Tim Meadows Movies
One of the longest-running cast member in the history of Saturday Night Live, easygoing funnyman Tim Meadows crafted some of the series' most enduring characters in his nine-year stint on the popular late-night comedy staple. Whether sipping Courvoisier as self-proclaimed Ladies' Man Leon Phelps or posing clueless questions to irritable guests as early morning talk show host Lionel Osborne, Meadows and his memorable collection of characters endured even during the more critically panned years of SNL and proved an important component of keeping the show on its feet during those dark days.Born in Highland Park, MI, and raised in Detroit, Meadows studied radio and television broadcasting at Wayne State University before performing improvisational comedy at the Soup Kitchen Saloon in nearby Ferndale. Quickly finding his stride on-stage, Meadows relocated to Chicago where he would join the ImprovOlympia team and later become associated with the Second City troupe. Gaining a loyal following during his three-year stint with the legendary comedy troupe, Meadows was soon courted by SNL producer Lorne Michaels and in 1991, he achieved the dreams of comics nationwide when he joined the SNL cast as a featured player. Nominated for an Emmy the same month he made the transition to cast member status two years later, Meadows was fired from the show in 1994 only to be hired back at the insistence of Michaels. Although he did little film or television work during his SNL years, Meadows prepared for his own departure from the series by appearing in the features of such former cast members as Dan Aykroyd (Coneheads [1993]), Mike Myers and Dana Carvey (Wayne's World 2 [also 1993]), and Julia Sweeney (It's Pat [1994]). Predictably, Meadows' segue into his post-SNL career began with the quickly dismissed Ladies Man feature, though he continued to grace the small screen with roles in such sitcoms as The Michael Richards Show and Leap of Faith.
As the 2000's continued, Meadows began to carve out a niche for himself with memorable and funny supporting roles in a variety of comedies like The Even Stevens Movie, The Benchwarmers, and, quite notably, as the Carpal Tunnel suffering high school principle in 2004's Mean Girls. In 2007, he appeared as fictional rock star Dewey Cox's drummer in the musical biopic parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A group of kids defend their Maine vacation home from knee-high alien invaders in this adventure comedy for the entire family. When Michigan native Bethany Pearson (Ashley Tisdale) arrives home after a secret outing with her boyfriend (Robert Hoffman), her father, Stuart (Kevin Nealon), decides that it's high time for a family vacation. Packing up the car with wife Hannah (Ashley Boettcher), teenage son Tom (Carter Jenkins), and big sister Bethany in tow, Stuart invites the extended family to join them at the vacation home for some much-needed R&R and sets his sights on Maine. Much to Tom's dismay, Bethany's stuck-up boyfriend, Ricky (Hoffman), even manages to wrangle an overnight visit. Shortly after the Pearsons arrive at their sprawling summer home, however, things start to get strange. As dark clouds start to swirl overhead, four glowing objects blast through the sky on a collision course with the Pearsons' roof. But these aren't your typical meteors, because inside dwells tough-talking alien commander Skip, muscle-bound weapons specialist Tazer, lethal female Razor, and geeky four-armed techie Sparks. Before long, the aliens have taken Ricky over via a powerful mind-control device, and announced their intentions to claim Earth for the "Zirkonians." While the adults are completely oblivious to the extraterrestrial threat, the kids fight to save the planet with a little help from Sparks, the alien tech-specialist and one nonhostile invader. John Schultz directs a script penned by British scribe Mark Burton (Wallace & Gromit). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carter Jenkins, Ashley Tisdale, (more)
The American Basketball Association is on the verge of collapse, and when a former NBA benchwarmer returns to his hometown of Flint, MI, to whip his former team into shape for the playoffs, redemption is just a free throw away in this period sports comedy starring Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson. Penned by Old School scribe Scot Armstrong, Semi-Pro tells the tale of a 1970s-era basketball player who doesn't have much luck in the NBA, but vows to leave his mark on the sport by coaching the Flint Tropics. When the upstart ABA league agrees to be absorbed by the NBA, only four teams will be allowed in. Jackie Moon (Ferrell) must orchestrate a successful season both on the court, and financially off the court with the help of many odd promotional events, in order to remain in the sport he loves. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, (more)
- 2007
- R
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Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan team up to take the swagger out of the traditional music biopic with this look at the troubled life of fictional music legend Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly). Apatow and Kasdan both write and produce, while Freaks and Geeks and Orange County director Kasdan steps into the director's chair. Dewey Cox is a rock & roll legend whose songs have the power to shake a nation. Despite the fact that Cox's career has been something of a roller coaster ride, the fact remains that he never went out of style in the eyes of his many adoring fans. He's rubbed elbows with everyone from Elvis Presley to the Beatles, ingested every drug known to man (often in doses large enough to kill a healthy horse), starred in his own television show, and slept with hundreds of women, yet somehow he still finds the time to write some of the best-known songs ever to hit the airwaves. Now, after being married multiple times and fathering enough offspring to populate a small island nation, this musical icon continues to turn out the hits while attempting to win the heart of his beautiful backup singer Darlene (Jenna Fischer). While no one doubts that Dewey Cox will continue to dominate the airwaves, does this larger-than-life superstar really have what it takes to avoid the temptations of the rock & roll lifestyle and finally settle down with one woman? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, (more)
A kid discovers a unique way to stand up for himself and his friends in this family-friendly comedy-drama from director Savage Steve Holland. Nolan Byrd (Devon Werkheiser) is a bright fifth grader who has a knack for creating electronic gizmos and a fondness for remote-control model planes. Nolan is also skinny and shy, which makes him a constant target for thick-headed bully Bubba Bixby (Andrew Caldwell), the son of local sewage magnate Bob Bixby (Daniel Roebuck). Bubba makes life miserable for most of the students at Nolan's school, including Isabel (Francia Almendarez), the girl Nolan worships from afar, but no one is sure what to so about him. An assignment from his teacher Mr. Green (Tim Meadows) gives Nolan the idea to secretly videotape Bubba as he tortures his classmates and post the results online, where parents, teachers and others can see him in action. Needing an alter ego, Nolan creates the online identity "Shredderman," and soon "Shredderman"'s website is the talk of the school as he exposes Bubba's misdeeds to the world. However, "Shredderman" soon has bigger fish to fry when he uncovers evidence that Bob Bixby is planning a scam that will bilk the city for an expensive water processing plant they don't need. Shredderman Rules was based on the popular Shredderman novels for kids by author Wendelin Van Draanen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Devon Werkheiser, Andrew Caldwell, (more)
Three guys with little athletic ability strike a blow for everyone chosen last at recess in this comedy. Clark (Jon Heder), Gus (Rob Schneider), and Richie (David Spade) are three geeky guys who have spent most of their lives being humiliated by bullies and taunted by people with greater hand-eye coordination than they possess (which is nearly everyone). While the three guys love baseball, they've been treated like losers on the diamond ever since their days riding the pine in Little League. One day they stop by a softball field at a local park and a bunch of kids practicing for Little League tryouts try to heckle them into going home. Clark, Gus, and Richie challenge the kids to a game -- three against nine -- and miraculously don't entirely humiliate themselves. Mel (Jon Lovitz), a guy with an athletically-challenged son of his own, is impressed with the nerdy trio's nerve, and offers to set up a tournament in which the three inept grown-ups will take on the best Little League teams from around the state. Clark, Gus, and Richie accept the offer, and they soon become unlikely heroes to the bullied, clumsy, and awkward everywhere. The Benchwarmers also stars Craig Kilborn, Tim Meadows, Molly Sims and Reggie Jackson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Schneider, David Spade, (more)
- 2006
In response to the American Idol juggernaut on the Fox network, CBS came up with a miniseries titled Game$how Marathon, based on the satirical British weekly Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon. Each hour-long episode lovingly recreated such classic TV games shows as Beat the Clock, The Price Is Right, Let's Make a Deal, The Match Game, Family Feud, Press Your Luck, and Card Sharks. Host Ricki Lake presided over a lineup of celebrity contestants including Kathy Najimy, Tim Meadows, Paige Davis, Leslie Nielsen, Lance Bass, and Brande Roderick -- not to mention such special guest stars as the ageless, indefatigable Bob Barker. In the tradition of American Idol and other such interactive TV contest shows, the viewers at home were invited to compete for the weekly grand prize right along with the winning celebrities. Initially slated to air in 2005, Game$how Marathon was finally unveiled by CBS on May 31, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ricki Lake
Jump into the hotbed of comic creativity as Chicago's famed I.O. Theater celebrates twenty-five years of laughter while offering heartfelt tributes to the late Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley and beloved improve teacher Del Close. With alumni that includes stars from SNL, MADtv, Late Night from Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, and The Upright Citizens Brigade, the I.O. Theater has served as a vital breeding ground for some of the hottest comics in film and television. Now comedy fans can laugh along as fifty-four improvisational masters get back to their roots to show just how special the I.O. truly is in an all-star celebration featuring David Koechner, Tim Meadows, Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Mo Collins, Neil Flynn, and many, many more. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
When Todd Anderson (Storm P) signs a 30-million-dollar contract with the New Jersey Nets after being named the number one NBA draft pick of the year, his mother (Jenifer Lewis) vows to prevent her son from forgetting his roots. Not used to balancing his new life with his old, Todd mistakenly invites family and friends from his old neighborhood to his multi-million-dollar house for a cookout on the same day of an important endorsement interview. Though his extravagant family cookouts were welcome at his old digs, Todd's stuffy new neighbors -- particularly the conservative Republican Judge Halsted Crowley (Danny Glover) -- are less than thrilled with the arrival of Todd's massive family. Complicating the situation further is the eccentric neighborhood security guard (Queen Latifah), who takes on the heady assignment of ensuring that none of the private community's rules are broken, as well as two thugs who, determined to get an autographed pair of sneakers, hold up the cookout at gunpoint. Directed by Lance Rivera, The Cookout also features performances from Ja Rule, Eve, Farrah Fawcett, and Jonathan Silverman. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ja Rule, Tim Meadows, (more)
Tina Fey from Saturday Night Live wrote and appears in this comedy about the alternately funny and terrifying pecking order among teenage girls. Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a 15-year-old girl who has spent most of her life in Africa, where she was home-schooled by her zoologist parents. When her family relocates to the United States, Cady finds herself attending a high school in suburban Illinois, where she gets a crash course in the various sub-strata of the student body: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the stoners, the "cool" kids, and so on. Much to her surprise, Cady finds herself embraced by a clique of rich and popular girls known to outsiders as "the Plastics," led by Regina George (Rachel McAdams), Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert), and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried). While Cady is grateful for her new friends, it doesn't take long for her to realize how manipulative they can be, and she soon discovers she's violated an unwritten law when she goes out on a date with Aaron (Jonathan Bennett), who is charming, good looking...and Regina's former boyfriend. It isn't long before Regina and her pals are on the warpath, and Cady must face a level of vengeful behavior for which years in the jungle never prepared her. Joining Tina Fey in the supporting cast are fellow SNL players Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, and Tim Meadows. The screenplay for Mean Girls was based in part on Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence, a book by professional youth counselor Rosalind Wiseman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, (more)
A couple risks their lives in the name of all things fabulous in this comedy of errors, set against the backdrop of West Hollywood's annual Halloween Parade. Wasabi Tuna's title refers to the ho-hum sushi costumes that boyfriends Harvey (Barney Cheng) and Evan (Jason London) have dreamed up for themselves and their friends to wear to the big bash. But when their sassy pall Emme (Alanna Ubach) offers up another suggestion -- that they dress as hardcore East L.A. gangstas -- the couple jumps at the chance. However, when the boutiques on Rodeo Drive don't yield the authentic ghetto fashions they need, the friends hit the streets to beg, steal, or borrow what it takes to "look the part," and end up the unwitting carriers of an illegal cache of gang weaponry. Co-starring Antonio Sabato Jr., SNL funnyman Tim Meadows, and reality-TV widow Anna Nicole Smith (playing herself), Wasabi Tuna received a limited West Coast release in the spring of 2004. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonio Sabato, Jr., Jason London, (more)
An aspiring filmmaker learns that success in Hollywood doesn't come as easy as she suspected as she attempts to discover the formula to success in this satirical comedy from director William Tannen. When the guidance of her helpful has-been uncle (Michael Lerner) fails to pave the way, Sarah Wilder (Alannah Ubach) must seek the advice of such Hollywood heavies as Mike Meyers, Ben Stiller, and Fred Willard -- only to discover that the old adage is true and Nobody Knows Anything about how to succeed in the cutthroat world of Los Angeles. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alanna Ubach, Michael Lerner, (more)
Based on the popular (and recently canceled) Disney Channel sitcom Even Stevens, this made-for-TV movie was filmed in 2002 under the title The Stevens Get Even. On this occasion, the Sacramento-based Stevens family is reeling from a succession of setbacks, not least of which is the breakup of the romance between teenaged daughter Ren Stevens (Christy Romano) and her boyfriend -- a disaster largely brought about when Ren's pesky kid brother, Louis (Shia LaBeouf), sabotages Ren's junior-high graduation. At their most vulnerable, the kids' parents Eileen (Donna Pescow) and Steve (Tom Virtue) are highly receptive to fast-talking vacation agent Miles McDermott (Tim Meadows), who sells the family an inexpensive trip to an island paradise. En route, the Stevens' plane crashes on a seemingly uncharted isle, forcing the family, and the other passengers, to fend for themselves. What nobody but the duplicitous McDermott knows is that the crash was carefully rigged, so that the Stevens would be unwitting contestants on a Survivor-like TV reality series. In addition to the aforementioned Romano, LaBeouf, Pescow, and Tom Virtue, other carryovers from the original sitcom include Nick Spano as Donnie Stevens and Steven Anthony Lawrence as the family's wacky next-door neighbor, Beans. Filmed on location in Hawaii, The Even Stevens Movie made its Disney Channel debut on June 13, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christy Romano, Shia LaBeouf, (more)
- 2002
If the NBC sitcom Leap of Faith tended to resemble the no-holds-barred cable series Sex and the City at times, it may have been because both series shared the same executive producer, Jenny Bicks. Set (of course) in New York City, the NBC series starred Sarah Paulson as thirty-ish Faith Wardwell, a sharp-witted ad executive. Getting cold feet just before her wedding to "looks good on paper" fiance David (Bradley White), Faith opted instead to continue playing the sexual field, with sideline coaching from her three best buds, Andy (Ken Marino), Patty (Lisa Edelstein), and Cynthia (Regina King). Oscar-winning actress Jill Clayburgh was seen as Faith's freewheeling mom Cricket. Leap of Faith inaugurated its network run on February 28, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Paulson, Lisa Edelstein, (more)
Yet another recurring character from Saturday Night Live makes the jump to the big screen in this comedy. Leon Phelps (Tim Meadows) is the host of a radio call-in show in which he dispenses advice on the fine art of seduction, for which he seems to have quite a talent -- rather surprising, seeing that he's usually broke, nearly everything he says sounds crass and obvious, and he possesses a fashion sense that would have been gauche in the mid-1970s but seems just plain freakish today. After finally going too far during a broadcast, Leon is fired, but he receives a note from one of his former flames who wants him to come back to her -- and is willing to support him in high style. This sounds just fine with Leon, except she hasn't signed her name, and now Leon has to backtrack through his numerous conquests of the past and figure out who wants him to work his love magic. Meanwhile, a group of husbands who've been cuckolded by Leon, led by Barney (Lee Evans) and Lance (Will Ferrell), are hot on his trail, eager to get revenge. The Ladies' Man also stars Tiffani Thiessen and Karyn Parsons as two of the ladies in Leon's life and Billy Dee Williams as the ultra-smooth proprietor of Lester's Straight-Up Lounge. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Meadows, Karyn Parsons, (more)
- 2000
According to the original publicity packets, the avowed purpose of the NBC sitcom The Michaels Richards Show was to persuade viewers that there was more to star Richards than his familiar Seinfeld characterization of nutty next-door neighbor Kramer. The first pilot, however -- filmed on location with Richards as the sole star -- was scrapped as insubstantial and unfunny. The second pilot, filmed before a live audience with a strong ensemble cast, fared somewhat better, though the spectators (and the subsequent test audiences) complained that Richards wasn't "being Kramer enough." Accordingly, a third pilot was shot, with all the standard Kramerisms intact. The final product stars Richards as Vic Nardozza, a bumbling ex-security patrolman who launches his own L.A. private-detective agency -- after a six-week crash-course in the P.I. game. Specializing in undercover work, Nardozza adopts a number of baffling disguises -- baffling to him, if not necessarily to those whom he hopes to fool. Most of the episodes focus on the goings-on in Nardozza's seedy offices, populated by such fellow misfits as Brady McKay (William Devane), Stacey Devers (Amy Farrington), Kevin (former Saturday Night Live regular Tim Meadows), and Jack (Bill Cobb. The Michael Richards Show debuted October 24, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Richards, William Devane, (more)
- 2000
Veteran comedian Tim Meadows regaled and delighted fans for nine seasons on the longtime sketch-comedy show Saturday Night Live. Along with performing hilarious impressions of characters like Sammy Davis Jr., Ike Turner, and O.J. Simpson, Meadows invented and perfected his most well-known character, the "Ladies' Man" (now a major motion picture). This video is a retrospective of Meadows' prolific SNL career, highlighting some of his most memorable performances. Bonuses include his stints as clueless host Lionel Osborne on the talk show Perspectives and Jingleheimer Joe the Census Taker, as well as outtakes and never-before-seen footage of the show.
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Meadows
Matt Groening helped produce this animated adaptation of the popular children's book written by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh. Olive (voice of Drew Barrymore) is a little dog who is very excited about the upcoming Christmas holidays, and wishes she could somehow help Santa Claus (voice of Edward Asner) with his work. Word begins to circulate that one of Santa's reindeer has hurt his leg and won't be able to make the trip, and when someone mentions "all of the other reindeer," Olive mistaken thinks they've said "Olive, the other reindeer," and is convinced Santa wants her to come to the North Pole to help pull the sleigh. Dan Castellaneta, Peter MacNichol, Diedrich Bader, and Tim Meadows also contribute to the voice cast; Michael Stipe from the band R.E.M. voices one of the characters and contributes a song to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Arguably the least successful of the many feature film spin-offs of Saturday Night Live television sketch characters, this comedy barely won a quick theatrical release. Julia Sweeney stars as the titular Pat Riley, an obnoxious, drooling nerd of mind-boggling androgyny. Pat is also a bit of a klutz, which leads to his/her dismissal from a range of workplaces, including a sushi bar and the United States Postal Service. As a next door neighbor, Kyle (Charles Rocket), becomes obsessed with distinguishing Pat's gender, even to the point of seducing Pat and stealing his/her diary, things begin looking up for the plucky hero/heroine. Pat meets a significant other, the equally sexless "Chris" (Dave Foley), gets engaged, and wins fame and success as a frank radio talk-show host. The real-life rock band Ween also plays a significant role in Pat's misadventures, casting him/her in a rock video after catching Pat's cringe-inducing musical performance on the TV show "America's Creepiest People." Despite a rumored rewrite of the script by Sweeney's hip longtime friend Quentin Tarantino, the film was considered one of the year's biggest turkeys. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julia Sweeney, Dave Foley, (more)
