By Chris Benedict

If, like me, you were a fan of the irreverent sketch comedy troupe The State, which aired on MTV in the mid 90s, chances are you have also seen the 2001 summer camp comedy Wet Hot American Summer umpteen times.

Directed by State alumnus David Wain (Role Models, Wanderlust), it featured fellow cast mates Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black, Joe Lo Truglio and Ken Marino, as well as Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Amy Poehler, Judah Friedlander, and early screen appearances by Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, and Bradley Cooper. Before he was a tough-guy TV detective, Christopher Meloni turned in a hilarious performance as Gene, Camp Firewood’s deranged cook.

For those not in the know, think of Wet Hot American Summer as this generation’s Meatballs which, it should go without saying, is a film for all generations. You have a few days remaining to catch up on the movie on Netflix before the online streaming service premieres the first episode of the new series First Day of Camp this coming Friday. All of your old favorites are returning for the prequel (with the exception, evidently, of Hyde Pierce) to accompany some fresh meat in the form of Kristen Wiig, Madmen’s Jon Hamm, Wes Anderson regular Jason Schwartzman, and none other than Weird Al Yankovic.

Netflix has been emerging as a major player in high-quality original programming in recent years. Besides the huge success it has enjoyed with Orange is the New Black and House of Cards, it has given a well-deserved home to orphaned fan favorites Arrested Development and Trailer Park Boys.

Boob tube nerds rejoice!

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