This week on Reel Beans, we’re cruising at 30,000 feet through one of the greatest parodies ever made — Airplane! (1980). We explore why its rapid-fire humor still lands, how parody is far more difficult than it looks, why serious actors made it even funnier, and how certain jokes hit differently today.
We also sip on Yuban coffee — the iconic store-bought brew that landed a cameo in the film itself. Nostalgic? Yes. Strong? Absolutely. Fancy? Not even close — and that’s exactly the point.
✈️ Watch the Films
Airplane! (1980)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/airplane
Zero Hour! (1957) (the film Airplane! directly spoofed)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/zero-hour-1957
Airport (1970)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/airport
Airport 1975 (1974)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/airport-75
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/saturday-night-fever
From Here to Eternity (1953)
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/from-here-to-eternity
☕ Coffee Pairing: Yuban Coffee
In honor of Airplane!, we brewed Yuban — the coffee behind one of the film’s most famous domestic parodies. Walter never has a second cup at home? Well, let’s see how Yuban holds up today.
Official Yuban Website
https://theyuban.com
Yuban Traditional Medium Roast (43oz)
https://www.shelhealth.com/products/yuban-traditional-medium-roast-ground-coffee-43-1-oz?variant=46711682171112
Yuban Traditional Medium Roast K-Cup Pods (24 count)
https://groceryeshop.us/products/yuban-k-cups-traditional-medium-roast-coffee-pods-24-count?variant=50043125530941
Stumptown Hair Bender Blend (for Desk Set episode)
https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/products/hair-bender?variant=40006908936360
📚 Sources Cited
The Guardian — “Airplane! at 40: the best spoof comedy ever made?”
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jul/02/airplane-at-40-the-best-spoof-comedy-ever-made
Library of Congress — Airplane! National Film Registry Essay
https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/airplane-1980
MyCoffeeBeans.net — Yuban Coffee History
https://mycoffeebeans.net/yuban-coffee-history/
The Brew Adventures — “Is pre-ground coffee that bad?”
https://www.thebrewadventures.com
The Spruce Eats — “How to store ground coffee and maintain flavor”
https://www.thespruceeats.com
Hermanos Coffee Roasters — Grinding coffee: burr grinders & brewing tips
https://www.hermanoscoffeeroasters.com
Thrillist — “We taste-tested every canned coffee brand so you don’t have to”
https://www.thrillist.com
Reddit: r/Coffee, r/Movies, r/CoffeeSnobs — community reflections on Yuban, parody, and nostalgia.
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Next episode teaser:
We’re heading into the world of Desk Set — big computers, bigger egos, and Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy at their finest. Brew up some Hair Bender and join me next week!
