Nick Swardson on the Revival of Rated-R Comedy, Happy Gilmore 2, and Blades of Glory

This week, comedy legend Nick Swardson joins us for one of the most fun, candid, and wide-ranging conversations we’ve ever had. From behind-the-scenes stories on Blades of Glory to joining the legacy of Happy Gilmore 2, Nick shares his mission to bring back the loud, unapologetic energy of Rated-R comedy.

We get into his 30-year stand-up career, his start writing and starring in Grandma’s Boy, and his long-running creative partnership with Adam Sandler. He breaks down why R-rated comedies always seem to vanish, only to come roaring back, and why he’s determined to help spark the next big wave.

You’ll also hear wild stories involving Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Paris Hilton, and even Tom Cruise playing hockey at Sandler’s holiday party. It’s Nick Swardson unfiltered—and absolutely hilarious.

🎤 About Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson is a veteran stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer with deep roots in modern comedy. Hailing from Minneapolis, he got his big break writing and starring in Malibu's Most Wanted and Grandma’s Boy, becoming a key member of Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison crew. He’s appeared in a long list of comedy classics including Benchwarmers, Click, Just Go With It, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and voiced characters in Hell and Back and Star vs. the Forces of Evil. Nick’s stand-up specials—Taste It, Seriously, Who Farted?, and Make Joke From Face—are cult favorites, and his upcoming special Toilet Head was filmed at the iconic First Avenue club in Minneapolis. Nick continues to write and produce original R-rated comedies aimed at reigniting the genre—and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

🎯 Takeaways from this episode:

• Nick opens up about joining Happy Gilmore 2 and what it means to be part of Sandler’s legacy.
• He walks us through the writing of new original comedies that tap into the spirit of Road House and Sons of Anarchy—but with laughs.
• He shares what made Blades of Glory so special, including almost replacing Jon Heder mid-shoot.
• We talk about the cultural importance of R-rated comedies—and why we need them now more than ever.
• Nick gives a rare glimpse into his behind-the-scenes role as a creative producer, punching up scripts and feeding lines on set.
• 📣 Reminder: If you love comedies, support them in theaters. That’s how we keep movies like Grandma’s Boy, Bucky Larson, and Your Highness alive.

Got it! Here's the corrected version with Seth as the Speed Racer defender instead of Will—and still optimized for SEO and your voice:

🎙️ Speed Racer: The Cult Classic That Was Too Ahead of Its Time (ft. Will Abeles)

Start your engines—because this episode is pure candy-colored chaos. Touring comedian Will Abeles joins us as Seth defends one of the most misunderstood movies of the 2000s: Speed Racer. That’s right—Seth’s calling it his third favorite movie of all time, and he’s ready to die on that rainbow-striped hill.

We dig into the Wachowskis’ wildly ambitious adaptation, from its unapologetically cartoony VFX (2,000+ shots!) to the way it wears its anime roots on its sleeve. This episode covers everything: John Goodman going full WWE dad, the monkey that tried to maul Christina Ricci, and why modern anime adaptations—especially Netflix’s—keep failing in comparison.

And yeah… we also talk about lost boobs, dad arrests, and why John Goodman might secretly be one of the greatest actors of our time.

📝 Show Notes:

00:00 – Will Abeles returns: from Collateral to Chim Chim

04:30 – Seth makes the case: Speed Racer is a top 3 movie

07:50 – Why the Wachowskis were way ahead of their time

12:10 – How the film nails the anime-to-live-action formula

15:20 – The monkey that terrorized Christina Ricci on set

18:00 – The 2,000+ VFX shots and real-time editing chaos

21:30 – John Goodman, ninja-tossing, and unexpected emotional range

25:10 – Roger Allam’s villain Royalton: the capitalist king we hate to love

27:00 – Why Netflix anime reboots fail where Speed Racer succeeded

30:00 – Musical rants, dad horror stories & Arkansas drug busts

💥 Key Takeaways:

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• Seth argues that Speed Racer is a visionary masterpiece that critics and audiences just weren’t ready for in 2008.
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• The Wachowskis committed hard to an anime-faithful style—vivid colors, cartoony edits, and surreal VFX—with zero compromise.
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• Behind the scenes, the cast got physically wrecked: vomit, bruises, and a monkey nearly detaching Ricci’s chest.
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• John Goodman’s performance blends cartoon absurdity with heartfelt family drama—and somehow, it works.
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• Netflix’s adaptation pipeline could learn a thing or two from Speed Racer’s focused, fan-driven execution.
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• The film holds emotional weight beneath the spectacle, exploring family, competition, and identity in ways few adaptations even attempt.
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🎬 Welcome to Movie Wars — where comedy meets cinema analysis.

Hosted by Kyle Castro and Seth Kays, Movie Wars is what happens when stand-up comics, filmmakers, artists, celebrity guests, and a few smart weirdos get way too obsessed with movies — and start scoring them in a gladiator-style showdown.

Each week, we dive deep into the films you love (and love to argue about), breaking them down across a custom scorecard that blends craft, chaos, and comedy. From cult classics to critical darlings, we debate cast, direction, writing, and whatever wild stuff we find behind the scenes — and we don’t stop until we’ve got a winner.

This trailer episode gives you the lay of the land: who we are, what makes our podcast different, and why our War Card System™ puts a fresh spin on how we experience film. Whether you’re a movie buff, a casual fan, or someone who just wants to laugh while learning something new about cinema — there’s a seat for you here.

• 🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday across all platforms. Subscribe, join the war, and get ready to watch movies differently.

This week on Movie Wars, we dive into Michael Mann’s Collateral — a movie where Tom Cruise plays the most terrifying silver fox since Anderson Cooper, and Jamie Foxx gets one night to decide if he’s a cab driver or a hero. We’re joined by our good friend and touring standup Will Abeles, who took a break from crisscrossing the country to talk LA noir, digital cinematography, and, oh yeah — the time he gave a real-life Vincent a ride across Nashville.

We talk about how Collateral captures LA’s sweaty, neon-soaked vibe better than any other film since Heat, how Mann’s use of early digital cameras shaped the look of modern movies, and how Cruise’s weird hair dye and Bangkok suit are all part of the character’s ghostlike anonymity. Plus: Jamie Foxx’s quiet career pivot, what makes Mann’s cityscapes feel mythic, and a full-on Uber-from-hell story that somehow makes Collateral feel like a documentary.

This one’s full of chaos, crime, and comedy — basically, a perfect night in Los Angeles.

• Michael Mann doesn’t just film LA — he turns it into a character. From Heat to Collateral, the man is the city’s best cinematographer
• Will Abeles joins fresh off his special The Pride of Hagerstown, and shares his very own “Collateral moment” while driving for Uber.
• We talk about Mann’s bold use of early digital cameras in 2004 and how it gave the movie that immersive, eerie nighttime look.
• Tom Cruise’s gray hair and Thai-tailored suit? That wasn’t just a weird choice — it was a tactical one, designed to make Vincent disappear in plain sight.
• Jamie Foxx’s performance in Collateral marked a major turning point in his career, showing off the kind of dramatic depth we’d later see in Ray.
• Also: Scientology, strip mall comedy clubs, Morgan Wallen chaos, and an impromptu Nashville ayahuasca rant. You're welcome.

Featuring Joe & Vance from Boys Watching Buffy

On this episode of Movie Wars, we’re throwing roundhouse kicks into the Louisiana swamp and diving into Hard Target, the chaotic, mullet-soaked fever dream that marked John Woo’s American debut. I’m joined by Joe and Vance from the hilarious podcast Boys Watching Buffy, where they bring their sharp humor and fresh takes to cult TV classics like Buffy, Angel, Veronica Mars, and more.

We dig into everything: Van Damme’s mid-tier action star status, the insane production meddling that turned this into a different movie, why early ‘90s action films were weirdly obsessed with Cajun Louisiana, and the very real question — are the villains in Hard Target actually the best part?

We also talk ugly movie stars, the lost art of gritty backdrops, and why slow-mo gunfights with saxophone porn music will always have a place in our hearts.

If you love action movies, wild tangents, and hearing three dudes lose it over mullets and Wilford Brimley’s Southern accent, this one’s for you.

Absolutely. Here are your show notes for the Hard Target episode — formatted cleanly with sections for platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your website:

Guests: Joe & Vance from Boys Watching Buffy

Host: Kyle Castro

Podcast: Movie Wars

• The chaotic backstory behind John Woo’s Hard Target and why it barely resembles his original vision
• Jean-Claude Van Damme’s mullet, legacy, and where he fits in the action star pantheon
• A love letter to slow-mo gunfights, dove symbolism, and 90s saxophone porn music
• Why early ’90s Hollywood was weirdly obsessed with Cajun Louisiana as a setting
• The incredible villain duo of Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo — and why they deserved a spinoff
• The era of "ugly movie stars" and the raw grit of pre-streaming cinema
• Tangents on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Red Dead Redemption 2, Street Fighter, and Double Team with Dennis Rodman
• Is Van Damme underrated, overrated, or stuck in mullet limbo?

Joe and Vance are the hosts of Boys Watching Buffy, a hilarious and addictive podcast where they watch cult TV shows for the first time — starting with Buffy, then moving through Angel, Veronica Mars, Dollhouse, and more.

• Hard Target was originally 116 minutes long and got slapped with an NC-17 before being trimmed to 97 minutes.
• John Woo was shadowed by Sam Raimi on set to “protect” the production.
• Van Damme oversaw the final edit to make it his movie.
• The studio almost made a spinoff film focused...

We’re wrapping up our journey through the Bill and Ted trilogy with the final film, Face the Music — and joining us for the ride is touring comedian Evan Berke, who brings both sharp wit and real insight to this surprisingly emotional sequel.

Thank you to my dear friend Boys Watching Buffy and The Revisionist Almanac for providing a trailer.

Enjoy their shows!Nearly 30 years after Bogus Journey, Bill and Ted are back — older, still optimistic, and now raising daughters while trying to save the world (again). In this episode, we break down how Face the Music handles legacy, aging, and creative pressure, all while staying true to the ridiculous heart that’s defined this franchise since 1989.

We get into the dynamics between Bill, Ted, and their daughters, how time travel is used not just as a plot device but as a way to explore self-reflection, and what it means to pass the torch to a new generation. There’s plenty of love here for the bizarre, heartfelt tone of the film, and Evan adds thoughtful perspective on the balance of comedy and sentiment — especially when it comes to stories that try to say something real while being totally bonkers.

From trombone solos in hell to Kid Cudi’s quantum theories, this movie has it all. But at its core, Face the Music is about friendship, hope, and the messiness of trying to leave something behind that matters. Whether or not this final chapter hit the mark for you, our conversation digs into what makes this film a fascinating — and oddly moving — end to one of the weirdest trilogies in movie history.

• Touring comedian Evan Berke joins us for a deep dive into Bill and Ted Face the MusicWe unpack how the film blends absurdity with real emotional stakes
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• Bill and Ted’s evolution as aging rock dads brings new heart to the story
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• We explore themes of generational legacy, creative burnout, and collaboration
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• Time travel as a metaphor for growth and reflection
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• Friendship, failure, and what it means to finish the song — even when the clock’s running out
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Bill and Ted Face the Music, Bill and Ted podcast, Movie Wars podcast, Evan Berke comedian, Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, time travel movies, nostalgic movies, reboots and sequels, Bill and Ted trilogy, comedy podcasts, film analysis, 80s movies revisited, cinematic legacy, movie commentary, generational storytelling, cult film finales, comedy and heart

We’re back for part two of our deep dive into the Bill and Ted trilogy, and this time we’re tackling Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey with our guest, stand-up comedian Evan Berke. This sequel takes a wild left turn from the goofy time-travel fun of the original and dives headfirst into the afterlife—with robot clones, evil versions of our heroes, and one of the greatest portrayals of Death in movie history. We talk about how the tone shifts hard, why that works (or doesn’t), and why this movie’s weirdness might actually make it the boldest entry in the franchise. From wild production design to surprisingly heavy themes, we make the case that Bogus Journey deserves more love than it gets.

A thoughtful exploration of the cinematic sequel, this installment of Movie Wars delves into the second film of the Bill and Ted series, Bogus Journey, featuring Nashville comedian Evan Berke. The discussion foregrounds the film's departure from the comedic structure of its predecessor, pivoting instead towards a darker, more philosophical narrative. The hosts dissect the film's thematic elements, notably the exploration of death and the afterlife, while contrasting it with the lighthearted time travel escapades of the first film. They reflect on the creative choices made in both the screenplay and direction, emphasizing how these choices contribute to a unique viewing experience that diverges from the expected norms of typical sequels. The episode also showcases the nostalgic appeal of the film, with each host sharing personal anecdotes that reveal their evolving perceptions of Bogus Journey as they revisit it in adulthood. By analyzing character development and the introduction of new figures, such as Death played by William Sadler, the hosts provide an in-depth critique that highlights the film's strengths and weaknesses, ultimately celebrating its place in the pantheon of cult classic cinema.

Takeaways:

• In this podcast episode, we delve into the darker themes presented in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, highlighting the significant tonal shift from the original movie.
• Evan Berke's insights on the film's production design offer a fascinating look at how the sequel expanded the universe established in the first film.
• The discussion emphasizes the way the characters of Bill and Ted have evolved, showcasing their growth while maintaining their core identities.
• Listeners learned about the distinctive creative choices made in Bogus Journey, particularly the incorporation of spiritual elements as opposed to time travel.
• The episode also touches on the importance of supporting characters, noting how they contribute to the overall narrative and emotional weight of the film.
• The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with the film, revealing how initial perceptions of Bogus Journey have changed over time, leading to newfound appreciation.

Legendary Nashville comedian Evan Berke graces our podcast to delve into his cherished cinematic trilogy, "Bill and Ted." The discourse commences with a profound appreciation for the simplicity and charm of these films, particularly their unique blend of time travel and buddy comedy. We explore the intricacies of character development and the underlying themes of friendship and aspiration that resonate throughout the series. Berke's insights illuminate how these seemingly frivolous narratives encapsulate deeper truths about personal growth and the pursuit of dreams. Furthermore, we take a moment to recommend his stand-up special, "Twice Removed," an endeavor that showcases his comedic prowess and offers a delightful complement to the conversation at hand.

Takeaways:

• Evan Berke passionately discusses the cultural significance and personal impact of the 'Bill and Ted' trilogy on his life and career as a comedian.
• The podcast highlights the unique blend of comedy and time travel in 'Bill and Ted', setting it apart from traditional buddy comedies of the 1980s era.
• The speakers reflect on the depth and complexity of the characters in 'Bill and Ted', revealing how they are more than just stoner caricatures.
• Evan emphasizes the importance of George Carlin's contribution to the films, noting how his presence elevated the material and added a layer of wisdom.
• The discussion includes insights into the film's production, including its unexpected success and the chemistry between the lead actors, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.
• The podcast concludes with a reflection on the enduring legacy of 'Bill and Ted', acknowledging its influence on subsequent films in the buddy comedy genre.