How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from This is Spinal Tap.
Quote #1
NIGEL: He's got this much talent — this much if he's lucky.
DAVID: We carried him. We had to apologize for him with our set.
These lines are spoken in regard to Duke Fame, Spinal Tap's rival musical act, and a rising star on the scene. If Duke were really talentless, or needed to be carried, he probably wouldn't have to stave off crazed fans. Not only that, but David and Nigel would likely feel less compelled to rag on him if they didn't feel threatened by the guy's success. This is your classic case of Grade A jealousy.
Quote #2
DAVID: Jeanine. She's going to come meet us. She was supposed to do this, uh, window layout for Neil Kite's Boutique, but it's not until April.
NIGEL: Is she coming to drop some stuff off, you know, and then...and then go back?
Nice try, Nigel. Even if he hadn't said anything at all, we probably would have been able to glean from his expression that he isn't thrilled about his friend's affections being diluted. He's kind of obvious about it, too, but fortunately for him, his obviousness is no match for David's obliviousness.
Quote #3
DAVID: Of course, you know, it's so strange because Nigel and Jeanine are so similar in so many ways, but they just can't, they don't dislike each other at all.
JEANINE: No.
DAVID: There's great love between the two of them.
JEANINE: Oh, yes.
DAVID: But, they just, there's some sort of communication that's just not, just blocked or something.
David says that Nigel and Jeanine are "similar in so many ways." We assume they would beg to differ. But there's a whole lot of truth to it. They're both arrogant, certain they know what is best for the band. They're both confident and charismatic people. And they both adore the heck out of David. Of course, jealousy can't exist without some common ground. If your dream is to be an astronaut, why would you be jealous of some guy who opens up his own restaurant? Maybe the jealousy between Nigel and Jeanine only exists because they see a bit too much of themselves in each other.