Two Idiots in Hollywood

1988 American film

Jim McGrath
Jeff Doucette

CinematographyRobert BrinkmannEdited byAndy BlumenthalMusic byStephen Tobolowsky

Production
company

New World Pictures

Release date

1 October 1988 (1988-10-01)

Running time

85 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Two Idiots in Hollywood is a 1988 comedy film written and directed by actor Stephen Tobolowsky, based on his stage play of the same name. It stars Jim McGrath and Jeff Doucette.

Premise

Taylor and Murphy leave their small town existence in Ohio for the glamour of Hollywood. Taylor, completely without talent, becomes a successful television producer, while Murphy is tried for a murder he didn't commit.

Principal cast

Jim McGrath as Murphy Wegg
Jeff Doucette as Taylor Dup
Cheryl Anderson as Marianne Plambo
Lisa Robins as NBA Casting Secretary
Kurtwood Smith as Defense Attorney
M. C. Gainey as Sgt. Albert

Critical reception

The film was critically panned. From Chris Willman of The Los Angeles Times:

Possibly the worst film of this festival, or any festival of repute, ever. Director Stephen Tobolowsky and writer J. Barry Armstrong will no doubt take that passing hyperbole as a compliment, so heartily have they endeavored to make an awful camp classic, and how one wants to deny them even that satisfaction. Based on an equity-waiver revue, this foul-mouthed, free-wheeling, laughless comedy about two misogynist slobs trying to make it in show-biz is mostly for those who would like Sam Kinison if only he weren't such a heady guy.^[1]