Crooked Table Podcast: Episode 145 — ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ (featuring Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie)

Even more than most genres, mockumentaries just aren’t for everyone. So perhaps — despite The Lonely Island’s built-in fanbase — Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping failed to bring in an audience in 2016. In a blatant parody of Justin Bieber or other recent music sensations, the film follows fading pop music icon Conner4Real (Andy Samberg).

Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie joins the show to help us spread the word about Popstar‘s insanely underrated status. We’ll discuss how the movie follows the tradition of classic mockumentary films like This Is Spinal Tap, why Samberg’s performance grounds the film, and which cameos — there are so, so many — make us laugh the hardest.

So grab your “finest girl,” “turn up the beef” and listen in as these “2 banditos” share their “incredible thoughts” about one of the best comedies of the past few years. Ladies and gentlemen, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.

SYNOPSIS

Childhood friends Conner (Andy Samberg), Owen (Jorma Taccone) and Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) found fame and fortune after forming the hip-hop group the Style Boyz. Owen and Lawrence faded into the background when frontman Conner left the band to launch a successful solo career. Now, the egotistical singer decides to film a documentary about his life while he’s still on top. When his second album flops, the camera is there to capture his world come crashing down.