million) for COVID-19 relief efforts to communities in need and Reform Alliance. The table read “Feelin’ A-Live” was presented by Dane Cook on LiveXLive and also available on Facebook Live and TikTok.

Although the release of the virtual table read was delayed due to technical difficulties, fans were not disappointed. As the original film depicts the controversial lives of high schoolers, viewers were highly entertained by the cast’s portrayal throughout the hourlong read.

Viewers (including us!) were ecstatic to see Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt reunite in a flirtatious scene together – one of the first times we’ve seen them together after the very public breakup of their marriage in 2005. Shai Labeouf’s hilariously accurate characterization of Jeff Spicoli, even cracked up Sean Penn, who played this role in the original film. Some have even joked that Labeouf’s extraordinary performance of playing a wasted highschooler deserves an Oscar, which is something we can definitely get behind. And to top it all off, Morgan Freeman’s timeless narration brings the whole thing together.

Although the table read was originally livestreamed on CORE’S Facebook and TikTok, it is now available on CORE’S YouTube channel. The virtual table read is available to watch for free, and CORE hopes that viewers continue to donate to the cause. All livestreams and the YouTube video include a donate button to make it easy for viewers to contribute. Another way is directly through the CORE website.

Check out the virtual table read in its entirety below.