Because this sport is so hyper-regional, it’s rare to find TV shows or movies that feature candlepin bowling. But, oh, when you do? What a rush! When you’re looking for some cheap candlepin bowling thrills, check out these TV shows and movies.
TV shows that feature candlepin bowling
Check out the following TV shows that feature candlepin bowling for some hilarious introductions to our sport.
1. The Simpsons
Season 28, Episode 3 “The Town” (Air date: October 9, 2016)
First up is the most satisfying entry on this list—the third episode of The Simpsons in their 28th season (“The Town”). In this episode, Bart becomes a fan of the Boston Americans football team (clearly a Patriots parody) and Homer isn’t happy about it.
In an attempt to get Bart to change his allegiance back to the Springfield Atoms, he takes the family on a “hate-cation” to Boston to show them what a terrible city it is. In the end, Homer ends up loving it here and Bart wants to go home and back to his old life.
So what made Homer change his mind? Candlepin bowling! Specifically, the fact that you get a third ball in this version of the sport. “Three balls! I see it all so clearly now!” The family then goes on a crawl of candlepin bowling alleys with hilarious Boston-isms for names.
Where to watch
The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney+ (all seasons) and Hulu (only certain seasons though and this is not one of them), or you can download just this one episode from Amazon.
Want to go on a candlepin crawl of your own? Here are all the places to go candlepin bowling in Massachusetts.
2. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Season 4, Episode 7 “Massachusetts” (Air date: November 9, 2014)
In the 4th episode of his 7th season of Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain visits Massachusetts—where he began both the start of his culinary career and a descent into heroin addiction. In helping the audience get to know the area and culture, he takes us candlepin bowling.
In this episode he visits Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley—the 2nd oldest bowling alley in the country—and talks to some of its regular bowlers. (They’ve been bowling here since the 1950s!)
Where to watch
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and a handful of other networks.
3. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Season 7, Episode 7 “Boston” (Air date: April 18, 2011)
A few years before he visited Shelburne Falls, Anthony Bourdain took us on a journey around South Boston. In between fresh seafood, an appearance on a talk radio show, and a visit to a local boxing ring, he bowls a string at South Boston Candlepin (then called South Boston Bowlarama).
Ok, maybe “bowls” isn’t the right word; as he puts it, they “whipped up a virtual suck-storm” after throwing “gutter ball… after gutter ball… after gutter ball… after gutter ball.” (Time for the bumpahs!) It really is hard to watch, but still fun to see our sport being played by such a big name.
Where to stream
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and a handful of other providers.
Movies that feature candlepin bowling
Check out the following movies that feature candlepin bowling for some brief (but awesome) homages to our sport.
4. The Holdovers (2023)
This Oscar-winning movie’s official description goes like this: “The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor at a prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go.”
It takes place in the 1970s at a fictional New England boarding school. During this winter break, the characters go candlepin bowling at the Wakefield Bowladrome. There’s even a song called “Candlepin Bowling” on the film’s soundtrack.
- Watch the trailer here
- Listen to “Candlepin Bowling” here
- Watch The Holdovers on Amazon
5. The Tender Bar (2021)
The Tender Bar is another one of the 1970s New England-set movies that features candlepin bowling. Directed by George Clooney and starring Ben Affleck, this one was also filmed at the Wakefield Bowladrome.
“The Tender Bar follows an aspiring writer pursuing his romantic and professional dreams. From a stool in his uncle’s bar, he learns what it means to grow up from a colorful group of local characters.”
- Watch the trailer here
- Watch just the candlepin bowling scene here
- Watch The Tender Bar on Amazon
6. That’s My Boy (2012)
That’s My Boy stars Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and tons of other famous names in this super weird dark comedy set in modern-day Massachusetts.
Basically, Adam Sandler’s character fathers a child when he’s still a teenager, disowns the kid (Andy Samberg) on the kid’s 18th birthday, then shows up the night before his kid’s wedding. He’s desperate to reconnect with his son, but has to deal with the fact that he was a terrible parent.
At some point, Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Vanilla Ice get smashed and go candlepin bowling (in maybe the movie’s only actually funny scene). That’s My Boy was filmed at Lucky Strike Lanes in Lynn, MA which closed for good in 2016.
- Watch the trailer here
- Watch the candlepin bowling scene here
- Watch That’s My Boy on Amazon
Like this post? Know of any other great TV shows or movies that feature candlepin bowling? Let me know in the comments below. Enjoy your screenings!
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