Wet Hot American Summer is a camp comedy about the shenanigans that occur on the last day of a summer camp. Even though the film flopped during its initial release in 2001, it found a cult following that included two Netflix series 14 years later.

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Created by David Wain and Michael Showalter, Wet Hot American Summer knows exactly what kind of comedy it is, as it never takes itself too seriously. With a collective cast of future comedy stars and one Academy Award winner, the movie is filled with hilarious one-liners and memorable quotes. Whether it’s Andy’s perfect breakup excuse or one of Gene’s personal quips, the camp satire continues to make fans laugh.

When Beth Reminds McKinely About The Kids

"There Are Some Lower Campers Stuck In The Ropes Course. I Meant To Tell You About That Yesterday, But Could You Get To It Now?"

Beth at Camp in Wet Hot American Summer.

From the very beginning, it is clear that the camp counselors of Camp Firewood are terrible at their job. They are, after all, self-indulgent teenagers. But it is surprising that the camp director, played by Janeane Garofalo, is also bad at what she does. 

This is obvious when, during a meeting with the counselors, she brings up that there are kids stuck in the rope course. The fact that the kids have been trapped for a day seems cruel, but at Camp Firewood, it makes sense. It is also in the way that Garofalo delivers the line so nonchalantly that makes the moment stand out. 

When Susie Shows Her Disgust At The Musical Auditions

"I Feel Like I'm Watching Regional Theatre."

Susie glares at a camper in Wet Hot American Summer.

The same year that Amy Poehler joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, she joined the collective cast of this camp comedy. Alongside future star Bradley Cooper, the two play highly enthusiastic theater kids who decide to put on a musical performance at the talent show. 

One of the many funny running gags in Wet Hot American Summer is how invested Susie and Ben in their musical craft. Poehler has a lot of hilarious lines regarding the musical show, including when she throws a tantrum in front of Beth, but it's her regional theater line during the auditions scene that stands out the most.

When Andy Tells Lindsay It's Over

"You Taste Like A Burger. I Don't Like You Anymore."

Andy and Lindsay hold each other in Wet Hot American Summer.

Andy, played by Paul Rudd,  is the cool camp counselor who always seems to throw a tantrum, A true ladies' man, he is more concerned with romancing women than paying attention to the kids. Halfway through the film, during one of his many make-out sessions with Lindsay, Andy abruptly stops and blurts out the best reason to break up with someone. 

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Rudd’s facial expression as he delivers the line is executed perfectly, making his performance one of his best-supporting roles. The scene that follows, where he takes another kid out somewhere and leaves him on the side of the road, is absolutely priceless.

When Beth Gets Frantic

"The Phone! The Phone! Where's The F***ing Phone?"

Beth and Neil search for the phone in Wet Hot American Summer.

The last day of camp is coming to a close, and while most of the camp is busy with the talent show, a group of kids is about to go over a canyon. Victor, the only one who can read a map, has left the kids to return to camp. Neil, the other person in charge, has left the kids to find Victor.

Time is running out and in one of the most ridiculous moments in the film, Beth and Neil flip out. The quick shots of the outrageously over-the-top performances by the two characters, as well as the kids slowly reaching the cliff is genius. Everything about this scene, from Neil causing a mess to Beth screaming about the phone, is pure nonsense, and that’s the beauty of the film.

Gene And His Many Unfiltered Moments

"Now Finish You Them Taters. I'm Gonna Go Fondle My Sweaters."

Christopher Meloni in Wet Hot American Summer

Christopher Meloni is best known as Detective Stabler on Law And Order: Special Victims Unit. But in Wet Hot American Summer, Meloni plays Gene, the camp cook. He delivers some of the best lines as the Vietnam vet who has a tendency to blurt out his weird desires to anyone who will listen. 

In one of these moments, Gary is peeling potatoes when Gene pops up behind him. After delivering some snide comments, Gene utters this line. Of course, it’s not what he means to say and Gary quickly calls him out on it. The way Gene tries to come back from this line is one of the many reasons why Meloni’s character is hilariously memorable.

When Keith Turns An Insult Around

“Douche-Bags Are Hygienic Products. I Take That As A Compliment.”

Keith with a cape on in Wet Hot American Summer.

While most of the comedy comes from the main cast of camp counselors, a few funny lines are delivered by the kids. One of these memorable lines is by Keith Stat from Millburn, New Jersey, the Dungeons & Dragons master.

During breakfast, Keith, who is wearing a cape, waltzes up to one of the girls’ tables and confidently flirts with them. He asks if any of them would like to play D & D and sets his eyes on Alexa, who has cast a level 5 charm spell on him. When she calls him a douchebag, Keith comes back with this line. Keith nudging his glasses upward and walking away as confident as before makes the scene stand out.

After The Camp Counselors Return From Town

"It's Always Fun To Get Away From Camp, Even For An Hour."

McKinley Riding In The Car in Wet Hot American Summer.

One of the most absurd scenes in the film comes mid-way through when Beth and some of the camp counselors go into town. When Beth wants to impress Henry by going to the library to do some astrophysics research, Coop, Susie, McKinley, JJ and Katie tag along. 

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The outing appears pleasant, with the counselors getting ice cream and stuffing their faces with french fries, but it quickly turns into a dark quest to find drugs. JJ and Beth rob an old lady, Coop and Katie buy cocaine in an alley and it escalates from there. It’s disturbing, but everything fades away as the gang drives back laughing. This line by McKinely makes the whole montage even more outrageous. 

The Group Debates About When To Meet Again

"Why Don't We Make It 9:30 And Make It Your Beeswax To Be Here At 9:30?"

McKinley with hand on hips

Netflix released two original series within the Wet Hot American Summer universe: First Day Of Camp and Ten Years Later. The second movie title relates to a joke delivered in the first feature film. 

The camp counselors gather and come up with the idea to meet again 10 years from now to see what they’ve all become. What follows is a silly and funny discussion about what time they should meet. Coop says 9:00 and McKinely makes it 9:30 because he’s already got plans. It’s ridiculous and yet fits with the absurdity of the film. The post-credit scene shows a snippet of what that future meeting looks like, with JJ coming in late.

When Victor's Song Gets Interrupted

"In The Morning, When I Rise... Oh F***!"

Victor driving the van

Victor is obsessed with sex, although it is later revealed that he is, in fact, a virgin. When he is forced to take a group of kids rafting two hours away on the last day of camp, he is obviously upset, especially when Abby, another counselor, wants to make out with him. Seconds after dropping the kids and Neil off, he decides to return and find Abby.

Everything appears normal as Victor drives back and sings along to the radio. His singing gets interrupted by something on the road, which makes Victor crash into the tree. As Victor sings the song, his curse mid-way through the lyric makes the moment truly funny and will make any fan remember the scene every time “Danny Song'' pops on the radio.

When Alan Shemper Does Stand Up

“There were two epidemics when I went to camp: head lice, and the plague - the bubonic plague!”

Allan Shemper doing stand up comedy in Wet Hot American Summer.

Fans may not know that Showalter plays multiple characters in the Wet Hot American Summer franchise. Besides playing Coop, the camp counselor, he also plays President Reagan in the series and is a stand-up comedian and host of the talent show at the end of the feature film.

Dolled up in makeup to look unrecognizable, his character, Alan Shemper, delivers some cheesy jokes in between the talent show including this quote. His age is a running gag throughout his jokes and the fact that the whole crowd continuously laughs makes his character memorable.

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