15 Iconic Props That 2000s Comedies Couldn’t Do Without

“A comedian without a prop can’t click,” said old-timey actor Wesley Ruggles in Kliph Nesteroff's book The Comedians. (Funnier name: Wesley Ruggles or Kliph Nesteroff?) “I learned that back in the days when I pushed the props around for Charlie Chaplin. Great pantomist that he is, Chaplin realizes the necessity of props.”

From Chaplin's bowler cap and cane to Steve Martin's arrow through the head to Carrot Top's … well, to Carrot Top's everything, props have always been a vital comedy tool.  Lucky for us, today's funniest inanimate objects have come a long way from the squirting lapel flower or the cream pie shoved in the face.  In fact, many of the comic movies and TV shows of the 21st century wouldn't work without them.   Here are fifteen examples of goofy props that made modern comedies sing.  Take a look and be sure to watch out for falling bunk beds.

 

 

15

STU'S MISSING TOOTH FROM THE HANGOVER How did they make Ed Helm's mouth-hole seem so realistic? Turns out he really is missing a tooth. It never grew in as a teen and he's been wearing a dental implant ever since, waiting for the chance to turn tooth tragedy into comedy. CRACKED.COM

Ritsco Prosthodontics

14

GRACKED COM GENE'S MYSTERY TOILET FROM BOB'S BURGERS Gene befriends a seemingly sentient toilet, complete with a variety of handy features. Like a porcelain ET, Gene is able to help his new pal find its way home. The talking toilet is the role Jon Hamm was born to play.

CBR

13

LESLIE KNOPE'S WAFFLES FROM PARKS AND RECREATION We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third. CRACKED.COM

NBCUniversal

12

CRACKED.COM TATER TOTS FROM NAPOLEON DYNAMITE The movie's tots were so memorable that Burger King hired Jon (Napoleon) Heder and Efren (Pedro) Ramirez twelve years later to promote their new cheesy tots. No word on if they were served in cargo pant pockets.

Delish

11

MCLOVIN'S FAKE ID FROM SUPERBAD Christopher Mintz-Plasse also would have needed a fake ID to buy booze for the party -- the actor was only 17 years old when he filmed Superbad. That meant he had to have his mom on set at all times, including during his love scene. Eww! HAWAII DRIVER LICENSE MUNICIA 01-47-87441 ON 06/03/1981 KAZ 06/03/2003 SEX CTY EYES HAM MO N-N ISSUE DATE CLASS - ENDONSE 06101001 adult McL OVIN 892 MOMONA ST CRACKED.COM HONOLULU. HI 96820

Screenrant

10

CRACKED.COM EVER ON to AND NA ... THE BUNK BEDS FROM STEP BROTHERS At first it was Reilly, Ferrell, and | just laughing, says director Adam McKay. We sat around for three or four days and just wrote scene ideas, images, attitudes, locations (like) 'I would love to see a movie where bunk beds collapse.

The Ringer

9

THE PINK CAST FROM LADY BIRD The physical manifestation of Lady Bird's rebellion is so iconic that you can buy a jigsaw puzzle version from the A24 store. GRACKED.COM

A24

8

THE MATT DAMON PUPPET FROM TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE Something happened in the oven when the puppet makers were baking Damon's head -- it came out looking ... less than intelligent. With no time to make a new one, Trey Parker and Matt Stone decided to give Damon an idiot personality instead. MATT DAMON! GRACKED.COM

Cracked

7

CRACKED.COM THE HOT TUB FROM HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Co-writer Josh Heald was in a producer's office who suggested a remake of Hot Dog ... The Movie. Heald misheard the suggestion as hot tub, which is why John Cusack doesn't travel back in time with the help of a giant weiner.

Chicago Tribune

6

CRACKED.COM В D THE BANANA AND GRAPEFRUIT FROM GIRLS TRIP What the peach scene was to Call Me By Your Name, the grapefruit scene is to Girls Trip. That's one way to get your Vitamin C.

Decider

5

A DUNDIE FROM THE OFFICE The most coveted prize in Scranton was inspired by creator Greg Daniels' stint on King of the Hill. Daniels gave out annual staff awards known as the Swampies, named for costumer designer Jeff Swampy Marsh. Those little plastic salesman trophies are not too hard to find. GRAGKED.COM

Mashable

4

CRACKED.COM PILLOWS AND BLANKETS FROM COMMUNITY Abed and Troy build massive bedroom forts in multiple episodes, although they are ultimately destroyed. Reddit conspiracy theorists believe the forts are metaphors for the show itself. So is Dan Harmon a Pillow or a Blanket?

Reddit

3

THE WEDDING DRESS FROM BRIDESMAIDS The food poisoning scene ruined many dresses but none as pristinely white as Maya Rudolph's wedding gown. I was told I'd have a stunt person which really made me laugh, says Maya. Like, how intense is this going to be?

Entertainment Weekly

2

CRACKED.COM THE DRUG TRIP DOLLS FROM BOOKSMART Amy and Molly's hallucination took a team of 30 animators nearly five months to complete. Being trapped inside a Barbie doll's body is every feminist girl's worst nightmare, said an animator. Your legs are too long, your boobs are too heavy.

Vulture

1

STEVE CARELL'S CHEST HAIR FROM THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN It took four cameras to capture the very real pain experienced by Carell as body hair was ripped from his chest. Actress Miki Mia lied about her waxing experience - she had no idea what she was doing (like failing to add protective Vaseline to Carell's poor nipples). CRACKED.COM

Screenrant