Star-Studded Screwball Comedy Series On Netflix Is The Perfect Prequel
The prequel series to a cult classic parody of a certain type of 80s comedy, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day at Camp, is a masterpiece of silliness. It reunites the cast of the original movie, many of whom went on to become A-list actors or beloved comedians, making it one of the best casts a Netflix show has ever had. Like the original movie, it’s a whacky, intentionally dumb romp that outshines the original.
Wet Hot American Summer
The Wet Hot American Summer franchise parodies 80s sex comedies and camp movies like Meatballs, while indulging in absurd screwball comedy bits. Both the movie and First Day at Camp take place over a single day in 1981 at Camp Firewood. While each entry has an overarching plot, most of the run time is spent exploring the eccentric characters and their relationships.
The Original Film Flopped Hard
Directed by David Wein and co-written by Michael Showalter, Wet Hot American Summer was released in 2001 and flopped hard. Its limited theatrical run brought in only $295,206 and was derided by critics, earning 38 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite that initial failure, the movie became a cult classic, growing in notoriety as its cast became more well-known.
An Over-The-Top Romp
Building on that reputation, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp leans into the over-the-top nature of the original and was much more well-received than the movie. Fans of the original rallied around the show, bringing more attention to the original in the process. The series also won the hearts of critics, receiving a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The All-Star Cast Of The Original
A huge part of Wet Hot American Summer’s appeal is the absurdly large and talented ensemble cast. That giant cast includes Elizabeth Banks, H. Jon Benjamin, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Christopher Meloni, Zak Orth, David Hyde Pierce, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon, Michael Showalter, and Kevin Sussman.
Shockingly, every adult actor from the original returned for the prequel series, despite many of them, such as Rudd and Banks, having become huge stars.
The New Stars For The Sequel
As if the original didn’t have enough star power Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp added even more celebrities to its cast. The show added Jason Schwartzman, Lake Bell, John Slattery, Michaela Watkins, John Charles, Chris Pine, Jon Hamm, Randall Park, Michael Cera, and Kristen Wiig as cast members. It also featured guest stars Jordan Peele, Paul Scherer, Jayma Mays, Rob Huebel, and Weird Al Yankovic.
Everyone Pushed The Comedy To The Limit
While the cast of Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is undeniably talented, what makes it truly great is its commitment to taking its comedic ideas to the furthest possible limit. A day trip into town by some of the characters includes the characters committing multiple crimes, becoming drug addicts, and going to rehab, only to conclude with the characters arriving back at camp and commenting on what a wild afternoon it was. The series is full of nonsensical, silly bits that pointedly ignore reality.
Streaming Only On Netflix
REVIEW SCORE
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is a show where you can see some of the greatest modern comedic actors in completely unhinged scenarios. It’s the perfect pure comedy for fans who want something that doesn’t take itself seriously. The franchise is worth watching, but Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp on Netflix is an absolute must-see series for comedy fans.
