How Did This Get Made? Episode Summary: "Last Looks: Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
Episode Overview Released on January 17, 2025, the "Last Looks: Bad Boys: Ride or Die" episode of How Did This Get Made? delves deep into the intricacies and peculiarities of the film Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dissect the movie's strengths and shortcomings, engage with listener feedback, and explore related cinematic topics. The episode also features a special interview with bestselling author Brad Meltzer, providing insights into his latest work, The JFK Conspiracy.
1. Diving into Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Paul Scheer opens the episode by introducing the film Bad Boys: Ride or Die, setting the stage for a comprehensive analysis. The hosts discuss the film's attempt to continue the legacy of its predecessors while introducing new elements, leading to a mix of chaos and unexpected moments.
Notable Quote:
- Paul Scheer (00:23): “Don’t miss the worldwide premiere of Star Section 31, streaming January 24, exclusively on Paramount.”
Note: This quote is part of a comedic advertisement within the episode and highlights the show's signature humor.
2. Corrections and Omissions
The segment titled "Corrections and Omissions" addresses inaccuracies and overlooked details from the movie, as pointed out by listeners on the show's Discord server.
Key Points:
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Albino Alligators: Listener Dove clarifies that while the movie used a prop animatronic alligator for scenes in an abandoned amusement park, albino alligators like Claude do exist, though they rarely survive in the wild due to their poor eyesight and predatory disadvantages. Paul appreciates Dove’s contribution, acknowledging the factual basis behind the movie’s portrayal.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (11:03): “Dove, thank you for sharing your work. I love it.”
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Character Incarnations: Zilla21 highlights a scene where Marcus envisions various incarnations of Mike and Mar through time, including ants, lemurs, birds, camels, gazelles, horses, and bears. Paul and Jason humorously react to the complexity of these transformations, suggesting each could inspire its own movie.
Quote:
- Jason Mantzoukas (11:29): “Holy shit. Let's see a movie about each one of them. Fun Facts 47 writes…”
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Eminem Reference: Fun Facts47 points out the absence of a nod to Eminem, considering the initials of the main characters (M&M) and suggesting a humorous connection to the rapper.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (11:50): “Why didn’t Eminem get a shout out when the initials for the main characters are M&M?”
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Film Tagline and Themes: Listener Brant from Orange County discusses the film's tagline and explores the deeper themes of what defines a "bad boy" within the context of the movie.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (12:56): “Bad Boys are bad. So obviously to them, Bad Boys are bad.”
3. Listener Interactions and Feedback
The hosts engage with multiple listeners, addressing their thoughts, corrections, and personal anecdotes related to the movie and the podcast.
Highlights:
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Brant’s Praise: Jason expresses gratitude towards long-time listener Brant, who commended Paul’s book and the podcast's impact on his life.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (11:50): “I would love if you guys were to do a hop, skip and a jump down to Orange County for a show someday.”
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Jeff’s Insights: Listener Jeff from LA provides a detailed breakdown of the movie’s themes, prompting a deeper discussion on the definition of "bad boys" and their portrayal in the film.
Quote:
- Jason Mantzoukas (21:41): “Your insight really impress Paul.”
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Davon’s Tribute: Davon shares heartfelt messages about the podcast's influence and updates on personal events, including the impact of LA fires, eliciting empathy from the hosts.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (12:55): “It was so great to hear everything that you were thinking. And finally, we are safe.”
4. Special Shoutouts and Highlights
Paul gives a special mention to Jerry Butler, star of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, for his supportive message that positively influenced the box office performance of the film.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (01:27): “Jerry is the fucking man. I love it. I love that he made that for us.”
Additionally, the hosts acknowledge their upcoming tour dates and encourage listeners to join them for live shows across various cities, emphasizing the communal spirit of the podcast.
5. Interview with Brad Meltzer
A standout segment features an in-depth interview with Brad Meltzer, a renowned author known for his bestsellers like Lightning Rod and The Escape Artist. Meltzer discusses his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, which unravels a lesser-known plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy.
Key Topics:
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Writing Process: Meltzer shares his collaboration with co-author Josh Mensch, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in crafting compelling narratives.
Quote:
- Jason Mantzoukas (30:28): “The only death threats I've ever gotten in my life also came from comic book fans.”
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Grounding Fiction in Reality: He explains how real-world events, such as the aftermath of 9/11, influenced the storytelling in his works, adding depth and relatability to his characters.
Quote:
- Jason Mantzoukas (31:16): “The Secret Service, I do a lot of work with them, and they explained to me…”
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The JFK Conspiracy Plot: Meltzer teases the book's premise without revealing spoilers, inviting listeners to explore the intricate details of the conspiracy theory presented.
Quote:
- Jason Mantzoukas (47:41): “The whole point of it is... I just ruined chapter one of the JFK conspiracy for you.”
The conversation also touches on the parallels between historical and contemporary political climates, drawing connections between past assassinations and present-day societal tensions.
6. Announcements and Future Plans
Next Movie Feature: The hosts preview their selection for the upcoming week—Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver. Despite mixed reviews, Paul expresses personal interest in the film's unique narrative and artistic vision.
Top Episodes of 2024: Paul announces the top three episodes as voted by listeners:
- Trap with Blakely Thornton
- Troll 2 with Adam Scott
- The Beekeeper (Number one)
Listeners are encouraged to join the Discord community to share their favorite episodes and engage with the podcast's vibrant audience.
Quote:
- Paul Scheer (56:46): “They are coming in at number three. Drum roll. Trap with Blakely Thornton. Great episode.”
7. Conclusion
Paul wraps up the episode by thanking contributors and listeners, highlighting upcoming content, and reinforcing the importance of community engagement. He also shares a humorous note about creating a new show, Dark Web, with Rob Hubel, emphasizing the podcast's continuous evolution and expansion into new ventures.
Final Quote:
- Paul Scheer (58:44): “The Bahamas and Panama. Latte, anyone?”
Overall Summary This episode of How Did This Get Made? masterfully blends humor, critical analysis, and listener interaction to explore Bad Boys: Ride or Die. By addressing corrections, engaging with fan feedback, and featuring a compelling interview with Brad Meltzer, the hosts provide a multifaceted look at the film and its place within the broader cinematic landscape. The episode underscores the show's commitment to celebrating and dissecting "bad movies" while fostering a strong, interactive community.