I'm a big Ernest fan and this one was a bit darker for an Ernest movie. But Varney is hilarious. I laugh myself in stitches to see him dressed as a Harem Girl and when he gets kissed by that man. I have to say, Varney doesn't look half bad in false eye lashes and a blond wig. He's just about the only guy I know that can get away with dressing like a woman. Varney also brings out 'Auntie Nelda' who is so funny and a new character, 'Hey, You'. This and one other movie, 'Ernest in the Army' was the last Ernest picture. Unfortunately, Varney passed away just before finishing 'Ernest the Pirate', which I would have loved to have seen. Poor Ernest never got the girl, but I think he could've done better any way. He tried so hard to win her over only to be snubbed in the end. I would've went out on a date with Ernest rather than 'Todd Lavsky'. The only schmo in the movie was Renee for putting Ernest through all that. I would've dropped everything for an African adventure with Ernest. I love the apricot smash and at the end when Ernest accidently smashes the ostrich egg on his head and did the 'ewwwww' thing. He could make some of the craziest faces and still be cute. R.I.P. Jim Varney. You are missed.