Happy Gilmore 2 is on the way, but what other MTV generation-era comedies deserve revisiting? Here’s ten…
Adam Sandler’s about to take to the fairways again with the triumphant return of Happy Gilmore. The slacker-turned-unorthodox golf pro lit up the screens in the mid-90s and got into a fistfight with Bob Barker. It was a big moment in the burgeoning career of SNL alum turned movie star, Sandler that triggered a wave of slacker comedies from him and a host of actors within the same circles.
In the mid-80s to the 90s, slap bang in the MTV generation, a host of young comedians were pushed into the limelight, many of whom came from skit shows (many from SNL) or stand-up as rivals to more established rising comedy stars like Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Steve Martin and John Candy.
Sandler ranked as one of the most successful and a long-awaited sequel to one of his finest hours isn’t too surprising. So let’s take a look at 10 comedies from the 80s and 90s that deserve another swing of the 9-iron.
Young Einstein
What on Earth happened to Yahoo Serious? With three films under his belt, the last of which came in 2000, Serious fell off the map somewhat, occasionally popping up after togs captured him at beaches with stories of unpaid rent bills doing the rounds. Sadly no tales of triumphant cinematic returns, but if Hollywood loves one thing, it’s a comeback.
At a youthful-looking 71, Serious (real name Greg Pead) couldn’t pull off ‘Young’ Einstein again but the sequel could be called Old Einstein and follow a similar inimitable goofy Oz style that made the original film a hit. Whilst the humour didn’t appeal to everyone, the film remains a nostalgic favourite for many, with a great soundtrack to boot. It would need to retain the same kind of affable charm in whatever new adventure Einstein found himself involved in but a spoof of Oppenheimer might be one skit that has mileage.
Deuce Bigelow: American Gigolo
Sue me but Deuce Bigelow is a guilty pleasure (derp). The comic misadventures of a hapless fish tank cleaner who has to become a “he-bitch manwhore” under the tutelage of his Pimp (Eddie Griffin) is a laugh riot. No, seriously, the crude comedy would struggle for a mainstream greenlight these days but Netflix aren’t shy of courting offensive comedians and their wares so an all but unfiltered new adventure for Deucy (Deucy, Deucy) isn’t entirely unrealistic.
Would it be a patch on the first film? Probably not. Could it be as bad as the second film? Okay, probably but even Deuce’s European gigolo-ing had its moments.
Ace Ventura
When Ace Ventura arrived in theatres 30 years ago, a legion of adolescents, including myself, thought it was the reinvention of comedy. I was blown away, had never laughed so much watching a film and came out quoting every instantaneously memorable line or mimicking the unforgettable moments. To this day I still say “like a glove” after an impressive display of parking.
There are notably dated gags that wouldn’t pass muster, but all you really need is a good detective yarn to throw Ace into and let Jim Carrey run wild. Has the rubber-faced comedian’s shtick kind of dated? Perhaps, but there’s still ample potential for comical brilliance. Although the much-maligned sequel never quite matched the original film’s fresh zany energy, it did feature an iconic “birthing” scene, the likes of which only Carrey could have pulled off. If there’s one of his characters who could return, it’s Ace. Just as long as it doesn’t end up as tired and unimaginative as Dumb and Dumber To.
Encino Man
Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan have both had a recent resurgence and glory during last year’s Oscars. The effortlessly likeable gents are infectious and both also happened to star together in Encino Man, along with Pauly Shore. Fraser played a caveman thawed out by a geeky high schooler (Sean Astin) and his slacker “buhdeee” played by Shore.
Just what became of the caveman? What other bizarre things could befall the now middle-aged gang of friends with a more prominent role for Huan? Let’s throw some budget and have some rabid Mammoth defrosted and causing chaos. Most importantly, let’s have plenty of wheezin’ the juice.
Airheads
The Sandman has Happy Gilmore 2 and I’ve just personally greenlit Fraser in Encino Man 2 even if no one else has asked for it, but let’s double down and also bring them both back in Airheads 2. Steve Buscemi will return too as The Lone Rangers perhaps reform for a local reunion tour and find themselves in another comical scenario.
It may not be the best work of the band members’ respective CVs but Airheads has enough cult following in the bank, and enough primary talent to do an effective sequel. We’ve seen the aging rocker sequel done to reasonable effect with the third Bill and Ted outing and Airheads 2 could be as good under the right direction.
Office Space
Mike Judge’s cult favourite, Office Space was spawned from a cartoon about a lowly office worker (Milton) and successfully adapted into an iconic comedy with endlessly quotable lines. Peter Gibbon’s (Ron Livingston) no fucks given attitude to office working life and being able to date Jennifer Aniston, gave the film a perfect end.
However, this is life and though Peter’s switch to manual labour seemed like he’d found a calling, middle age is likely to throw a spanner in the works. You might argue that Loudermilk was something of a spiritual sequel but it’d still be great to see what Peter, Milton, Michael Bolton (no, not him) and even Bill are up to. It’s also fair to say, given the fairly recent success of Judge’s Beavis and Butthead sequel, that Office Space 2 would have a fair chance of being decent.
SEE ALSO: Office Space: The Timeless Corporate Satire at 25
Beavis and Butthead
Speaking of Beavis and Butthead, let’s get those enjoyably puerile gents back for another adventure. For all that is holy, let it have a live-action dream sequence where they’re played by Neil Patrick Harris and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The possibilities of where to take the gruesome twosome are endless but as long as Judge is at the wheel, it’s a safe bet the results would be a rollicking good time. All that’s left to say really, is “I am cornholio.” The duo weren’t merely MTV era either, but from MTV productions as well.
Dead Man On Campus
MTV productions were prolific in making crude comedies to appeal to their young adult audiences. Along the way, there were some oddities with bizarre concepts like Joe’s Apartment and then there was something like Dead Man On Campus, a black comedy riff on the standard high school nerd turned bad film that we’ve long seen. Here, a perfect student (Tom Everett Scott) is led astray by the artist formerly known as Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar).
With his GPA in the toilet and the prospect of failure looming the pair hatch a scheme inspired by a little-known campus rule. If a dorm roommate attempts suicide, you’re given A grades by default. They then hatch a dastardly plan to try and identify the most likely students to try and off themselves. It’s probably a concept deemed too grim by today’s standards but the film is not without its moments and memorable support cast, whilst Gosselaar attempted to shake off his pretty boy TV image. Where else could we see their now middle-aged shenanigans? Or can the film be rebooted with the original stars on-campus staff?
Wayne’s World
Another film that has long been rumoured for another run around the park, is Wayne’s World. We had 2 films and a hit show but the years continue passing and nothing. No Wayne’s World: Denied! Dana Carvey is pushing 70 now and Mike Myers is also 60 now but the idea of the two loveable idiots making a comeback still feels doable. Both within the film itself, and as far as Myers and Carvey returning to the roles that made them famous.
Wayne and Garth have had a lot of years pass and seeing them operate in a 2024 world has plenty of comic potential as the characters could perhaps navigate trying to make a comeback as influencers. If nothing else, we’d get Tia Carrere on the big screen again. Schwiiinng!
Police Academy
The Police Academy Franchise just seemed to keep on going. Film after film until the gag wore off and the top-level names slowly drifted away from it. It’s been 30 years since the seventh and final film of the franchise but wouldn’t it be great to see the gang return to clean up the streets? Wouldn’t you like to see Steve Guttenberg back? Or is it just me and the Stone Masons?
Should a reboot bring us a new batch of recruits trained by the likes of Mahoney (Guttenberg), Jones (Michael Winslow), Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook) and Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait), all will undoubtedly be making the life of Harris (G.W Bailey) a living hell.
Which MTV Generation-era (80s-90s) comedy do you think needs a sequel or reboot? Let us know on our social channels @flickeringmyth…
