Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 31, 2015
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 89
  3. Negative: 15 out of 89
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User Reviews

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  1. TheWaffle
    Aug 15, 2015
    0
    Full disclosure, I watched the first half of the first episode and stopped watching because it was awful. With all the buzz, the hype, and everyone ranting about how excited they were I expected it at least to be funny. It's not. I watched at least a dozen gags that were clearly meant to be jokes, but they weren't funny. I love Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, and the rest of themFull disclosure, I watched the first half of the first episode and stopped watching because it was awful. With all the buzz, the hype, and everyone ranting about how excited they were I expected it at least to be funny. It's not. I watched at least a dozen gags that were clearly meant to be jokes, but they weren't funny. I love Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, and the rest of them in everything else, but this plays like a show made for a high school film class, it's not funny even though it tries painfully hard to be.… Expand
  2. Cheebapit
    Aug 6, 2015
    2
    The people who experienced the movie during the era it came out are the only ones that stand to have a solid opinion on the series. I'm in my mid 30's and the movie when it came out was a way of life and influenced the direction of your social life practically. With that said, the series is exactly what I expected it be. A dull empty redux of an iconic film created by young aggressiveThe people who experienced the movie during the era it came out are the only ones that stand to have a solid opinion on the series. I'm in my mid 30's and the movie when it came out was a way of life and influenced the direction of your social life practically. With that said, the series is exactly what I expected it be. A dull empty redux of an iconic film created by young aggressive alternative comedic geniuses in the creative prime of their lives. Who brought with them, enough fresh untapped groundbreaking material to sink a cargo ship. Now why the very same people would come back 14 years later with nothing left but their hat in their hands material wise and attempt to fill a series with it, is a question that can be asked of most movie/series reboots these days. The formula is always the same. Young talent dumps life's blood into master work. Master work soars. Talent gets old, rich, and bored. What is born, is Wet Hot American snore. The series.… Expand
  3. penfifteen
    Aug 1, 2015
    2
    The first episode is fine but it goes downhill and it goes downhill fast. Seems like they decided to choose weird over funny in the hopes that the viewer couldn't tell the difference.
  4. madskull505
    Aug 2, 2015
    0
    Lost interest after episode 3 .
    Too much gimmick jokes, always had the vibe of feeling good due to its vibrant color and top actor actresses with diluted story line.
    Netflix was going for arrested developed type humor but failed with lame jokes and story.
  5. Ruly
    Aug 11, 2015
    0
    A mediocre and terrible show, the first episode is fine, but the rest of the season it's a mix of disappointment and embarrassment. The worst show of the year.
  6. Prophatsee
    Jul 31, 2015
    10
    It's always hard to do a follow up on a cult classic. Arrested Development is one I can think of that was funny but didn't capture the comedic vibe the original show did. In this case it's the opposite. Taking a 90 minute original and making it 4 hours long was genius. If you love the movie your going to be madly in love with the show. Really expands the story of the original and is set upIt's always hard to do a follow up on a cult classic. Arrested Development is one I can think of that was funny but didn't capture the comedic vibe the original show did. In this case it's the opposite. Taking a 90 minute original and making it 4 hours long was genius. If you love the movie your going to be madly in love with the show. Really expands the story of the original and is set up like a prequel so like Star Wars needs to be watched backwards. Movie first then show cause even though the show is a prequel it has some comedy moment that wouldn't be as funny or even confusing unless you saw the movie first. A kind of foreshadow comedy. Plus it'll let you know if you'll like the show if you liked the movie first. If you hate the movie you will not enjoy the show. Honestly if you didn't like the movie I don't think we'd be friends. Just being honest. This is a classic like the original and so glad it's out there for the masses to watch. Elizabeth Banks still hot!… Expand
  7. Scraper
    Aug 3, 2015
    8
    Very funny stuff. Ms. Patty Pancakes, DJ Ski mask, Jim Stansel. This show is crammed with jokes and ridiculousness. It's exactly what I was hoping for and got it. I'm sure Bradley Cooper annihilated the American Sniper crowd with this goofy, hilarious role where he kisses a man. Direct hit!
  8. psyberdelic
    Aug 9, 2015
    0
    Painfully stupid.... Turned it off after ten minutes... Got to have on hundred and fifty characters so I'll just say the writing is at the level of a twelve year old boy just reaching puberty...
  9. mathesu
    Aug 5, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is such a good show. It's clear to me that every little detail is conceived to be off. The stupidity is the best part just because i gets the most sincere "why the hell am I laughing off of this" laugh. Paul Rudd lives up his role on the movie, and the additional characters are really well thought and placed in the context. Some moments are just so hilariously memorable and nonsense-y like when Jason Schwartzman says "Oh **** or when Abby gets her period and just likebecomes a woman, and these little scenes that just land idiot jokes for your pure and irrefutable pleasure. Well, just watch the goddamn show!… Expand
  10. Knighthawk81
    Aug 3, 2015
    3
    This is a potentially funny concept, especially the idea of these 30s and 40s actors playing teens. The first episode was mildly amusing, at times, but it never really builds to anything great. I wasn't a huge fan of the original film, which is probably part of the problem here, but this wasn't really what I was expecting. I watched the first few episodes, and it was just weird and dull.
  11. TheDude-
    Aug 2, 2015
    9
    Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp offers more of the the goofy hijinks that fans of the cult classic crave, but outsiders might not be quite as enamored.
  12. JackCinnamond
    Jul 31, 2015
    8
    As the film explored the final day of Camp Firewood, this as the title suggests, focuses on the first day, of the same year with the same cast.

    Yes, even though the original cast played characters 10 years younger than themselves in 2001, in 2015 they all play the same characters at their same age, which is thought is completely stupid yet played out hilariously, and well achieved.    As the film explored the final day of Camp Firewood, this as the title suggests, focuses on the first day, of the same year with the same cast.

    Yes, even though the original cast played characters 10 years younger than themselves in 2001, in 2015 they all play the same characters at their same age, which is thought is completely stupid yet played out hilariously, and well achieved.

    The all-star cast features stars from the original, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Amy Pohler and much more, with new actors such as Chris Pine intertwine in a delightful way.

    All eight episodes follow the same day, the first day of Camp, and include the jokes from the movie, with a background. The weirdest thing about the first film was the talking can, that was unexplained in the movie is finally explained in this series along with other over the top comedic moments like The Falcon's appearance, Wierd Al guest starring to hypnotize people, and other toxic waste evolving jokes.

    If you've got a fondness for the original, and let's be frank if you're cool then you do, then you'll be delighted and nostalgic to see Wet Hot American Summer: The First Day of Camp and you'll like every second of it (especially every Paul Rudd moment, or Chris Pine's Rockstar character).    … Expand
  13. Mazmorrero47
    Aug 2, 2015
    0
    Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is the TV equivalent of Movie 43. How did they manage to get so many talented actors in such a painfully unfunny show? Yeah, I know some of them were in the movie, but after all the good work they've done, it's weird that they don't want to stay far away from this. Imagine if Leonardo DiCaprio appeared in a Critters show.
  14. Glogglies
    Aug 7, 2015
    10
    If you are a fan of Alternative Comedy in the same spectrum as Tim and Eric, you'll find a lot to like here. Funny through and through, great writing, all actors commit to the characters and kill it. 10/10
  15. EludiumQ36
    Mar 24, 2018
    2
    OMG what a huge fail this is. The show's creators must've pitched a tantalizing, coming of age series at summer camp then - surprise! - we're going to cast 50 yr old, has been, SNL washouts instead of young, nubile teens. What a wasted effort, wasted potential, this could've been great but was a fraudulent bait-and-switch. The title "Wet Hot American Summer" writes a check this geezer castOMG what a huge fail this is. The show's creators must've pitched a tantalizing, coming of age series at summer camp then - surprise! - we're going to cast 50 yr old, has been, SNL washouts instead of young, nubile teens. What a wasted effort, wasted potential, this could've been great but was a fraudulent bait-and-switch. The title "Wet Hot American Summer" writes a check this geezer cast bounces! I gave it a serious chance through episode 3 but then my gag reflex took over.… Expand
  16. fable
    Sep 22, 2015
    10
    Anyone tolerant enough to watch till episode 5, will be surprisingly rewarded. It mocks regular comedies as well. Jon Hamm the superstar of mad men appears as a guest role.
  17. SomeBozo
    Aug 2, 2015
    7
    Doesn't hit its stride until Episode 5. Like a lot of comedy series, it takes a few episodes to gel. But starting at #5, the timing, writing and editing hit the mark, turning an amusing show into a laugh out loud show.
  18. Mantis
    Aug 9, 2016
    5
    Disappointing. Expected so much from seeing the trailer and some of my favorite actors in this show.
    Sadly, it is over the top. Normally I love that kind of humor such as seen in 'Parks and Recreation', however this here did not make me laugh much rather laugh in despair. The story is ridiculous enough to see through, yet I wish I hadn't invested that time. Good thing the show is not that    Disappointing. Expected so much from seeing the trailer and some of my favorite actors in this show.
    Sadly, it is over the top. Normally I love that kind of humor such as seen in 'Parks and Recreation', however this here did not make me laugh much rather laugh in despair. The story is ridiculous enough to see through, yet I wish I hadn't invested that time. Good thing the show is not that extensive.    … Expand
  19. undercontrol
    Aug 13, 2015
    6
    Sometimes funny, sometimes just stupid and not funny at all. It's rated "TV-MA"... don't understand why, because some of the jokes seemed to be written for toddlers.
  20. moothemagiccow
    Dec 17, 2015
    3
    I have seen the movie like five times. I love it. I couldn't make it through ten minutes of the show.

    Did you like Stella or We Came Together? Watch this.
    Did you like Wanderlust or Role Models? Skip it.
  21. cherold
    Jan 30, 2016
    4
    First off, I like the idea of bringing back the original cast of a movie decades later and having them play slightly younger versions of their original characters. It's really more interesting than doing the obvious and bringing them back to play aged versions of their original characters.

    But the series - or at least the first episode, which is all I saw - didn't do anything with it.    First off, I like the idea of bringing back the original cast of a movie decades later and having them play slightly younger versions of their original characters. It's really more interesting than doing the obvious and bringing them back to play aged versions of their original characters.

    But the series - or at least the first episode, which is all I saw - didn't do anything with it. The actors play the characters they played just the way they played them all those years ago, without a wink. Which feels like a missed opportunity.

    Still, that wouldn't be a problem if the series was funny. But I didn't laugh once. Some of the jokes may rely on your having seen the movie enough times to be intimately familiar with it - I liked it a lot when I saw it, but that was a long time ago - but even then, *something* should have been funny.

    Still, humor is down to individual taste; a lot of people seem to think this is funny. I'm just not one of those people.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best TV Season of 2015
69
#69 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Mark Peikert
    Aug 3, 2015
    70
    The 8-episode series (only six episodes were made available to critics) mostly succeeds by sheer force of will. The viewers are so bombarded by jokes that something is bound to tickle you eventually-–though truth be told it may take awhile.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jul 30, 2015
    70
    It will help to have at least a high tolerance for profane, scatological and sexual comedy and not to mind bad words spoken by actual children. (That the juvenile humor is appropriate to the characters provides cover for the adult exercise of juvenile humor.) This may not be for you. At the same time much of the comedy is quiet, settled in lines that just turn in odd ways.
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  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Jul 30, 2015
    70
    The shaggy humor is amusing enough.
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