David Spade Discusses Positive Reception of New Comedy Film Busboys

Feedback on the social media platform X has been about 96% positive, according to Spade, though some negative comments included one rating it an F-minus. Spade co-stars with comedian Theo Von in the film, which they funded with more than $3 million of their own money.

The movie follows two naive characters attempting to become waiters, drawing from Spade and Von's past experiences as busboys who never advanced to waiter positions. Initially planned as a direct-to-consumer release through Von's website, the film secured theatrical distribution and opened in 800 theaters worldwide last Friday.

It generated $1.65 million in its opening weekend, as reported.

features crude comedy with absurd jokes, including a running gag about Von's character trying to buy a penis for his mother to provide her with a partner. Spade stated that the humor aims to be ridiculous but not mean-spirited, making fun of various situations while maintaining a heartfelt element.

Comedian Tim Dillon appears as a restaurant manager with secretive behaviors, and Spade's character interacts with a romantic interest at a sperm bank. The production incorporated elements reminiscent of Spade's earlier work, such as ratty wigs similar to those in Joe Dirt.

Spade, who hosts the Fly on the Wall podcast with Dana Carvey, described the project as an expensive experiment. Von's This Past Weekend podcast is among the most popular on YouTube, and the pair bonded over their shared backgrounds.

Inspirations Spade noted a loosening of comedic boundaries, referencing his recent role in the dark comedy Outcome on Apple TV, directed by Jonah Hill and starring Keanu Reeves, which includes a joke about Kanye West and antisemitism. He expressed hope that audiences can accept such humor without issues.

The film recalls Spade's 1995 movie Tommy Boy with Chris Farley. Production occurred in Los Angeles after the 2025 fires, with Spade aiming to provide work in an industry facing challenges. He splurged on including songs by the band Poison despite the small budget.

Spade mentioned criticizing officials in charge for the decline in Hollywood's film production, comparing it to closing a coal mine in Pennsylvania. Spade expressed interest in mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt's proposals to revive the city's film business by reducing red tape and costs, though he has not decided on support.

He measures the film's success by fans repeating lines or creating Halloween costumes based on it.