E! True Hollywood Story Season 6 Episode 14 Fast Times at Ridgemont High
- January 13, 2002
In the season 6 episode 14 of "E! True Hollywood Story", viewers are taken on a deep dive into the making of the iconic 1982 film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". This coming-of-age comedy remains a cult classic and launched the careers of many famous actors, including Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Forest Whitaker.
The episode begins by exploring the history of the film's writer, Cameron Crowe. Crowe was a teenage writer for Rolling Stone magazine who went undercover as a high school student in California to gather material for an article about teenage life. This would eventually become the basis for his book, which was later adapted into the screenplay for the film.
Viewers are then introduced to the film's director, Amy Heckerling, who was chosen to direct the film despite having only one feature film credit to her name at the time. She quickly became known for her ability to capture the authentic experiences of teenage life, which made her the perfect fit for this project.
From there, the episode delves into the casting process for the film. Many now-famous actors, including Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, and Anthony Edwards, auditioned for roles. But it was ultimately Sean Penn who stole the show with his portrayal of the surfer-stoner Jeff Spicoli.
The episode then moves on to discuss the making of the film itself. Fans of the movie will be fascinated to learn about the behind-the-scenes drama that occurred during production, including the challenges of filming in a real high school and the antics of the cast and crew during downtime.
The episode also explores the film's impact on pop culture. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" was notorious for its frank depiction of teenage sexuality and drug use, which proved controversial at the time but ultimately helped to cement its place in movie history.
Overall, the "E! True Hollywood Story" episode on "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is a must-watch for fans of this classic coming-of-age film. With interviews from the cast and crew and never-before-seen footage from the set, viewers will gain a new appreciation for this beloved Hollywood classic.