Potentially the most popular of all of Chevy Chase's films, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has become a perennial family favorite despite the Griswolds not actually going on vacation but their extended family visiting them in the suburbs of Chicago during a year where Clark counts too heavily on his Christmas bonus.

With a stand-out performance from Randy Quaid returning as Cousin Eddie, the film layers slapstick chaos with sharp holiday satire. Beverly D’Angelo anchors the madness as Ellen Griswold and new kids Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki provide memorable turns.

Written by John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, the movie captures both the warmth and the frustration of family gatherings, becoming a December staple for generations who can’t help but sympathize with Clark’s doomed quest for the “perfect” Christmas.

Chevy Chase dons the Lakers jersey once more as Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) dig into Fletch Lives (1989). The long-delayed sequel to Fletch swaps the quick-witted investigative journalist’s L.A. backdrop for Southern Gothic eccentricity, televangelists, and KKK satire—sometimes with mixed results. The trio debate whether Gregory Mcdonald’s sharp creation survived the Hollywood comedy blender, why the sequel feels both broader and thinner, and whether Chase’s disguises still land. Along the way, they examine the film’s troubled production, its place in Chase’s career arc, and the curious legacy of this oddball follow-up.

We finally brave the cinematic sand trap that is Caddyshack II (1988), a baffling sequel that ditches the scrappy charm of the original for a mess of slapstick, snooty social satire, and one-liners that land with all the grace of a thrown brick. Mark, Mike, and Chris dig into what went wrong—from Rodney Dangerfield bailing and Jackie Mason stepping in, to Chevy Chase coasting through with a smirk and a nine iron. Why does this sequel feel like a corporate golf outing where everyone's just waiting for lunch? We break down the chaotic production, Harold Ramis’s reluctant involvement, and the comedy vacuum at its core. It’s less a follow-up than a farce—but is there anything worth salvaging from the rough?

This may be it.  We may have reached the nadir of Chevy Chase's filmography with the 2006 film from director Leslie Greif, Funny Money.  Based on a play by Ray Cooney, the film feels incredibly stage-bound and like a pale imitation of better screwball comedies.  Hold on to your sides, they're about to be split!

In Funny Money, Chase plays a fake fruit engineer whose boss (Robert Loggia) comes to visit his home on the same night that Chase finds a briefcase filled with five million dollars.  It's just one wacky cliche after another and a complete waste of all talent involved in the film. 

Mark, Chris, and Mike experienced this cinematic car crash so you don't have to.

Mike, Mark, and Chris take a closer look at Funny Farm (1988), Chevy Chase’s turn as a New York sportswriter who relocates to small-town Vermont in search of a simpler life—only to find frustration, isolation, and a town that seems determined to break him. 

Directed by George Roy Hill, the film mixes dry satire with broad physical comedy, offering a darker, more cynical take on the rural escape fantasy. The trio discuss how Funny Farm fits within Chevy’s late-’80s filmography, the tonal balance between charm and bitterness, and whether the film deserves its reputation as a solid entry in his career or a footnote.

Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) saddle up for Three Amigos (1986), the offbeat Western comedy directed by John Landis and written by Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, and Randy Newman. The trio discusses the film’s blend of Hollywood parody and Mexican melodrama, its troubled production history, and the legacy of its three leads—Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. They also unpack the movie’s tonal shifts, musical interludes, and whether its cult status is truly earned or simply nostalgic.

Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) go behind enemy lines to examine Spies Like Us (1985), a Cold War comedy directed by John Landis and starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. The trio unpacks the film’s satirical take on espionage, its place in the Reagan-era political climate, and the chemistry between its two leads. They also dig into the film’s uneven tone, behind-the-scenes drama, and how it fits into the larger arc of Chase’s career.

Pack your bags, grab your beret, and prepare for comedic jet lag as Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) take a rollicking tour through National Lampoon’s European Vacation! The Griswolds/Griswalds are crossing the pond, leaving chaos, hilarity, and questionable driving in their wake. From Stonehenge collisions to Bavarian misadventures, our hosts discuss Chevy Chase’s slapstick, the challenges of sequels, and why this vacation still hits a lot of wrong note. Make sure you’ve got your passports handy and your "Big Ben, Parliament!" jokes ready!

Surf’s up, Chase fans! In this episode of the Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, Mike White, Chris Stachiw, and Mark Begley take a detour to sunny Southern California with a deep dive into Orange County (2002). Penned by (the other) Mike White and directed by Jake Kadan, the film is packed with  a stacked cast including Colin Hanks, Jack Black, and Catherine O’Hara. The crew discusses the film and its wheedling protagonist as well as Chevy's fleeting cameo.

In this episode of Chasing Chevy Chase, hosts Mike White, Mark Begley, and Chris Stachiw dive into Fletch (1985), the comedy that solidified Chevy Chase as a comedy icon. Directed by Michael Ritchie and based on Gregory McDonald’s bestselling novel, this film gave Chase one of his most beloved roles as the wisecracking investigative reporter Irwin M. Fletcher. From the film's sharp dialogue to its quirky disguises and unforgettable one-liners, we explore how Fletch became a cult classic and why it still stands tall in Chase's storied career.