This Is Spinal Tap (1984): The Birth of the Mockumentary and Why We Care

Ben and Rob turn it up to eleven with ‘This Is Spinal Tap’, Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary that permanently rewired comedy, metal, and how musicians see themselves. Starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, This Is Spinal Tap follows England’s loudest and least self aware heavy metal band as they tour America, argue about amps, lose drummers at an alarming rate and accidentally create one of the most influential films of all time.

How did Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest invent an entirely new comedic language; why is metal as a genre uniquely perfect for satire; and how did This Is Spinal Tap go on to influence everything from The Office to modern mockumentary storytelling? How many real musicians see themselves uncomfortably reflected in this film; why do Ben and Rob have their own deeply Spinal Tap style music industry war stories; and what does This Is Spinal Tap really mean about ego, creativity and the absurdity of chasing greatness?

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