In the beat-boxing world of film podcasts, Fear and Loathing in Cinema sets itself apart with its irreverent blend of pop culture critique, nostalgic deep-dives, and a razor-sharp, at times almost uncomfortably candid, dissection of cinematic relics that were once scorned but now, with the benefit of time, seem worthy of a second look. Hosted by a group of unpredictable yet undeniably insightful voices; Bryan Kluger, a media director with a sharp sense of irony of offensive things; Dan Moran, a lawyer who brings an often absurd legal perspective of the film industry and Kevin Costner; Preston Barta, a film critic with a taste for the heart-warmingly obscure branch of cinema; and Chelsea Nicole, a culture critic who digs into the nuances of social dynamics and horror; Fear and Loathing in Cinema Podcast thrives in that rare space between sincere analysis and gut-busting humor.
In Episode #109 of Fear and Loathing in Cinema, the gang takes an over-the-top, cartoonish look at THE DISORDERLIES (1987). There is a peculiar delight to be found in films made exclusively for a niche audience; those cinematic oddities that never aspire to reach the mass market, but instead, play like treasure troves of inside jokes, cultural winks, and unfiltered nostalgia. The Disorderlies, a comedy starring the beloved, if rather unexpected, rap group The Fat Boys, exists squarely within this space. It is a film of absurdities and pratfalls, a parody of The Three Stooges as reimagined by three overweight, wise-cracking rappers, where the punchlines come fast, the plots as thin as a paper-thin crust pizza, and the charm emerges from the sheer implausibility of it all.
But what happens when a group of pop culture critics, one of whom (me) has seen this film before, and the rest are experiencing it for the first time, gather together to discuss whether The Disorderlies can be regarded as anything more than a campy relic of an era? The results are nothing short of a verbal steel cage match, an epic battle of wits and one-liners that even Moe, Larry, and Curly would find exhausting.
This Week’s Highlights:
As always, the hosts of this podcast stray far from the beaten path, sidetracking in ways that somehow feel more entertaining than the very movie they’ve gathered to dissect. The absurdities that unfold become a crucial part of the show’s charm, its conversational energy the perfect counterpart to the movie under scrutiny. Among the many bizarre diversions in this week’s discussion:
- We pay tribute to the talented people who passed away: Roberta Flack, Robert Orci, Michelle Trachtenberg, Gene Hackman.
- Does the news of Gene Hackman’s death deserve a Netflix murder documentary?
- The Beekeeper 2 was announced with Timo Tjahanato directing and we have thoughts.
- Why does Preston hate fun movies still?
- Should Daniel Radcliffe play Clayface in the DCU and how can they create that character in a realistic setting?
- Nic Cage will become The Surfer in a new thrilling film.
- They’re remaking A Walk To Remember. Why?
- There is a Barney The Dinosaur live-action film happening that looks to be bleak.
- Lord of the Rings is coming back to theaters with a new film titled The Hunt for Gollum. Is it necessary?
- Does Shrek 5 look any good?
And, of course, the gang winds up pondering the most ridiculous hypothetical of all: What movie could you absolutely NOT maintain your suspension of disbelief and why? If that’s not a moment of podcast gold, I’m not sure what is.
Movie Analysis: The Disorderlies (1987)
In 1987, Warner Bros. made a decision that could only have come from the strange intersection of corporate ambition and the brash creativity that marked the 1980s: they remade The Three Stooges for a new, rap-loving generation. This was no simple remake, however. Rather than hiring the traditional slapstick stars or bringing in a fresh comedic trio, the studio chose to cast The Fat Boys; the breakdancing, beatboxing, and hilariously gregarious hip-hop group, as the central clowns in their adaptation. The result was The Disorderlies, a chaotic mishmash of slapstick gags, food parties, and rap numbers; part parody, part music video, all of it steeped in the brashness of ’80s pop culture.
Though at the time the film received only lukewarm praise, The Disorderlies has since gained a curious, nostalgic following, though its existence remains as unlikely as a hospital orderlies’ rap group, it occupies a strange, cherished space in the memory banks of anyone who came of age during the late 80s. The film is, at its heart, a silly romp: three bumbling hospital aides (played by the Fat Boys) are assigned to care for a wealthy, cantankerous man. The plot is as thin as a greasy slice of pizza, and much like a Three Stooges episode, the proceedings hinge on a series of misunderstandings, pratfalls, and over-the-top physical comedy, paired with a soundtrack that features the Fat Boys themselves rapping at breakneck speed, even as they knock each other senseless with pies to the face.
But what happens when a group of film critics, who, like many, first encountered the film on VHS, no less, long after its initial release—reconvene thirty years later to examine whether the film still has the legs to stand up to a more discerning audience? The results are part nostalgia, part bewilderment, and part laughter. This episode of Fear and Loathing in Cinema Podcast takes the audience through this very discussion, unfolding a debate over The Disorderlies that is nothing short of a verbal steel cage match, where each critic is armed with witty insults, cultural references, and one-liners. The film itself is the battleground. The podcasters are the soldiers.
At the end of the day, the gang’s reflections on The Disorderlies are as unexpected, bodacious, and amusing as the film itself; an over-the-top, ridculous ride through the slapstick mansion of a movie that still manages to be energetically entertaining, silly, and ripe with ’80s nostaligia and music cameos. But for fans of Fear and Loathing in Cinema, it’s the direction of the conversation that makes this episode truly unforgettable.
Overall, it’s a conversation about what we love, why we love it, and how we can reframe the old to fit into our new context. And when all is said and done, this crew might just convince you to watch The Disorderlies and give it another shot; or at the very least, you’ll leave with a new perspective on what ’80s Hollywood thought a comedy would be with a hip-hop group.
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Thank you for listening.
WRITTEN BY: BRYAN KLUGER
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