Fresh Air

Rob Reiner's 'Spinal Tap' Still Goes To 11

12 snips
Sep 9, 2025
Rob Reiner, the brilliant filmmaker behind classics like 'This Is Spinal Tap' and 'When Harry Met Sally,' talks about the absurdity of aging rockers in the new sequel 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.' He shares insights into the legacy of his iconic film and the lack of growth in its characters. Reiner reflects on his upbringing around comedy legends and the creative process behind classic cinematic moments, like the famed line 'I'll have what she's having.' The conversation dives deep into love, legacy, and the evolution of television.
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INSIGHT

Characters Stuck In Arrested Development

  • Spinal Tap's characters show no emotional or musical growth across decades.
INSIGHT

Mocking The Documentary Style

  • The film satirizes not only heavy metal but also the documentary form itself.
ANECDOTE

Inventing The 'Make 10 Louder' Beat

  • Rob Reiner improvised the line that exposes Nigel's pause in the "goes to 11" scene during filming.
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