Rob Reiner joyfully revisits 'Spinal Tap' in final USA TODAY interview
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Marco della Cava, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 6:03 AM
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Editor's note: Rob Reiner, 78, the acclaimed Hollywood director and actor famous for "The Princess Bride" and "All in the Family," has been killed alongside his wife, Michele Singer, in their California home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been taken into police custody and is being held on $4 million bail.
Three months before Rob Reiner's death, he spoke with USA TODAY's Marco della Cava about his new movie, "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues."
Devotees of the rock band Spinal Tap − OK, the fake/real band Spinal Tap − will be familiar with one of their classic song titles, "Gimme Some Money."
Turns out, they meant it.
Although Rob Reiner's 1984 mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" long ago cemented itself into the cultural firmament, it didn't pay off financially for the director and his three stars, Christopher Guest (who plays guitarist Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins) and Harry Shearer (bass player Derek Smalls).
And so that's why we now have "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" (streaming now on HBO Max). No joke.
Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, left) of Spinal Tap explains his guitar part to director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) in "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues."
"We never got any money from the first movie, really," says Reiner, 78. "Lots of people had the rights, and the four us had 10% each, and while it's going to sound crazy, we only got like 82 cents apiece over the years, despite all the DVD and foreign sales. Call it creative accounting on steroids. So Harry said, 'I'm going to sue to get the rights back,' and though it took him years, he got it done."
That copyright dispute with Universal Music was settled in 2020 and gave the creators the rights to their music, all of which was performed by the actors, who also are musicians. That victory spurred some conversations, though no immediate thoughts on whether a sequel should be made, Reiner says.
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dv_gtyD4rAb3Wx2iC.0F2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dfc813de3de67ba72c8f21880b2bb7 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
">1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dv_gtyD4rAb3Wx2iC.0F2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dfc813de3de67ba72c8f21880b2bb7 class=caas-img>1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iTXu.qwEZrfc8DF_f7A8gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c7be3a61fbcd6ac817284fa2944e639 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
">1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iTXu.qwEZrfc8DF_f7A8gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c7be3a61fbcd6ac817284fa2944e639 class=caas-img>1986: "Stand by Me"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1986: "Stand by Me"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ay74okMQZKg74PWey6CGuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f3ae33fde1f9a87074a75c49f3ca5342 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1986: "Stand by Me"
">1986: "Stand by Me"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ay74okMQZKg74PWey6CGuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f3ae33fde1f9a87074a75c49f3ca5342 class=caas-img>1990: "Misery"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1990: "Misery"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dWpFDdV6mWM6W_YmiyYXSg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3788ecaeb96ecabce428f77d420d07bc class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1990: "Misery"
">1990: "Misery"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dWpFDdV6mWM6W_YmiyYXSg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3788ecaeb96ecabce428f77d420d07bc class=caas-img>1992: "A Few Good Men"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1992: "A Few Good Men"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mG6mpnun5.59m7k4zo9wog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edfd316b60e37b5d4261eef6400e86b5 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1992: "A Few Good Men"
">1992: "A Few Good Men"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mG6mpnun5.59m7k4zo9wog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edfd316b60e37b5d4261eef6400e86b5 class=caas-img>1995: "The American President"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1995: "The American President"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BCJtMe0uU8MwisQy8SwUMA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79146bb943672a40325c0d473e524be1 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1995: "The American President"
">1995: "The American President"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BCJtMe0uU8MwisQy8SwUMA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79146bb943672a40325c0d473e524be1 class=caas-img>1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x_z8djIY0pxAe2Sh8tlJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e95c6dd2e9d7dfc4d6a0624b7162ef7e class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
">1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x_z8djIY0pxAe2Sh8tlJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e95c6dd2e9d7dfc4d6a0624b7162ef7e class=caas-img>1999: "The Story of Us"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1999: "The Story of Us"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XBPEN.wp_tLFRLk7Whtg.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afd25f1f1077ba09f2757cf44ee83daa class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1999: "The Story of Us"
">1999: "The Story of Us"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XBPEN.wp_tLFRLk7Whtg.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afd25f1f1077ba09f2757cf44ee83daa class=caas-img>2003: "Alex & Emma"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2003: "Alex & Emma"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.bCN8s.fGjoZ0qxKjQ.x5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54ce7a10a37f887f6954b3ab53c9baaa class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2003: "Alex & Emma"
">2003: "Alex & Emma"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.bCN8s.fGjoZ0qxKjQ.x5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54ce7a10a37f887f6954b3ab53c9baaa class=caas-img>2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1CCdgCeBXnNKdU0J47tK_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b19cc7c36f22425e2242a3dd68d57ce5 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2005: "Rumor Has It..."
">2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1CCdgCeBXnNKdU0J47tK_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b19cc7c36f22425e2242a3dd68d57ce5 class=caas-img>Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQ8fZGf.SD60vep3Aiz7Wg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDk5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5f66e52080069551d99db4f9c8053d8b class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
">Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQ8fZGf.SD60vep3Aiz7Wg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDk5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5f66e52080069551d99db4f9c8053d8b class=caas-img>2007: "The Bucket List"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2007: "The Bucket List"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kxWw_iyx52ImzvdANPzXhw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/45b6aead54ce66d32faa979870d6c08b class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2007: "The Bucket List"
">2007: "The Bucket List"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kxWw_iyx52ImzvdANPzXhw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/45b6aead54ce66d32faa979870d6c08b class=caas-img>2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Cln5U4VuCC8WyPfFrwKaXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/85af1258bb9e64aafdad615e5a8274d1 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
">2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Cln5U4VuCC8WyPfFrwKaXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/85af1258bb9e64aafdad615e5a8274d1 class=caas-img>2014: "And So It Goes"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014: "And So It Goes"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8mh_5fTpebQUdNFnnjhfPA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c8f0dd5133173d4606461f8b59e86bf class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2014: "And So It Goes"
">2014: "And So It Goes"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8mh_5fTpebQUdNFnnjhfPA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c8f0dd5133173d4606461f8b59e86bf class=caas-img>2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6f5bc8YrCyVGxBVEtIbrbg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/06ffcac5e35f61d2a73d0710c484ff9a class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
">2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6f5bc8YrCyVGxBVEtIbrbg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/06ffcac5e35f61d2a73d0710c484ff9a class=caas-img>
1 / 15These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
"We were asked many times to do one, especially after the movie was put in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress and the Oxford English Dictionary put in 'goes to 11' (a reference to how Tufnel's guitar amps could be dialed up beyond the standard 10). But for the most part we thought we were done with it all," he says.
But then real life reared its head and suggested a path forward. Since the three members of the fake band had not played together in 15 years, Reiner wondered aloud if there was a new film in exploring why the trio might have lost touch. The hilarious results propel the new mock doc, which find Tufnel running a cheese shop, St. Hubbins piddling around his home studio and Smalls staffing a glue museum.
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img>Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
">Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img>Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img>Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
">Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img>Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
">Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img>Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
">Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
">Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img>Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
">Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img>Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
">Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
">Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
">Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img>Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
">Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img>
1 / 14See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
As for the other key plot point − what reason could there be for the aging musicians to get back on stage − that too was born out of real-life twists. Tony Hendra, who played Spinal Tab's hilariously aggravated manager Ian Faith, died in 2021, and Reiner says he came up with the idea that he had willed his daughter, Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman), the rights to put on one last show by the band.
How Kate Bush and 'Stranger Things' inspired Rob Reiner for 'Spinal Tap II'
Fine, but what would bring out the fans for a band whose hits were decades in the past? Reiner found that answer when he noticed that Kate Bush's famous but old song "Running Up That Hill" had renewed interest with a younger audience after it appeared in an episode of the hit TV show "Stranger Things."
"So we thought, what if a big star is screwing around singing one of their songs during a song check, and someone films it and that goes viral and suddenly they're huge again?" he says. As to which big (real) star is horsing around with which Spinal Tap song, you'll have to watch to find out.
Paul McCartney (left) visits the studio as the members of Spinal Tap rehearse: From left, Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest).
Two fun "Spinal Tap II" cameos are less of a secret: Elton John and Paul McCartney. John's appearance in the movie, in which he performs a raucous version of "Stonehenge," came as a favor to Reiner, who had years before organized a fundraiser to support the Marriage Equality Act. "I asked him, and he said yes right away and was just terrific," Reiner says.
As for the appearance of a celebrated Beatle, that moment also had roots in the past. Years back, when the members of Spinal Tap were rehearsing in a large studio space in Los Angeles, McCartney happened to be rehearsing next door.
"So he wandered by and said, you know, 'Give us a tune, lads,' and we all were like 'Wow, it's Paul McCartney,' but he puts you at ease because he's got to be one of the nicest people on the planet," Reiner says.
Not to mention a natural in "Spinal Tap II." Reiner says McCartney "is a great improviser, and nothing throws him."
Back in 1984, Spinal Tap was revealed to the world in "This Is Spinal Tap," a revealing documentary about the iconic (fake) rock band. From left, Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean).
For Reiner, son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, making "Spinal Tap II" was sheer joy.
"The fun thing for me was falling back with old friends," he says, noting that then and now all the scenes in the movie are improvised. "You just start doing your thing with each other, Chris used to call it 'schneedeling,' and right away, we were schneedeling as if no time has gone by. You can't beat that."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Reiner revisits 'Spinal Tap' in his final USA TODAY interview
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
