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The Spark Parade
Matt Friend's Spark Is Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
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Comedian and impressionist Matt Friend joins Adam to talk about the movie that sparked his comedy journey: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. In this episode, Matt and Adam dive deep into the entire Austin Powers franchise, unpacking the iconic characters, endlessly quotable gags, and the unique comedic genius of Mike Myers.
Matt shares how watching Austin Powers as a four-year-old completely changed his life, inspiring him to start mimicking voices and setting him on a path to becoming one of the most exciting young comedians today. From his early days obsessing over DVDs and Blockbuster runs to his viral celebrity impressions and appearances on The Howard Stern Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Simpsons, and Family Guy, Matt reflects on how the Austin Powers films shaped his love of character-driven, physical, and absurdist comedy.
About Matt Friend:
Matt Friend is a comedian, actor, and impressionist with over two million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. He’s known for his spot-on celebrity impressions (over 250 in his repertoire!), viral comedy interviews, and performances at major events like the Netflix Is A Joke Festival and the White House Correspondents Dinner. Matt has voiced characters for The Simpsons and Family Guy.
About The Spy Who Shagged Me :
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is the second film in the Austin Powers franchise, released in 1999 and directed by Jay Roach. The film stars Mike Myers in multiple roles—Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and Fat Bastard—and features Heather Graham, Michael York, Rob Lowe, and Seth Green. The story follows Dr. Evil as he travels back to the 1960s to steal Austin’s mojo, leading to outrageous adventures, time travel hijinks, and a parade of unforgettable characters. The Spy Who Shagged Me became a box office hit, grossing over $300 million worldwide, and introduced fan favorites like Mini-Me and Fat Bastard. Its mix of slapstick, innuendo, and pop culture parody cemented its status as a comedy classic.
In this episode:
- Matt’s origin story with Austin Powers and why The Spy Who Shagged Me stands out
- The influence of Mike Myers’ multi-character performances on Matt’s own comedy and impressions
- Favorite scenes, supporting characters, and the film’s hilarious attention to detail
- How the Austin Powers movies inspired Matt’s career, from childhood mimicry to viral stardom
Keywords:
Matt Friend, Austin Powers, The Spy Who Shagged Me, Mike Myers, comedy podcast, celebrity impressions, Adam Unze, The Spark Parade, viral comedian, Blockbuster nostalgia, Netflix Is A Joke Festival, The Simpsons, Family Guy, pop culture, comedy movies, 90s movies, cult classics, Mini-Me, Fat Bastard, Dr. Evil, Heather Graham, Michael York, Seth Green, Rob Lowe, Jay Roach, parody, slapstick, character comedy
The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.
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Carter Vail's Spark Is The Royal Tenenbaums
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The Lumineers' Jeremiah Fraites' Spark Is Bruce Sprinsteen's Nebraska
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Spark Is Charli XCX's Brat
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Gianmarco Soresi's Spark Is Spice World
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The Boulet Brothers' Spark Is The Rocky Horror Picture Show
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