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Uncle Buck

 Uncle Buck
type
TVTItem
 Uncle Buck
label
Uncle Buck
 Uncle Buck
page
UncleBuck
 Uncle Buck
comment
What do you get when you have a family emergency, and the only person available to watch the kids is John Candy? You get Uncle Buck.The title character of this John Hughes picture, released on August 16th, 1989, is Buck Russell, a fun-loving, unemployed slob with Commitment Issues. When his sister-in-law's father has a heart attack, he is called on to watch his brother's children, including teenage Deadpan Snarker Tia. Hilarity Ensues.Much of said hilarity comes from Buck's repeated encounters with Tia's boyfriend, Bug. Buck knows Bug is just using her, and pretends to be Ax-Crazy for Bug's benefit. Tia decides that This Means War! When not trying to save Tia from herself, Buck cooks giant pancakes, punches out drunken clowns, and tries to come to terms with working for his girlfriend Chanice. All this builds to a Crowning Moment Of Heartwarming in which Buck must choose between freedom and responsibility. Macaulay Culkin's performance as Tia's little brother will remind many viewers of Home Alone, and for good reason: it inspired the movie.Spawned a sequel TV sitcom that premiered in September 1990 on CBS, starring Kevin Meaney as Buck, who becomes guardian of the three children after their parents are killed in a car accident. Panned by critics, it didn't even finish its first season before being cancelled, after airing only 16 of 22 filmed episodes. A second TV sitcom premiered in 2016 on ABC, this time with an all-black cast in an attempt to ride the coattails of black•ish. This version was also panned by critics and only lasted 8 episodes.
 Uncle Buck
fetched
2024-03-04T11:30:36Z
 Uncle Buck
parsed
2024-03-04T11:30:36Z
 Uncle Buck
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Dropped link to EverybodyHasStandards: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 Uncle Buck
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Dropped link to ForeignRemake: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Uncle Buck
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EverybodyHasStandards
 Uncle Buck
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DBTropes
 Uncle Buck / int_14180452
type
Instantly Proven Wrong
 Uncle Buck / int_14180452
comment
Instantly Proven Wrong: Tia insists Buck's all talk with his long threat to come after Bug with a hatchet if he messes with Tia, only for Buck to reveal he really does keep a hatchet in the trunk of his car.
 Uncle Buck / int_14180452
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Uncle Buck / int_14180452
 Uncle Buck / int_14bfa98
type
Freeze-Frame Ending
 Uncle Buck / int_14bfa98
comment
Freeze-Frame Ending: The film ends on a freeze-frame of Buck smiling and waving goodbye to his niece, Tia. This is actually the second (and sadly, the last) John Hughes-directed film to end on a freeze-frame of John Candy, after Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
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Uncle Buck / int_14bfa98
 Uncle Buck / int_15b2cab3
type
Tempting Fate
 Uncle Buck / int_15b2cab3
comment
Buck drops an expensive plate. Obviously it'll shatter into a million pieces, right? Wrong. It stays in one piece until Buck mumbles "Unbreakable, huh?" and whacks it against the piano.
 Uncle Buck / int_15b2cab3
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Uncle Buck / int_15b2cab3
 Uncle Buck / int_19da80d3
type
Hypocrite Has a Point
 Uncle Buck / int_19da80d3
comment
Hypocrite Has a Point: Buck, a famed bumbling hedonist that can't even hold a job, recurrently gets read the riot act for feeling he has the right to lecture people over their vices, especially from Tia. Since he's still hardly the only flawed person in the movie however, it's usually an in-universe Don't Shoot the Message.
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Uncle Buck / int_19da80d3
 Uncle Buck / int_1dfd19f9
type
Papa Wolf
 Uncle Buck / int_1dfd19f9
comment
Papa Wolf: Buck is this to all of the kids, but especially Tia.
 Uncle Buck / int_1dfd19f9
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 Uncle Buck / int_1dfd19f9
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Uncle Buck / int_1dfd19f9
 Uncle Buck / int_1f6983f7
type
Ambiguous Situation
 Uncle Buck / int_1f6983f7
comment
Ambiguous Situation: It's not clear what exactly happened between Bug and Tia at the Wild Teen Party; we just know that it ended with Tia leaving the house crying to wander the streets alone. She tells Buck that "everything you said would happen, happened," but doesn't go into more detail. It's possible that Tia refused to have sex with Bug, prompting him to kick her out, or—even worse—that he date-raped her, as he's seen doing with another girl at the same party, but the specifics are deliberately left uncertain.
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Uncle Buck / int_1f6983f7
 Uncle Buck / int_1f8cb7f5
type
Exploding Closet
 Uncle Buck / int_1f8cb7f5
comment
Exploding Closet: Variant: Just opening the door doesn't do it, but when Buck reaches for something inside the closet the typical avalanche ensues.
 Uncle Buck / int_1f8cb7f5
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Uncle Buck / int_1f8cb7f5
 Uncle Buck / int_233da103
type
Cordon Bleugh Chef
 Uncle Buck / int_233da103
comment
Cordon Bleugh Chef: Don't eat Buck's breakfast. Although it's never actually stated that it's bad... Tia turns it down because she's being a bitch, and Miles seems shocked to see something different (an appropriately kidlike reaction). The sole mentioned aspect of it is that he put onions in the scrambled eggs (which isn't overly gross, but most kids would certainly be put off by it). Take a look at the toaster while he's washing dishes and talking on the phone with Chanice; he ruined some toast. Subverted later with Buck's awesome pancakes!
 Uncle Buck / int_233da103
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Uncle Buck / int_233da103
 Uncle Buck / int_23a06c52
type
TheUnReveal
 Uncle Buck / int_23a06c52
comment
The Un-Reveal: We never do see the toast on Miles' birthday.
 Uncle Buck / int_23a06c52
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_23a06c52
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Uncle Buck / int_23a06c52
 Uncle Buck / int_279dbf1a
type
Date Rape Averted
 Uncle Buck / int_279dbf1a
comment
Date Rape Averted: Skirting a fine line between rape and seduction, but she clearly tells him to stop and he flat-out ignores her. Suggested to not be the case for Tia. The film never comes right out and says it, but it's heavily implied that Bug did the same thing to her and then tossed her aside like so much garbage. Alternatively, given she brushes off his advances earlier, he broke up with her because she wouldn't have sex with him.
 Uncle Buck / int_279dbf1a
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Uncle Buck / int_279dbf1a
 Uncle Buck / int_28c1d543
type
Defrosting Ice Queen
 Uncle Buck / int_28c1d543
comment
Defrosting Ice Queen: Tia at the end.
 Uncle Buck / int_28c1d543
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Uncle Buck / int_28c1d543
 Uncle Buck / int_2d4fa515
type
Ax-Crazy
 Uncle Buck / int_2d4fa515
comment
Ax-Crazy: Buck plays this to the hilt for Bug's benefit.
 Uncle Buck / int_2d4fa515
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1.0
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Uncle Buck / int_2d4fa515
 Uncle Buck / int_34dcfc96
type
Kick the Dog
 Uncle Buck / int_34dcfc96
comment
Kick the Dog: Tia has loads of this under her belt, from mockingly blaming her mother for her grandfather's heart attack to sabotaging Buck's relationship with Chanice.
 Uncle Buck / int_34dcfc96
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Uncle Buck / int_34dcfc96
 Uncle Buck / int_35b241c0
type
Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping
 Uncle Buck / int_35b241c0
comment
Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping: When Buck picks up Tia after she found out he was right about Bug, he apologizes but pronounces "sorry" the Canadian way, as "sore-ree".
 Uncle Buck / int_35b241c0
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Uncle Buck / int_35b241c0
 Uncle Buck / int_361731ad
type
Toilet-Drinking Dog Gag
 Uncle Buck / int_361731ad
comment
Toilet-Drinking Dog Gag: When Cindy calls to check how things are going, the issue of providing water for the dog comes up. Buck replies that he's been leaving the toilet seats up.
 Uncle Buck / int_361731ad
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Uncle Buck / int_361731ad
 Uncle Buck / int_36c64123
type
Gentle Giant
 Uncle Buck / int_36c64123
comment
Gentle Giant: Comes with being played by John Candy. Sure, he's pretty scary if you're a heartless educator or an inebriated party clown or a punk, but just watch the scene where Buck tries to convince Maizy she can't sleep in his bed. D'awwwwww.
 Uncle Buck / int_36c64123
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Uncle Buck / int_36c64123
 Uncle Buck / int_39f27cae
type
Bedmate Reveal
 Uncle Buck / int_39f27cae
comment
Bedmate Reveal: When Buck bursts in on Bug at the house party, he sees the girl Bug is trying to Date Rape is not Tia. He goes ahead with his plan anyway.
 Uncle Buck / int_39f27cae
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Uncle Buck / int_39f27cae
 Uncle Buck / int_3b724476
type
Family Portrait of Characterization
 Uncle Buck / int_3b724476
comment
Family Portrait of Characterization: The title character is the Black Sheep of his family, who only reluctantly call him to cover in an emergency. He's mostly a goofy Manchild, but has a moment of quiet sadness when he sees that he's been removed from his brother's wedding photo.
 Uncle Buck / int_3b724476
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Uncle Buck / int_3b724476
 Uncle Buck / int_3c0a4666
type
Noodle Incident
 Uncle Buck / int_3c0a4666
comment
Noodle Incident: "I want to apologize about your bushes. I had no idea that they would all catch on fire like that." "A lot of people hate this hat. It angers a lot of people, just the sight of it. Ah, I'll tell you a story about that on the way to school," but the story was never told to the audience. The hat in question was an ushanka, which is associated with Russia, so it's not hard to see why people didn't like it, as the Soviet Union was still alive at the time of filming. However, the audience was never told why someone like Buck would wear it. It's clear that at one point Buck had a good relationship with his family. It's never revealed what happened to destroy it; given Buck's sister in law is needlessly picky about aspects of Buck's life, it's not necessarily his fault.
 Uncle Buck / int_3c0a4666
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Uncle Buck / int_3c0a4666
 Uncle Buck / int_3dcc914f
type
Took a Level in Kindness
 Uncle Buck / int_3dcc914f
comment
Took a Level in Kindness: Tia, during the final act of the film.
 Uncle Buck / int_3dcc914f
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Uncle Buck / int_3dcc914f
 Uncle Buck / int_3f89452c
type
Sad Clown
 Uncle Buck / int_3f89452c
comment
Sad Clown: Buck is outwardly a jovial guy, but there are moments where he's alone that he makes clear he's actually very lonely and sad. He admits as much to Tia at the end.
 Uncle Buck / int_3f89452c
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Uncle Buck / int_3f89452c
 Uncle Buck / int_45d22aad
type
Sweet and Sour Grapes
 Uncle Buck / int_45d22aad
comment
Sweet and Sour Grapes: When Buck goes to find Tia after she sneaks off to a Wild Teen Party, he calls Chanice and asks her to watch Miles and Maizy. She's already angry at Buck and agrees for the children's sake, but tells him that once Tia is home, they're officially through. Buck sadly agrees—which turns out to be the right move, as it shows Chanice that he truly has changed and thus inspires her (with some help from Tia) to give him another chance.
 Uncle Buck / int_45d22aad
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Uncle Buck / int_45d22aad
 Uncle Buck / int_4a0ec47a
type
Cheshire Cat Grin
 Uncle Buck / int_4a0ec47a
comment
Cheshire Cat Grin: Buck wears one when menacing Bug. So creepy, it borders on a Slasher Smile.
 Uncle Buck / int_4a0ec47a
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1.0
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Uncle Buck / int_4a0ec47a
 Uncle Buck / int_50b05d30
type
Disproportionate Retribution
 Uncle Buck / int_50b05d30
comment
Disproportionate Retribution: Tia lies to Chanice about how Uncle Buck is cheating on her with another woman, just so she can spite him for the petty crime of embarrassing her at school and chasing away Bug for her own well-being. Partly justified, as Tia's just a teenager and has a self-centered worldview where her only concern is what little social life she has at her new school. She apologises to Buck for this later on.
 Uncle Buck / int_50b05d30
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Uncle Buck / int_50b05d30
 Uncle Buck / int_52d1f46e
type
Not What It Looks Like
 Uncle Buck / int_52d1f46e
comment
Not What It Looks Like: Buck is just trying to fix the washing machine, but it didn't look or sound like it to the nosey neighbor, and she mistakes him for a rapist. Played more seriously when Buck's girlfriend walks in on him "dirty" dancing with the same neighbor.
 Uncle Buck / int_52d1f46e
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Uncle Buck / int_52d1f46e
 Uncle Buck / int_53224e46
type
Bookends
 Uncle Buck / int_53224e46
comment
Bookends: At the beginning of the film, Maisy grouses at Tia for swearing, and at the tail end of the film before he's about to leave the Russel house, Buck accidentally sends tons of hanging cookware tumbling to the floor, at which point he cries "Shit!"
 Uncle Buck / int_53224e46
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Uncle Buck / int_53224e46
 Uncle Buck / int_598513bb
type
Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling
 Uncle Buck / int_598513bb
comment
Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Buck's the foolish to Bob's responsible.
 Uncle Buck / int_598513bb
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 Uncle Buck / int_598513bb
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Uncle Buck / int_598513bb
 Uncle Buck / int_5ae357c1
type
Knight Templar Parent
 Uncle Buck / int_5ae357c1
comment
Knight Templar Parent: Buck isn't a parent, but he is highly protective of his brother's children, resorting to death threats and even kidnapping Tia's boyfriend.
 Uncle Buck / int_5ae357c1
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_5ae357c1
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Uncle Buck / int_5ae357c1
 Uncle Buck / int_627264e0
type
Death Glare
 Uncle Buck / int_627264e0
comment
Death Glare: Uncle Buck gives this to the Assistant Principal when she starts bad-mouthing Maizy as a "bad egg, twiddler, dreamer and silly-heart".
 Uncle Buck / int_627264e0
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Uncle Buck / int_627264e0
 Uncle Buck / int_656e53df
type
ElephantsChild
 Uncle Buck / int_656e53df
comment
Elephant's Child: Miles indulges in a motormouth spree of questions about Buck the instant he arrives, culminating in Buck asking him what his record is for consecutive questions asked; Miles replies thirty-eight.
 Uncle Buck / int_656e53df
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Uncle Buck / int_656e53df
 Uncle Buck / int_6bda9a30
type
Meaningful Name
 Uncle Buck / int_6bda9a30
comment
Meaningful Name: Bug. He scurries away when the light comes on, and if you saw him on your floor you'd probably step on him.
 Uncle Buck / int_6bda9a30
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_6bda9a30
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Uncle Buck / int_6bda9a30
 Uncle Buck / int_7315fd38
type
Covers Always Lie
 Uncle Buck / int_7315fd38
comment
Covers Always Lie: The film poster (as seen on the page image) depicts Buck coming for a visit with the family trying to keep him out, when in fact, it was the family that called him over to watch the kids.
 Uncle Buck / int_7315fd38
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_7315fd38
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Uncle Buck / int_7315fd38
 Uncle Buck / int_78270847
type
Curse Cut Short
 Uncle Buck / int_78270847
comment
Curse Cut Short: Buck leaves a lengthy message on Chanice's answering machine describing their private nicknames for her breasts, and her buttocks, and then...
 Uncle Buck / int_78270847
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_78270847
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Uncle Buck / int_78270847
 Uncle Buck / int_78c895c8
type
Amusing Injuries
 Uncle Buck / int_78c895c8
comment
Amusing Injuries: Golf balls to the head, courtesy of Buck's Improbable Aiming Skills.
 Uncle Buck / int_78c895c8
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Uncle Buck / int_78c895c8
 Uncle Buck / int_79b5990c
type
Mr. Vice Guy
 Uncle Buck / int_79b5990c
comment
Mr. Vice Guy: Buck is very clearly this (it's a big part of the reason why his sister in law doesn't like him). He smokes, drinks, overeats, hangs out with somewhat scummy characters, and is a bit of a slob. Still, he's a really good guy.
 Uncle Buck / int_79b5990c
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Uncle Buck / int_79b5990c
 Uncle Buck / int_7d89315b
type
"The Reason You Suck" Speech
 Uncle Buck / int_7d89315b
comment
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Buck chewing out the assistant principal.
 Uncle Buck / int_7d89315b
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Uncle Buck / int_7d89315b
 Uncle Buck / int_7de3aec2
type
What Does She See in Him?
 Uncle Buck / int_7de3aec2
comment
What Does She See in Him?: Buck asks Tia this after they let Bug go, wondering why on Earth she would be interested in a a-hole like him. Tia's too busy laughing to answer and Buck drops the question.
 Uncle Buck / int_7de3aec2
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Uncle Buck / int_7de3aec2
 Uncle Buck / int_7febc23b
type
Establishing Character Moment
 Uncle Buck / int_7febc23b
comment
As part of his Establishing Character Moment, when Chanice starts expressing her doubts that Buck (for once) will actually show up at her auto-shop the next morning, Buck tells her honestly that if he could even think of an excuse that she would believe... he would use it.
 Uncle Buck / int_7febc23b
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Uncle Buck / int_7febc23b
 Uncle Buck / int_8042e814
type
Actually Pretty Funny
 Uncle Buck / int_8042e814
comment
Actually Pretty Funny: Miles and Maizy, who take to Buck much more quickly than their older sister, find no end of amusement in him actually being able to talk back to her.
 Uncle Buck / int_8042e814
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Uncle Buck / int_8042e814
 Uncle Buck / int_82410415
type
Scylla and Charybdis
 Uncle Buck / int_82410415
comment
Scylla and Charybdis: Buck gets this after Tia sneaks off to a party. He can either take Miles and Maizy to a rigged horse race that will set him for the upcoming year, or he can forgo the race in order to spare his nephew and niece the potential harm they might witness. Ultimately, he chooses his family.
 Uncle Buck / int_82410415
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Uncle Buck / int_82410415
 Uncle Buck / int_8593b49
type
Twerp Sweating
 Uncle Buck / int_8593b49
comment
Twerp Sweating: Buck is very good at scaring the hell out of Bug.
 Uncle Buck / int_8593b49
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 Uncle Buck / int_8593b49
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Uncle Buck / int_8593b49
 Uncle Buck / int_863fa679
type
What Happened to the Mouse?
 Uncle Buck / int_863fa679
comment
What Happened to the Mouse?: How did Uncle Buck make up for the lack of clown at Miles' birthday party after he punched out the drunk one his mom hired? Admittedly, the kids didn't seem too enthused about there being a clown in the first place so they probably didn't mind.
 Uncle Buck / int_863fa679
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Uncle Buck / int_863fa679
 Uncle Buck / int_86b21114
type
Badass Boast
 Uncle Buck / int_86b21114
comment
Badass Boast: Upon Buck rejecting him, Pooter the Clown rants "Hey... I don't have to take any shit from you. Know who I am? In the field of local live home entertainment I'M A GOD!!"
 Uncle Buck / int_86b21114
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Uncle Buck / int_86b21114
 Uncle Buck / int_8797239c
type
Bait-and-Switch
 Uncle Buck / int_8797239c
comment
Bait-and-Switch: As part of his Establishing Character Moment, when Chanice starts expressing her doubts that Buck (for once) will actually show up at her auto-shop the next morning, Buck tells her honestly that if he could even think of an excuse that she would believe... he would use it. Buck drops an expensive plate. Obviously it'll shatter into a million pieces, right? Wrong. It stays in one piece until Buck mumbles "Unbreakable, huh?" and whacks it against the piano.
 Uncle Buck / int_8797239c
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Uncle Buck / int_8797239c
 Uncle Buck / int_88cee6e2
type
Abhorrent Admirer
 Uncle Buck / int_88cee6e2
comment
Abhorrent Admirer: Pal hits on Tia at the bowling alley. He's such a loser that he shows up with a black eye and a cut lip. He thinks a good compliment is to tell Tia she looks firm.
 Uncle Buck / int_88cee6e2
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_88cee6e2
 Uncle Buck / int_8a1215e0
type
Bratty Teenage Daughter
 Uncle Buck / int_8a1215e0
comment
Bratty Teenage Daughter: Tia Russell. She hates that the family moved to the suburbs and cost her her friends and is acting out in all the teen girl ways. She's partying, Dating What Daddy Hates, and throwing hard snark at her parents.
 Uncle Buck / int_8a1215e0
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Uncle Buck / int_8a1215e0
 Uncle Buck / int_932da128
type
Monster Clown
 Uncle Buck / int_932da128
comment
Monster Clown: A mild example; more of a thoroughly soused, foul-mouthed clown. Not that it keeps Buck from kicking his ass.
 Uncle Buck / int_932da128
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_932da128
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Uncle Buck / int_932da128
 Uncle Buck / int_9591377d
type
Heel Realization
 Uncle Buck / int_9591377d
comment
Heel Realization: Buck is close to tears when he realizes he can't take a couple of kids to the racetrack, and he has to go after Tia and keep her safe from Bug.
 Uncle Buck / int_9591377d
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_9591377d
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Uncle Buck / int_9591377d
 Uncle Buck / int_970c8a84
type
Big Fun
 Uncle Buck / int_970c8a84
comment
Big Fun: Most of the time, Buck fits this trope well, as a seedy but fun-loving guy who's (mostly) good with kids. However, as some of these other tropes show, he is not to be trifled with and can turn menacing when he feels he needs to.
 Uncle Buck / int_970c8a84
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_970c8a84
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_970c8a84
 Uncle Buck / int_973d220f
type
Never My Fault
 Uncle Buck / int_973d220f
comment
Never My Fault: Or "My Dog's Fault" in this case. According to Miles, Mr. Neville's dog sniffed his friend's balls, and Mr. Neville yelled at his friend.
 Uncle Buck / int_973d220f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_973d220f
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_973d220f
 Uncle Buck / int_984ef9ef
type
"Not So Different" Remark
 Uncle Buck / int_984ef9ef
comment
"Not So Different" Remark: Buck admits he was just like Bug in his youth, and the two have extremely similar names. Later, Buck soberly admits to Tia the reason he still looks out for her is because he's just like her: he realized he needed to get his act together.
 Uncle Buck / int_984ef9ef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_984ef9ef
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_984ef9ef
 Uncle Buck / int_a080d7a9
type
Door Handle Scare
 Uncle Buck / int_a080d7a9
comment
Door Handle Scare: Buck finds out his niece has snuck out to a party and goes after her. We see her boyfriend making out with someone in a room when the door handle jiggles. But the door is locked and the two continue. Then a power drill comes through the handle and the door opens to reveal Buck. But the girl is not the niece.
 Uncle Buck / int_a080d7a9
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1.0
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featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_a080d7a9
 Uncle Buck / int_a188ac4b
type
Overly Long Gag
 Uncle Buck / int_a188ac4b
comment
Overly Long Gag: When Miles "questions" Buck when they first meet. This is a portion of the full conversation, which takes up about twenty seconds: A few minutes later, Buck does an extended beat when Tia asks if anyone ever embarrassed him like this. ... ... ... "No."
 Uncle Buck / int_a188ac4b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_a188ac4b
featureConfidence
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hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_a188ac4b
 Uncle Buck / int_a3a7c41
type
Black Sheep
 Uncle Buck / int_a3a7c41
comment
Black Sheep: Buck recognizes that he's a habitual loser whose been cut out of his family and is working hard at losing his girlfriend, the only good thing he really has going for him. He's a drunk, he's a gambler, he's a one-time playboy... and he's got nothing to show for any of it. Getting to take care of his nieces and nephew really lets him turn things around.
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1.0
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Uncle Buck / int_a3a7c41
 Uncle Buck / int_a5b12e14
type
Commitment Issues
 Uncle Buck / int_a5b12e14
comment
Commitment Issues: Buck has this in regards to his girlfriend.
 Uncle Buck / int_a5b12e14
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_a5b12e14
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_a5b12e14
 Uncle Buck / int_a63f45d5
type
Cool Uncle
 Uncle Buck / int_a63f45d5
comment
Cool Uncle: The basic premise.
 Uncle Buck / int_a63f45d5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_a63f45d5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_a63f45d5
 Uncle Buck / int_a70223
type
Karma Houdini
 Uncle Buck / int_a70223
comment
Karma Houdini: Aside from finding out her "boyfriend" was only with her to try and have sex with her and getting dumped for not putting out, Tia gets no real punishment for being so shitty to her family for most of the movie.
 Uncle Buck / int_a70223
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_a70223
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_a70223
 Uncle Buck / int_a87f3f7e
type
Giant Food
 Uncle Buck / int_a87f3f7e
comment
Giant Food: For Miles' birthday, Buck makes a stack of pancakes which are nearly three feet in diameter for breakfast, and has to use a snow shovel to flip them! He also has about twenty pounds of bratwurst for the breakfast sausage.
 Uncle Buck / int_a87f3f7e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_a87f3f7e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_a87f3f7e
 Uncle Buck / int_ae3d6438
type
Deadpan Snarker
 Uncle Buck / int_ae3d6438
comment
Deadpan Snarker: Tia has made this her hobby. Buck comes a close second.
 Uncle Buck / int_ae3d6438
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_ae3d6438
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_ae3d6438
 Uncle Buck / int_afc6df04
type
What You Are in the Dark
 Uncle Buck / int_afc6df04
comment
What You Are in the Dark: Buck gets two of these in rapid succession towards the end of the film. Tia sneaks off to a party when she's supposed to babysit Miles and Maizy, and Buck needs to get to the racetrack that night (it's heavily implied that he makes what little income he has betting on crooked jockeys). He piles Miles and Maizy into the car and plans to take them with him, but ultimately realizes that he can't bring kids to such a dangerous place, even if it means giving up his one chance for a payday. The second moment comes when he desperately calls Chanice to come watch Miles and Maizy while he goes looking for Tia, even though they've broken up at that point. Chanice reluctantly agrees because there are children involved, but warns Buck that afterwards, their relationship will be over permanently. Buck hastily agrees to this deal, choosing his estranged niece over his own happiness.
 Uncle Buck / int_afc6df04
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_afc6df04
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_afc6df04
 Uncle Buck / int_b2407a69
type
Talk to the Fist
 Uncle Buck / int_b2407a69
comment
Talk to the Fist: Happens when Buck punches a clown in the face (twice in succession). The clown had it coming, though, for showing up drunk and belligerent when he was supposed to be entertaining at Miles' birthday party.
 Uncle Buck / int_b2407a69
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_b2407a69
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_b2407a69
 Uncle Buck / int_b871de85
type
Annoying Laugh
 Uncle Buck / int_b871de85
comment
Annoying Laugh: Bug lets out an incredibly irritating one when he first insults Buck. Buck mocks his laugh while threating him.
 Uncle Buck / int_b871de85
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_b871de85
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_b871de85
 Uncle Buck / int_b9c3de84
type
Bumbling Dad
 Uncle Buck / int_b9c3de84
comment
Bumbling Dad: The children's father isn't really in the film enough to qualify either way, but Buck fulfills this trope to a T (for "Trope").
 Uncle Buck / int_b9c3de84
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_b9c3de84
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_b9c3de84
 Uncle Buck / int_b9db28ab
type
Emotionless Girl
 Uncle Buck / int_b9db28ab
comment
Emotionless Girl: Tia presents herself at this, and talks to everyone in an overly aloof tone, but isn't above being overly petty with her younger siblings, mouthing off at her mother and Buck, and clearly being frustrated at leaving her life in Indianapolis behind. Despite this, it's still daunting to see her break down when Buck finds her late in the film.
 Uncle Buck / int_b9db28ab
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_b9db28ab
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Uncle Buck / int_b9db28ab
 Uncle Buck / int_bc00493f
type
Precision F-Strike
 Uncle Buck / int_bc00493f
comment
Precision F-Strike: When Buck knocks the pots and pans down at the end. SHIT!
 Uncle Buck / int_bc00493f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_bc00493f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_bc00493f
 Uncle Buck / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Uncle Buck / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Threatening any of the kids in his care will bring out his Papa Wolf side, which could lead to a "Reason You Suck" Speech, a punch to the face, or worse.
 Uncle Buck / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_bc74ef27
 Uncle Buck / int_bcd27e37
type
Improbable Aiming Skills
 Uncle Buck / int_bcd27e37
comment
Improbable Aiming Skills: Buck hits a five wood in the dark while wearing an overcoat and with no tee, and still manages to pop Bug in the head from 30 yards away.
 Uncle Buck / int_bcd27e37
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_bcd27e37
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_bcd27e37
 Uncle Buck / int_bd4264a3
type
Slasher Smile
 Uncle Buck / int_bd4264a3
comment
Slasher Smile: Just look at the page image, for God's sake.
 Uncle Buck / int_bd4264a3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_bd4264a3
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_bd4264a3
 Uncle Buck / int_c145f69b
type
Subverted Trope
 Uncle Buck / int_c145f69b
comment
Suggested to not be the case for Tia. The film never comes right out and says it, but it's heavily implied that Bug did the same thing to her and then tossed her aside like so much garbage. Alternatively, given she brushes off his advances earlier, he broke up with her because she wouldn't have sex with him.
 Uncle Buck / int_c145f69b
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 Uncle Buck / int_c145f69b
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Uncle Buck / int_c145f69b
 Uncle Buck / int_c23525d4
type
Character Title
 Uncle Buck / int_c23525d4
comment
Character Title: The protagonist of the film is Buck Russell, the uncle of the kids in the movie.
 Uncle Buck / int_c23525d4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_c23525d4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_c23525d4
 Uncle Buck / int_c5249b29
type
Nice Guy
 Uncle Buck / int_c5249b29
comment
Nice Guy: Beneath his crassness and immaturity, Buck is undeniably this, being a fundamentally sweet-natured guy who just wants to connect to his family again.
 Uncle Buck / int_c5249b29
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1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_c5249b29
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_c5249b29
 Uncle Buck / int_ca03acbc
type
Freudian Slippery Slope
 Uncle Buck / int_ca03acbc
comment
Freudian Slippery Slope: It's really hard to talk to that vice principal without mentioning her... Well...
 Uncle Buck / int_ca03acbc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_ca03acbc
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_ca03acbc
 Uncle Buck / int_d01cffbc
type
Badass Longcoat
 Uncle Buck / int_d01cffbc
comment
Badass Longcoat: Buck's tweed overcoat, perfect for crashing house parties and other wacky deeds.
 Uncle Buck / int_d01cffbc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_d01cffbc
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Uncle Buck / int_d01cffbc
 Uncle Buck / int_dab2f3ee
type
Good Smoking, Evil Smoking
 Uncle Buck / int_dab2f3ee
comment
Good Smoking, Evil Smoking: Played with. Buck's cigars make him look almost like he'd be a bad guy, but he's awesome.
 Uncle Buck / int_dab2f3ee
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_dab2f3ee
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Uncle Buck / int_dab2f3ee
 Uncle Buck / int_e0140e6c
type
From the Mouths of Babes
 Uncle Buck / int_e0140e6c
comment
From the Mouths of Babes: The kids wouldn't be out of place if they were in an episode of South Park.
 Uncle Buck / int_e0140e6c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e0140e6c
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_e0140e6c
 Uncle Buck / int_e12670cd
type
Freudian Threat
 Uncle Buck / int_e12670cd
comment
Freudian Threat: While not explicitly mentioned, Tia menacing a helpless Bug with a power drill can be this for viewers who picked up on the implied Date Rape plot point.
 Uncle Buck / int_e12670cd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e12670cd
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Uncle Buck / int_e12670cd
 Uncle Buck / int_e280b250
type
Hard Head
 Uncle Buck / int_e280b250
comment
Hard Head: Bowling balls just bounce right off.
 Uncle Buck / int_e280b250
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e280b250
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_e280b250
 Uncle Buck / int_e6291d05
type
Percussive Maintenance
 Uncle Buck / int_e6291d05
comment
Percussive Maintenance: Buck trying to fix the washing machine by kicking it, all the while swearing a blue streak.
 Uncle Buck / int_e6291d05
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e6291d05
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Uncle Buck / int_e6291d05
 Uncle Buck / int_e6382176
type
Ignore the Disability
 Uncle Buck / int_e6382176
comment
Ignore the Disability: Buck introducing himself as "Buck Melanoma, Moley Russell's wart." in response to her vice principal's very large mole.
 Uncle Buck / int_e6382176
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e6382176
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_e6382176
 Uncle Buck / int_e8e3807
type
Aside Glance
 Uncle Buck / int_e8e3807
comment
Aside Glance: Upon seeing the massive pancakes Buck made for his birthday (and hearing about the toast that Buck "couldn't get through the door"), Miles gives the camera a smile of bewilderment.
 Uncle Buck / int_e8e3807
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_e8e3807
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Uncle Buck / int_e8e3807
 Uncle Buck / int_eaf5a1ac
type
Groin Attack
 Uncle Buck / int_eaf5a1ac
comment
Groin Attack: Buck threatens Bug with this in a very roundabout way, while showing off his hatchet.
 Uncle Buck / int_eaf5a1ac
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_eaf5a1ac
featureConfidence
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Uncle Buck / int_eaf5a1ac
 Uncle Buck / int_ecf4f7ce
type
Constantly Curious
 Uncle Buck / int_ecf4f7ce
comment
Constantly Curious: Miles; see Elephant's Child, below.
 Uncle Buck / int_ecf4f7ce
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_ecf4f7ce
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_ecf4f7ce
 Uncle Buck / int_f237981e
type
The Alleged Car
 Uncle Buck / int_f237981e
comment
The Alleged Car: Buck's jalopy (he calls it "The Beast"), which backfires like clockwork. It becomes a Cool Car when we see what's in the trunk.
 Uncle Buck / int_f237981e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_f237981e
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Uncle Buck / int_f237981e
 Uncle Buck / int_f85354eb
type
Attempted Rape
 Uncle Buck / int_f85354eb
comment
Attempted Rape: Buck turned out to be right in his assessment of Bug, when he catches him doing this. To a girl that wasn't Tia.
 Uncle Buck / int_f85354eb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_f85354eb
featureConfidence
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 Uncle Buck
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Uncle Buck / int_f85354eb
 Uncle Buck / int_f8c8175a
type
Malicious Slander
 Uncle Buck / int_f8c8175a
comment
Malicious Slander: Tia resorts to this, preying on her absent mother's dislike of Buck, as payback for Buck interfering with her social life.
 Uncle Buck / int_f8c8175a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Uncle Buck / int_f8c8175a
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Uncle Buck / int_f8c8175a
 Uncle Buck / int_fccd06b6
type
Beware the Nice Ones
 Uncle Buck / int_fccd06b6
comment
Beware the Nice Ones / Beware the Silly Ones: Buck appears at first to be a fat, friendly goof; but mess with his nieces and nephew and you better start quivering...
 Uncle Buck / int_fccd06b6
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Uncle Buck / int_fccd06b6
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type
ItemName
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Uncle Buck

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Addiction Displacement / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Badass Longcoat / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Circling Birdies / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Commitment Issues / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Constantly Curious / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Cool Uncle / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Cordon Bleugh Chef / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Date Rape Averted / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Door Handle Scare / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Dreaded Kids' Party Entertainer Job / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Drill the Lock / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Ends with a Smile / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Family Portrait of Characterization / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Giant Food / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Hard Head / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Ignore the Disability / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
It's a Long Story / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Oral Fixation / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
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Recycled: The Series / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Removed from the Picture / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Soft Glass / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
The Alleged Car / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Toilet-Drinking Dog Gag / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Trunk Shot / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Twerp Sweating / int_fa68c844
 Uncle Buck
hasFeature
Wild Teen Party / int_fa68c844