How Did This Get Made? — Last Looks: Date with an Angel (Feb 20, 2026)
Episode Overview
In this episode of "How Did This Get Made? Last Looks," hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas revisit their exploration of the bizarre 1987 film Date with an Angel. Listeners chime in with corrections, omissions, and stories related to the movie and its outlandish tropes. The hosts also deliver a bonus deleted scene, take a deep dive into current television obsessions—particularly Marvel’s Wonder Man—and reveal the contentious results of the latest fan poll, announcing the next movie selection. The episode is filled with the podcast's trademark wit, chaotic energy, and a thoughtful look at why we love so-bad-they’re-good cinema.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Community Corrections & Listener Feedback
- Mouth-to-Mouth Scene Analysis (06:45 – 07:45)
- Paul reads a Discord comment questioning the infamous "mouth-to-mouth" scene, pointing out the main character Tad's hilariously inaccurate resuscitation attempt. The consensus? "Blame the tumor" (08:05), a running joke used to explain any illogical plot point in the film.
- Quote: “Whenever we don’t understand anything in this movie, we are going to blame the tumor.” – Paul Scheer (07:55)
- Justice for Tad’s Finger-Sniffing
- A listener proposes Tad sniffed his hand to check for pool water, not lewdness, but Paul remains unconvinced.
- Angel in Flip Flops Explained (07:48 – 09:32)
- Alwyn from London clarifies a running joke: the song “Angel in Flip Flops” in Only Murders in the Building is a deliberately terrible fake song. Paul corrects and elaborates on the song’s backstory.
- Quote: “I am going to see your fact and throw it back in your face!” – Paul Scheer (08:55)
- The "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope (09:33 – 10:39)
- Luke calls in to label the film’s central trope: "Born Sexy Yesterday," where an attractive, naive outsider (usually a woman) is instantly fixated on the first man she meets. Paul and June riff on this, connecting it to films like Splash and The Fifth Element.
- Quote: “Basically makes mansplaining okay...men can talk to pretty women and feel incredibly superior.” – Paul Scheer (10:15)
- Angels in the Outfield Legacy (11:24 – 12:02)
- Galen highlights actor Tony Rotano’s peculiar career playing angelic roles, delighting Paul.
- White Sushi Chef Anecdote
- Jack’s dropped call leads Paul to recount the origin of a League episode about a white sushi chef. Paul emphasizes his surprise at the chef’s skill, noting white chefs may work harder due to stereotype expectations.
- Comparisons to "Passion Play" & Angel Movie Lawsuits
- Spargle O draws connections between Date with an Angel and Passion Play, prompting jokes about potential lawsuits over recycled angelic plots.
- Quote: “Should we have a lawsuit brewing between the writer of Passion Play and Date with an Angel? You know what? I say bring it.” – Paul Scheer (14:27)
- Burgess Meredith’s Boobs Memory
- The winning correction comes from DK, who recounts a childhood confusion over a Clash of the Titans nude scene, believing he had seen Burgess Meredith’s breasts.
2. Bonus Deleted Scene: Restaurant QR Code Fail (17:21 – 18:33)
- June teases Paul for scanning the wrong QR code at a restaurant, landing on the review page instead of the menu. Both bemoan QR code overload and how tech confusion can instantly date a dining experience.
- Quote: “Why have two barcodes on top of each other? Honestly, shame on that restaurant.” – Paul & June (18:03)
3. TV Recommendations & Pop Culture Chat
Wonder Man Deep Dive (24:53 – 31:33)
- Hosts: Paul, Jason, and June
- The trio raves about Marvel’s Wonder Man.
- Paul reveals inside info: he had early access through showrunner Andrew Guest and praises its unique “FX show” vibe, likening it to Legion rather than traditional Marvel fare.
- June describes Wonder Man as “a character study about ego death” rather than a superhero spectacle, spotlighting Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s lead performance and the show’s focus on the struggle of acting in LA.
- Favorite moments: Simon’s humiliating American Horror Story bit part and Ben Kingsley’s Shakespeare monologues. Both highlight episode guest stars Josh Gad and Joe Pantoliano, who play obnoxious versions of themselves.
- Quote: “It is unlike anything in the Marvel world. It feels like an FX show...like what Legion was.” – Paul Scheer (25:19)
- Quote: “He is so cripplingly insecure as an actor...he cannot get out of his own way.” – June Diane Raphael (27:38)
- The series’ “low stakes” approach reminds June of the comic Astro City.
- Recommendation: Even Marvel skeptics will enjoy Wonder Man for its humor, human scale, and half-hour format.
Classic & New Comedy Recommendations (34:36 – 41:20)
- 30 Rock Rewatch – Paul and June endorse revisiting 30 Rock for its dense, evergreen joke writing and endless character combinations. They lament the trend toward shorter seasons.
- Girls5Eva and The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins – Modern comedies from the 30 Rock creative team also receive high praise.
- Sarah Sherman: Live and in the Flesh (38:20 – 41:20)
- Both hosts emphatically recommend Sarah Sherman’s new standup special for its gonzo, body-horror absurdism.
- Quote: “Every time she hits [the Seinfeld bass pedal] kills me.” – Paul Scheer (40:12)
- Paul likens her lineage to Tim & Eric → Eric Andre → Sarah Sherman.
- Quote: “It feels very much like Julio Torres’s special...hers presents as a standup special that is completely twisted.” – Paul Scheer (41:19)
4. Next Week’s Movie & Fan Poll Drama (43:12 – 46:12)
- The Discord poll ended in a tie between Shoot ‘Em Up (2007) and The Core (2003), but in light of alleged vote manipulation, the hosts select Shoot ‘Em Up (“You fucked around and you found out!” – Paul, 45:15).
- Paul expresses love for Shoot ‘Em Up and will extol its Looney-Tunes-meets-John-Wick insanity in the next episode. He reads an Ebert quote highlighting the film’s over-the-top style.
- Quote (Ebert): “Never before have I seen a movie open with the hero delivering a baby during a gun battle...then killing a villain by penetrating his brain with a raw carrot.” (45:45)
- Shoot ‘Em Up is only available to rent, but Paul insists listeners won’t regret it.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- Tumor as All-Purpose Plot Device: “Whenever we don’t understand anything in this movie, we are going to blame the tumor.” – Paul Scheer (07:55)
- The Born Sexy Yesterday Trope: “Makes mansplaining okay... men can then talk to pretty women and feel incredibly superior.” – Paul (10:15)
- Fan Engagement: “I’m not going to hear any complaints. It is available to rent... and I think you should, and I don’t think you’re going to be upset about renting it, so go with God.” – Paul (46:16)
- On QR Codes at Restaurants: “Honestly, shame on that restaurant. How dare you give me a way to review before I’ve even gotten to the meal.” – June Diane Raphael (18:03)
- On Wonder Man’s Marvel Standout Vibe: “It is unlike anything in the Marvel world. It feels like an FX show...like what Legion was.” – Paul (25:19)
- Marvel Fatigue? Not a Problem: “If you are not keeping up with Marvel...It doesn’t matter. It’s a slice of life for this one character.” – June (25:57)
- Sarah Sherman’s Special: “Every time she hits [the Seinfeld bass pedal] kills me.” – Paul (40:12)
- On Fan Vote Result: “You fucked around and you found out, okay, we are gonna do Shoot ’Em Up, a movie that I don’t think belongs on this show. But you picked it. And we’re gonna give it to you.” – Paul (45:15)
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Corrections & Omissions: 06:45 – 16:40
- Bonus Scene: QR Code Fiasco: 17:21 – 18:33
- Wonder Man (Deep Dive): 24:53 – 31:33
- Comedy Recommendations: 34:36 – 41:20
- Next Movie Announcement & Poll Drama: 43:12 – 46:12
Tone & Language
The episode flows with the show’s trademark blend of zany banter, winking self-deprecation, affectionate movie nerdery, and genuine pop culture enthusiasm stemming from the hosts’ unfakeable chemistry. Fan interactions—through Discord, calls, and corrections—keep the podcast playful and community-focused, while their forays into TV discussion are sharp, nerdy, and inviting to both newcomers and deep-cut aficionados.
Summary
Whether you’re here for the sublime awfulness of Date with an Angel, the hosts’ pop-culture digressions, or just a strong comedy recommendation, this episode delivers all the pleasures—and the chaos—that make How Did This Get Made? a comedy podcast institution. Next week: Clive Owen, gun-fu, and carrots in Shoot ‘Em Up—per Discord’s divisive, yet definitive vote.
Want to join the corrections/omissions fun or suggest an alt movie tagline? Get involved on the HDTGM Discord or call 619-PAULASK.