Fresh Air Remembering Rob Reiner
22 snips
Dec 16, 2025 Filmmaker Rob Reiner, known for classics like The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men, reflects on his storied career and personal journey. He discusses the making of Spinal Tap 2, the art of improv, and the unforgettable 'goes to 11' gag. Reiner shares insights on directing Jack Nicholson and creating iconic moments in When Harry Met Sally. He also touches on his collaboration with his son Nick on Being Charlie, exploring themes of addiction and family. With anecdotes from a life steeped in comedy, Reiner's legacy shines through.
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Arrested Development Drives The Comedy
- Rob Reiner says Spinal Tap's characters show no emotional or musical growth across decades.
- He calls that arrested development the core comedic truth of the band.
Make The Filmmaker A Character Filter
- Reiner framed the Spinal Tap doc character Marty to mirror how actual filmmakers insert themselves.
- He stresses filtering the movie through that character's limitations, not his own.
Improv Feels Like Jazz With Old Friends
- Reiner describes improvising with the Spinal Tap cast as like falling into jazz with old friends.
- He says after 15 years apart they immediately started "schnadling" and snapped back into creative rhythm.
