I'm Mike Bender, writer of Not Another Teen Movie, and I've just written "The Kid, The Troll, The Wolf and The Hearse: A Parody for Cynical Bastards." AMA and I mean anything!

“Not Another Teen Movie” is without a doubt one of my favorite comedies of all time, so first off, thank you for that.

What was the process like for you and the other writers trying to distill and send up the cliches of the genre, while still having the movie feel like a loving tribute all the same? It’s a tricky balance, but you pulled it off!

thank you so much the first step to any parody is to truly understand the genre and do a ton of research then you have to really respect the material that you're parodying and then you can start to write the jokes I think it was the same process for this book and it had to start with respecting the original material.

Do you have a favorite joke from NATM?

Yes it's when Priscilla played by Jamie Presley pours the water on Janey and someone offscreen yells that's gonna stain. It was an offscreen line but my favorite stand out joke of the movie.

When Chris Evans was cast in No Another Teen Movie, did you know he was gonna be America’s Ass?

yes that's why we stuck a banana in it

I don't know if you'll remember this, but around a year ago you did another AMA and I told you how rewatching it was the first time I laughed after my wife's recent passing. I then asked you to buy me and my crew members lunch.

You pulled through, and I've been thankful as fuck for the last year.

Would you be interested in knowing I'm doing much better this year? Still alive, finding ways to move on, even found myself a potential Chapter Two.

Gotta throw questions in to make this a viable post, and all.

Would you believe I almost got myself in trouble by quoting one of my favorite scenes from the movie? I ended up getting ahead of it, so no problems. But the two guys calling Mitch whacked for pretending to be Asian... Always makes me laugh, and thank you for that.

Yes!!! I totally do and it brings me so much joy to hear from you again and to know that you are well and thriving.

Yes, I can believe it these days, but you just have to explain the joke was meant to be ironic. And then if that doesn't work, run.

Did you expect that this would be the first movie my father took my sister and I to when he got out of prison after 10 years? We were 13 years old at the time and it is still one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

How do you think someone removed from society for 10 years responsed to seeing a snot filled make out scene between two women while trying to re bond with his estranged children went? Because, I was there and still don't know. It's a favorite memory of mine though. So thank you.

I definitely did not expect that. But I'm honored to know that after being behind bars, that is how he chose to assimilate back into society. I can only imagine that after seeing the movie he wanted thought to himself, what the hell has happened out here? I think that is a hilarious memory though and will go down as one of my favorite NATM stories. Thank you for sharing.

Do you have a favorite Teen movie? Mine is probably still 16 Candles even though a good many of the jokes have not all aged well.

for sure. long duck is not okay anymore.

my favorite has always been fast times.

What’s your favorite part of NOTM?

Mines when Jaime Presley was being a real bitch and pouring water all over the girl with glasses and a pony tail after she jumped in the pool.

yes I especially love the part where someone yells off screen that's gonna stain.

I love all of the off screen comments in NATM. There’s so many and you don’t catch them unless you watch it a shit load of times

yeah we had so much fun coming up with those and many were on the spot as we were listening to the scenes. but that's what it makes it fun, it adds another layer, so that if you watch it a bunch of times, you find something random and wonderful.

Literally my favorite joke in anything, ever. It still brings a huge smile to my face, no matter what I'm doing.

That joke has gotten me through so much tough stuff, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

thank you so much! it is the joke i'm most proud of.

yes I especially love the part where someone yells off screen "that's gonna stain"

Thank you for making what was probably the last, true great spoof movie.

Do you think there is a place nowadays for them to make a revival?

I honestly believe a love for the subject matter is what elevated NATM, Top Secret, Airplane etc.

And now I have 'Prom tonight' stuck in my head again!

thank you so much. It's always so much fun to come on to read it and hear from people love the movie. I don't know if there will ever be a revival but I sort of think it's better to leave a good thing alone. And now I to have prom tonight stuck in my head.

Speaking of things that were popular twenty years ago: How do you feel about the current lack of a Celebrity Deathmatch redux?

im generally conflicted about a redux for anything classic and even the spelling of the word redux.

I'm late to this AMA but I always wanted to know, did you choose the name Janey then put in the Janie's got a gun joke, or was she named that so you could have that joke? It's one of my favourite comedy movie moments.

I believe we came up with the name Janey first and then it was just too perfect not to use Janie's Got A Gun.

What are some of your favorite parodies, and why is it Blazing Saddles?

I have a bunch but I'd have to say top-secret and airplane with the two movies I couldn't get enough of as a kid. Blazing saddles I didn't get to see until I was older but it is pure genius and one of the greats.

Do you know a little german?

yes he's sitting over there

It’s like some kind of bad movie…

You mean like Ishtar?

How many rewrites did you go through for NATM? How many rewrites are standard for something like that?

for the studio probably five or six but for me personally, hundreds. It's a constant process of adding and refining the jokes.

Eddie, are you married, single, divorced, and what is the hardest part of any relationship?

i have a date on thursday at the pub so we'll see. the hardest part is the relationship itself.

That's what I'm here for, pumpkin tits.

Mike: Love it, wrote that whole scene on set. Thank you for reminding me.

Good luck!

eddie: piss off.

the question is, are you into anal?

Eddie: not in the pub

Did you know Jake was going to grow up to be Cpt. America?

I knew that he was going to be a Captain of something, but I didn't know it would America.

Captain Trinidad and Tabago just didn’t seem like a good fit

From what I know, Capt T&T also has a great ass.

Was that a real dildo? The action on it seemed…. Aggressive.

Definitely not made for pleasure, but a genius creation from prop master, JP.

I watched Not Another Teen Movie on repeat for years. Thank you for the chuckles!

Were there any scenes that had a million takes because the cast couldn’t stop laughing?

Great question! The scene with the original breakfast club principal (Paul Gleason) was amazing to watch because Paul came in character and it was like we were still in the movie. So much fun to watch and so funny.

He was a famous clown?

Bobo. So stupid but I'm very proud of that one.

Thank you for making Not Another Teen Movie.

What do you think helped you make a great product and what is the hardest part of straddling that line of being a well received spoof movie vs something like "Meet The Spartans"?

all of the great parodies still manage to have an engaging story line and respect for the movies they are parodying. i learned so much from watching movies like airplane which if you go back and re watch, you'll see there's so much more story in there than you think a spoof should have. but just because it's a spoof, you still want to care for the characters. i never saw meet the spartans, but it sounds terrible.

Hello, Reddit!!! Please feel free to ask questions of either Mike Bender or Eddie Ornery.

For your next work, can you do a parody of You'd Be Surprised or The Gringo Papi by Brendan Schaub?

I have to do a little research on that but why the hell not

Okay, but how many chiggs ya fugg, B?

i fugg like 3?

Damn Bapa, you must have a piece on ya.

oh bapa, you can't even imagine where this piece has been

Neggflix, B!

B! I love to Neggflix&Eat Shrimp!

Let's play video games and fugg each other at night then.

Let's just play video games

Mike, how did you get a studio to back Not Another Teen Movie and what's your fascination with long titles?

I wasn't a part of getting the studio involved since I was just a young writer at the time and I think it's fun to make people say a lot of words.

Is there a topic you would not joke about?

Yes, I stay away from jokes about race these days. I think a lot of mistakes have been made in the past, especially looking back at John Hughes movies.

Why do they call it oven when you of in the cold food of out hot eat the food?

Confusing question is to me sure not.

Awkward Family Photos—did you see foresee the success of it? What's your advice for starting a successful internet business that's not porn?

There are no successful internet businesses other than porn that I am aware of.

I love NATM. What joke(s) were you surprised you were able to get away with? Are there any bits you were distraught about having to cut?

If you could take a shit on or off of a famous landmark, what would you pick?

I was surprised that we were able to get away with Mia Kirshner saying, take a dump on my chest. That certainly should've been flagged by someone. We actually had the studio's support to go as far as we wanted. I can't recall a cut that I would want back in the film.

Great question and I've been hoping to answer this for quite some time. I think it would be a real thrill to take a shit in the Trevi Fountain. How about you?

Thanks for the answers. I think dropping a log from atop the Arc de Triomphe would be pretty awesome.

that would be amazing especially if you could do it so it doesn't roll off

I would kind of want it to fall and splat on the ground.

there really is no downside

Thank you for Not Another Teen Movie, my wife and I JUST watched it the other night! 20 years later and we were still laughing (especially all the joke-comments added from off-screen).

Question: If you had an unlimited budget, what would be the passion project you'd wish to create?

Thank you for watching the movie again and in many ways we had to write an entirely new script just for all of the off screen comments which added so much wonderful randomness at the very end of the process.

​

Believe it or not, if I had unlimited budget, I would make a movie that I wrote for Sony more than 20 years ago about a group of Trick or Treaters who get their candy stolen every year and decide that this year they're taking back Halloween. It's written like a Western and was a passion project. I tried to get the book rights back from Sony to make a graphic novel but those bastards wouldn't do it. Random I know.

That actully sounds awesome!
I love combining opposing genras, especially where you take something childish (like having taking back the stolen candy) and cross it with the seriousness and tone (like a western). I remember seeing Rian Johnson's film, Brick, and although it had a more serious tone, the moments when the mom interrupts the serious interrigation was hysterical.
Have you seen The Kid Detective(2020)?
One of the reason's I loved Teen Movie was it's ability to do smart "dumb" humor. Like the early Simpsons, or 30 Rock. Plus it also helps that I graduated Highschool right around the time the movie came out. Chris Evans was the perfect casting. Not to mention Chyler Leigh (Janie) had such great timing. I was expecting to see her alot more in films. That scene where she's crying, had my friends and I in TEARS.

Do you think we'll ever get to see the Halloween film? Would you ever consider making it independently? (I've done storyboards for animation and short horror films, and if you need an extra set of hands, I'm in!)

Haven't seen The Kid Detective but will definitely check it out. Thank you for the kind words about NATM, that was our goal...to keep it as smart/dumb as possible. Chyler is amazing and has found a lot of success in the TV world. I really hope the Halloween film makes it to the screen someday and if it does, look for a message in your inbox. :)

Also, Id love to parody the Hallmark and Netflix Christmas movies.

Please find a way to make these happen.

If it's the last thing I do...he says, holding Moses staff in the air.

Here is your kernel for Xmas flick. A shlubby American is tracked down by the Irish government as the last heir to a storied whiskey distillery. "Christmas in Cork"

Love it. You just got a co-producer credit.

Hi Mike! Did you ever get to meet Paul Gleason? I loved the treatment you did for him, really let him take the piss out of his old Breakfast Club character.

"I own you for the rest of your natural lives, you're mine!"

I was lucky enough to meet Paul and he was as awesome as you would think.

How do you feel about wet hot american summer, another lovely parody movie?

Love it and I had the honor of working with David Wain on the MTV Movie Awards. Definitely a fan of the movie.

Why was your parody movie so much better than a lot of the other ones? And do you have plans to eventually do another - maybe like a Not Another Superhero Movie? Hell, you could even have it star Chris Evans again!

I can't say why it was better but I am and always have been a student of really good parody. I think the story has to work and the jokes have to work even if you haven't seen the original movies. I would love to write another but the film industry has changed quite a bit and that's why I have moved online and to book projects like this. I have more freedom to do what I want.

Was there a person you modeled Eddie After?

I thought a lot about Bizarro Superman and how I wanted to create the same for Charlie Mackesy, the author of the original book mine is parodying

What is the book about?

I wrote it because I felt like people that are cynical bastards have been inundated with way too much positivity these days :)

Finally a book for me!

Cynical bastards need content too!

If you could chose one type of duck to have as a pet what type would you chose? I would personally choose a harlequin duck. I feel they are the most mesmerizing species.

if you can mix it with a poodle then I'm in

I believe Not Another Teen Movie was partially filmed at Monrovia High School, my high school. I just wanted to know if you had any part in choosing that location and if so, what made you choose it? Thanks for doing the ama!

True. All of the football scenes. Wasn't my choice but a good one!

Eddie, what are you having for lunch??

Pint.

What's your favorite page in the book?

the last one because when i got to it, i was done.

So are your through with writing or can we see more of your work in the future?

question for mike or eddie?

I like spongebob?

no, trick question you like bob's burgers

Game of thrones parody ?

I think the show at times is kind of a parody...don't you?

Eddie, favorite football team?

Stoke City

Mike and Eddie, any advice for dating on apps these days? I'm having terrible luck.

eddie: dont do appetizers. they're too fucking expensive.

This question is for Eddie. Sex Pistols or the Clash?

Joe Cocker

How does Eddie (or you) feel about the timeless classic, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?"

Eddie, too many pages.

Mike, I actually only got to read this for the first time a year ago and absolutely loved it. I'm catching up on all the cult classics as an adult

I still love the musical number from NATM... Prom Tonight is a jam.. and the unrated cut really takes it home. And who would have thought you would have wrote Chris Evan's greatest role... ;) Thank you for one of my fav movies, because that movie makes me laugh tons.

That said.... With the new thing being multiverses in hollywood (By the way.. did you see fucking Everything Everywhere All At Once? That movie is incredible) would you have any interest in a crazy multiverse parody movie?

Thank you!

Wow, that would be amazing to parody the multiverse and so confusing, but Im sort of into it.

Have you tried making pizza bread at home?

It is very easy and delicious. I chose to shop locally when getting a pizza stone. Make sure your yeast is active before using it by putting it into 120°f water and looking for a reaction after about 5 minutes. You will want you get your oven up to 550°f or as hot as it will go for 45 minutes to an hour with your seasoned pizza stone. Never put a cold stone into a hot oven. Aging your dough for up to a week can bring out a lot of flavour.

Sir, my yeast is always active.

That's all I needed to know.

thank you for what was clearly the most insightful and delicious comment

Do you like pickles?

where?

Dealer's choice....

betwixt something is always nice

what about you?

Hey Mike, have you ever ordered from Bad Dragon?

I've had their spaghetti but I don't like the marinara sauce.

Do you like bread?

yes, but only when it's on a muffin.

How much money do you make a year? And/Or better yet how much money have you made from writing since 2018?

Since 2018 I've made just a little bit more than you could fit in a bread box.

Just wanted to say there are times where I’ll randomly burst out laughing thinking about the detention scene in NATM.

“Your mother was a” “Ho” “He was a famous clown” “Bo-Bo”

Were there other lines that didn’t make the final cut?

You know, we were very lucky because so much of what we filmed made it into the final movie. The studio was very supportive. I remember writing a lot of that scene on the spot becausePaul Gleason had some ideas which were actually really funny. But the run you see in the movie is exactly what was written.

Can we still have great parodies like NATM and those along the lines of Zucker Abrahams and Zucker? What is your comedy writing team name?

I think we can if the fans demanded and currently it is Bender ornery.

What were your nicknames when you were a teenager?

no butt Bender, Bend her over and bendy

What’s your favorite sandwich condiment?

doll hair

Delicious

especially w mustard

What are your thoughts on the 2011 crime drama film Rampart?

I've totally heard of the movie but haven't seen it. Going to have to go back and watch it. Will report back!

Hey there Mike!

First I just wanna say I still love this movie and probably watch it waaaay too much. Whenever I need something funny in the background that I don’t need to focus on, NATM is a go to.

My question is: how much push back, if any, did you get on all the female masturbation scenes/references? I feel like movies and tv aren’t as open about women masturbating and it’s really refreshing how much it’s talked about here.

Thanks for doing this and I can’t wait to read your book!

i agree and as I recall there where a lot of legal questions and debate about the shape of the dildo.it was always funny see an email from sony legal with the subject, dildo

I hope you printed the emails out and framed them!

i keep them in a very special lock box!

thank you for supporting the book

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tinto-press/tinto-press-2022-kickstarter

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I've done it, yes of course, but not for any scientific purpose.

Eddie, a lot of successful people have great morning routines. How do you like to start your day to get the most out of it?

piss.

full stream or roll it out slow?

comes out in chunks these days.

I think you have your next book: chunky piss

could have been a good joe cocker tune. rip.

Eddie, who is "the Kid"? Is the kid a boy? Is that you as a child?

The kid is a kid. I don't know what the hell he or she or they is and I don't care

How often do you go on a bender?

Every single day of my life.

I may be too late on this one, but my wife was an extra in Not Another Teen Movie! She’s in the painting class scene as a background extra! She’s also in one of the hallway shots real quick! I guess since I have to ask a question, can I be a background extra sometime just so I can share in her glory?

Amazing! Please tell your wife I said hello and thank you. I'm sure we passed each other at the craft services table. And yes, if I ever get to do it again, you will be my first call!

What's it like having the surname 'Bender'?

thankfully, Futurama and breakfast club have made it cooler than it probably was originally.

thanks to the breakfast club and Futurama it has been not too bad.

Hey Mike, first, I LOVE Not Another Teen Movie. There isn't another genre parody around that comes close. Period.

Are there any gags/jokes/scenes that were cut by the censors that really hurt to cut out? Any scenes that you'd go back and cut?

And remember, you mess with the bull, you get the horns!

Ha! Paul Gleason would be proud. you know, several people have asked the same question and I'm trying to think of a scene that was Cut that I would've wanted back in the movie. The studio was very willing to let us push the boundaries so I feel like the scenes that meant the most to me stayed in the movie. thank you again for the kind words. It's so cool to see that this movie is still loved.

What do you think your favorite scene from Not Another Teen Movie is? The "Jeani's got a gun" scene personally comes to mind randomly and cracks me up all this time later.

definitely one of my faves but I am most proud of the slow clapper.

I watched this movie a few months back (Still hilarious) and i always find it fun to watch older movies because you forget what actors/actresses had roles in the movie.

I personally forgot Josh Radnor was in the movie!

Other then Chris Evan's stand out success with Capt America, who has surprised you or did you expect to make it "big"?

​

P.S. Unnecessary slow claps always trigger this movie for me =)

Thank you for bringing up the slow clap, it's one of my favorite jokes in the movie. I think it's been fun to watch Lacey Chabert's career, she's now one of Hallmark's Christmas movie's biggest stars. Everyone in the movie was so talented, that I'm not surprised to see so much success. We actually did a TV pilot for Not Another High School TV show and Jennifer Lawrence was an extra!

All I can think about during the Americas Ass bit in Endgame is Captain America walking away with a banana sticking out of his ass. How do you feel about this fact?

Well I suppose somewhere in the multiverse, we just knew it sooner than they did.

Mike, great job directing Bill Burr's special Paper Tiger. What was that like, and would you consider directing more comedy discussions in future?

Not me. Perhaps it was my nemesis, Mike Binder?

Are you familiar with the true story of Gamestop and its fight against the wall street mafia? If not, take a listen to The gamestop saga soundtrack and get brought up to speed!

Eddie: I love speed