Blank Check with Griffin & David
Episode: National Lampoon's European Vacation with Jon Gabrus
Release Date: May 11, 2025
Summary
In this episode of Blank Check with Griffin & David, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims, along with producer Ben Hosley, embark on an in-depth exploration of National Lampoon's European Vacation. Featuring guest Jon Gabrus, the discussion navigates through the film's intricacies, its place within Chevy Chase's illustrious career, and the broader impact on the National Lampoon franchise.
1. Introduction to European Vacation
The episode kicks off with a humorous examination of the movie's tagline and poster, setting the tone for a detailed analysis.
- Ben Hosley ([00:48]): "This movie has a great kind of golden age of poster taglines."
- Griffin Newman ([00:56]): "For over 2000 years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test. Chevy Chase and his family are coming from America."
The trio discusses the playful yet descriptive nature of the tagline, emphasizing its role in encapsulating the film's essence.
2. Chevy Chase: Star Power and Character Dynamics
A significant portion of the episode delves into Chevy Chase's dual portrayal of characters and his unique star persona.
- Griffin Newman ([01:08]): "And using Chevy and not Clark Griswold is… is of the time."
- David Sims ([15:10]): "To me, it's a toss-up. It's difficult to choose between Fletch and Christmas Vacation."
They explore how Chevy Chase's versatility allows him to oscillate between the smarmy, wise-cracking Fletch and the hapless, well-intentioned Clark Griswold. This duality is highlighted as a cornerstone of his enduring appeal.
3. Production Insights and Director's Challenges
Ben Hosley provides behind-the-scenes insights, particularly focusing on director Amy Heckerling's experiences and challenges during production.
- Amy Heckerling ([56:35]): "I was extremely miserable working on it. It was a train wreck. It was impossible."
- Griffin Newman ([56:45]): "I think she is the archetype that most of those videos are riffing on."
Heckerling's candid remarks reveal the tumultuous environment on set, especially her strained relationship with Chevy Chase, which ultimately affected the film's outcome.
4. Box Office Performance and Reception
The hosts analyze the movie's financial performance and its reception compared to its predecessors.
- Ben Hosley ([147:36]): "It ends up at a domestic total of $49 million. Not bad."
- Griffin Newman ([141:41]): "And it's still a poster, but it's him being electrocuted."
While European Vacation did achieve moderate box office success, it didn't quite match the acclaim or financial triumph of the original National Lampoon's Vacation. The discussion touches on factors like changing audience tastes and the film's attempt to replicate the original's magic.
5. Cultural Impact and Stereotypes
A critical examination of how the film portrays European cultures through the lens of American tourists forms a central theme.
- Ben Hosley ([93:00]): "He's so excited about reconnecting with his heritage, but he ends up causing chaos."
- David Sims ([93:46]): "It's an anti-American and anti-European satire."
The conversation highlights the movie's use of exaggerated stereotypes, balancing humor with subtle critiques of American cultural imperialism during vacations abroad.
6. Personal Anecdotes and Reflections
Griffin and David share personal stories related to family vacations, drawing parallels between their experiences and the film's narrative.
- Griffin Newman ([26:12]): "Bringing kids on vacation is a huge hassle. You don't have any fun so far is my experience."
- David Sims ([26:28]): "Yes. And they get not much out of it, right?"
These reflections add a relatable dimension to the discussion, emphasizing the universal challenges and comedic mishaps that come with family vacations.
7. Legacy and Future of the Franchise
The episode concludes with a contemplation of the National Lampoon franchise's legacy and future installments.
- Ben Hosley ([149:08]): "He likes how angry this movie is. I like that this movie is the most invested in the hell of the trip."
- Griffin Newman ([142:29]): "Vacation didn't do well. And I was like, huh?"
The hosts discuss the enduring legacy of the Vacation series, pondering the potential for future sequels and spin-offs amidst the franchise's fluctuating reputation.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Griffin Newman ([00:56]): "We love a good multi sentence tagline."
- Ben Hosley ([07:03]): "It's produced by Ben Hosley."
- David Sims ([15:10]): "It's difficult to choose between Fletch and Christmas Vacation."
- Amy Heckerling ([56:35]): "I do think he's an asshole."
- David Sims ([93:46]): "It's an anti-American and anti-European satire."
- Griffin Newman ([26:12]): "I don't give a. I have to do. I gotta go."
- Ben Hosley ([147:36]): "It ends up at a domestic total of $49 million. Not bad."
Conclusion
National Lampoon's European Vacation serves as a fascinating case study in franchise evolution, star dynamics, and cultural satire. Through their engaging and humorous discussion, Griffin and David offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the film's place in cinema history and Chevy Chase's career trajectory. The episode underscores the delicate balance between maintaining franchise integrity and adapting to changing audience expectations.
Additional Resources:
- Podcast Website: blankcheckpod.com
- Patreon: Blank Check Special Features
- Newsletter: Checkbook on Substack
- Social Media: @checkpod
Note: All timestamps are approximate and correspond to the excerpts included in the summary.