How Did This Get Made? Podcast Summary Episode: Last Looks: Dream A Little Dream
Release Date: December 6, 2024

1. Introduction to "Dream A Little Dream"

In this episode of How Did This Get Made?, hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas delve into the made-for-TV holiday rom-com, Dream A Little Dream. The episode sets the stage by highlighting listener submissions and introducing the episode's primary focus: addressing corrections and omissions related to the film.

2. Corrections and Omissions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to listener feedback correcting inaccuracies and filling in gaps about the movie's production details.

• Corey Haim's Injury ([12:24]):

  • Johnny Unusual explains that Corey Haim broke his leg four days before filming began, leading to his character, Dinger, being rewritten to include the injury. Despite efforts to conceal the real injury, the film incorporated a fake cast to maintain continuity.
  • Paul Scheer expresses skepticism: “I think the whole story is bs. Shout out to our previous segment. Yes, I believe that Corey Haim never broke his leg.”

• Choreography Credits ([14:58]):

  • Dell Preston points out that Corey Feldman was credited as a choreographer alongside Tony Fields, refuting June’s earlier joke about missing this fact.
  • Paul Scheer jokes about Feldman's singing abilities: “Give Jason Robards and Corey Haim some singing lessons and let them sing that end credit theme.”

• Age Gap Miscalculations ([14:59]):

  • Grammys and the T. Rex corrects Paul on his math regarding the age differences between Alex Rocco and Victoria Jackson, clarifying inaccuracies in their portrayal.

• Body Swap vs. Possession ([17:00]):

  • Johnny Unusual emphasizes that Dream A Little Dream is a possession movie, not a body swap story, fundamentally altering the film's interpretation.
  • Paul Scheer acknowledges this as the standout correction: “This is not a body swap movie. This is a possession movie.”

These corrections not only address factual errors but also reshape the listeners' understanding of the film's narrative and character dynamics.

3. Introducing the "BS in Movies" Segment

The hosts unveil a new segment titled "BS in Movies," where they critique and discuss superficial or unrealistic trends commonly seen in films.

• Paul Scheer ([07:00]):

  • Introduces the segment with disdain for persistent cinematic clichés like prolonged misunderstandings and unrealistic family breakfasts.
  • Notable Quote: “I hate misunderstandings. Just clarify yourself.”

• Highlights of BS Trends:

  • Lack of Genuine Goodbyes: Characters often end phone calls abruptly without proper farewells.
  • Overuse of CGI Babies: Preference for real babies over computer-generated or puppet ones to maintain authenticity in films.
  • Extravagant Breakfasts: Unrealistic portrayals of abundant and time-consuming breakfast preparations.

• Listener Engagement:

  • Paul Scheer encourages listeners to call in with their own grievances about movie trends: “I challenge you to tell me some of your BS trends.”

This segment aims to resonate with the audience by addressing relatable frustrations with modern filmmaking conventions.

4. Just Chat: Hosts Discuss Current Shows and Movies

In the "Just Chat" segment, the hosts share their current favorites and recommendations, offering a window into their personal tastes and ongoing projects.

• Jason Mantzoukas:

  • Current Watches:
    • Chef's Table: Noodles – Praises the new season as a fantastic addition to the series.
    • Rivals – Describes it as a “wild” British show filled with posh Brits in the Cotswolds engaging in dramatic and humorous antics.
    • Flipside – A personal favorite documentary exploring artistic momentum and procrastination.
  • Recommendations:
    • Dan to Dan – An anime on Netflix lauded for its visual brilliance and captivating story.

• Paul Scheer:

  • Current Watches:
    • Bad Monkey – Enjoys the blend of humor and mystery, citing performances by Vince Vaughn and Carl Hiason.
    • Family Secrets – A Peacock series about a missing girl and the subsequent investigation into her father's possible involvement.
  • Personal Projects:
    • Mentions his cameo in The Gutter, a "big dumb comedy" that received positive reactions at South by Southwest.

• Mutual Interests:

  • Both hosts express admiration for Letterkenny, highlighting its comedic prowess.
  • Upcoming Projects:
    • Paul shares excitement about upcoming live shows and tours, including appearances with fellow comedians.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jason Mantzoukas ([27:00]): “Flipside is a documentary about artistic momentum and procrastination. I feel very connected to that inability to follow through.”
  • Paul Scheer ([35:00]): “It's fun to feel inspired by people doing stuff that... gets mainstream success. That's such a small needle to thread.”

This segment not only showcases the hosts' diverse interests but also builds a personal connection with the audience by sharing authentic experiences and recommendations.

5. Announcements and Upcoming Episodes

The episode concludes with teasers for future content and listener engagement opportunities.

• Next Episode:

  • Movie: Christmas Mail – A 2010 made-for-TV holiday rom-com.
  • Event: Live streaming episode with Jessica Sinclair on December 12th.
  • Trailer Breakdown: Provides a synopsis of Christmas Mail and notes its availability on platforms like Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Freevee.

• Listener Instructions:

  • Encourages ratings and reviews on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
  • Promotes social media engagement and acknowledges the production team.

• Future Segments:

  • James will join for a classic discussion, likely revisiting beloved films and TV shows.

6. Conclusion

How Did This Get Made? wraps up the episode by reaffirming their commitment to dissecting and celebrating the peculiarities of bad movies, ensuring listeners have a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of Dream A Little Dream alongside engaging discussions on broader cinematic trends.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer ([12:24]): “I think the whole story is bs. Shout out to our previous segment. Yes, I believe that Corey Haim never broke his leg.”

• Johnny Unusual ([14:58]): “This is not a body swap movie. This is a possession movie.”

• Paul Scheer ([07:00]): “I hate misunderstandings. Just clarify yourself.”

• Jason Mantzoukas ([27:00]): “Flipside is a documentary about artistic momentum and procrastination. I feel very connected to that inability to follow through.”

• Jason Mantzoukas ([14:59]): “This is not a body swap movie. This is a possession movie.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, listener interactions, and thematic segments of the How Did This Get Made? episode on Dream A Little Dream, providing a clear and engaging overview for both regular listeners and newcomers.