AlthoughPopstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingdidn’t set the box office alight upon release in 2016, I implore every comedy fan to check out this criminally underrated comedy on Peacock. Released in 2016,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingwas a mockumentary following the rise and fall of Andy Samberg’s arrogant rapper/pop star Conner4Real, and it can officially claim to have made talk show host Seth Meyers throw up from laughter (viaThe Lonely Island & Seth Meyers Podcast).
Filled withcameos from real-life pop stars, comedians, and actors,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingboasted an ensemble cast including Samberg, Sarah Silverman, Maya Rudolph, Joan Cusack, Will Forte, Bill Hader, and many more major stars. However, the real appeal of the mockumentary was its behind-the-scenes talent. Like 2007’sHot Rod,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingwas produced and directed by The Lonely Island.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Is Now Streaming On Peacock
The Andy Samberg Vehicle Was A Surprise Box Office Flop Despite Solid Reviews
This comedy rap group was responsible for the iconic viral hits “Jizz in My Pants” and “I’m on a Boat,” but its members Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone were never able to translate their musical success into a career as filmmakers. Their feature debute,2007’s wildly underratedHot Rod, earned only $14 million on a budget of $25 million.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingearned a critical rating of 79% onRotten Tomatoes.
Similarly,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingfaced a similar struggle upon its release. The musical comedy made just under $10 million on a budget of $20 million, makingPopstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingthe Lonely Island’s second major box office flop. I’m still not sure how the movie underperformed so badly, asPopstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingis a deservedly viewed as a cult classic.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingis available to stream on Peacock from July 1.
From early scenes that affectionately spoof The Beastie Boys to later songs that parody boy bands,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingblends an obvious love of pop rap with a hilariously profane comedic edge. LikeWalk HardandThis Is Spinal Tap,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingruthlessly spoofs the music movie’s conventions while still functioning as a fun underdog story.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Deserved To Be So Much Bigger
This Musical Mockumentary Is One Of Star Andy Samberg’s Best Movies
Although Samberg has impressed in dramatic roles before and since,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingis proof that theBrooklyn 99actor is a born leading man.Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’s many musician parodiesare consistently hilarious, but the movie’s humor would fall flat if viewers didn’t have a reason to care about its absurdly flawed antihero.
Samberg imbuesPopstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’s protagonist with a gormless naïveté that can be as tragic as it is hilarious.
As Conner4Real, Samberg imbuesPopstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’s protagonist with a gormless naïveté that can be as tragic as it is hilarious. It is tough not to root for this absurd character as he navigates the treacherous music industry, makingPopstar: Never Stop Never Stoppinga compelling story as well as a hilarious comedy classic.
