Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
Wayne’s World director Penelope Spheeris did not find her time working with Mike Myers to be excellent by any means.
Wayne’s World ranks as one of the funniest and most quotable comedies of the 1990s, but that doesn’t mean it was an excellent experience for everybody on set. Now, as the sequel nears its 30th anniversary, director Penelope Spheeris reflects on her clashes with star/apparent diva Mike Myers and why she wasn’t asked to return.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Penelope Spheeris pointed to the test screenings as the real point at which her relationship with Mike Myers came to a head, stemming from a lack of trust in the director and the viewers. “I got a great audience response in the testing setting.” She said, “That’s when it all went downhill,”. Spheeris argued that Mike Myers’ attempt to change the script was motivated by ego. He wanted to remove the hilarious scene where Lara Flynn Boyle’s ex Stacy, who is notorious for her bad gift-giving, runs her bike over the hood of a parked vehicle and then flies into the air, because it took attention away from Wayne and Garth. “Mike didn’t like it because she got the laugh and not him..That’s how Lorne teaches all his players to do — always one-up each other.” Could this bit have been cut out? Boyle has a lot of stalker ex girlfriend moments, so we know who she is. But it enhances the hockey scene. Game on!
Another iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody’ scene that Myers did not find great was the headbanging by the group. Spheeris was asked by executive producer Lorne Michals to tell Myers what changes she would not make. It’s here that one might take note that Spheeris didn’t direct Wayne’s World 2, being replaced by Stephen Surjik (
Kids in the Hall
).Despite the bond that ties so many SNL alum — Penelope Spheeris was producing Albert Brooks shorts in the early days while Mike Myers was a cast member from 1989 to 1995 — the two never worked together again. So if Wayne’s World 3
ever happens, you can forget her involvement.How do you feel about Penelope Spheeris’ stories about Mike Myers? Did her absence from sequel show? Do you prefer the original or second Wayne’s World? Let us know!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dssq8nQHMQ
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
