MovieChat Forums > The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977) Discussion > Scott Baio's Cousin

Scott Baio's Cousin

posted 11 years ago by sheepdater
6 replies | jump to latest

Just like anybody in their 30s I had seen this movie as a kid, probably during the period where The Bad News Bears TV spin off was being played on Nickelodeon. It's interesting to see it through adult eyes.

When the character of Carmen Ronzonni, played by Jimmy Baio, was first introduced I thought he was this movie's tough as a boy Tatum O'Neal female character. Those chubby little apple cheeks really threw me off, so I needed to check on IMDB to confirm he, was indeed, really was a boy. There I discovered he was Scott Baio's cousin. Yet still this kid reminded me of somebody & it sure wasn't Chachi.

Am I crazy or does that kid look like a young Fred Savage? It was almost freaky just how much he was channelling the performance of Kevin Arnold trying to act tough. I wonder if there are some Baio genes floating around in the Savage family tree.

[–] stones78 11 years ago

thought "he" was a girl myself.

[–] jefgg 11 years ago

A few years later Jimmy Baio would star in the TV show "Soap". His last acting credit was in 1996. The last I heard he was working as a bartender in New York.

[–] discostu004 9 years ago

I can see the savage comparison. Carmine ronzonni sure did like to coattail on the baio name. Hey jimmy, quit leeching off of the only baio: Scott. Jimmy baio is trash

[–] daverindone 9 years ago

To be fair, he was quite good in Soap, and I enjoyed his East Coast vibe compared to the California Bears.

[–] brtndr 9 years ago

I absolutely agree daverindone. The writers couldn't use Tatum O'Neal as the pitcher for the Bears, in a young juvenile road trip sequel. I mean, she'd be pregnant with Kelly Leak's child by the time they left New Mexico. So, the team needed a new pitcher. Enter bright and charismatic Jimmy Baio as Carmen Ronzonni, stage what ever. He created a different dynamic on the team of veteran Bad News kids. Carmen was quick witted, had a lot of personality and was completely full of S^&%T. Well, until the final play in the championship game that is.(***SPOILER ALERT***)

[–] Ditto-head 9 years ago

He's always reminded me of Mike Teevee from Willy Wonka.