The actors were dressed in shorts and t-shirts and It rained almost every day of the shoot. When a scene needed sunshine, the crew held tarps over everyone and bounced the lights off the underside.

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (2001) was shot in 28 days at a real camp in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, standing in for Maine. The cast slept in the infirmary and sent whoever wasn't working into town for beer.

Director and co-writer David Wain drew on his own camp experience in Maine, co-writer Michael Showalter on his in the Berkshires. The counselors included Bradley Cooper, in his first film appearance, and Amy Poehler, in her first credited film appearance.

It premiered at Sundance in January 2001. Despite screening four times to enthusiastic, sold-out crowds, the movie left the festival without a distribution deal. Months passed. USA Films eventually bought it for $100,000.

Wet Hot American Summer opened in two theaters in New York and grossed $295,206 in total. Roger Ebert gave it one star.

Paul Rudd has said he isn't sure he was ever paid, that because the production staff was so small, they may have just overlooked making out a check for his salary.