I can remember the summer of 2004 like it was yesterday. Carefree vibes permeated the air as I left high school in my rearview mirror. I worked at my old man’s paint and body shop whenever I needed a few extra bucks to head down to the mall and buy a DVD. Otherwise, we were out and about, enjoying life with our entire futures ahead of us whether we truly realized it or not. I don’t even remember how I saw it for the first time…I’d imagine we would’ve rented it at Hollywood Video or something…but Broken Lizard’s Club Dread worked its way into our rotation, and it immediately became one of those movies that I needed to go sweep the shop floor to get the money to buy my own copy for. I probably watched that thing a million times that summer. It instantly became an inspiration for my work…even though I didn’t do any work at the time. You get what I was trying to say…like…eventually Broken Lizard would be an inspiration for the type of dumb shit I write on this website sometimes.
Super Troopers was great and all, don’t get me wrong. But, my underdeveloped teenage brain didn’t put it together that the same guys were actually making the two movies for longer than I’d care to admit. Always thought it was just the stars aligning that they all ended up together again in Club Dread. Fuck. Nonetheless, we revisited Super Troopers not too long ago for an episode of ‘Drinking With…’ and given how we had recently re-watched some early 2000s comedy that felt dated and out-of-touch, I was nervous for the re-watch. But, to my surprise, it holds up about as well as you could hope for. And, for late-30-somethings like me, what more can you ask for? It’s a testament to the bit of nostalgia these guys have created, and the impression that their brand of absurd humor has left on at least the late-30-somethings like me.
When you learn that these guys do a little bit of everything themselves, it’s…actually…inspirational. Broken Lizard started as a comedy troop back in 1989, doing short videos and live sketch comedies. They made their rounds doing clubs in New York City before shifting to the world of filmmaking. They shot short films. They wrote scripts. And, when Super Troopers landed big time at Sundance, it got the attention of Fox Searchlight Pictures. The rest, as they say, is history. I’m doing a really shitty job of summing up this group’s history that dates back over 30 years at this point. But, I promise I’m being nostalgic for a reason.
Broken Lizard strikes again. That’s right – there’s a new movie on the way in just a couple of weeks. Their new film Quasi looks like, quite simply, a disgusting parody of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and it drops on Hulu on 4/20. Seeing that news is what got me thinkin’ about these guys and the memories I had of their work from my formative years – “damn, it’s been 22 years since Super Troopers and these guys are still going.” That’s pretty fucking rad. That’s a real legacy, and it all started by creating good shit and putting that good shit into the world. It’s a real testament to that DIY creative spirit.
The guys who brought you @SuperTroopers are going medieval on your ass! @BrokenLizard's #QuasiMovie, streaming 4/20 only on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/A3yZWtvLMk
— Quasi Movie (@QuasiMovie) March 21, 2023
Go back and watch some Broken Lizard today. Or, if you’ve never watched any Broken Lizard before, introduce yourself. Just get really drunk or high beforehand.
Quick Broken Lizard Mount Rushmore
- Beerfest
- Club Dread
- The Slammin’ Salmon
- Super Troopers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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