Chasing Chevy Chase Podcast

Surf’s up, Chase fans! In this episode of the Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, Mike White, Chris Stachiw, and Mark Begley take a detour to sunny Southern California with a deep dive into Orange County (2002). Penned by (the other) Mike White and directed by Jake Kadan, the film is packed with  a stacked cast including Colin Hanks, Jack Black, and Catherine O’Hara. The crew discusses the film and its wheedling protagonist as well as Chevy's fleeting cameo. 

In this episode of Chasing Chevy Chase, hosts Mike White, Mark Begley, and Chris Stachiw dive into Fletch (1985), the comedy that solidified Chevy Chase as a comedy icon. Directed by Michael Ritchie and based on Gregory McDonald’s bestselling novel, this film gave Chase one of his most beloved roles as the wisecracking investigative reporter Irwin M. Fletcher. From the film's sharp dialogue to its quirky disguises and unforgettable one-liners, we explore how Fletch became a cult classic and why it still stands tall in Chase's storied career.

Directed by William Friedkin and written by Paul Brickman, Deal of the Century (1983) is another disappointing entry in Chevy Chase's filmography. He's playing slick arms dealer Eddie Muntz who lucks his way into the titular "deal of the century" where he's partnered with Catherine DeVoto (Sigourney Weaver). His other partner, Ray Kasternak (Gregory Hines), is a loose canon who has an ill-timed spiritual awakening.

In this episode of The Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, we take a deep dive into National Lampoon's Vacation, the iconic 1983 road trip comedy.

Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) explore Chevy Chase's performance as the well-meaning but hapless Clark Griswold, determined to take his family on the ultimate cross-country adventure to Wally World. We discuss the film's impact on pop culture, its memorable comedic moments, its original ending, and why Vacation remains a timeless favorite in the world of comedy. 

You think you've got problems?  Well, Chevy Chase has MODERN PROBLEMS in this 1981 film from Chevy's old friend Tom Shapiro.   As air traffic controller Max Fiedler, Chevy loses his girlfriend (Patti D'Arbanville) while being berated by a self-help guru (Dabney Coleman) in a movie that can't decide if it's science fiction or spiritual horror. 

Join Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) as they continue to deep dive into the filmography of Chevy Chase. 

We're taking a little break from the chronological Chevy Chase filmography to explore a later film where he makes a memorable appearance, Bob Saget's Dirty Work (1998).  The film is a Norm MacDonald vehicle wherein he and his pal (Artie Lang) open a business to pull pranks.  It's a thin concept and the results are uneven at best.

Surprisingly, not the nadir of Chevy Chase's career but it might be close!  Steve Rash's Under the Rainbow, a fictionalized recounting of the little people actors from The Wizard of Oz taking over a hotel across from the MGM soundstages. Against this event is story of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand's son being hunted by the son of Gavrilo Princip (Robert Donner). Fortunately, the Duke is protected by Bruce Thorpe (Chevy Chase), his intrepid guard.  

Chevy's hot streak of 1980 continues with his second pairing with Goldie Hawn.  This time she's an attorney married to Charles Grodin.  Meanwhile, Chevy Chase is her estranged husband who gets set up as a bank robber.  It's a complicated screwball comedy from writer Neil Simon where Chevy spends half the film hiding under beds. 

Mark, Chris, and Mike continue their deep dive into the films of Chevy Chase with one of his biggest hits when he played golf enthusiast Ty Webb in Harold Ramis's seminal slobs vs. snobs comedy Caddyshack. A rather odd mix of talents, Chase was in danger of being eclipsed by his fellow actors, especially Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray, and a gopher. 

Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) host the Chasing Chevy Chase Podcast! Join us on an exciting journey through the illustrious career of this comedy icon as we explore his groundbreaking roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and timeless contributions to the world of entertainment.

On our official first episode we're discussing Joe Camp and his Benji Empire which includes the film Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980) in which Chevy plays a private dick who is killed on a case and gets sent back to Earth not as Warren Beatty but Benji the dog.  He tries to solve the case of his own murder and continue wooing Jane Seymour. 

Get ready to dive deep into the life, career, and unforgettable moments of the one and only Chevy Chase!

Join us on an exciting journey through the illustrious career of this comedy icon as we explore his groundbreaking roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and timeless contributions to the world of entertainment.

Each episode of the "Chasing Chevy Chase podcast" brings you expert analysis, and nostalgic reflections on Chevy Chase's most iconic characters in classic films like "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Caddyshack," and "Fletch."

Whether you're a die-hard Chevy Chase aficionado or simply curious about the man behind the laughter, "Chasing Chevy Chase" is your go-to podcast for all things Chevy Chase.

Tune in and join the conversation as we celebrate the life and legacy of a true Hollywood legend.

Don't miss out! Subscribe now to "Chasing Chevy Chase" wherever you get your podcasts, and let the adventure begin!