DiscoverThe Last LaughRob Reiner: Trump, Elon, and ‘Spinal Tap 2’
Rob Reiner: Trump, Elon, and ‘Spinal Tap 2’

Rob Reiner: Trump, Elon, and ‘Spinal Tap 2’

Update: 2025-09-17
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Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Rob Reiner has directed some of the most beloved and acclaimed films in Hollywood history. But he had never directed a sequel until ‘Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.’ In this episode, Reiner breaks down why he decided to reunite with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer for one last mockumentary 41 years after they invented the genre with ‘This Is Spinal Tap.’ He talks about how the comedy of the film has evolved now that they are in their 70s and 80s, and the secret to playing the straight man opposite someone as effortlessly funny as Guest. Reiner also gets into the state of America under Trump 2.0, how Elon Musk drove him away from Twitter, and what he learned about being a politically outspoken celebrity from Norman Lear and Jane Fonda. Finally, he reflects on his relationship with his late father Carl Reiner, recalls the first time he met Mel Brooks, and considers the enduring legacy of classic films like ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘When Harry Met Sally.’


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Rob Reiner: Trump, Elon, and ‘Spinal Tap 2’

Rob Reiner: Trump, Elon, and ‘Spinal Tap 2’