Liza Koshy talks Liam Neeson, spoof comedy, and sequel dreams.
Liza Koshy is proving she’s more than just an internet sensation. The Houston native has officially made the leap from YouTube comedy star to big-screen powerhouse in The Naked Gun, now playing in theaters nationwide.
Directed by Saturday Night Live alum Akiva Schaffer and produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, The Naked Gun reboots the classic spoof comedy franchise with Liam Neeson taking on the role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., following in the footsteps of his father. Koshy stars alongside a stacked cast that includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Eddie Yu, Danny Huston—and of course, Neeson.
Koshy told Nerdtropolis, “Dude, it’s killing it. I’m so pumped to be part of such an incredible franchise—and such a freaking flop of a movie… just kidding! It’s amazing.”
The Return of Classic Spoof Comedy
Koshy, who has previously appeared in Work It, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Netflix’s Players, shared what it was like acting opposite Liam Neeson in such a straight-faced spoof environment. “I was wondering if I should make eye contact with him or like, his tie,” she said, laughing about their size difference. “He’s all of 6’4” and I’m 4’11” on a good day. He was hilarious to hang out with on set, but everything—you’re playing everything like it’s a drama. You’re not acknowledging the things that are funny.”
She added that the key to The Naked Gun’s comedy—and its predecessors like Airplane!—is not breaking character: “That’s the secret sauce of Naked Gun and all of these OG Leslie Nielsen evergreen comedies. You never acknowledge what’s actually funny. The audience does. The audience gets to be the observer. That’s like, that’s heinous. That’s insane. But we don’t. It’s just our world and we’re just living in it.”
For fans of the original films, the new entry delivers a mix of visual gags, double entendres, and absurdist humor that rewards repeat viewings. “So many jokes that I picked up the second time watching it,” said Koshy. “There’s so many bits that you want to remember so that you can use them in real life.”
She emphasized the importance of watching it in a theater, with an audience: “It’s so important to watch it with others and watch it in theaters. While it’s at theaters, go see it.”
A Dream Come True
When asked when it finally hit her that she was living her dream, Koshy didn’t hesitate: “Oh, man. As a token brown bestie in a lot of films, I am excited to be taken and smitten. And so is she, I think. I don’t know anything about that. It’s not my business. But they’re both so lovely. And it’s so cool to like, yeah, not be taken, but be a collaborator and a partner in crime to Detective Frank Drebin Jr.”
Liza Koshy, who got her start in short-form comedy before transitioning to film and hosting gigs, is clearly embracing her place in this next evolution of her career.
A Personal Favorite Gag
Outside of her own scenes, Koshy said one particular joke made her laugh out loud every time: “Someone walking up to Frank Drebin and saying ‘Lieutenant Frank Drebin,’ and Liam goes, ‘Me too.’ It’s just so stupid and simple and sweet and I love it. So I’ve been using it.”
As for what’s next, Liza Koshy is all in. “Let’s do it again. I’ll see you on the sequel,” she said with a smile.
The Naked Gun is now playing exclusively in theaters. Read my review here.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
