Chasing Chevy Chase Podcast

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?

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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.  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.

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. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chasing-chevy-chase-podcast--6107734/support.