Chris Farley’s Hilarious R-Rated Joke from ‘Tommy Boy’ That Never Made It to the Screen!

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Currently, Paramount is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the release of “Tommy Boy“, and rightfully so. This timeless comedy has stood the test of time (even though it received a negative review from Roger Ebert), and its renowned star Chris Farley is set to have a biopic produced by Josh Gad. Moreover, there’s a new 4K UHD release that boasts stunning visuals and a wealth of captivating special features. The film’s director, Peter Segal (known for movies like “50 First Dates” and “Anger Management“) recently reminisced with MovieWeb about the movie, even revealing more about a particular backstage moment that he once deemed “too R-rated” to discuss in his commentary track for “Tommy Boy“.

In discussion, Segal explained that the scene in question was one of multiple takes during the memorable “housekeeping” segment where David Spade, feigning employment at the motel, interacts with the characters. “You see, we experimented with various jokes,” Segal said. “When Chris appeared at the door for David’s ‘Housekeeping,’ he was swathed in a bedsheet.” They decided that Chris would then drop the sheet and exclaim, “Oh, Richard, hold me.” The team brainstormed different versions: first, with underwear on, but tight fitting ones revealing his backside; second, changing the type of underwear to see if it might elicit more laughter; and third, going for a bare-bottom shot. Segal added that they continued discussing options for this scene.

I told Chris, “For heaven’s sake, Chris, please don’t look around. Just keep your back to it.” Naturally, as you might expect, he didn’t listen. As soon as I shouted ‘Cut’, he swiveled around and began dancing! It was so unexpectedly funny that we couldn’t help but laugh. But in a more serious tone, I also instructed him to remove the film from the camera immediately. We certainly weren’t going to send that one back to Paramount!

Chris Farley Was a Sweet Perfectionist

In his reminiscence, Segal noted that the late SNL star was both meticulous and athletically gifted. He often performed his own stunts, as Segal recalled. Speaking of Farley, who tragically passed away at 33 in 1997, Segal shared a tale from their time filming together. Farley had trouble with an initial scene where his character did a spontaneous cartwheel after graduating, and Segal assisted him in overcoming his self-doubt. According to Segal, “I recall the hallway scene following his graduation. He wasn’t pleased with how it was progressing, and he was becoming increasingly anxious.” Segal went on to explain:

In essence, I chose to handle him somewhat like a sportsman. I instructed him to perform 20 push-ups and compose himself, followed by running laps around the courtyard. To my surprise, it proved effective. Upon his return, he was visibly breathless and composed. I then stated, ‘When you’re ready, we’ll attempt it again.’ I noticed in him a physical demeanor reminiscent of an athlete, who at times requires a moment to calm down.

Farley felt at ease with Segal, and the director shared how they grew close during the challenging Toronto shoot of “Tommy Boy”. As they put it, “We spent many dinners together. We went out frequently. I believe it was through discussing his family, his father, and sharing about those who doubted our movie that we found a strong connection,” said Segal. This film wasn’t derived from SNL characters, and at that time, the ratings for SNL were at an all-time low. Consequently, there was immense pressure due to these factors. Segal went on to say:

I believe recognizing that we were all in the same boat, including Spade, created an unique bond among us. This bond proved comforting even amidst the chaos of production issues, such as lacking a script and the constant uncertainty about what would be shot next. The sense of shared purpose – that we were all part of something significant – brought a sense of calm and made it more than just a job for us. This was an important milestone in our careers.

Under the watchful eye of director Peter Segal, the revamped version of “Tommy Boy” is now available for viewing in stunning 4K Ultra HD. This new release comes in two versions: a standard 4K/Blu-ray™ Combo and a Limited-Edition SteelBook®, both packed with legacy bonus material and a Digital copy of the film. These editions hit the shelves on March 25, 2025. You can also stream or purchase “Tommy Boy” conveniently through Paramount Movies here.

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2025-03-26 07:02