Grade: A-
“Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” is the most ridiculous and nonsensical show I’ve ever seen. It’s also one of the funniest.
It is, for all intents and purposes, a prequel to the 2001 film “Wet Hot American Summer,” directed by David Wain, which focused on the teenage counselors of Camp Firewood. The characters are still all supposed to be in their late teens, even if the actors who play them are in their late 30s and early 40s.
While we’re on the topic of actors, this comedy might have the most established cast of any show in recent history.
David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Janeane Garofalo, Molly Shannon, Joe Lo Truglio, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Meloni reprise their roles from the original film. However, they are also joined by a who’s who of guest stars. Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, John Slattery, Michael Cera and Chris Pine all make appearances in the show. Basically, during every scene there will be a moment where you say, “Oh, I know that person. He’s from ...”
Even with all this talent, it’s the writing that truly shines. Wain and Michael Showalter utilize all types of comedy in the show. There are awkward, cringe-worthy moments that feel similar to “The Office,” sight gags like Showalter clumsily chasing after a camper and random occurrences, such as Meloni humping a refrigerator — you have to watch to understand why.
Just like in the original movie, Meloni shines even with such a stacked cast. Every scene he’s in is a must-watch, as he goes through the transition from mild-mannered fiancé Jonas to his hidden Vietnam-veteran persona Gene.
The plot jumps around quite a bit because there are so many characters and storylines to connect, but somehow, in eight episodes, “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” has overarching narratives, including a slime that will destroy the entire camp, an assassin played by Hamm trying to find a can of talking vegetables, a battle between Camp Firewood and rival Camp Tigerclaw, the return of a rock legend who was lurking in the woods and a romance brewing between two of the campers.
Comedy television as a whole seems to be developed in a cookie-cutter fashion right now. Each episode seems to go through the same beats with a happy ending waiting at the finish line. However, “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” is not this type of show. Fourteen years after the cult-comedy was released, Netflix should be praised for bringing back such an offbeat and fresh idea.
Now, we just have to wait another 14 years for the next installment.
