SALT LAKE CITY, UT (See It or Skip It) —Throwback comedies are making a quiet comeback, and “Balls Up” is not trying to play it safe. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film leans fully into chaotic, unapologetic humor, the kind that defined an earlier era of comedy. I sat down with Paul Walter Hauser to talk about stepping into that world, working alongside Mark Wahlberg, and why this kind of comedy still matters, whether it lands in theaters or straight to your living room.
Paul Walter Hauser: Patrick, how are you and the rest of the SLC folks doing?
We’re doing well. We wish we had some moisture, but I think we’re doing pretty well. It’s pretty great to be able to talk to you with this film, particularly because Peter Farrelly directed Dumb and Dumber, which was shot a lot in Utah. So kind of a roundabout way to make this, tie in. So glad that we’re able to talk about this.
I think there’s something interesting about comedies, especially since you were part of one of the biggest ones last year with “The Naked Gun” as a theatrical release. With this one going to streaming, I’m curious, do you feel any difference on set when it comes to improvising and working within the jokes? Is there more pressure depending on the platform, whether it’s theatrical or streaming, and what do you see as the benefits of each?
Paul Walter Hauser: Yeah. I’m a fan of both streaming and theatrical. I think those companies have their own reasons for why they do, what they do, and how they roll films out. And, I respect that. I don’t buck against that. I really appreciate that anyone is making comedies, period. So it’s a big deal to get to do a throwback comedy that does not feel like it’s trying to be sensitive to the times. It’s just a really wacky, ridiculous, crazy movie, much like The Hangover and Wedding Crashers. But as far as the pressure to perform, I come from a comedy background. I did stand-up comedy and improv at the Improv Olympic Theater in Chicago back in the day, so I very much feel comfortable in comedy. It’s more drama than I’m usually very, very sort of eggshell walking and trying to deal with the pressure of getting it right, if that makes sense.
No, totally. That does make sense. And you’ve got a dramatic actor that you’re working alongside. Obviously, Mark Wahlberg did do a ton of comedies, some iconic ones, but is it weird working alongside someone who has more of a footing in the dramatic realm? And was it intimidating working with him at the start?
Paul Walter Hauser: Wahlberg is kind of similar to those other guys in comedy and drama, be it Ryan Gosling or even Matt Damon, who can be really funny. You know, Mark knows how to handle himself in any genre. I was pleasantly surprised to find Liam Neeson was so funny in “The Naked Gun”. I kind of had no idea. And then he was the comedy star of 2025, literally. And in this film, Mark brings it and is super funny, especially there’s a scene on the boat where we get into a predicament, a situation of which I won’t spoil, but Mark just was screaming in agony and doing like a high-pitched voice yelling at me. It was hard not to break character. It was so funny to see such a masculine guy be so vulnerable and frail in that moment. It was hysterical.
With Peter Farrelly, would you say he leans more toward being very precise about what he wants, or does he leave room for improvisation? And how does that actually play out on set, especially if something isn’t landing, are you workshopping jokes in the moment, or is it more structured?
Paul Walter Hauser: Honestly, it’s kind of both. Pete Farrelly is very precise and gave me a ton of direction, which I didn’t anticipate. I thought it would be more fly-by-night. I know what I’m doing type of thing, but there’s a certain arrogance to that because I’ve done comedy so long, I just assume, and Pete’s direction really helped tell the story and make my performance better. While at the same time, he does let you improvise and try things, whether he agrees or not, he really honors the actor and lets you have fun with it. So I think it was the best of both worlds with Pete.
What was one of the bits of advice that maybe he gave you during an improvization that you weren’t expecting?
Paul Walter Hauser: I think he wanted to go back to the idea of we’re not trying to always be funny, we’re trying to be honest and grounded. And don’t elevate what’s already elevated, that kind of thing. I’ve gotten that note a few times from guys like Jay Chandrasekhar, who directed me in “Super Troopers two”. I’ve gotten that direction from Craig Gillespie, who directed me in “I, Tonya” and “Cruella”. It’s helpful to have a good balance, and good directors know how to do that.
Absolutely. Well, thank you again, Paul, so much.
Paul Walter Hauser: See it. Don’t skip it, Patrick. Don’t skip it.
“Balls Up” is now streaming, bringing that wild, no-holds-barred comedy energy straight to audiences at home. If you’ve been missing the kind of comedies that just go for it, this might be exactly what you’re looking for. Check out the full interview above, and for more exclusive conversations and weekly movie coverage, keep it locked on “See It or Skip It.”
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