When Christopher Guest and his mostly regular crew of funny people including Eugene Levy, Fred Willard and Bob Balaban appeared during the Oscar broadcast in February, it was a welcome a treat and one of the best moments on the show. It has been a far too long seven years since the gang's last outing, the admittedly tepid "For Your Consideration," but we hoped their brief reunion was a sign there was something bigger on the horizon. Alas, it seems it's not to be.
Collider caught up with Levy who is doing the rounds for "American Reunion" and when asked about teaming up with Guest again, the actor painted a disapointingly bleak picture. "Well, we had a little reunion at the Oscars. To answer that question, there’s nothing on the horizon. We really didn’t want to do another movie that’s a cookie-cutter movie, where you’ve got the same kind of style, but you just change the subject. Everybody is doing that fake documentary style now," he explained. "Even TV shows are using that fake documentary style. So, there’s nothing novel about that, anymore. And we haven’t really hit on an idea that moves us and that we both agree on, but we’re always talking."
And he has a point. NBC has practically endorsed the faux-doc style as their aesthetic of choice, fashioning hit shows out of "The Office" and "Parks & Recreation" in the format. And numerous films are now embracing that approach as well. Though we're glad Guest doesn't want to repeate himself and try something new, it's a bummer we'll have to wait. And we suppose this means the comedy about retro collectors rumored back in 2010, is also not going to happen (which is just as well since A&E and History Channel have milked that for all its worth with "Pawn Stars," "Storage Wars" and more).
So, we'll just have to be patient. Until then, you can watch Guest and co.'s Oscar appearance below. And if you haven't see "Waiting For Guffman," "Best In Show" or "A Mighty Wind," remedy that situation now.
"For Your Consideration" was great, in my opinion. Not their best, but still fun. Also, it wasn't a faux-documentary. I recall reading that Guest was tired of the format back then, so this isn't exactly shocking to hear. Hopefully this group will do something together again, mock-doc or not.
"(which is just as well since A&E and History Channel have milked that for all its worth with "Pawn Stars," "Storage Wars" and more)."
True, but it would still be a treat to see those types embodied by the talented ensemble.