Actor, producer, and writer Allen Covert says he spent his “entire adult life” working at Happy Madison, the Adam Sandler shingle that gave us “Happy Gilmore,” “Grown Ups” and more comic hits.
“It’s the only real job I’ve ever had,” said Covert.
Now, following his 60th birthday, he’s decided it’s time to branch out on his own. Covert has a new Hollywood goal after breaking free from Happy Madison – bring back the bawdy comedy.
Covert’s expansive credits include “Little Nicky,” “The Wrong Missy,” “Murder Mystery,” “Hubie Halloween” along with his many comic cameos in Sandler smashes like “The Wedding Singer,” “Happy Gilmore,” and “The Waterboy.”
Allen Covert, Adam Sandler, and Drew Barrymore in “The Wedding Singer.” (1998). Juno Pix. New Line Cinema. Robert Simonds Productions. IMDB.
Covert’s comedy resume speaks for itself, but he also has a focus group of four to fall back on. His children.
“They watch old comedies. They literally say to me, ‘Why don’t they make movies like this anymore?’” he said.
They can’t blame Daddy for the comedy drought. Even though fans tell him how much they love his comedies, Covert says, “Not one studio is making one right now. They’re not making comedy, period.”
It’s an exaggeration, but only a slight one. Big-screen comedies are on the decline, with most of the funny stuff heading straight to streaming. Think this year’s “Ricky Stanicky” (Prime Video) or the upcoming “Dear Santa” (Paramount+).
Allen Covert and Doris Roberts in ‘Grandma’s Boy’. Photo Credit: Darren Michaels. TM and copyright 2005 Level 1 Entertainment LLC. All rights reserved. Twentieth Century Fox. Happy Madison. IMDB.
Covert grew up on bawdy teen comedies like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Their rebellious shtick made Covert and his pals howl. It also gave them a common cultural touchpoint. Now, the veteran film producer laments that Gen Zers lack a similar release valve.
“My daughter just graduated high school. [Her generation] hasn’t had a single comedy that’s theirs. Four years of high school. Not one movie they can look back on and go, ‘Remember when we all saw, ‘Can’t Hardly Wait?’ Now, they get ‘Kissing Booth.’”
The latter is a Netflix original. Covert has no problem with the streaming giant, having worked repeatedly with the platform in recent years. He says nothing can replace the theatrical experience.
“There’s something very bonding about sitting in a room with strangers and laughing your a**es off,” he said. “It’s different than sitting at home with three of your friends.”
Allen Covert and Beefy act in a scene from “Little Nicky.” (Photo by M. Aronowitz/New Line/Newsmakers)
The veteran comedy producer (“Grown Ups”) and occasional star (“Grandma’s Boy”) wants to do something about it.
So, where did all the comedies go? Covert points the finger at several culprits, including the invincible Iron Man.
“IP and big-budget blockbusters,” he said. “Everyone is like, we want Marvel films where we can create our universe and every movie makes $500 million to a billion dollars,” he said. “Comedies fell by the wayside at studios.”
The Hollywood groupthink stifles genres that fall out of favor, or as he put it, a “small group of people who pick what gets bought.”
Another reason for the big screen comedy vacuum is obvious to most cultural observers. The new woke rules prevent certain jokes and topics from making the final cut.
“That’s 1,000 percent true,” Covert said without hesitation.
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 3062 — Pictured: (l-r) Comedian Allen Covert during an interview with host Jay Leno on December 16, 2005 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
That explains why some comedy actors, like Will Ferrell and Jonah Hill, have apologized for their jokes in recent years.
“If you made a really horrible joke in the past that’s blatantly racist and discriminatory everyone should apologize for that,” he said. “If you made a comedy that’s maybe gotten a little less palatable to the community over time, who cares? I’ll never apologize for a joke.”
“If you do something wrong you get your ass out there and apologize,” he added.
Covert is that rare Hollywood conservative, but he’s been able to produce, write, and co-star in films for years without punishment.
“I’ve never experienced any type of, ‘He’s a conservative. We can’t work with him.’ I was never the lead guy … I was part of a company that was hugely successful,” he said of Happy Madison and his longtime collaborator, Sandler. “My experience in Hollywood as a conservative is probably different than others.”
MALIBU, CA – SEPTEMBER 28: Actors Adam Sandler and Allen Covert attend Rock4EB, Malibu, with Jackson Browne & David Spade sponsored by Suja Juice & Sabra Hummus at Private Residence on September 28, 2014 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Covert has several scripts in near-ready shape for his new endeavor, but he’s still meeting some resistance behind the scenes.
“’What’s the hook?,’ they ask. ‘It’s kids having fun in high school. That’s the hook,” he said. “Kids need this … kids are depressed and anxious. Everyone’s telling them the world’s ending. I wanna tell kids, ‘Have fun … worry about the world ending when you’re 25.”
He still faces an uphill battle despite his comedy resume.
“A lot of people are ready for this. I just don’t think the people in charge are right now,” he said, noting the swirling winds of change in Hollywood haven’t helped. “It’s such a confusing upheaval time in the business. I don’t think they’re able to concentrate on what people wanna see.”
Covert, whose cult hit “Grandma’s Boy” has him recognized in places as far away as South Africa, said he’s ready to meet the pent-up demand for the next great teen comedy.
“I make raw, crazy movies. I make sweet movies — whatever kind of movie needs to be made.”
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Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at HollywoodInToto.com.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
