Adam McKay - What Is Smart Dumb Comedy?

[@kylekay162]

I lost it at “The two psychotic man-child protagonists performing an Italian opera at a helicopter leasing event.” I’ve never stepped back and thought about how truly absurd that scene is.

[@Alan_Wigz]

It's actually funnier seeing that description in written form. I'm dead!

[@Alan_Wigz]

It's actually funnier seeing that description in written form. I'm dead!

[@jacobv8447]

Amen and well put

[@DiegoIvanchavez]

What takes it over the edge, for me at least, is the fact that they sing that Italian opera in Spanish. I almost died laughing the first time I saw it.

[@marctripp3140]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost the login password. I love any assistance you can offer me.

[@greasyavocado3251]

Surprised there isn't a video essay channel completely dedicated to comedy yet. So much to talk about.

[@eMysterium]

Greasy Avocado I've been thinking that for a while. Check out every frame a painting's essay on Edgar Wright if you haven't yet. It's great stuff.

[@greasyavocado3251]

Saw it a while ago, very informative for current and future screenwriters. My problem with many comedies is that it contains too many jokes that only focuses on one specific style of humor such as ranch, shock, gross-out, impersonation, ect. A joke is at it's most effective when you blend it with something else.

[@decenthumans]

Agreed

[@tjt6071]

The Other Guys is one of my favorite movies. The chemistry between Wahlberg and Ferrell always gets me.

[@Supernaturlisch]

For some reason, people around me have always thought The Other Guys was a dumb and bad movie. Personally, it's one of the funniest and most quotable movies ever. The movie has a lot of consistently funny running gags, too. It was only yesterday that I thought of the movie, and had a laughing fit for 10 minutes.

[@patrickhwillems]

The "aim for the bushes" moment is honestly one of the funniest things in film history.

[@tjt6071]

The whole intro scene is completely absurd, but the fact that they got the Rock and Samuel L. Jackson in that movie together is amazing

[@KeKKi]

Patrick (H) Willems Lmafo indeed!!!! 😅😁😂

[@Mutantcy1992]

I AM NOT A PIECE OF ART!

[@Elusive_Reclusive]

"Hot Rod" is another GREAT, smart dumb comedy. A movie that, Will Ferrell, turned down and Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island Co. took over. It's a weird great little movie that i enjoy immensely.

[@whosgotalighter7325]

anne berry i absolutely love the movie. The beginning when andy samberg tries to jump the ramp and flips over and hits his back is one of the funniest things ive ever seen. And the scene where he was dancing in the forest and then falls down the hill for what feels like forever is some pure cinematic gold.

[@A-Dubs398]

Still think Harold and Kumar 1 is the smartest dumb movie ever. Superbad too.

[@andrewdutcher8722]

on that note, POP STAR is also a great Andy Samberg movie full of absurdity.

[@lamecasuelas2]

I love that film

[@DanXmas]

YES hilarious underrated film that deserves analysis

[@RiseOfTheKumquat67]

The Other Guys is one of the most underrated comedies of all time

[@neotek_mgx]

and THE NICE GUYS

[@decenthumans]

It's up there

[@youseemerolan]

Rise Of The Kumquat the "aim for the bushes" scene is literally one of my favourite scenes ever

[@360.Tapestry]

i consider that the actual comeback role of michael keaton

[@princejellyfish3945]

+Sean Seaphan so true

[@ffnendhgrgd]

"Imagine where you'd be in your career if you hadn't shot Derek Jeter!" classic

[@decenthumans]

Lol

[@RiseOfTheKumquat67]

I'VE WAITED SO LONG FOR AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THIS! So many of Adam McKay's jokes wouldn't work in other movies and I couldn't quite pin down how something could both be wildly stupid and incredibly smart.

[@decenthumans]

And you are not disappointed

[@ponkan95]

Finally felt inteligent about watching Talladega Nights

[@o3_o3_28]

Don’t you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby!

[@ZacharyBittner]

You shouldn't. These aren't smart dumb movies. They're just dumb movies. If you like them, that's fine but don't pretend there is anything significant to it.

[@MattMatrixJohnson]

@@ZacharyBittner pretty sure his comment was tongue in cheek

[@ZacharyBittner]

@@MattMatrixJohnson were they? It's hard to tell...

[@TallicaMan1986]

@@ZacharyBittner Takes a surprising amount of intelligence to make people laugh. The Fool at times is at odds with the Wiseman.

[@awesomeman462]

Danny McBride's introduction in This Is The End is incredible

[@dawnqwerty]

Mike McCabe this is the end is horrible

[@awesomeman462]

+Epcot lp (dawnqwerty) actually... it's good

[@dawnqwerty]

Mike McCabe maybe for you but it's needlessly cuss filled and crass.

[@dawnqwerty]

Mike McCabe although at your mention I might go back and rewatch it. My cinema and comedy chops both have changed immensely since I first saw it

[@awesomeman462]

+Epcot lp (dawnqwerty) so is step brothers. I think the jokes poking fun at the actors is cute and i always appreciate Rogen's usual themes about friendship. I think comedy is funny no matter what type of tools it uses. As long as it's good it's good

[@AMatterofFilm]

"The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria! I'll do you in the bottom while you're drinking Sangria!" Honest to God, Stepbrothers is one of the funniest movies ever made. Great video, man!

[@colincampbell3199]

Great read on McKay. I remember the first time I watched Anchorman, and I just hated it with a vitrol.. Now I consider it one of the best comedies ever. LOVE Step Brothers.

[@1000ways2fly]

I wish people appreciated ‘the other guys’ as much as I do. People slept man...

[@KianMillz]

I'm so glad somebody gave McKay the praise he deserves. I have never seen an Adam McKay film I didn't enjoy greatly. Great video.

[@BigZ7337]

This was great, I loved these comedies, hopefully someone keeps making them.

[@Abraxas948]

I love Step Brothers and Anchorman, but for me, Terry Gilliam and Mel Brooks are the kings of movie comedy.

[@joshuaallgood7030]

Have you guys checked out the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy? They're probably the best comedy films that were released in the past decade. Any subtlety people find lacking in modern films is present, but then again, Edgar Wright is an English director, so that's a given.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

I simply don't get why people like Terry Gilliam and Mel Brooks, but it's all subjective in the end, I guess. Also, the modern guys don't have the subtlety? Neither did those in the previous eras like Terry Gilliam and Mel Brooks. They were never subtle. NONE of them are subtle. Comedy isn't supposed to be subtle.

[@decenthumans]

That's fair.

[@samuelshaw7730]

Mel brooks is about the farthest you can possibly get from subtle

[@secondmanfilms6555]

Adam McKay is a really really talented director. His comedies are some of the funniest things you’ll ever see but his serious work is also gripping and enthralling. He has a great range and always brings something strong to the table.

[@joshharbhajan9635]

Thank you for making this! Adam Mckay is my favorite director and it's about time I saw a video essay about him!

[@Supernaturlisch]

I LOVED this video! The Step brothers scene was genius and I completely agree with you. The Other Guys is one of my favourite movies, but I've never really been able to explain why. Now I can!

[@oof-rr5nf]

Had a great time with this! Never had heard of this director before.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

The Other Guys' intro has to be one of the greatest in comedy film history

[@Abo_Abdullah87]

Thank you for explaining to me why I love Mckay's works

[@cello_melow]

Came here for the original fiction narrative, stayed for the video essays. Please don't stop making them. It was because of the essays that I became a patreon. Keep them coming.

[@patrickhwillems]

No plans to stop!

[@evanhayes5891]

Don't stop the "What If" directors series either!

[@patrickhwillems]

That's not stopping either! It's all continuing!

[@evanhayes5891]

Patrick (H) Willems Yaaaay! What if Martin Scorsese directed Justice League!!!

[@agrippa.the.cosmonaut-wiz]

I'm always incredibly excited for your essays- and I'm never dissapointed! I never knew all these movies were made by the same guy. Makes sense in retroperspect...

[@registrado54]

Your video essays are one of my favorite parts of KZbin so I don't mind waiting a month to watch a new essay.

[@travisdraper2411]

Love to see a similar essay on the work of Wain/Showalter/Black (Wet Hot American Summer, They Came Together, etc). Severely underappreciated and at the bleeding edge of post-ironic comedy.

[@Fullbatteri]

As always, fantastic and strong quality content Patrick. I've always defended these smart dumb movies with friends and family; seeing you making a comment on this as well, it just made me love you more.

[@maxscribner1743]

How are you publishing such quality content so fast?!

[@patrickhwillems]

By not having a life or sleeping enough.

[@enriquegarrovillo550]

Patrick (H) Willems can you please do a video essay on tropic thunder.

[@Sforschondetta]

hard work and discipline

[@seansweetman]

great idea Enrique!

[@nithingr4359]

I think we *all* know that this is part of a much deeper conspiracy; now if only I can figure out how to link great content with our demonic lizard overlords . . .

[@MusicSim8]

Ah, you left out the smartest dumb part of the Simpsons joke "Ow! They're defending themselves somehow!"

[@flyingdics1]

Exactly.

[@TooHuman]

I never ever leave comments on KZbin, but this is brilliant my friend, you've got yourself a new fan!

[@mistajammin]

I knew Adam McKay was a real director the moment I saw the other guys. His work in The Big Short did not surprise me at all.

[@mfcoom9485]

Ive noticed all that you have said regarding mckays films. I just wasnt able to put it to words. Awesomeee

[@ankle_burn]

instant subscribe for this vid. adam mckay's direction is incredibly underpraised and underrated

[@rottensquid]

Brilliant as always. I notice that humor style of "we're making fun of it, but we're doing it too" is also the standard stylistic choice of Chris Miller and Phil Lord. Clone High was an after school special with pointed messages that made fun of same. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was a naked parody of cheesy Dreamworks feelgood movies, but it was also sincerely a wonderful feelgood film

[@user-xk2st7fd1f]

God I love all these movies so much, thank you for doing this!!! These were the comedies of my childhood, and they have shaped so much of my own humour. Getting nostalgic rn, anyway, thanks!!

[@NoTodoEsArte1]

Great fucking video, thanks for making it. A video essay on Adam Mckay is something you don´t get to see every day, that is to not say never

[@johnnyjohnson2826]

i love these video essays, its always interesting to see how you think about films

[@mikeisthelunawolf]

Finally, someone has the same notion about these movies! They're all underated!

[@ladyshandbagorpurse6090]

The Other Guys is the best satire since paul verhoeven's Starship Troopers! It's my favorite comedy of all time, and I watch it at least 5 times a year. The scene when Farrell is attempting to talk that lawyer down off the ledge, and he tells him, "there's a lot of reasons to stick around... like a nice fresh can of soda pop -- oh look he's fying" *GUY'S BODY SMASHES INTO CAR FROM ABOVE* makes me explode with laughter still to this day, and that's just a random one off the top of my head.

[@kratoi6680]

I love Adam Mckay movies , I really enjoy your videos.

[@skunkrat01]

This is brilliant. You should a follow up just about The Campaign. I think it is the smartest dumb movie of them all.

[@Thyg07]

Just found you about a week ago and I love your essays. Great info and entertaining all at once!!!

[@Weird_but_neat]

You're about to hit 100k! Congrats early man! You've earned it!

[@THETONESHOW]

Wow, well done, I have seen all these films and honestly Step Brothers was the only one that I didn't like BUT after watching this essay, I am going to take another look at it. I think you nailed it with comparing these films to an episode of The Simpsons, I never noticed how similar the exaggerated scenes are to Homer being Homer. The Ballad with Ricky Bobby is a masterpiece, up there with Spaceballs, a must watch whenever on.

[@BootumBootum]

i love this video. someone else here is saying he doesn't like these because they're a rob schenider cameo away from being an adam sandler movie, but i like those movies too(yknow, the earlier ones) for the very reasons in this video.

[@leopoldbriggs7139]

Can you make a video about internal logic in movies and how to show it.

[@thebacons5943]

YES. I LOVE that you used Once Upon a Time in the West

[@Weird_but_neat]

This is now my favorite video of yours Still can't wait to see the 50k special video haha

[@DominicTessmer]

Dude I am loving your channel.

[@ycallace]

The other Guys is in my top 3 funniest movies. That’s just one comedy that keeps on giving. When I found out Mckay was Dirty Mike I found every blooper I could that scene. The idea that the chief had a side job at bed bath and beyond, the little river band gags, killing off the rock and samuel L jackson in the first 5 mins. The comedy is so concentrated, it’s amazing 😂

[@ycallace]

Just wanna add that Reno 911! is most definitely in the realm of smart dumb for Tv Shows

[@SK-gk8jw]

Step Brothers, all time best.

[@Dashoost]

why are you so sweaty? I was watching Cops.

[@goff4745]

Dashoost I know that’s a lie COPS DOESNT COME ON TIL 4

[@TrevorNWhite]

Stepbrothers is massively underrated in my book -- many thanks for drawing attention to its greatness in context!

[@PramitChatterjee1993]

All of his movies use physical comedy pretty effectively as well. That caravan tumbling scene is just hilarious in Anchorman 2.

[@tvulture5590]

I'd like to submit Jake in The Blues Brothers as another, near perfect introduction.

[@J1O2C3K4E5S]

One of the exceptions from Patrick that are actually great!

[@shawnmacdonald9722]

Comedy that stands the test of time, is one where you love the characters, you can think of a particular scene in your head, it still makes you laugh. Makes me love Mel Brooks. Love Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Spaceballs so damn much, must of watched them to death.

[@IVUSER]

.....and now I wanna binge-watch McKay's films ! Damn You're good !

[@GeahkBurchill]

I fucking love Talladega Nights. I mean, it's right up there with the greatest movies in history. I mean, it's pretty much Talladaga Nights and Citizen Kane. It's really kind of a toss-up, which one is better. I play it all day everyday on wall screens throughout my mansion.

[@npcimknot958]

Geahk Burchill shake n bake!

[@abepeterson7045]

popcorn pop “The Magic Man and El Diablo”

[@Dashoost]

my youtube avatar says it all my friend

[@broncotron]

Best video I've seen on youtube to date. Thank you.

[@JoseFlores-xc7wu]

I love that scene from The Other Guys when the Rock and Samuel L. jump from the roof of the building to this day am still looking for the bushes that they where aiming at

[@MyUvb]

I have been waiting for this video for a long time.

[@georgeking7039]

I actually love the video essays and personally sad to see the format changing back, still look forward to the one a month though

[@maxscribner1743]

Adam McKay had a good Podcast by Gimlet Media that recently got cancelled: Surprisingly Awesome. It was a (surprisingly) awesome podcast

[@djaejones8785]

Nooo can we have the video essays twice a month then? Cause I love these

[@sergioreyes61]

Came back here after Dont Look Up. And yes, a lot of Patricks statements here apply perfectly there as well

[@inkno701]

Maybe you could do a video on Family Guy cutaways and like why they don't matter to they story or something (like Peter vs the chicken are some of the greatest action and fight sequences thought up) Thanks for the great essays on great films!

[@awesomeman462]

It's funny you mention that they comment on bush era politics, because I feel like a lot of step brothers fans are like young bro republicans

[@patrickhwillems]

That's true. They don't realize McKay and Ferrell are specifically making fun of them with lines like "Dane Cook, Pay Per View, 20 minutes!"

[@YourBigRosie]

Granted, it's been awhile since I've watched Step Brothers, so you'll have to explain why people that enjoyed Step Brothers are "young bro republicans," since I can't see it

[@whosgotalighter7325]

Mike McCabe there aint notin wrong with being a republican brothaaa

[@DarkKryptid]

The Cable Guy besides them being objectively evil, you're right

[@automaticshelter130]

The last good Republican was shot in the head over a hundred years ago.

[@zanyhands29]

Thank you for spotlighting Step Brothers. Best movie. Have you ever watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog. There are so many levels to that short movie. I could write a dissertation on how amazing that movie is. Be sure to watch the musical commentary, its almost as good as the movie. So many levels.

[@ericberman_]

This is edited brilliantly. Well done!

[@AmiralA]

Nice John Landis catchphrase at the end! Earned you a sub.

[@bastiat6865]

Thanks. Great insights. I think you examined it down without killing it. Good job. Good laughs.

[@willwatson4992]

I'd love for you (or anyone) to talk more about Judd. What a pleasant surprise, although expected in a video about Adam McKay, to see Apatow mentioned.

[@KevinMuller5]

No one understands me when I talk.about this...thanks for video. So many movies try to mimic this but fail.miserably... it is hard to do and takes a true artist

[@sandybleach646]

The intro to good bad and the ugly Is my favourite intro in a film

[@SokaMagic]

Great Video! Now i gotta watch the "Step Brothers".

[@ryanpeters9108]

Every Video you make is greatness

[@1stAjay]

This channel is gold

[@jacobmacdonagh4070]

Adam McKay is criminally underrated. He is one of the best writer/directors of the 2000s and all of his movies including The Big Short are brilliant. Most people just see his movie as passable comedies but they're so much better than that

[@samdawsonchannel]

Jack Sparrow has one of the greatest introductions of all time

[@callumboscoe8685]

sam dawson Jack Sparrow braids are more funny than Will Ferrell

[@alisonschwab7842]

I love this video I been trying to explain this for years now but could never quite articulate it Thank you

[@samrajagarwal3656]

the other guys is one of the best satire comedy I've ever seen✌

[@thedarkhadou69]

Excellent essay. Have you ever thought about breaking down any craft aspects of filmmaking? I’d be particularly interested on your take what does/doesn’t work when film editing different genres such as action, comedy and drama.

[@Algrokoz]

Nothing against nerdwriter, but you actually teach me stuff about cinema. He seems like he is more interested in reciting beat poetry about cinema. Good work!

[@freeofavia]

Insightful as always. i salute you fellow Patrick

[@ryanh3635]

por ti volare is the spanish translation, thats the one they sing in the movie

[@mojojojo622]

the sweet child of mine scene made me look up guns and roses for real! it's my fave scene!! so layered! Eish! I'm looking up pop culture references every day because of Adam McKay shit.

[@george7404]

no bullshit that role is my favorite of all time in any comedy he makes me hate him so much but yet hilarious at the same time!

[@handyalley2350]

Smart dumb comedies, aldo known as CAMP Fun movies. Has a long tradition back to the 19th century. Fascinating, but in a sense hidden (esoteric actually) in plain sight.

[@ZacLavender]

John Wayne's opening close-up in Stagecoach comes to mind as super iconic as well.

[@HarryRobbo]

Only just found your channel through this video and absolutely love it, thought it was so interesting 👍

[@JeanAriaMouy]

The guy also did THE BIG SHORT which insanely good. A very dark and deep movie.

[@maybelikealittlebit]

Oh my god I totally forgot how absolutely funny that step brothers scene is. Ohhhh my god

[@mmraddict6586]

amazing essay! great job!

[@Suminderji]

First video and subbed. This was CineFix level and I adore that channel.

[@YourBeastRoy]

Dam man that video was fucking amazing. so glad this was recommened for what ever reason I LIKE IT, NUMBER 1 WISH for someone to invent a men in black forget everything thing but only for movies youv seen before. I might have not stopped laughing at anchor man the entire movie when i first saw it, and took about the 10th time for me not to be in tears for the most of them. Dumb and dumber might have More notable lines but anchor man to me has wayyy more almost every 5 seconds is a killer line. Always be my fav comedy

[@WorldWideWong]

Hmm...Interesting perspective on the Adam McKay style. I like most of his movies because of how outrageous they are. I'm not sure I agree 100% with you but...interesting points!

[@Wixhael]

Can any entrance really live up to Vader's in a new hope? The entire first scene is a buildup, first the heroes getting caught by the empire, then the terrified rebels waiting at the door for the empire, then each and every one of them getting mowed down by stormtroopers, finally revealing Darth Vader, walking onscreen over the bodies, his ominous breathing looming over everything. To be fair, I haven't seen every movie ever, so I could be wrong about it. But in my opinion, nothing can top vader's excellent entrance.

[@forwhomthebelltolls3925]

In my opinion the jokers entrance in the dark night is the best entrance. The way the score keeps you on edge and then the reveal of the joker is just amazing the acting by ledger is phenomenal

[@Spider-Larry]

Thank you, loved this video

[@thehipstershrimp6898]

keep the good work,love you videos!!

[@griffinsteury8458]

Walk Hard is so underrated.... You can't handle this shit

[@wickkidda]

When I think about really smart dumb comedy, other than Homer Simpson, I think of Dumb and Dumber. The irony of the people who thought that movie was dumb... You have to be pretty smart to write dumb comedy that well, and you have to be pretty keen as a viewer to even pick up on all the subtle stupidity jokes. I'd love to see a video like this but on the Farrelly Brothers. Although maybe just Dumb and Dumber alone is worth its own video because that movie is a rare phenomenon IMO.