Abstract
This chapter focuses on the seminal rock-mockumentary This is Spinal Tap in order to provide a detailed examination of how parodic humour is conveyed through an imitation of documentary style. Underpinning the analysis is a discussion of Spinal Tap’s ‘realness’ as defined by Judith Butler. The straightforward notion that Spinal Tap is a fictional band (as determined by our recognition of their parodic aspects) is complicated by the reflexive critique of the performative nature of real rock musicians. This layering of performative elements is further problematised by Spinal Tap’s continued existence outside of the diegesis of the original film text as an authentic recording and touring act. This has resulted in a subversive challenge to the rock documentary form, with our understanding of the genre coloured by This is Spinal Tap.
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Notes
- 1.
I am indebted to my copyeditor Eric Christianson for alerting me to the existence of this commercial.
- 2.
It is possible that Rob Reiner directed the commercial, which would add an extra level of metatextuality to the joke. However, I have so far been unable to trace detailed production credits for the ad to either confirm or deny this possibility.
- 3.
It may also be referencing the similarly untenable position of the keyboard player in The Grateful Dead.
- 4.
This is another moment where it is worth reflecting on the masculine character of the mockumentary. Although Spinal Tap sends up one particular performance of masculinity, it does so through a process of cultural reference spotting and knowledge accumulation (of rock music, record collecting and music history) that has historically been associated with male attitudes, activities and cultures. That is not to say that women are excluded from such activities, but it has historically been the case that women are less likely to pursue such activities, thus potentially marginalising their participation.
- 5.
Harry Shearer quoted in The 50 Greatest Comedy Films (2006).
- 6.
On the subject of first songs, Stevie Jackson , the guitarist of the Glasgow indie band Belle and Sebastian, describes his first song as sounding ‘uncannily similar to Spinal Tap’s first effort’, before acknowledging that that is ‘probably what all first songs sound like’ (Whitelaw 2005: 48).
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Wallace, R. (2018). Parodying Performance in This Is Spinal Tap. In: Mockumentary Comedy. Palgrave Studies in Comedy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77848-8_3
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