Rob Reiner in Conversation with Alan Zweibel: The Story of Spinal Tap

Join award-winning director Rob Reiner as he tells the story behind his rock ’n’ roll comedy classic, This Is Spinal Tap, and it’s long awaited just released sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues — a conversation about his new book, A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap, with award-winning comedy writer Alan Zweibel.  

In person and streaming.

In 1984, Rob Reiner teamed up with comedians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer to create a new kind of comedy — a fake documentary about ficticious rock ‘n’ roll band called Spinal Tap. The film, This Is Spinal Tap, pioneered a new genre — the mockumentary — and has since evolved from a beloved cult film into a cinematic landmark that has taken its place in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. Now, for the first time, Reiner shares the story of how he and his friends cranked their low-budget indie film up to 11 — creating a comedy classic with a life of its own.

Just in time for the release of the long-awaited Spinal Tap II, hear Reiner and Zweibel discuss the genesis of the film, the band, and a new kind of comedy — from exploding drummers to collaborating with real-life rock legends like Elton John and Paul McCartney to stories from behind the scenes, and much more.

Purchased in-person tickets include an autographed copy of the book which when you flip over, you’ll discover the B-side: Smell the Book, an oral history by Tap’s own Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, conducted by director Marty DiBergi.

https://www.92ny.org/event/rob-reiner