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

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriterProducer
Wet Hot American SummerDavid WainDavid Wain and Michael ShowalterHoward Bernstein
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet HotAmy RiceJack 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

CharacterActorWet Hot American SummerFirst Day of CampTen Years Later
Abby BernsteinMarisa Ryan
Abby BernsteinBebe Wood
Arty "The Beekeeper" SolomonLiam Norton
Arty "The Beekeeper" SolomonGeorge Dalton
Arty "The Beekeeper" SolomonSamm Levine
AndyPaul Rudd
BenBradley Cooper
BenAdam Scott
BethJaneane Garofalo
BlakeJosh Charles
Brodfard GilroyRob Huebel
CourtneyKristen Wiig
DavePaul Scheer
Donna BermanLake Bell
EricChris Pine
Gail von KleinensteinMolly Shannon
GaryA. D. Miles
Gene Jenkinson / Jonas JurgensonChristopher Meloni
Gerald "Coop" CooperbergMichael Showalter
GrahamRich Sommer
GregJason Schwartzman
Henry NewmanDavid Hyde Pierce
J.JZak Orth
Katie FinnertyMarguerite Moreau
LindsayElizabeth Banks
Logan St. BoganJohn Early
McKinleyMichael Ian Black
Mitch / Can of Mixed VegetablesH. Jon Benjamin
NancyNina Hellman
NeilJoe Lo Truglio
Ron Von KleinensteinJudah Friedlander
U.S. President Ronald ReaganMichael Showalter
ShariBeth Dover
SteveKevin Sussman
SusieAmy Poehler
Victor PulakKen Marino
WarnerEric Nenninger
YaronDavid 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 workAwardCeremonyCategoryRecipient and nomineeResult
Wet Hot American SummerGotham AwardsOctober 1, 2001Breakthrough Director David Wain
First Day of CampCritics' Choice Television AwardJanuary 17, 2016Best Guest Actor/Actress in a Comedy SeriesJohn Slattery
First Day of CampGolden Trailer AwardsMay 4, 2016Best Comedy PosterNetflix
First Day of CampGolden Reel AwardsFebruary 27, 2016Best Sound Editing in Television - Short Form: MusicalEmily Kwong
First Day of CampArtios AwardsJanuary 19, 2017Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Pilot and First Season - ComedySusie Farris, Melanie Crescenz
Ten Years LaterMake-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild AwardsFebruary 24, 2018TV Miniseries Or Movie Made For TV: Best Period and/or Character MakeupLindsay Garrison, Laura Peyer, Alex Perrone

Music

Soundtracks

TitleRelease dateLengthComposerLabel
Wet Hot American Summer 38.25Theodore Shapiro & Craig WedrenRusted 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

TitleU.S. release dateLengthArtistLabel
"Higher and Higher / Wet Hot American Summer "6:04Craig Wedren & Theodore ShapiroRusted 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.

Print publications

''Wet Hot American Summer: The Annotated Screenplay'' (2018)

The screenplay for the original film was released on October 9, 2018 as a book called Wet Hot American Summer: The Annotated Screenplay by Abrams Image. The book was written by Wain and Showalter with a preface by Jesse Thorn and a foreword by Michael Ian Black and provides commentary and insight to Wain and Showalter's artistic decisions for the film and Netflix series, photos and more. On October 5, 2018, a trailer for the book was released on YouTube and on October 10, a book release event hosted by Wain was held on October 10, 2018 at the UCB Theatre.

''Wet Hot American Summer'' (2018)

A graphic novel written by Christopher Hastings, illustrated by Noah Hayes and published by Boom! Studios was released on November 7, 2018. The story takes place one week after First Day of Camp with Beth having 24-hours to save the camp from being shut-down.

Games

''Wet Hot American Summer: Fantasy Camp'' (2017)

A tabletop role-playing game designed by Geoffrey Golden and Lee Keeler and published by The Devastator was released on November 7, 2017. Fantasy Camp was the first officially licensed game based on the franchise and was founded through a Kickstarter campaign which started on April 18, 2017 and ended the following month on May 18. It succeeded in raising $15,594 from 485 backers.

Undeveloped TV series

During a 2015 interview with Variety, Wain and Showalter stated that they wrote a television pilot in 2003 for a Fox television series based on the film. Wain described the series as a "22-minute Fox sitcom with commercials and nothing Rated R, so it was a little bit odd." The pilot was not picked up for a series.

Events

10th anniversary event

On August 2, 2011, a 10th anniversary event was held at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, hosted by David Wain, Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black and produced by Marianne Ways. The event's highlights included in-character appearances of Janeane Garofalo, Ken Marino, Marisa Ryan and Judah Friedlander ; Appearances of Gideon Jacobs, Gabriel Millman and Showalter as Alan Shemper; Samm Levine did an audio recording of Arty doing radio voice-over from camp; Marino and Ryan singing “Danny’s Song" ; Showalter performing a set as Alan Shemper; A. D. Miles conducting an Inside the Actors Studio–style Q&A with a talking Can of Mixed Vegetables, which was voiced offstage by Jon Benjamin; Tapped bits by Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd, which was a re-creation of the cafeteria scene with Judd Apatow as Beth and Paul Rudd as Andy; and audition tapes for Bradley Cooper and the not-cast Naomi Watts. A house band was playing songs from the movie as interstitials. The event also had an interactive arts and crafts corner where attendees could make a 20-sided die necklace and friendship bracelets, a “Gournal,” a composition book, where the attendees could sign in and a sweater-fondling contest.

Live radio play at SF Sketchfest

On January 21, 2012, a sold-out live radio play staged recreation of Wet Hot American Summer was held at the Marines' Memorial Theatre in San Francisco, CA. during SF Sketchfest. The show was adapted for the stage by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker, creators of Thrilling Adventure Hour, and produced by David Owen, Cole Stratton and Janet Varney. Reprising their roles from the original cast were, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, Molly Shannon, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Samm Levine, Marguerite Moreau and Chris Meloni. David Wain narrated the production. David Owen, SF Sketchfest cofounder, stated that they realized they were going to have a lot of great actors and comedians in town, doing other events at Sketchfest, so they should get them to be understudies. Joining the cast were David Cross, Busy Philipps, Andy Richter, John Hodgman, Gillian Jacobs, Joshua Malina, Colin Hanks, Marc Evan Jackson, Bruce McCulloch, Jessi Klein, Craig Cackowski, Hal Lublin, Annie Savage, Zandy Hartig and Bobcat Goldthwait. Goldthwait was backstage right before the show, on his hands and knees making a fake can of vegetables mask to wear on his head.

SF Sketchfest ''Wet Hot American Summer: The Live Radio Show'' official clips