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Which John Hughes Character Do You Most Identify With

A Silly Little Poll / Dustin Rowles

Miscellaneous | July 10, 2009 | Comments (64)

I Love You, Beth Cooper opens in theaters today, and if you didn’t already know, Larry Doyle’s book — at least — is a fun, comedic jumble of John Hughes’ conventions. And since this will publish while I’m actually in the theater watching it, I thought we’d do a frivolous little poll to kill some time before both the review is up this afternoon and what’s one of my favorite Pajiba Guides ever (also, Dan’s Bruno review).

A simple question, really: Which John Hughes character do you most identify with? Unfortunately, there were only ten slots available, so you have to choose from among these characters. None, I suspect, will be a perfect fit, but I’m honestly curious as to how the Pajiba world thinks of itself, at least in terms of Hughesian characters. If you feel moved to explain why in the comments, who’s to stop you?


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Comments

Which one was the dork in the Breakfast club? I can never remember the character's names. Also, I'm a dork, so that's the one I'm going with.

Posted by: the_wakeful at July 10, 2009 12:19 PM

Honestly right now for me it's Clark Griswold. I feel like I'm suddenly some big family man, but I have really no idea what I'm doing and I keep fucking up in truly hilarious ways.

Posted by: Snath at July 10, 2009 12:22 PM

Woooo! Basket Case for the win!

Posted by: Jeremy Feist at July 10, 2009 12:24 PM

Haha, no one here is Ferris Bueller. NEEEEERDS.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at July 10, 2009 12:26 PM

I used to get that I looked like Ducky somewhat back in the day, but I never saw the movie so I can't really say I identify with him.

I would say I was some weird combination of the Jock, Brain and Prep from Breakfast Club. I ran in a lot of social circles.

Posted by: ed newman at July 10, 2009 12:27 PM

I went with Sloane, because she loves to have a fucking good time, seems to get along with everyone, and wears fringed jackets. And also because I want to look like Mia Sara in my next life.

Posted by: Julie at July 10, 2009 12:27 PM

I went with Ducky, because I totally identify with having unrequited crushes and grooving to Otis Redding.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at July 10, 2009 12:29 PM

I've been branded John Bender before. Probably because I got kicked out of school, "rebelled" and so on.

But I'm a Star Wars nerd, a Whedonite, socially awkward and an all around goof ball. Brian Johnson it is.

Posted by: TSF at July 10, 2009 12:31 PM

I also identify with the basket case, plus her name is Allison too and it is even spelled right!

Posted by: Alli at July 10, 2009 12:32 PM

Thinking back to High School, I wasn't too far from Emilio in Breakfast Club. Kinda pressured into sports, was on the wrestling team, ate a lot of lunch. Thinking back, I did harass a few nerds. As part of a group, yes. And I was still in the band. But I'm not too far off.
That said, I chose Ducky as a more accurate representation of who I am today.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at July 10, 2009 12:33 PM

I'd really only be given pause if Cameron was also here.

Posted by: Jay at July 10, 2009 12:33 PM

My character isn't up there, Cameron. Oh well. I went with Brian Johnson, because it is the next closest.

Posted by: Stupid Rookie at July 10, 2009 12:34 PM

Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, if it wasn't obvious.

Posted by: Stupid Rookie at July 10, 2009 12:37 PM

I HEART Andrew Clark 4Eva

Posted by: missh at July 10, 2009 12:42 PM

I wanted Cameron too.

Posted by: Caroline at July 10, 2009 12:43 PM

Oh, it's the awkward nerd all the way. Although, I haven't really been that way probably since high school, and I doubt my friends see me that way. But that's still the automatic choice. Man, those formative years really leave an impression don't they?

Posted by: Jeni at July 10, 2009 12:44 PM

Sloane, for all the reasons Julie mentioned. Except the fringed jacket, I don't think I have enough panache to pull those off.

Posted by: battgirl at July 10, 2009 12:47 PM

Caroline, was there a specific reason for you to want Cameron? For me, it always boiled down to being the quieter, akward friend to the more popular kid who dragged me to parties and other places that I didn;t fit into.

Posted by: Stupid Rookie at July 10, 2009 12:47 PM

Definitely Allison....not because I have enough dandruff to make snow on my drawings, not because I eat Pixie Stix and cereal sandwiches, but because we are both brunettes, both oddballs and we both carry damn near everything we own in our purses. And, because at some point in high school, we both ended up with the jock.

Oy...the shame of being a jock's bitch...

Posted by: dammitjanet at July 10, 2009 12:48 PM

It's somehow quite fitting that Cameron continues to be neglected to this day.

"When Cameron was in Egypt's land..."

Posted by: bev rage at July 10, 2009 12:50 PM

"...let my Cameron gooooo..."

Posted by: Booyahkasha at July 10, 2009 1:10 PM

Jon Hughs makes some funny movie when he's thedirector. Ha...

Posted by: Skitz at July 10, 2009 1:12 PM

fuck i missed Brian Johnson even being on there. And here I went with Sixteen Candles...which interestingly enough is the most popular choice.

Posted by: buttercup at July 10, 2009 1:13 PM

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at July 10, 2009 12:29 PM

Me too, MelBiv, me too! Well, not as much the Otis Redding part, but I am the undisputed champeen of unrequited crushing. And there's all the standing around looking sad and being a dork, too.

... You know, when I was younger... not now. Now I'm completely cool.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at July 10, 2009 1:15 PM

Watts.

Posted by: Watts Magee at July 10, 2009 1:15 PM

Samantha. The fucked up family, the crazy sister, the bizarre houses guests...yep, I'm Sam.

Posted by: figgy at July 10, 2009 1:18 PM

Ducky for the win.

Posted by: Be Adequite! at July 10, 2009 1:18 PM

Hmmm...a dilemma. I voted for Samantha Baker, b/c that's probably the most accurate of the choices on this list, at least of how I viewed myself growing up.
In the Pajiba-world, I feel a little like Sloan Peterson, who was enticed into this little society by my boyfriend and managed to hang with the cool kids once or twice.
I think if I had to choose the most accurate of all John Hughes characters, on or off the list, I'd have to go with Andie Walsh from Pretty in Pink. Many parallels to draw there.

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at July 10, 2009 1:34 PM

I left something off of my Never Have I Ever list the other day...

Despite being a child of the 80's, I've never seen a John Hughes movie.

No reason. Nothing against them. It just never happened. So I don't think I'm qualified to answer this poll.

Posted by: Tyburn Blossom at July 10, 2009 1:34 PM

Actually, my guy isn't up there. These days, I feel more like the dad from "Sixteen Candles".

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at July 10, 2009 1:43 PM

I picked Sloane but really I feel like some kind of Allison, Samantha, Sloane hybrid. But I picked Sloane basically for the same reasons as Julie. Plus I'd like to think that I have gotten over being a basket case and have settled into some coolness.

Posted by: AbbyNormal at July 10, 2009 1:46 PM

I've only seen one John Hughes film, and that's Ferris Bueller's Day Off, partially because I reject the labels he places on his characters. And because I hate '80s teen films. You know, little reasons like that.

Posted by: ChristianH at July 10, 2009 1:57 PM

When I was in high school, I would be asked to do my Cameron impersonation every time I came to school in a hockey jersey. Being friends with of the most popular guys in school who didn't have a car didn't help matters (I had to drive him everywhere because he didn't have a license). As soon as I got the hell out of there, I threw on a bathrobe and got people to mistake me for The Dude. Even though I look nothing like Jeff Bridges. Not to mention the issues with my dad that I had for a while...

...wait, what was my point?
Oh yeah. How come Cameron is not an option?

Posted by: Jim Doggie at July 10, 2009 2:09 PM

In high school, I was definitely "Sammy Baker Davis Jr." (I was about to turn 16, I had a crush on a guy who looked a lot like Jake Ryan and was a magnet for geeks...probably because I was kinda one too.)

Now, I think I'm more of an Iona (Annie Potts) from "Pretty in Pink". I'm having a hard time leaving my "glory days" behind.

Posted by: SugarKane at July 10, 2009 2:11 PM

i was disappointed with the lack of the tightly-wound cameron frye, the quiet museum house, parental fear, the coma-like panic attacks, and the eventual letting go, so my life.
if anyone else, i would be claire from the breakfast club, if only because i wanted bender bad.

Posted by: samma at July 10, 2009 2:14 PM

Ima Bender!

*cracks open next bottle of tequila*

Posted by: boo at July 10, 2009 2:15 PM

Such a tossup between Ducky and Allison.

But I'm not surprised to see Allison running second so far. Not surprised at all.

Posted by: myysharona (formerly Sharon) at July 10, 2009 2:25 PM

Weird Science was a John Hughes movie? Ugh. That upsets me so much.

Posted by: Captain Steve at July 10, 2009 2:32 PM

Yah - Allison. That was me, flailing in the background, wearing stupidity, and nary a buddy in the world. Befriended by the popular girl...until it became obvious she needed a betty to her veronica. Cleaned up okay, but spaz on the inside and carrying a deep sense of mistrust.

No sporto boyfriends though...I go for the Duckys of the world. When I had my Ducky - it was joy joy joy!

Posted by: replica at July 10, 2009 2:44 PM

Very much Brian...with a dash of Ferris thrown in.

Seriously. Ask me about the time we faked out our dean in high school so that we could keep smoking by the gym. It involved me and a wireless microphone set.

Ah, actually you can probably guess the rest...

Posted by: Green Lantern at July 10, 2009 2:50 PM

Cameron was the first one that came to mind.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at July 10, 2009 2:52 PM

I'm probably closest to Andie from Pretty in Pink - outsider-ish girl with the weird clothes and the ultra-devoted best guy friend. I also had the occasional daliance with some of my high school "upper class".

However, let it be known that I would never wear something as hideous as the prom dress at the end of the movie. Blech.

And let me be the latest to say that the absence of Cameron is a travesty, at least on this website.

Posted by: Mimi at July 10, 2009 3:14 PM

Hmm, I'd say the black one. Oh, wait. John Hughes' characters lived in a honky fairy tale where anybody darker than Wonder Bread didn't exist. Bitter that some of the most popular movies in U.S. history don't reflect my experiences at all? Pfft, surely you jest.

I guess I have to say Ducky, if only because he had the good taste to love Otis Redding.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at July 10, 2009 3:15 PM

You forgot Uncle Buck.

None of these other characters make decent pancakes.

Posted by: Mohaski at July 10, 2009 3:20 PM

Sorry Tracer, but the North Chicago Suburbs were a honky fairy tale in the 80's. Little known fact: Hughes films are all documentaries, not comedies.

Posted by: ed newman at July 10, 2009 3:41 PM

If I can't chose a combination of at least 3 breakfast club characters, I'm going with Sloane.

Posted by: Kate at July 10, 2009 3:54 PM

No more conversations about which Breakfast Club character you'd be. I'd be the one that dies.
(No one dies)
Well then what's the point?

Posted by: Carson at July 10, 2009 3:57 PM

Cameron. Only with boobs.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at July 10, 2009 4:08 PM

Mostly, I identify with getting into John Bender's pants.

Blame Vermillion. He's been tarnishing my innocent and pure psyche.

Posted by: agent bedhead at July 10, 2009 4:18 PM

I went with Sloane, mainly because I still don't know what the hell I want to be when I grow up.

And, damn if I don't look hot in a pair of suede culottes.

Posted by: Kolby at July 10, 2009 4:29 PM

If Allison is the weird girl from Breakfast Club then that's me. I told lies. I was gloomy. And I had dandruff.

Posted by: greer at July 10, 2009 4:46 PM

The basket case.

As if there were ever any question.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at July 10, 2009 4:46 PM

How cool is this?

The Evil Dead Breakfast Club (2010)

http://countercultureprodco.com/blog/?p=1685

Posted by: Chairman of the Bored at July 10, 2009 5:02 PM

I voted Samantha Baker (Sixteen Candles) because I have her semi-charmed kinda life; Not only can I imagine everyone forgetting my birthday because my older sister was getting married to someone the family didn't like, but I can also see it ending up with Jake Ryan giving me back my panties...

Second runner up would be Allison Reynolds (The Breakfast Club) because I'm kinda weird, honest and for some reason preppy jocks find me appealing.

Third runner up would be Watts (Some Kind of Wonderful) because I've been in love with my best friend who is in love with some vapid pretty girl and I am on the sarcastic tomboy side of the fence. He should be with me not only because I'm his soulmate, but I could also use some diamond earrings.

Posted by: Debbye at July 10, 2009 5:15 PM

I had to pick Ferris, if only because I always (always) erred on the side of recklessness, with nary a consequence. Smoking (amongst other things) in the dark room at school, stealing my drama teacher's car (and finding a roach in the ashtray) to go to the mall, rigging the class elections (twice). It was all a little charmed.

Imagine my surprise when I left high school. Yeesh.

Posted by: Smokin at July 10, 2009 6:41 PM

Mix of Samantha Baker and Brian Johnson. Brian for the academic parental pressure, half-brained suicide attempt, and fake significant other, Samantha for the general boringness and "better" older sister, but without getting the guy in the end. Also, both were virgins.

Damn, a lot has changed for me since high school.

Posted by: SaBrina at July 10, 2009 7:49 PM

Oh shit, we were supposed to do current-day, not back in high school! The one I'm closest to now... shit, it'd be Ferris Bueller. That is weird to think.

Posted by: SaBrina at July 10, 2009 7:59 PM

Allison. No question.

If I feel out of it, I'll do this thing where I'll try to affect an aura of intense mystery. And then, when nobody appears to be lured in by my oddness, I'll say something spastically attention-grubbing. ("Tons and tons of vodka.") And then, when people don't respond the way I want them to (i.e. if they frown confusedly instead of gaze with open-mouthed awe at my edginess), I'll get frantic and do something retarded (dump my purse all over some guy's lap). And then eventually I'll end up crying.

Except for some reason said scenarios rarely end with a beefcake smooch.

(All of the above = intense hyperbole.)

Posted by: Ling at July 10, 2009 10:44 PM

I chose Allison. In high school I felt like no one understood me and was readily ignored.

Posted by: wsapnin at July 11, 2009 6:15 PM

But today I would say I'm Sloan Peterson. I hang with really cool guy. But I still don't have those awesome boots and fringy jacket.

Posted by: wsapnin at July 11, 2009 6:17 PM

Samantha Baker- my family is NUTS but loving.

Posted by: smells.like.mean.spirit at July 11, 2009 10:25 PM

God I wanted to be Watts. I had such a girl crush on MSM. Had to go with her.

Posted by: slower lower at July 12, 2009 3:15 PM

I almost went with Allison (a friend described me as such when we watched the picture years ago,) but I ultimately decided the smarmy, self-satisfied, totally indulgent Ferris Bueller was closer to the truth. Funnily enough, I bought and rewatched the movie a few years ago, and promptly gave it away in disgust. I once liked this movie?

Posted by: Frank Lee Delano at July 12, 2009 9:30 PM

Here's a second vote for Andie of "Pretty in Pink" even though she's not listed. "Pretty in Pink" could be the story of my life. Not only was I an outsider, weirdly dressed, aspiring fashion designer, I also had a rich-kid "Blaine" in my life. He even looked exactly like Blaine, blond hair and all. Unfortunately, my Blaine never came to his senses. I met my "Ducky" after my Blaine was out of the picture. Me and my Ducky have lived happily ever after and celebrate our 25th next year.

Posted by: Linda at July 13, 2009 8:22 AM