Last Blockbuster store turned into Airbnb

Netflix Has GREAT News For Fans Of NBC’s ‘Superstore’ With New ‘Blockbuster’ Comedy

Home / Entertainment / Netflix Has GREAT News For Fans Of NBC’s ‘Superstore’ With New ‘Blockbuster’ Comedy

By Kristin Myers on November 18, 2021 at 11:30 AM PST

Netflix has some great news for fans of NBC’s popular sitcom “Superstore.”

The show, which ran from November 2015 – March 2021, tackled the day-to-day challenge of working in a megastore with an oddball cast of characters that included America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, and Nichole Sakura.

Although the workplace comedy, created by Justin Spitzer,  wrapped up its finale with a bow, Netflix has a new show in the works that is sure to please fans of the long-running comedy series.

Article continues below advertisement

Netflix Introduces New Workplace Comedy: ‘Blockbuster’

The world's last remaining Blockbuster video rental store has been turned into an Airbnb. Fans who stay will be able to get unlimited access to the shop's huge range of film titles, and will have a TV and a pull-out couch to watch them on. The 20-year-old store in Bend, Oregon, in the United States, is the last remaining store in the once hugely popular video rental chain. The store rents film titles at $3.99 USD - and a stay is just $4 USD, plus taxes and fees. Store manager Sandi Harding has converted a section of the store for the “End of Summer Sleepover”, which will allow film lovers to access the store for three one-night stays in September. It has been listed on holiday accommodation site, Airbnb for local residents. "This end of summer sleepover will offer movie lovers in Deschutes County, Oregon the chance for a 90s-themed stay to relive the bygone Friday night tradition just as we remember it," they said. "As the Airbnb host, Sandi will stock the shelves with all the movies a heart could desire before handing over the keys." At its peak, Blockbuster had over 9000 stores around the world. In December 2013, the long-running rental chain called in administrators in the UK. Please credit AIRBNB/MEGA. 12 Aug 2020 Pictured: Inside the Airbnb. Photo credit: AIRBNB/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA693817_003.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
MEGA

The new Netflix comedy show, “Blockbuster,” was created by Vanessa Ramos, who has been praised for her work in “Superstore” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” She partnered with “Happy Endings” creator David Caspe and “Superstore”’s Jackie Clarke to write and produce this nostalgic new comedy.

Although “Superstore” took place in the fictional Cloud 9 superstore, this workplace experience will take its viewers on a trip down memory lane with “Blockbuster.” According to Deadline, Netflix producers have actually secured the rights to Blockbuster, allowing them to use the store’s logo and uniforms in their new show.

Article continues below advertisement

Just like “Superstore,” the show is described as an “ensemble comedy that explores what it takes – and more specifically, who it takes – for a small business to succeed against all odds.” Except, instead of a megastore, it will feature the last Blockbuster video in America. Although Cloud 9 wasn’t exactly a small business, there were plenty of times when the store seemed ready to shut its doors for good in the wake of other up-and-coming retail giants.

There is a lot of irony in Netflix producing a show about the last Blockbuster struggling to survive, considering that Netflix was a direct competitor to Blockbuster, and co-founders Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings actually tried to sell Netflix to Blockbuster in 2000 for a cool $50 million.

Article continues below advertisement

Blockbuster passed on the offer and ended up closing its doors for good in 2014. Netflix, meanwhile, has gone on to become one of the bigger streaming giants in the world.

Article continues below advertisement

‘Blockbuster’ Puts Sitcom Veteran Randall Park In The Lead Role

Randall Park at the Aquaman World Premiere - Red Carpet
MEGA

Randall Park seems like a perfect choice to play the leading man in the new “Blockbuster” comedy. He has plenty of experience leading an ensemble cast on ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” sitcom about an Asian-American family moving to suburban Orlando and opening a western-themed restaurant.

Park has also demonstrated his range by playing Jimmy Woo in the Marvel series “WandaVision” and will step back into his role as Dr. Stephen Shin in DC’s “Aquaman” sequel titled “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”

Article continues below advertisement

“To say getting to make a show about a place I love, with my friends Jackie and David, and Randall Park as our star is a dream come true, somehow feels like an understatement,” Ramos said in a recent interview. “I could not be more grateful to Jim and Megan at Universal for supporting this project since day one and Tracey, Andy, and the whole team at Netflix for being on board with so many weird jokes.”

“Randall is one of the funniest actors working today,” one fan commented, while another added, “And one of the nicest! This is gonna be hilarious!”

“Can’t wait for the Netflix sitcom on movie theater workers, retail mall workers, and restaurant servers, I’m sure all these industries will thrive just like blockbuster!!” another fan joked.

The show is currently in pre-production. No release date has yet been announced.

Article continues below advertisement