The VHS Strikes Back
Whatever Entertainment
Podcast
Episodes
Listen, download, subscribe
Freddy Got Fingered (2001) | Surreal Gross-Out Mayhem & Madness | VHSSB Podcast
Freddy Got Fingered (2001) was chosen by Supporter and friend of the show Blake, and it stands as one of the most infamous, chaotic, and downright bewildering productions ever funded by a major Hollywood studio. Directed by and starring Tom Green at the height of his MTV shock-comedy fame, the film was conceived as a vehicle to capture — and escalate — his unpredictable, confrontational brand of humor. Fox initially expected a quirky, outrageous teen comedy, but Green pushed the project into a surreal, boundary-smashing experiment, gleefully testing how far studio executives were willing to go. With a budget of around $14 million, he was given surprising creative freedom, shooting scenes that baffled executives but perfectly embodied his anti-comedy sensibilities. Behind the scenes, the production became something of a Hollywood legend. Tom Green committed fully to every bizarre creative impulse, often rewriting or improvising scenes on the day of shooting, much to the confusion of cast and crew. Actors like Rip Torn and Julie Hagerty were brought into the madness, delivering straight-faced performances amid escalating absurdity. Studio executives, increasingly horrified by what they were seeing, considered interfering but ultimately allowed Green to finish the film exactly as he envisioned it. Upon release, Freddy Got Fingered was critically savaged and won multiple Razzie Awards — including Worst Picture — but over the years it has gained a cult following, celebrated by some as a piece of surrealist outsider art wrapped in the guise of a studio comedy. If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, we have a Patreon here. Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up: NordVPN NordPass Trailer Guy Plot Summary Prepare yourself… for a comedy that went too far, then kept going. When Gord Brody, a wannabe animator with a vivid imagination and zero impulse control, leaves home to chase his dreams, chaos follows in every direction. From catastrophic career moves to catastrophic family moments, Gord’s journey spirals into a whirlwind of wild gags, screaming matches, and deeply questionable decisions — all delivered with the enthusiasm of a man who has absolutely nothing to lose. Freddy Got Fingered — a film so outrageous, so unhinged, and so defiantly stupid… you’ll wonder how it ever got made. Fun Facts Tom Green personally promoted the film in extreme ways, including arriving at the Razzies to accept his awards in person - and playing harmonica on stage until producers dragged him off. The film’s infamous “Daddy, would you like some sausage?” scene has become one of the most quoted and memed moments in early-2000s comedy. Freddy Got Fingered was Tom Green’s feature directorial debut, following the success of The Tom Green Show on MTV. Rip Torn agreed to the role because he admired Green’s fearlessness, even though Torn described some days on set as “completely insane.” Several of the movie’s props and costumes, including the sausage-pulley rig, were built by Green himself. Despite being critically panned, the movie later became a favourite of filmmakers like Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, who praised its “anti-comedy genius.” The initial test screenings reportedly caused walkouts, but studio executives decided to keep most scenes intact because Green insisted the discomfort was the point. The film includes several cameos from MTV personalities of the era, tying it directly to early-2000s pop culture. thevhsstrikesback@gmail.com https://linktr.ee/vhsstrikesback
The VHS Strikes Back RSS Feed
