Why You Need To Bingewatch The Wet Hot American Summer Series Right Now
You should know right now that if you hate stupidity for the sake of stupidity, self aware humor, slapstick, or meta-humor, you are really, really going to hate this TV show.
For everyone else, you’re in for a very satisfying binge sesh of Netflix's Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp. Here’s why.
Spoiler Town from here on out. (Disclaimer – I still haven’t seen the movie. Take that as you will.)
Christopher Meloni = … Comedy Gold?
Chances are if you’ve ever been near a TV during a USA marathon of Law & Order SVU, you’ve sat down just for one episode and remained glued to your couch for three, partially because Christopher Meloni is just so darn good. Constantly teetering on the edge of “how far is too far,” he sucks you in as a dramatic (if somewhat soapy, but the show calls for that) actor.
In Wet Hot American Summer, the angtsy cop we once knew has been replaced by a loveably stupid camp cook reminiscent of Will Ferrell characters from days past. In one of the show’s many kitschy, Mel-Brooks-esque twists, it turns out that Meloni is a top secret military operative who has assumed another identity, presumably to protect his brain from all the bad stuff he once saw. Meloni plays the part with absolutely zero hesitation and 100 percent crazy eyes. It is truly a sight to behold.
(image source: zap2it)
… And He Fights With Jon Hamm (Also, Jon Hamm)
Jon Hamm and Chris Meloni have a glorious fight scene in which, as a friend put it, “zero fucks are given.” Not only is the scene over the top, it’s SO over the top that whoever cut it didn’t even bother to hide the faces of the stunt doubles – a decision which really just creates more stupid comedy.
Also, Hamm’s character is an excellent match for Meloni’s batshit crazy cook with an identity problem. As he has proven in 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, he’s no stranger to silliness.
Chris Pine Dies And Nobody Cares That Much
And he dies because of Ronald Reagan...Or does he?
Also, CHRIS PINE IS IN THIS. What, he’s not too busy making blockbusters? Maybe JJ’s got him on hold because he’s too busy with Star Wars?
There’s Radioactive Slime
And it turns that guy who voices Archer into a talking can of vegetables. And the slime too, was Ronald Reagan’s fault. Brings me back to the 90s Nick days of The Secret World Of Alex Mack.
(Image source: Vulture)
Amy Poehler And Bradley Cooper And Michael Ian Black And John Slattery Are In A Love Quadrangle
That’s really all you need to know about that.
(Image source: Vulture)
(Image source: Vulture)
Kristen Wiig
She’s barely in it, but when she is, she’s weird as hell in the best Wiig Way possible.
Paul Rudd’s Dimples
This is the No. 1 reason to see anything Paul Rudd is in, always. *Swoon
It Has A Flawlessly Executed – And Actually Funny And Not Gross – Period Joke
A boy-hating child walks into a bathroom stall, gets her period, comes out a grown ass woman wanting to hunt some man meat.
Literally (I Am Not Using This Word Loosely) Everyone Is In It
Ahem:
(In no particular order)
Paul Rudd
Elizabeth Banks
Amy Poehler
Bradley Cooper
Chris Pine
Christopher Meloni
Jon Hamm
Michael Cera
Jason Schwartzmann
Molly Shannon
H. Jon Benjamin
Kristen Wiig
Michael Ian Black
David Hyde Pierce
Joe Lo Truglio
Paul Scheer
Josh Charles
Jordan Peele
Michaela Watkins
Ken Marino
Randall Park
Weird Al Yankovic
(Etc etc etc)