Why the Coke Badger Works

Claudiu Marius
2 min readFeb 3, 2023

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The Coke Badger, also known as the “Cocaine Badger,” is a memorable character from the 2004 cult classic movie “It’s All Gone Pete Tong.” This mischievous little guy has been the source of endless jokes and memes over the years, but why does the Coke Badger work so well as a comedic character?

One of the main reasons is that the Coke Badger appeals to people’s sense of humor. He’s a quintessential party animal, always up for a good time and willing to take risks. He’s the type of guy who will do anything to keep the party going, including snorting lines of coke off a table. This wild, devil-may-care attitude is both hilarious and relatable, making the Coke Badger a timeless character that people can’t help but laugh at.

Another reason why the Coke Badger works is that he embodies the wild and crazy excess of the dance music culture of the early 2000s. The movie “It’s All Gone Pete Tong” was a love letter to this hedonistic lifestyle, and the Coke Badger was the perfect symbol of it. He represented the excesses and the good times that many people associate with that era.

But the Coke Badger isn’t just a one-dimensional joke. He’s also a clever satire of the excesses and decadence of the party lifestyle. By showing the Coke Badger snorting coke and causing chaos, the filmmakers were making a comment on the dangers of this lifestyle and the importance of moderation.

Finally, the Coke Badger works because he’s just plain funny. He’s a classic example of a visual joke that doesn’t require any explanation. Just seeing a badger with a straw in its nose, snorting coke off a table, is enough to make most people laugh.

In conclusion, the Coke Badger works because he appeals to people’s sense of humor, embodies the wild and crazy excess of the dance music culture, is a clever satire of party lifestyle excess, and is simply funny. Whether you’re a fan of “It’s All Gone Pete Tong” or just a lover of comedy, the Coke Badger is a character that you just can’t help but love.

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