Crooked Table Podcast: Episode 140 — David Rosen / Wet Hot American Summer

Some movies land with audiences immediately, while others don’t find their fans for years to come. Wet Hot American Summer is one of the latter. Featuring a star-studded cast of comedy talents, director David Wain’s film is a quirky ode to ’80s “camp” classics (pun intended) and sex comedies. Its popularity grew so much over the years that Netflix ultimately produced two limited series based on the film.

David Rosen of the Piecing It Together podcast joins the show to discuss the phenomenon that is Wet Hot American Summer. We’ll discuss Wain’s bizarre blend of comedy styles, the film’s enduring legacy, and speculate about why it was initially maligned by critics. Fans of David’s show: we’ll even briefly touch on which puzzle pieces pertain to the film.

So let’s head over to Camp Firewood so that we don’t miss tonight’s big talent show. *pottery breaking*

SYNOPSIS

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, Wet Hot American Summer follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.