Roughly 1,000 extras dressed in their heavy metal finest packed the UNO Lakefront Arena last weekend to film a scene for the sequel to This Is Spinal Tap, the 1980s mockumentary film that follows the fictional British rock band Spinal Tap as they navigate the ups and downs of their music career. The 1984-cult classic that pokes fun at “cock-rockers” in rock and heavy metal bands of the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in general, was directed by Rob Reiner. Reiner, who played the infamous “Meathead” in Norman Lear’s hit series All in the Family, was on hand to direct the motley crew of returning talent and a few extra cameos: Sir Elton John and WeeMan, the 4’ tall stunt performer and prankster best known for his work on MTV’s Jackass.

Michael McKean donned a Robert Plant-esque shag wig as he joked with the extras Friday, March 15 while in character. (Modern audiences may recognize McKean from his work on Better Call Saul, playing the older and more successful brother of the titular character, Saul Goodman.) Meanwhile, Christopher Guest, who plays Nigel Tufnel in the film series, strummed his mandolin and various most excellent (in the Bill & Ted sense of the word) guitars. Both McKean and Guest, who are both 76 years of age, skillfully played their instruments while bantering with the audience.

Shearer, who has been featured in OffBeat many times alongside his wife, Judith Owen, may have been the reason that Reiner chose New Orleans as a location for filming. Although Covid and strikes amongst the Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America have put a damper on Hollywood, a new three-year contract put in place by valued at more than one billion dollars that includes increases in minimum salaries, and benefits, as well as new residuals for streaming programs has been secured by Louisiana Entertainment.