# Christopher Guest Mockumentaries **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665 "2004-09-23T13:20:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/1 "2004-09-23T13:20:38Z")
I just saw _A Mighty Wind_. Unbelievably hilarious, in a kind of surreal way. I saw _Waiting for Guffman_ a couple of weeks ago. Not as funny as AMW, but still pretty good. I’ve got _Best in Show_ and _This is Spinal Tap_ in my Netflix queue. Are there any others? Are any in the works? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/2 "2004-09-23T13:48:12Z")
That’s it, unfortunately. And for purity’s sake, I don’t know if “Spinal Tap” counts, as Guest and the others only acted in that one. I’m not 100% sure on that. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. “A Mighty Wind” was just awesome. Not quite as funny as “Guffman”, but maybe a better movie overall. Did you know that the actors wrote and arranged all the music? My only disappointment was that there wasn’t enough Parker Posey. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/3 "2004-09-23T14:07:57Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > That’s it, unfortunately. And for purity’s sake, I don’t know if “Spinal Tap” counts, as Guest and the others only acted in that one. I’m not 100% sure on that. This is correct. The man is brilliant. I have found that how much you relatively like each of his movies depends on how much you can relate to them. If you grew up in a small mid-Western town, you’ll like _Guffman_ the best. If you were a folkie, you’ll like _A Mighty Wind_ the best. I eargerly await their next project. Haj ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/4 "2004-09-23T14:25:42Z")
Mmmm…Parker Posey. _This is Spinal Tap_ was directed by Rob Reiner but as with Guest’s other movies, it was largely an improvisational process by the cast. _Tap_ is probably the best of these movies. It’s been largely attested by a number of real heavy metal stars that it was uncomfortably close to the bone. I think some of the scenes were based on real anecdotes from real bands. Ozzy Osbourne said that the scene when they all got lost backstage trying to find the stage entrance was something that really happened when he was in Black Sabbath. Others have said that some of the small details have a verisimilitude. I can’t remember who it was (it might have been Dave Mustaine) but somebody mentioned the scene where Nigel was perplexed by cold cuts that were too big for the bread and said that’s _exactly_ the kind of thing that rock stars get into snits about. _Best in Show_ is probably the Best Guest directed project but they’re all good. A lot of it is a cast that has an obvious comfort and chemistry with each other. They give each other a lot of space and it’s clear they love working together. I think that Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara (who I think is an under-appreciated comic actress) in particular work incredibly well together. They’ve been working with each other since SCTV and it seems almost effortless how well they can create a couple of characters at the drop of a hat, give them life and let them play hilariously off of each other. I don’t know what Guest has coming up next (can’t find anything on a google search) but I hope he makes another half dozen of these things with the same cast. There are any number of things which would be great subjects for the Guest mockumentary treatment- Trekkies, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/5 "2004-09-23T14:28:14Z")
I’ll third the drool over Parker Posey… God I wish she showed up in more stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/6 "2004-09-23T15:08:52Z")
I agree with **DTC** that Spinal Tap and Best In Show are probably the best even though spinal tap isn’t really one of guests. Still, it’s Rob Reiner’s. Check out some of the DVD extras on Best in Show if you liked Harlan Pepper. And anyone who hasn’t seen the extras might want to check it out too. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/7 "2004-09-23T15:16:53Z")
O’Hara is brilliant in _Best in Show_. At the climax, after Eugene Levy wins the dog show, she runs toward him with her gimp knee and provides the funniest moment of the movie _with a funny walk_! Genius. ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/8 "2004-09-23T15:17:12Z")
_This is Spinal Tap_ is one of my favorite movies ever. I HIGHLY recommend buying the DVD so that you can have the extra features (particularly the commentary, which is done by the cast IN CHARACTER. It’s hilarious and honestly like watching a whole new movie. Awesome). _A Mighty Wind_ is actually my least favorite, but it’s still great. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/9 "2004-09-23T15:25:42Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > _This is Spinal Tap_ is one of my favorite movies ever. I HIGHLY recommend buying the DVD so that you can have the extra features (particularly the commentary, which is done by the cast IN CHARACTER. It’s hilarious and honestly like watching a whole new movie. Awesome). Oh yeah, the commentary (I think that’s only in the anniversary edition, right? or was there only that edition?) is fabulous. The idea is that (mumble)-some years after the release of the film in theaters, they got the band members back to do the commentary, and they tell all these weird stories about their lives since then, etc. It’s seriously funny. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/10 "2004-09-23T16:09:15Z")
There’s also a “Return of Spinal Tap” video that was produced for their “Break like the Wind” tour (this time they get the Stonehenge monument the right size but can’t get it in thru the door). Early on, opening act The Folksmen are pre-empted by the tour manager from a fate of being booed off the stage (“So in other words we’re free to go?”) Characters played by Rob Reiner, Paul Schaffer, Fred Willard, etc. are interviewed describing how their careers have gone (further) downhill since “This is Spinal Tap”. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/11 "2004-09-23T17:02:37Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > Did you know that the actors wrote and arranged all the music? I found that astounding, in addition to actually liking some of the songs. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/12 "2004-09-23T17:53:34Z")
_A Might Wind_ is head and shoulders above the others, and mainly due to Eugene Levy’s acting. Here is this shell of a human; lonely, pathetic, completely lost in the world. Somone you would normally be ashamed to laught at. But laugh you do, and without guilt. That is something amazing. None of the other mockumentaries come anywhere close to having a character of such depth and complexity. A career performance by one of the best comic actors of all time who is unfortnately going to have “star of the American Pie movies” tacked onto the first sentence of his obit. ---
**Author:** ![simply\_cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@simply\_cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simply_cats)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/13 "2004-09-23T18:03:38Z")
This weekend I definitely need to get Guffman, as it is the only one I have yet to see/own. I agree with a previous poster in that I think you find funniest the ones you most identify with. While I love Spinal Tap, and A Mighty Wind, Best in Show is definitely my favorite. Coming from an agricultural/show circuit kind of background, it cracks me up every time. My students (also in an ag community) love this movie as well. Can’t wait to see what is next, although I think a trekkie one would definitely rank right up there. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/14 "2004-09-23T18:03:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Tap is probably the best of these movies. It’s been largely attested by a number of real heavy metal stars that it was uncomfortably close to the bone. I think some of the scenes were based on real anecdotes from real bands. Ozzy Osbourne said that the scene when they all got lost backstage trying to find the stage entrance was something that really happened when he was in Black Sabbath. Others have said that some of the small details have a verisimilitude. I can’t remember who it was (it might have been Dave Mustaine) but somebody mentioned the scene where Nigel was perplexed by cold cuts that were too big for the bread and said that’s exactly the kind of thing that rock stars get into snits about. Virtually every heavy metal band from the 70’s claims it was an inspiration for Spinal Tap; it’s a badge of honor in the genre. The funniest thing I ever read about this was some musician talking about a mishap occuring to his band that had already appeared in the movie. He said it was bad enough having a satirical band imitate his real band, but the real humiliation was when his real band started imitating the satirical one. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/15 "2004-09-23T21:45:54Z")
> [@simply\_cats](#): > > This weekend I definitely need to get Guffman, as it is the only one I have yet to see/own. I agree with a previous poster in that I think you find funniest the ones you most identify with. While I love Spinal Tap, and A Mighty Wind, Best in Show is definitely my favorite. Coming from an agricultural/show circuit kind of background, it cracks me up every time. My students (also in an ag community) love this movie as well. > > Can’t wait to see what is next, although I think a trekkie one would definitely rank right up there. I can’t wait to see what you think of “Guffman” (small, midwest town celebrating their 150th anniversary). And there’s no need for a trekkie satire - the (real) documentary “Trekkies” is funny and bizarre (and scary) enough on it’s own ! Not counting “Tap”, I think “Guffman” is the best of the 3. As mentioned, the ones you like have to do with what you can relate to. I have loved all of them (“Guffman”,“Best in Show”, and “A Mighty Wind”), but have found “Guffman” to be the funniest every time I watch it. What amazes me is that some people just DON’T get it (at all). So you either have to be tuned in to Guest, or not. The movies also really highlight the versatility of the Guest “regulars”. Levy is a great example, but all of them are almost unrecognizable from one movie to the next (when I explained who Parker Posey was in “Best in Show”, he would not believe me !). ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/16 "2004-09-23T22:09:13Z")
I haven’t seen Guffman yet, but I didn’t really like Best in Show that much. A Mighty Wind, however, I can watch eveyr single time it’s on TV and laugh and laugh. I find something new to laugh about every time. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/17 "2004-09-23T22:14:18Z")
> [@simply\_cats](#): > > Can’t wait to see what is next, although I think a trekkie one would definitely rank right up there. _Trekkies_ was already pretty darned good, and it wasn’t even a **fake** documentary! ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/18 "2004-09-23T22:39:26Z")
> [@](#): > > I have found that how much you relatively like each of his movies depends on how much you can relate to them. If you grew up in a small mid-Western town, you’ll like Guffman the best. If you were a folkie, you’ll like A Mighty Wind the best. A funny thing about _Best in Show_ is that if you watch it with ‘dog people’, that is people who are really into dog showing, many of them won’t laugh. It’s so close to how some of these people really think & behave that they’ll believe its an **actual** documentary! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/19 "2004-09-23T22:49:07Z")
I love all of Guest’s movies, but I’ve noticed that, especially in _A Mighty Wind_, it doesn’t really work as a “fake documentary” any more. There are just too many scenes where it’s not believable that there’d be a camera crew present, such as the scene where Eugene Levy is in his motel room, listening to his neighbors have loud sex. Why is that being filmed? He’s just sitting in bed, reading. Similarly, when he walks out of the theater, right before going on stage, no one can find him… except the camera crew that’s apparently following him all over town. _Best in Show_ had some of the same problems, although not quite as obvious. _Guffman_ and _Spinal Tap_ are pretty solid, though, as well as I can remember. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the movies, I just wish they’d pay more attention to following the format they’ve set up for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665/20 "2004-09-23T23:16:31Z")
I must concur with the everyone else who is saying that which one you enjoy the most depends on which group you’ve had the most contact with. I loved waiting for guffman. I have been involved with small town theater and I can totally relate (though my small town is not in the mdwest and is more sophisticated than Blaine Missouri, not so hard to do). I don’t really have much connection to dog shows, but I loved Best in Show. I think maybe best in show is somehow the most “mainstream”. Certainly most of us are prett comfortable laughing at wierd televised competitions. I’ve never been much of a folkie, but I’ve had some exposure to the music. I thought A Mighty Wind was good, but I didn’t laugh as hard as with the other ones. I agree with the criticism that some of the shots are implausible in that they would never have captured them if this was an actual documentary. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-guest-mockumentaries/265665.md?page=2)