Helena Frye
Will Ferrell stars in the 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, which is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and tells the story of a fictional basketball team called the Flint Tropics, based in Flint, Michigan. The film showcases the team's struggles to survive the league's merger with the NBA, and features scenes shot in Flint, including exterior shots at the Michigan State Fairgrounds and in an alley next to Flint's Capitol Theatre. For decades, Flint has been synonymous with basketball, producing several notable players such as Glen Rice, Trent Tucker, and Charlie Bell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the movie | Semi-Pro |
| Genre | Sports comedy |
| Year of release | 2008 |
| Director | Kent Alterman |
| Writer | Scot Armstrong |
| Producer | Jimmy Miller |
| Star cast | Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André 3000 (credited as André Benjamin), and Maura Tierney |
| Setting | Final season of the American Basketball Association |
| Location | Los Angeles, Detroit, and Flint, Michigan |
| Plot | The story of a fictional ABA team desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA |
| Character played by Will Ferrell | Jackie Moon, the owner/coach/player of the Flint Tropics |
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, in Semi-Pro
Will Ferrell's character in the 2008 sports comedy Semi-Pro is Jackie Moon, the owner, head coach, and starting power forward of the fictional American Basketball Association (ABA) team, the Flint Tropics (also known as the Flint Michigan Tropics and the Flint City Tropics). Jackie Moon is also the team's pre-game announcer and a player. The film is set during the final season of the ABA and tells the story of the Flint Tropics' fight for survival as the league merges with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Jackie Moon is a singer who used the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy the Flint Tropics. At a team owner's meeting, the ABA Commissioner announces a plan to merge the league with the NBA, but only four teams will move to the new league. The Flint Tropics are the worst team in the ABA and are in danger of dissolving. Jackie argues that the teams with the four best records should be merged, and the Commissioner accepts. The team trades its washing machine to the Kentucky Colonels for Ed Monix, a championship-winning backup point guard. The Commissioner also reveals that the Tropics will need at least 2,000 fans at every remaining home game to make the move to the NBA.
With Monix's training and the increased intensity of Clarence Withers, the Tropics' best player, the team goes on a winning run, moving from last to fifth place. However, the NBA does not believe that Flint has a large enough media market and will not allow the Tropics into the league, even if they beat the first-place San Antonio Spurs in the last game of the season. Jackie trades Withers to the Spurs so that he can fulfil his dream of playing in the NBA. Monix reassembles and inspires the team to give it their all in the final game. The Tropics win, sparking wild celebrations in the arena and on the streets of Flint.
Despite the film's generally negative reviews, Ferrell's performance received praise, and he has reprised the role of Jackie Moon on several occasions, including at an NBA game and in TV spots for Old Spice deodorant.
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The Flint Tropics, a fictional basketball team
The Flint Tropics are a fictional basketball team from the 2008 American sports comedy film, Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell. Set in the 1970s, the film follows Jackie Moon, a singer who buys the Tropics with the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy". The team is based in Flint, Michigan, and plays in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The film depicts the final season of the ABA and tells the story of the fictional Flint Tropics, who are desperate to survive the league's merger with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Tropics are the worst team in the league and face dissolution if they cannot improve their performance and secure a spot in the NBA.
Jackie Moon, the owner, head coach, and starting power forward of the Tropics, is determined to turn the team's fortunes around. He makes a trade with the Kentucky Colonels, acquiring Ed Monix, a backup point guard and former NBA champion. With Monix's training and the talent of Clarence Withers, the Tropics' best player, the team goes on a winning streak, climbing from last to fifth place.
However, the NBA believes that Flint lacks a large enough media market, and even their improved standing may not be enough to secure a place in the new league. In the final game of the season, the Tropics face the first-place San Antonio Spurs, with the winner claiming the fourth and final spot in the NBA. The Tropics pull off a thrilling victory, sparking wild celebrations in Flint and securing their future in the NBA.
The film showcases the renegade spirit and showmanship of the ABA in the 1970s and captures the mood of freewheeling comedies from that era. It features profanity and racy situations, giving it a grittier tone than some of Ferrell's previous PG-13 films.
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The decline of basketball in Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan, was once a hub for basketball, producing numerous basketball stars and legendary teams. However, the city has witnessed a decline in its basketball culture over the years, with several factors contributing to this downturn.
Flint's history with basketball is rich and celebrated. The city was once synonymous with the sport, with high school basketball teams from rival schools fiercely competing and achieving remarkable successes. Flint's high school basketball programs served as a launchpad for numerous collegiate and professional players, including Glen Rice, Trent Tucker, Charlie Bell, Terry Furlow, Eddie Robinson, Jeff Grayer, and Mateen Cleaves. In 2000, three players from Flint, nicknamed the "Flintstones," led Michigan State to an NCAA Championship. The sport was deeply woven into the fabric of the community, with residents fondly recalling afternoons spent watching pickup games and filling high school gyms for rivalry matches.
However, the once-thriving basketball scene in Flint has faced significant challenges. One of the primary factors contributing to the decline of basketball in Flint is the closure of multiple high schools that were powerhouses in the sport. Over time, celebrated high schools in the city, such as Flint Central, Northern, and Northwestern, have shut down, mirroring the fate of the assembly plants that once employed many locals. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of basketball teams and players emerging from the area.
The population decline in Flint has also played a role in the dwindling basketball culture. The city's population has decreased significantly, dropping from around 160,000 in the early 1980s to lower numbers in subsequent decades. This has led to a decrease in school enrollment, impacting the availability of players and the overall interest in basketball within the community. Additionally, the water and financial crisis in Flint have further exacerbated the situation, contributing to the overall decline of the city and its basketball programs.
The closure of high schools and the merging of athletic programs have left Flint with only one remaining high school basketball team: the Southwestern Jaguars (also known as the Flint Jaguars). This team was formed through the merger of Northwestern and Southwestern High Schools in 2017. Despite their challenges, the Jaguars have shown promise, advancing in the state basketball tournament in 2014 and displaying potential for future success.
While Flint's basketball glory days may have faded, there is still a glimmer of hope. The remaining team and its dedicated coaches continue to strive for excellence, aiming to bring back the fans, the community's interest, and perhaps even the schools that once fostered the city's basketball legacy. In a city marked by adversity, the perseverance of the Southwestern Jaguars reflects the resilience of Flint itself.
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The filming locations of Semi-Pro in Flint
The 2008 sports comedy Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell, was filmed in several locations in Flint, Michigan, as well as Los Angeles and Detroit. The film is set in Flint and features the story of a basketball team called the Flint Tropics.
The Vehicle City arches over Saginaw Street are the most distinctive landmark in the film, appearing as the camera pans south from the Flint River bridge and Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, drives through downtown. The Halo Burger at the corner of Saginaw and Fourth streets can also be spotted, as can the Capitol Theatre, which was spruced up for the movie. The Top Hat car wash, where one of the Tropics players works, is another easily identifiable location with its retro sign.
Other filming locations in Flint include Brush Alley, where Ferrell's character has a heart-to-heart with co-star Woody Harrelson while lying in a trash bin. The Flint River features in several scenes, including one with rapper/actor Andre "3000" Benjamin, who plays flamboyant Tropics star Coffee Black. Outside Flint City Hall, "The Jet," the Tropics' team bus, is shown driving through a rural stretch. A scene involving prostitutes was filmed in front of the Genesee Towers building.
While not all scenes made the final cut, Flint is featured prominently in the film, with the city name-checked dozens of times throughout. The film also showcases the passion and community that basketball inspires in Flint, a city that has produced many notable basketball players and teams over the years.
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The impact of Semi-Pro on Ferrell's career
Will Ferrell is an American comedian, actor, voice actor, and writer who first rose to fame as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. He has since gone on to star in many successful comedy films, including A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Old School, Elf (both 2003), Anchorman (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Talladega Nights, and Stranger than Fiction (both 2006).
Semi-Pro, released in 2008, was one of several films Ferrell starred in that year, including Step Brothers and Blades of Glory. In Semi-Pro, Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner, coach, and player of the fictional basketball team the Flint Tropics. The film is set in 1976 during the final season of the American Basketball Association and tells the story of the team's struggle to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
While Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, who described it as "unadventurous" and "one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts", Ferrell's performance was praised. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval score of just 23% based on 160 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. However, some viewers have described it as a great comedy, and "definitely more than semi-funny".
The film also sparked some controversy, as a stuntman was killed by a bear that appeared in the film during a wrestling scene with Ferrell's character. Despite the generally negative critical reception, Semi-Pro still managed to top the box office in its opening weekend, grossing $15 million in 3,121 theatres in the United States and Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Ferrell starred in the 2008 sports comedy film *Semi-Pro*, which was set in Flint, Michigan, and centred around a fictional basketball team called the Flint Tropics.
In *Semi-Pro*, Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a singer who buys a basketball team called the Flint Tropics with the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy". The team is the worst in the American Basketball Association (ABA) league, and when the ABA announces a plan to merge with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Tropics are in danger of dissolving. The team goes on a mission to secure a place in the top four teams in the league to avoid this fate.
Yes, some scenes were filmed in Flint, including exterior shots at the Michigan State Fairgrounds and in an alley next to Flint's Capitol Theatre.
