Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Adam McKay’s beloved comedy Step Brothers. Initially derided by critics, the film has blossomed into a highly quotable cult favorite. “Catalina Wine Mixer,” “Did we just become best friends?” “You and your mom are hillbillies. This is a house of learned doctors,” there are so many wonderful, absurd lines of dialogue that have become forever engrained in the zeitgeist. It’s a cozy, rewatchable comedy classic that’s only improved with age.
Step Brothers may be remembered for the crackling comedic chemistry between Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, but its enduring legacy will be that it launched the comedy career of stealthy scene-stealer Adam Scott. Can we all take five lousy minutes out of our day to celebrate this man’s unworldly comedic debut in Step Brothers? His performance is pristine. Every single line from uber-bro Derek Huff is solid gold. In a film featuring Ferrell, Reilly, and a host of impressive stars, Adam Scott, in what amounted to his comedy debut, was the breakout star. To me, it’s the funnest comedy debut. Ever.
“Well, Dale, they are what’s called a trophy fish. So, yeah, they’re pretty big.”
This scene is comedy perfection. There are so many wonderful little moments — “Cubes,” “What’s this guys deal?” — but it’s Scott’s specific brand of slimy, familiar dickery that elevates his character from your average run-of-the-mill jackass to the ideal antagonist. His malevolence is both hilarious and maddeningly realistic.
“Listen gang, don’t be mad at Dale for ruining the story… and possibly the evening.”
Prior to Step Brothers, Scott was primarily known as a dramatic actor. He had just starred in the provocative HBO drama Tell Me You Love Me and made memorable appearances on shows like Party of Five, Veronica Mars, and Boy Meets World. In the Ringer’s recent oral history of Step Brothers, Scott called getting the role of Derek Huff, a part Jon Hamm also auditioned for, by the way, a “total fluke.”
“I hadn’t really done any comedy at that point,” Scott said. “Step Brothers is 100 percent my foray into comedy.”
The fluke nature of Scott’s casting had to do with his pal Paul Rudd. McKay admitted he wasn’t super familiar with Scott’s work, but got a ringing endorsement of his comedic ability from Rudd, who referred to Adam as “one of the funniest guys I know.”
The ripple effect of Adam Scott joining the cast of Step Brothers is striking. It had an obvious impact on comedy favorites like Party Down and Parks and Rec, but it also gave Scott the opportunity to immerse himself in the genre. He’s evolved into a comedy sure thing. You need an understated straight man to counterbalance a zany ensemble? Adam Scott. You need someone who can portray an oddly charming prick? I know a guy.
Scott’s influence can also be found on the alt comedy scene. Not only has the actor become a regular fixture in the podcast world, but he also co-created and starred in the delightfully absurd Greatest Event in Television History series, which is an absolute must-see if you’re a fan of… laughing.
To many, Step Brothers will be remembered for the dueling antics of Ferrell and Reilly as well as the Catalina Wine Mixer, which is fair. I mean, it’s the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer. I wouldn’t dare disrespect that sacred event. But as Scott explains in the Step Brothers oral history, it also set off a chain of events that made an indelible impact on the comedy scene.
“It opened my eyes to this other world and I never wanted to go back. Right after the movie came out, I went and did Party Down with my friends and Parks [and Recreation]. There’s no way I would’ve been able to bring what I brought to that stuff without Step Brothers as a training ground for me.”
