PopSyndicate.com

Are you the funniest person you know?  You’re also the smartest person you know, aren’t you?  I thought so.  Since that’s the case, perhaps it is time you are properly inducted into the cult of Christopher Guest.  Take heed, this is not a land of yuckster hijinks, rather a school of thought complete with hazing rituals and a secret language.  I envy us.  I really do.

There are few things in the world that hold more joy for me than Christopher Guest films. 

As I was mulling over what laugh fest I wanted to share with you this week, I got that tingly-blog revelation while driving: SPINAL TAP!  I will talk about Spinal Tap.  It will give me the perfect excuse to pop to the store and pick up a new copy.  My entire Christopher Guest collection unfortunately did not survive the economic recession this summer and, along with most of my beloved DVD’s, had to go live with nice families at the local used bookstore.  It was a very sad day, indeed, but I knew better days would be ahead when I would no longer have to sell bits of my soul for a months worth of Ramen noodles (and they wonder why I’m a Democrat).

ANYWAY…

I could not find Spinal Tap when I stopped at the Walmart last night (soulless devil store), which was disheartening on several levels, not the least of which is my not being able to watch my favorite DVD Commentary of All Time right this very minute and tell you exactly why I so ardently worship at the Cult of Guest.  As such, I will have to rely on two minute clips from YouTube and my questionable memory, after that you’ll just have to trust me.

This is Spinal Tap is the immaculate love child of Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner.  Translation: If you appreciate The Simpsons and Arrested Development, you are ready for this meaty comedy.  Lesson one: if you don’t want to waste your time on crap comedy, pay attention to the writers and director.  You’ll be pleased to discover (if you haven’t so already) that the teams that created your favorite movies and television shows tend to work together often.  This is how you know you will have a laugh.  I loved The Princess Bride almost as much as I loved Waiting for Guffman, so it almost seemed perverse to have reached the age of 24 without watching Spinal Tap in it’s entirety. 

Alas, we all make mistakes.

It takes a very particular wit to appreciate the fine art of Guestian humor- I wouldn’t recommend it to just anyone (mostly because I die a little on the inside when some fool inevitably whines “this is stupid” eight minutes into Best in Show then blithely goes back to his Dane Cook special… but I digress).  But to the noble few who possess the subtle intelligence inherent to this sort of early National Lampoon humor, I have a few notes to get you started on your introduction to the cult of Guffmans. 

1.  Get a copy of This is Spinal Tap (also works for Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show).
2.  Relax by any means necessary.
3.  Watch film.
4.  Watch film again.
5.  Watch film three more times.
6.  Attempt a conversation with anyone who watches “Two and a Half Men.”
7.  Watch Spinal Tap with Commentary.
8.  Revel in your new found snob obscurantism.
9.  You’re welcome.

If you’ve read this far, you may very well have what it takes to undergo this culture diet.  If you are violently offended by the Two and Half Men/Dane Cook remarks, you really needn’t bother with anything I ever say.  I will say this, that even the sharpest of wits must break-in to the Christopher Guest cult, but once you’re in, you too will understand the fulfillment of a belly laugh from the top of your intelligence.  I promise it is worth the repetitive behavior and slight nasal upturn. 

We are a proud and bitter people, but by golly, we know how to laugh.