EH: Well.... [Laughs] He went to town so passionately on that bass. Mashable, MashBash and Mashable House are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. I actually beat the hell out of my hands. EH: I drove my Vespa onto a gravel road a few months ago, which you should never do, I learned. EH: I'm not sure if you can see it in the video, but the idea was that he was playing so fast that smoke was coming out of his banjo. That's the context in which our conversation began, which should maybe tell you something. It would be a crime to spoil much, so we’ll just advise you to stick around, at least till all four of them play banjos in barbershop quartet duds. I think they are an amazing band. We're all still e-mailing about it. It was ahead of its time. Helms features in the video for Mumford and Sons' song "Hopeless Wanderer". But what's insane about that episode is, we got these really skilled drivers who do real drift car racing to operate the RC cars. What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you on stage and what was your experience like there? In 2015, he had a cameo appearance in the band's music video for the song " The Wolf ". Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. ES: In the series, you play a guy named Cesar Pequeño. Who is that guy? It was just the coolest thing. When It Comes to Steve Kornacki, Please Don’t Cock Block Leslie Jones, And on Top of Everything Else, Rachel Maddow Has to Go Into COVID-19 Quarantine. EH: Maybe, I don't know. He’s “awakened,” sure, but no less fun as hell. EH: Oh, right, yeah. And that maybe there's a tiny person. Sam hooked up his banjo to a smoke rig. ES: Were you lip-syncing? But he also flies camera-mounted helicopters for movies. He's also a music video director and has won MTV Video [Music] Awards for various videos — he's just a great artist, photographer, filmmaker. EH: That was weird, believe me. is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Sudeikis sent an e-mail not too long ago, and he said there'd be little baby violins in another nine months. Well, guess what? And Mumford, at last, knows we get it!! Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. What I love about the video is if you take us out of it, and [director] Sam [Jones] did that exact video with Mumford & Sons, it would still be a really cool video. Reporting on what you care about. (MumfordAndSonsVEVO via YouTube) The guys share a tearful moment, comforting Forte (as bassist Ted Dwane). And what did they say? But he was in a terrible accident, and it basically obliterated his body. After all those Grammys and the many, many albums sold, the Sonz have finally poked fun at their earnest beardiness. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter! Adorned with earth-toned clothing, hipster facial hair and instruments from the prairie house, the troupe of actors are almost unrecognizable at first. Most Jersey Reporter Ever Tells Trump Supporter to ‘Buzz Off’ on Live TV. It could only be cured by a fervent make out. EH: Well, the director, Sam Jones, he's one of the great photographers of our day — he has worked with everybody. From a distance it’s almost hard to tell that the comedians aren’t the actual members of Mumford & Sons. And I worked closely with James Spader on The Office and I just think he's the greatest. Were you happy with that ending? The tech company that made it, they sculpted a finger beautifully and then cast it in this sort of silicon rubber stuff. The 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Can’t Shake Off 2020. When it's 400 degrees below zero outside, this is an extremely exciting way to spend an afternoon. Everybody in it was so amazing. I don't know. You were wrong. This Is Video Proof of What Could Be the Fastest Muscle Car Ever, The Man Who Dresses the NBA Will Now Be Dressing You, The Abortion Ministry of Dr. Willie Parker, How Restaurant Music Got So Bad: A Brief History, A Visual History of Video Game Controllers in 22 Photos. I don't know if it's still as crazy as it was then, but probably the most shocking thing I saw was somebody pee in a cup, and then drink it on stage. And we went with our instincts. See also: 11 Tips and Tricks for Spotify Power Users. admiring the icy vapor of a caribou’s breath in winter, Jason Bateman and Pals Did That Amazing Mumford & Sons Video Basically for Free. A “close contact” of the MSNBC anchor tested positive for the coronavirus. EH: It's probably two parts Scarface — Al Pacino Scarface — and one part Don Johnson from Miami Vice. MacGruber & Sons: Mumford Hired Jason Bateman, Ed Helms, and More to Impersonate Them. Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter! If Idris Elba isn’t admiring the icy vapor of a caribou’s breath in winter, what’s the point in living? California residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. The New Mumford And Sons Music Video Parodies Itself And It's Amazing. And the only part of his body that was not totally lost was his pinkie finger, which they just sewed on as his arm. ES: And an Oscar-worthy kiss with Jason Sudeikis. And The Hangover also came to a close. Now he's playing a minuscule human in the Yahoo web series Tiny Commando and has three movies on the horizon. I didn’t expect this to break my heart.”. We're using cookies to improve your experience. But it's just this kind of brilliant but fucked up performance art mixed with comedy and that's what's so special about UCB. EH: Totally, it was just nonstop joy. File this one under inexplicable, but awesome music videos. Winston came to the set, and we found a way to use him. EH: Well, thankfully I don't have to. But when everything was set up, he'd just say, "Go for it." In the video, which has all of the makings of a Mumford & Sons video with its folk instruments, grassy fields and barnyard setting, each comedian poses as a member of the award-winning band. EH: Yeah. Every time he saw me flying a helicopter, I guess I had this intense, joyful concentration. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 15 Best Scary Christmas Movies of All Time. The real Mumford & Sons (L-R) Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett. Tiny Commando, which he co-created with Jacob Fleisher and premieres Monday on Yahoo, is about a former Navy SEAL the size of a Star Wars action figure, who's locked in an epic struggle with an equally diminutive villain named Cesar Pequeño, played by Helms, who for some reason has a thumb for an arm. They brought in Ed Helms, Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, and Will Forte to make the greatest music video of this year. I've always been into toys and kits and models. All day long, I was flying these things around the set, in my hotel room, crashing them and sending my assistant to the hobby shop to get more supplies, taking them apart and tweaking them and souping them up. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! EH: It was crazy. EH: There's a great episode that's based on the big game hunting trope of action or suspense movies. The Office wrapped — how do you feel about Andy's storyline? I always loved playing with radio-controlled toys, cars, helicopters, boats, you name it. And you know what, here's something: We actually filmed the video on the same farm where we shot all of the Schrute Farms episode of The Office. Sam had all the shots choreographed well in advance. Have you ever accidentally called someone else besides your mom "mom"? I saw some really insane stuff. He was so excited by this project, because it was all about the RC vehicles. If the clip doesn’t open on a faux silent movie title card, does it deserve to exist? ES: Jason Bateman had some sweet banjo finger-pickin' moves. EH: I mean, we went out with a bang, and I'm damn proud of it! ES: Holy lord, man. He was in town for some reason and came by the set. There's something about miniaturizations that just captures the imagination. And I got really good at it. And Jesus, did they poke vigorously, recruiting Jason Bateman, Ed Helms, Jason Sudeikis, and Will Forte to play themselves, goof off, and mimic all that is Mumfordian. Love Mumford or hate ‘em, we all just get it by now. You may know Ed Helms from that teeny tiny TV show The Office or the blockbuster Hangover trilogy. By the end of the 5-minute song, the latest release from the indie band's Grammy-winning album "Babel," there's a vaudevillian performance, the comedians have a pint, and Sudeikis has even passionately made out with his bandmate, Forte. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my entire life. ES: How much of what you and the other guys did was improvised? It had this balcony, and you could stand on it and zip these helicopters out across the pool and around the lobby. What fall TV are you excited for and who are you excited to see? They rigged a little tube that came up under his hand, so while he's finger-picking, smoke comes out. BONUS: MTV Turns 32: Your Favorite Music Videos of All Time, Homepage image: YouTube, MumfordAndSonsVEVO. The guys share a tearful moment, comforting Forte (as bassist Ted Dwane). How did you choose Zachary Levi for the part? Four years ahead, in fact. Mumford & Sons enlisted the help of funnymen Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, Ed Helms and Will Forte for their newest music video for "Hopeless Wanderer." ES: I have this very vivid image of you in my head, and you're sitting alone in a basement and surrounded by miniature toys. ES: This may be a spoiler, but why does he have a thumb for a hand? Log in or link your magazine subscription, See Jason Bateman, Ed Helms As Mumford & Sons, Foo Fighters Ready to Call It, Dave Chappelle Not So Much in, Patiently Wait for the Nevada Results With These Very Impatient Memes, Colbert Tossed Out His Monologue, Made a New One After Trump’s Speech Thursday, Anderson Cooper Has Snapped and He’s Taking the Good Name of Turtles With Him, Here’s How to Watch the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Induction Ceremony. Mumford & Sons combined the band's folky sound with our favorite comedians to create a music video of massively entertaining proportions.. It looks like a giant finger. And what would he be doing with his life? You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The video for 'Hopeless Wanderer' by Mumford & Sons featuring Jason Bateman, Ed Helms, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis. And it was a no-brainer because Sam's awesome, Mumford & Sons is awesome, and these were some of my favorite comedians that I've known for years and that I like to work with. EH: No, you know, actually I think everyone has done this: You are at the grocery store with your mom and you are only 3 feet tall so you accidentally grab onto the wrong leg, and you are on some freaky stranger. 11, 2017 8:58PM ET / Published Aug. 06, 2013 1:53PM ET ERIC SPITZNAGEL: First of all, congratulations on finding a way to make a show that incorporates one of your great loves, toy helicopters. Because he spent so much of his time full of anxiety and awkwardness and self-doubt. ES: So of course you had to check it out. ES: We need to talk about that Mumford & Sons video, "Hopeless Wanderer.". Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. EH: We were shooting in this hotel atrium, and it was made for indoor helicopter flight. Once you get over that hump and realize it's okay, we just started singing our little hearts out. If you had to choose music or acting, what would you choose? Who did you base him off of? But even though we're all comedians and accustomed to making fools of ourselves, I think we were a little self-conscious about singing. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. Ed Helms: Well, the genesis for the show is very simple. ES: We've talked about this before. It became a running joke on the set. © 2020 Vox Media, LLC. By Zach Dionne. It was like, oh my God. ES: So really, there was no way you couldn't have done Tiny Commando? It's why we love dollhouses and little Tonka trucks. ES: You would go so far as to call yourself a hobbyist? He also talks about his UCB days, the end of The Office and we ask him to choose between acting or music. Ed Helms is supposed to be Mumford & Sons pianist Ben Lovett. EH: Yeah, that's me! I also have always been into action figures and building little models and whatnot, and there's something about miniaturization that's so captivating. There's the moment when Will Forte is copulating with the bass. I've been able to do both, and music for me has always been very personal. How did you come up with the idea for Tiny Commando? EH: When we started shooting Cedar Rapids, I was staying at this hotel at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and there just wasn't much around. EH: Well, whenever I've messed around with radio-controlled things, there's always been a part of me that's thought, I wonder if there might actually be a little guy piloting these vehicles. EH: It's too real. Because more than one thing is happening today. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! And he was so knowledgable and helpful. EH: Well, we learned pretty quickly that when you lip-sync, it looks like lip-syncing. I'm kind of a toy nerd. Happy-smug Maher is always more fun than angry-smug Maher. By Eric Spitznagel. It was damn cold, and very close to the hotel was a hobby shop. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! An all-virtual ceremony can only rock so hard. 'The Mandalorian' is Now 'Raising Baby Yoda', Watch Stephen Colbert's Emotional Monologue, A Brief History of James Bond's 007 Designation, The Best Social Media Reactions to the Election, The Queen's Gambit Shows Real Chess Matches. Mumford & Sons' banjoist and lead guitarist Winston Marshall used to consider himself someone who "vaguely appreciated" dance. EH: Nope, nope. That’s the first thing.”, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and More Celebrate Joe Biden’s Election Win, Spike Lee Pops Bottles in Brooklyn to Celebrate Biden Victory, Van Jones Cries Tears of Democrat Joy As CNN Names Biden President-Elect. EH: The prosthetic finger they made for me to wear was just disgusting. But the Tiny Commando is trying to track down somebody's lost guinea pig. EH: Yeah, they were so thrilled with it, and I think it's credit to them because they get so much flack for being intense and melodramatic, but they have such a great sense of humor about themselves and about the genre they are a part of — which is awesome, and I love them. All rights reserved. EH: It just seemed like such a fun idea to me, to do a sort of campy, live-action series with set pieces that are all essentially radio-controlled toys. Q&A: Ed Helms on Nerdom and How He Almost Destroyed His Hands for Mumford & Sons. EH: I am so proud to be a part of that video. It was pretty intimate. EH: I thought it wrapped up very nicely. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe.