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.

Directed by William Friedkin and written by Paul Brickman, Deal of the Century (1983) is another disappointing entry in Chevy Chase's filmography. He's playing slick arms dealer Eddie Muntz who lucks his way into the titular "deal of the century" where he's partnered with Catherine DeVoto (Sigourney Weaver). His other partner, Ray Kasternak (Gregory Hines), is a loose canon who has an ill-timed spiritual awakening.

In this episode of The Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, we take a deep dive into National Lampoon's Vacation, the iconic 1983 road trip comedy.

Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) explore Chevy Chase's performance as the well-meaning but hapless Clark Griswold, determined to take his family on the ultimate cross-country adventure to Wally World. We discuss the film's impact on pop culture, its memorable comedic moments, its original ending, and why Vacation remains a timeless favorite in the world of comedy.

You think you've got problems?  Well, Chevy Chase has MODERN PROBLEMS in this 1981 film from Chevy's old friend Tom Shapiro.   As air traffic controller Max Fiedler, Chevy loses his girlfriend (Patti D'Arbanville) while being berated by a self-help guru (Dabney Coleman) in a movie that can't decide if it's science fiction or spiritual horror. 

Join Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) as they continue to deep dive into the filmography of Chevy Chase.

We're taking a little break from the chronological Chevy Chase filmography to explore a later film where he makes a memorable appearance, Bob Saget's Dirty Work (1998).  The film is a Norm MacDonald vehicle wherein he and his pal (Artie Lang) open a business to pull pranks.  It's a thin concept and the results are uneven at best.