There are movies that you can pin-point as the moment that made something famous. For the mockumentary genre, it is This Is Spinal Tap. And for that, I owe Rob Reiner a lot. Because it helped make shows like Parks and Recreation a reality.
Prior to the release of This Is Spinal Tap, the “mockumentary” genre wasn’t really a thing. There were instances with it and the idea of a mockumentary dates back to the 60s but it isn’t the same as it is now. It was movies like This Is Spinal Tap that gave rise to shows like The Office which helped bring the style of comedy to television.
And when you research the genre, many attribute Reiner as the one who made it a more popularized style of comedy. Mainly because he used the term when talking about This Is Spinal Tap. But you can see how his film influenced the style. The way Reiner’s character interacted with the subjects isn’t necessarily what shows like Parks and The Office do but the mix of interviews and captured footage is very much reminiscent of This Is Spinal Tap.
And it is a testament to the kind of director/actor/comedian Reiner was. Even when he wasn’t “inventing” a style, he still made it what it is as show with the mockumentary.
Thank you
There is a joy to the mockumentary. The inside look at a character’s feelings, the secret shots of stolen moments. It feels real and raw and it is why I love it so much. And so much of my sense of comedy comes from the mockumentaries I love.
When I spoke with Reiner at San Diego Comic Con, I briefly brought up the genre and he even confirmed to me that the creators of Parks and Recreation told him how they were inspired by This Is Spinal Tap. That show has saved me in so many ways and when I think about how much it means to me, I can’t help but feel gratitude to the work that Reiner did.
So I simply say: Thank you Rob.
(featured image: MGM)
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