Quantcast

Since its inception, the late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) has produced countless memorable sketches. Several of these sketches have even inspired feature length films, including Coneheads, Blues Brothers, and Superstar. This year marks the 25th anniversary of yet another SNL-inspired film, do you know what this is?

Wayne’s World initially debuted on SNL on February 18, 1989. The sketch quickly gained a following and was adapted into a film released on February 14, 1992. This film was directed by Penelope Spheeris, produced by Lorne Michaels and written by Mike Myers and Bonnie and Terry Turner. Wayne’s World follows young rock ‘n’ roll fans Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, portrayed by Myers and Dana Carvey, respectively. These Illinois-based best friends host a public-access television show out of Wayne’s parents’ basement, entitled Wayne’s World. In the movie, an important television producer discovers that the show is incredibly popular and offers to buy the rights to it for $10,000. Although they each had their reservations, ultimately they accept the offer.

This offer leads Wayne and Garth down a rabbit hole of misadventures, from breaking up their friendship to seducing a beautiful bassist. Throughout the film, various characters break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience and even the cameraman. Several characters address the viewer at times, with some assumed dramatic irony as no one is aware that they are in a film. Wayne’s World served as Myers’ feature film debut and also included A-list celebrities like Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Lara Flynn Boyle, Brian Doyle-Murray, Robert Patrick, Chris Farley, Ed O'Neill, Ione Skye, Meat Loaf, and Alice Cooper.

Wayne’s World was a critical and commercial success and started the catchphrases “Schwing” and “Schyea,” as well as popularizing “That’s what she said” and “Party on!” Myers and Carvey reprised their roles for Wayne’s World 2, released on December 10, 1993. More recently, in honor of SNL’s 40th anniversary, Myers and Carvey returned to the basement for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Now, 25 years later, and nothing sums Wayne’s World up better than this: “It’s party time, excellent!”