The writer of “Dude, Where’s My Car?” — a film that fully commits to its own stupidity —has such self-loathing about its legacy that he’s decided to write a THR op-ed about how he regrets the film.
Released in December 2000, “Dude, Where’s My Car?” was somewhat of a surprise hit, turning its title into a catchphrase and earning a decent profit at the box office.
Phil Stark had an unusually hands-on experience on set, contributing creatively as scenes, roles, and gags were added during production. He also wrote the film. It’s in fact the only film he’s ever written in his career.
Stark is now coming out and admitting that his feelings for “Dude, Where’s My Car” have changed. He admits that a recent rewatch made him “cringe” at the humor that it now feels “dated” and “offensive” to him.
Upon a recent ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ rewatch, I was struck by just how much I cringed at the humor. What made me cringe is how, 25 years later, some of the comedy feels so dated, even offensive. There is plenty of humor that plays at the expense of transgender people, ethnic minorities, women, gay men, religious cults, and Fabio. Did it feel this cringey 25 years ago? I don’t think so. The humor seemed appropriate at the time.
What Stark seems to be referring to is specifically the reveal of a character as a trans woman, which the film plays for shock. The “ethnic” slurs likely stem from the depiction of the heavily accented Asian twin employees. As for the “gay men,” Stark is probably referencing the party scene with the “homosexual dancing couple.”
Stark shouldn’t be ashamed about the jokes having aged badly; He should be more ashamed that he perpetrated this terrible comedy upon us. Watching “Dude, Where’s My Car” can lower one’s IQ in the process,. If anything, Stark quitting Hollywood has probably spared us more bad comedies.