SALT LAKE CITY — In a curious twist of events, the recent viral ‘chicken jockey’ trend made its way to a Provo theater, where a live chicken became an unexpected guest during a screening of “A Minecraft Movie.”
What is the ‘chicken jockey’ trend?
This phenomenon has taken social media by storm, particularly surrounding the “Minecraft” movie. Audiences have been known to throw popcorn and drinks in a playful uproar whenever the character Steve, voiced by Jack Black, mentions various game items, notably the “chicken jockey.” Inspired by this trend, Provo student Chuck Nadauld and his friends decided to add their own twist to the experience.
“My friend and I drove to a farm and bought a chicken for before the movie,” Nadauld recounted. The duo managed to smuggle the chicken into the theater, where it was treated to a feast of popcorn at Nadauld’s feet. As the pivotal chicken jockey scene unfolded, he raised the bird high, much to the delight of his fellow moviegoers. However, their fun was short-lived, as theater staff swiftly escorted them out.
‘The crowd just went crazy’
Nick Gamble, the movie theater manager, sensed something unusual when patrons began requesting refunds due to discomfort. “I was supposed to be off at 6 p.m. that night, but I stayed to help out because I knew they would need it,” Gamble explained. He took it upon himself to monitor the screening, halting the film after someone set off an air horn. The atmosphere calmed until the chicken jockey scene ignited the crowd once more.
“The crowd just went crazy at that,” Gamble noted. Although he never laid eyes on the chicken, he promptly paused the movie while another manager informed the group they had to leave. While Gamble appreciates the spirit of fun, he emphasized the importance of maintaining safety: “Just don’t bring items or objects that will cause harm or danger to other moviegoers.” This incident served as a reminder for theater staff to be prepared for unexpected occurrences in the future.
The aftermath
The antics of Nadauld and his friends quickly spread across social media, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. The reactions have been mixed, with some expressing admiration while others resorted to sending threats to Nadauld and his family.
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Despite the backlash, Nadauld expressed, “No regrets.” He did, however, wish he could have assisted theater employees in cleaning up the aftermath of their escapade. As for the chicken, he revealed that it was returned to a farm, alive and well, ensuring a happy ending for all involved.
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