'3 Men and a Baby': Dated Fun, But Let's Talk About That Cardboard Cutout

Okay, so I revisited '3 Men and a Baby' the other night. Look, it's undeniably charming in that late-80s, overly-bright sitcom kind of way. Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, and Steve Guttenberg all playing against type (or at least slightly adjacent to their usual types) is inherently watchable. You get the initial "oh god, a baby?" chaos, the surprisingly tender moments, and the inevitable learning-to-be-responsible montage. The scene where they're desperately trying to change a diaper for the first time is still pretty funny, even if it's a bit broad. But what really gets me thinking, even after all these years, is the whole 'ghost boy' thing. Remember that urban legend about the supposed ghost caught in the background of one of the scenes? I even remember being creeped out by it as a kid! It was supposedly a cutout left on set. But even knowing the explanation, it's hard to not notice it. The film kinda had a real moment because of that! Why do you think the film makers never really spoke about it? It's a perfect example of how perception and rumour can take hold of even a light-hearted family movie. Honestly, the film itself hasn't aged perfectly. Some of the jokes are definitely a product of their time, and the whole drug-dealer subplot feels oddly shoehorned in. But the core message – that even the most self-absorbed people can rise to the occasion when faced with responsibility – still resonates. Not high art, not a cinematic revelation, but a fun, nostalgic watch, especially if you want to see Tom Selleck wear an apron and look genuinely flustered. Anyone else think that the ending was a little rushed, though? It just sort of...happens.