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Strangers With Candy

A lot of famous people like it; we're not sure why

By BRETT MICHEL | July 5, 2006

1.0 Stars

STRANGERS WITH CANDY: The Comedy Central series’s celebrated fans can’t save the film.

Upon reading the cast of supporting players in this prequel to the short-lived Comedy Central series starring Amy Sedaris (David’s sister) as recovering crack whore Jerri Blank, I couldn’t help but get excited. Although I’d never seen an episode of the series, a parody of “after-school specials,” I was aware it had its share of celebrated fans: no less than Philip Seymour Hoffman, Allison Janney, Justin Theroux, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dan Hedaya, and Ian Holm all appear here in small roles. Then I discovered that the film had had its premiere at Sundance 2005, and here it is a year and a half later, opening on one local screen. Bad sign. But given that it was produced by David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants and co-written by series regulars Stephen Colbert and director Paul Dinello (who also appear), I had reason to hope. Now that I’ve seen the film, I don’t.

Related: Snow Angels, Goodbye nasty, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, More

Topics: Reviews , David Letterman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Sedaris, More

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