Wet Hot American Summer (franchise)
Wet Hot American Summer is an American satirical comedy media franchise created by David Wain and Michael Showalter with stories centered on Camp Firewood, a summer camp located near Waterville, Maine. Since the release of the 2001 film, the franchise has expanded to include a documentary film, two web series miniseries, two books, a tabletop role-playing game and a soundtrack.
The originating film was Wet Hot American Summer, which was for 14 years the only produced media in the franchise. There were speculations and reports on a possible sequel for years, including a 2003 pilot, written for Fox, which was eventually not picked up. In 2015, Netflix, the online streaming entertainment company, released the first of two web series miniseries, ', followed by ' two years later. Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot, a documentary film, with footage taken during the 2001 film's production, was also released in 2015 and in 2016, the original film's soundtrack was released for the first time. In 2017, a tabletop role-playing game was released after a successful Kickstarter campaign. A book version of the screenplay of the original film and a graphic novel were released in 2018. The film was released on both VHS and DVD formats in 2002 and re-released on Blu-ray in 2015 which included additional features.
Wain, Showlater and other members of the cast have kept public interest in the franchise with events including a 10th anniversary event and a live radio play at SF Sketchfest which both featured appearances of original cast members. The SF Sketchfest event produced a complete play of the film with replacements for missing original cast members by other accomplished actors and comedians. Both events were released in 2015 as part of the film's Blu-ray edition.
Cinematic work
Films
| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter | Producer |
| Wet Hot American Summer | David Wain | David Wain and Michael Showalter | Howard Bernstein | |
| Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot | Amy Rice | — | Jack Turner |
''Wet Hot American Summer'' (2001)
In 1981, Camp Firewood, a summer camp located near Waterville, Maine, is preparing for its last day of camp which culminates in a talent show. Meanwhile, the counselors have one last chance to have a romantic encounter with another person at Camp Firewood before the day ends.Directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, the film is based on the experiences Wain had while attending Camp Modin, a Jewish camp, located in Belgrade, Maine, and Showalter had at Camp Mohawk in the Berkshires in Cheshire, Massachusetts. According to Wain, they wanted to make a film structured like the films Nashville, Dazed and Confused and Do the Right Thing—"films that take place in one contained time period that have lots of different characters".
The film had its premier at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. The film's financing took three years to assemble; in a June 2011 interview, Wain revealed the film's budget was $1.8 million and noted that during the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, the film had been promoted as costing $5 million in an attempt to attract a better offer from a distributor. Because of the film's relatively small budget, the cast was paid very little; Paul Rudd has stated that he is uncertain that he received any compensation at all for the film. The film was eventually picked up by USA Films for a very low price and released on July 27, 2001, in only two theaters, both in New York City, later releasing it to 20 more theaters.
''Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot'' (2015)
Alongside the prequel Netflix web series, a making-of documentary film, Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot, was released on digital platforms on August 6, 2015. Directed by Amy Rice, who served as the set photographer of the original Wet Hot American Summer, the documentary features behind-the-scenes interviews and footage shot during the filming of the film.Netflix miniseries
''Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp'' (2015)
In 1981, weeks prior to the events of the film, Camp Firewood, is starting its first day of summer camp. The web series has four main plot threads: The head counselors discover Xenstar is dumping toxic waste on the camp grounds and expose a conspiracy which includes the U.S. government and President Ronald Reagan; sex and romance; Camp Tigerclaw's rivalry with Camp Firewood; and Electro City musical production starring the camp's counselors.After years of speculations and reports on a possible sequel to Wet Hot American Summer, shooting began on the miniseries in January 2015, with it being released on Netflix on July 31, 2015. The eight-episode Netflix miniseries, created by Wain and Showalter, is a prequel to the 2001 film. The entire adult cast of the film returned in the same roles, in addition to cameos and guest roles from other recognizable actors.
''Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later'' (2017)
On August 18, 1981 the junior counselors of Camp Firewood made a vow to meet again in 10 years to see what kind of people they would turn into. In 1991, the ten-year reunion has arrived. The counselors, now in their mid-20s have grown up and with their lives taking different paths, with some having found love, and some having found professional success. Seeking vengeance, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan is trying to destroy the camp with the help of current U.S. President George Bush and former Camp Tigerclaw counselors.The eight-episode Netflix miniseries, created by Wain and Showalter, was released on Netflix on August 4, 2017. and is a sequel to both the 2001 film Wet Hot American Summer, and the 2015 prequel television series. Almost the entire adult cast from the film and 2015 miniseries returned in the same roles, in addition to a group of new characters from other recognizable actors. Bradley Cooper wasn't available to reprise his role, as he was directing and starring in A Star Is Born, however he has a cameo appearance in still images and his character did return and was played by Adam Scott. Actors Judah Friedlander and Kevin Sussman did not return as well.
Recurring cast and characters
| Character | Actor | Wet Hot American Summer | First Day of Camp | Ten Years Later |
| Abby Bernstein | Marisa Ryan | |||
| Abby Bernstein | Bebe Wood | |||
| Arty "The Beekeeper" Solomon | Liam Norton | |||
| Arty "The Beekeeper" Solomon | George Dalton | |||
| Arty "The Beekeeper" Solomon | Samm Levine | |||
| Andy | Paul Rudd | |||
| Ben | Bradley Cooper | |||
| Ben | Adam Scott | |||
| Beth | Janeane Garofalo | |||
| Blake | Josh Charles | |||
| Brodfard Gilroy | Rob Huebel | |||
| Courtney | Kristen Wiig | |||
| Dave | Paul Scheer | |||
| Donna Berman | Lake Bell | |||
| Eric | Chris Pine | |||
| Gail von Kleinenstein | Molly Shannon | |||
| Gary | A. D. Miles | |||
| Gene Jenkinson / Jonas Jurgenson | Christopher Meloni | |||
| Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg | Michael Showalter | |||
| Graham | Rich Sommer | |||
| Greg | Jason Schwartzman | |||
| Henry Newman | David Hyde Pierce | |||
| J.J | Zak Orth | |||
| Katie Finnerty | Marguerite Moreau | |||
| Lindsay | Elizabeth Banks | |||
| Logan St. Bogan | John Early | |||
| McKinley | Michael Ian Black | |||
| Mitch / Can of Mixed Vegetables | H. Jon Benjamin | |||
| Nancy | Nina Hellman | |||
| Neil | Joe Lo Truglio | |||
| Ron Von Kleinenstein | Judah Friedlander | |||
| U.S. President Ronald Reagan | Michael Showalter | |||
| Shari | Beth Dover | |||
| Steve | Kevin Sussman | |||
| Susie | Amy Poehler | |||
| Victor Pulak | Ken Marino | |||
| Warner | Eric Nenninger | |||
| Yaron | David Wain |
Claire and Mark, new characters introduced in Ten Years Later, were added retroactively to a flashback scene from the film. Jim Stansel, which is mentioned in the film, is portrayed by Michael Cera in First Day of Camp. A few actors played more than one role. Showalter, in addition to portraying Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg in the film and both miniseries, portrays Alan Shemper in the film and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in both miniseries; Michael Ian Black, in addition to portraying McKinley in the film and both miniseries, portrays U.S. President George H. W. Bush in Ten Years Later; Wain, in addition to portraying Yaron in both miniseries, has an uncredited role as Paco in the film and portrays Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton in Ten Years Later.
Home media
The film was released in both VHS and DVD formats on January 15, 2002. In 2011, Wain tried to convince Universal Studios to re-release a DVD which would include special features for the movie's then 10th anniversary which Universal rejected. In a Q&A Wain said that he "would be willing to do a new prequel teaser short for it and new interviews and new material but they were like, ‘No, nobody buys it. Nobody cares.’”. The film was eventually released on Blu-ray on May 12th, 2015. This edition included highlights from 10th anniversary event, the live radio play from SF Sketchfest, deleted scenes, cast comments, behind the scenes, feature commentary with cast & crew, songs with production stills and the theatrical trailer.Reception
Critical response
The Rotten Tomatoes' score is based on the percentage of critics who have given a positive review; The Metacritic's score is a weighted average of the published critic reviews listed on the page.Accolades
| Cinematic work | Award | Ceremony | Category | Recipient and nominee | Result | |
| Wet Hot American Summer | Gotham Awards | October 1, 2001 | Breakthrough Director | David Wain | ||
| First Day of Camp | Critics' Choice Television Award | January 17, 2016 | Best Guest Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series | John Slattery | ||
| First Day of Camp | Golden Trailer Awards | May 4, 2016 | Best Comedy Poster | Netflix | ||
| First Day of Camp | Golden Reel Awards | February 27, 2016 | Best Sound Editing in Television - Short Form: Musical | Emily Kwong | ||
| First Day of Camp | Artios Awards | January 19, 2017 | Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Pilot and First Season - Comedy | Susie Farris, Melanie Crescenz | ||
| Ten Years Later | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | February 24, 2018 | TV Miniseries Or Movie Made For TV: Best Period and/or Character Makeup | Lindsay Garrison, Laura Peyer, Alex Perrone |
Music
Soundtracks
| Title | Release date | Length | Composer | Label |
| Wet Hot American Summer | 38.25 | Theodore Shapiro & Craig Wedren | Rusted Wave |
''Wet Hot American Summer (Original Score & Music from the Motion Picture)'' (2016)
Soundtrack track listing
All music composed by Theodore Shapiro & Craig Wedren, except where noted. The vinyl release has the tracks split between Side A and Side B.Soundtrack release
The soundtrack was released by Rusted Wave on June 10, 2016 on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and Spotify A vinyl edition was released on July 2016 in two versions, with Mondo releasing an exclusive, pressed on campfire colored vinyl. The vinyl edition included behind-the-scenes photos and original artwork by Andy Ristaino.''Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp''
While an official soundtrack was not released for the Netflix series, its composer Craig Wedren has released the songs on SoundCloud.Singles
| Title | U.S. release date | Length | Artist | Label |
| "Higher and Higher / Wet Hot American Summer " | 6:04 | Craig Wedren & Theodore Shapiro | Rusted Wave |
"Higher and Higher / Wet Hot American Summer (Music from the Motion Picture)" (2015)
The vinyl release has the tracks split between Side A and Side B.Single track listing
Single release
The single was released by Rusted Wave on August 3, 2015 and is available on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and Spotify. In addition, A vinyl 7-inch edition was released."I Am a Wolf, You Are the Moon"
In the Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp episode "Staff Party |Staff Party", Andy leads the Camp Firewood counselors in a sing-along with the song "I Am a Wolf, You Are the Moon", an original song by Craig Wedren. On writing the song, Wedren said, "I knew they needed an acoustic sing-along song all the kids would know It’s got that sort of bittersweet youth anthem thing. That was kind of why it made so much sense to me, this idea of wanting the world and wanting it now. It kind of works from the vantage point of being young, but also through the looking-glass of us at age 46 reflecting back on being young."A music video was released on June 10, 2016. The music video was co-directed by Amy Redford and Wedren, who also sings the tune and appears in the video. The music video features cameos from Sam Trammel, Thomas Lennon and Allie Stamler.