Podcast Summary: "Last Looks: Expend4bles w/ Jack McBrayer & David Wain"
Podcast Information:
- Title: How Did This Get Made?
- Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
- Episode: Last Looks: Expend4bles w/ Jack McBrayer & David Wain
- Release Date: August 1, 2025
- Description: In this episode, the hosts delve into "Expendables 4," dissecting its plot, character developments, and glaring inconsistencies. Joined by guests Jack McBrayer and David Wain, the discussion is both comedic and critical, highlighting why "Expendables 4" fits perfectly into the "so-bad-it's-good" category.
1. Introduction and Episode Overview (00:00 - 01:14)
Paul Scheer kicks off the episode with humorous advertisements and a brief introduction:
- Paul Scheer (00:00): Jokes about Doritos Golden Sriracha being "spicy but not too spicy."
- Paul Scheer (01:14): Introduces the episode's theme—dissecting "Expendables 4"—and teases upcoming segments, including listener feedback, a deleted scene, and a special Sylvester Stallone podcast revival.
2. Listener Corrections and Omissions (01:42 - 07:48)
The hosts engage with listener feedback, addressing various plot points and continuity issues in "Expendables 4."
- Listener Sean McBee (03:00): Criticizes the illogical prisoner exchange plot, questioning, “Judi Dench should have said they're called the Expendables for a reason, asshole.”
- Listener DrGutz10 (03:10): Puzzles over a social media influencer searching for a bodyguard, labeling it “old man logic.”
- Listener Arkhamplayer (04:00): Points out Jason Statham’s sudden facial hair in a locker room photo, leading to discussions about character inconsistencies.
Notable Quote:
- Sean McBee (03:00): “Judi Dench should have said they're called the Expendables for a reason, asshole.”
3. Sylvester Stallone's Surprise Call (07:48 - 10:09)
In an unexpected twist, Stallone seemingly calls into the podcast:
- Listener "Sylvester Stallone" (09:28): Defends his filmography, stating, “It's not about how many bad movies you make. How many Oscars you make and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done.”
- Paul Scheer (10:09): Expresses amazement and honor, commenting, “I am honored. I loved. Wow, I'm honored.”
4. Charisma Carpenter's Absence and Justice for Her (09:00 - 19:00)
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Charisma Carpenter’s diminishing role in the "Expendables" series.
- Listener George Glass (09:00): Highlights the abrupt disappearance of Carpenter’s character, Cammy, and the lack of narrative closure.
- Paul Scheer (11:00): Shares personal admiration for Carpenter and laments her reduced presence, saying, “Justice for Charisma Carpenter.”
- Deleted Scene Playback (12:58): Illustrates Carpenter's character development and her sudden exit from the storyline.
Notable Quote:
- George Glass (09:00): “Justice for Charisma Carpenter.”
5. Video Game Tangent: 50 Cent Bulletproof (19:00 - 40:42)
The hosts briefly divert to discuss the poorly received video game "50 Cent Bulletproof."
- Producer Scott (22:00): Notes the Metacritic score of 4.4/10 but contrasts it with positive YouTube comments.
- Listener Adeloff1 (39:35): Reminisces about the game, stating, “Before John Wick, we have 50 Cent.”
6. Accolade to George Glass (07:48 - 19:00)
Acknowledging valuable listener input, the hosts award George Glass for his insightful comments on Carpenter's character.
- Paul Scheer (18:00): “I want to give it to somebody who talked about something that was very important... Justice for Charisma Carpenter.”
7. Personal Segment: Paul's Conversation with His Mom (19:00 - 26:00)
In a candid and humorous interlude, Paul Scheer converses with his mother about difficulties in getting Sylvester Stallone to appear on his podcast.
- Paul Scheer (21:54): Expresses frustration, “I feel like I'm gonna look like a real jerk in front of everybody.”
- Paul's Mom (23:05): Offers encouragement and advice, suggesting Paul “kiss his ass a little bit” to mend ties.
Notable Quote:
- Paul Scheer (24:37): “I just feel like a jerk about it.”
8. Interaction with Guests: Jack McBrayer & David Wain (26:00 - 38:51)
Paul attempts to pivot the show to feature Jack McBrayer and later David Wain, resulting in a comedic exchange.
- Jack McBrayer (26:00): Playfully rebuffs Paul's attempts to interview him about action films.
- David Wayne (30:41): Introduces himself with enthusiasm, sharing his multifaceted career.
- Paul Scheer (32:43): Attempts to invite Paul’s listener to join a Thanksgiving dinner, leading to humorous rebukes from David Wayne.
- David Wayne (33:15): Declines the invitation, resulting in Paul venting frustrations about the podcast’s direction.
Notable Quote:
- Paul Scheer (33:25): “This is Hollywood. Oh, so nice to your face. And then when you ask them for something real...”
9. Sylvester Stallone Podcast Impersonation (38:51 - 40:52)
Paul delivers a parody monologue as Sylvester Stallone, blending humor with satirical reflections on Stallone's film persona.
- Impersonated Stallone (38:51): Speaks about triumph, underdogs, and quirky personal preferences like “a Subway turkey sub with meatballs.”
Notable Quote:
- Impersonated Stallone (39:54): “Thankful for you and to be away from people in my life who give me bullshit.”
10. Announcement of Next Week’s Movie: Driven (40:02 - 42:18)
Concluding the episode, Paul introduces "Driven," a 2001 motorsports film starring Sylvester Stallone.
- Paul Scheer (40:02): Details the film's premise and cast, mentioning, “Rotten Tomatoes rates this film a 14% on the Tomatometer.”
- Trailer Playback (40:52): Features snippets promoting the movie’s themes of courage and passion.
Notable Quote:
- Paul Scheer (41:17): “We have to pick the best correction and omission for this week.”
11. Closing Remarks and Final Advertisements (42:18 - End)
Paul wraps up the episode with standard closing procedures and advertisements.
- Paul Scheer (42:18): Reminds listeners to rate and review the podcast, and promotes upcoming episodes and sponsors.
Key Insights and Conclusions:
- Plot Inconsistencies: Listeners and hosts alike identify and criticize illogical plot devices in "Expendables 4," particularly the handling of team dynamics and character arcs.
- Character Development: The abrupt exit of Charisma Carpenter’s character raises questions about narrative consistency and character importance within the franchise.
- Host Challenges: Paul Scheer candidly discusses the struggles of maintaining guest appearances, highlighting the difficulties in sustaining engaging podcast content.
- Community Engagement: The episode underscores the value of listener feedback, rewarding insightful comments and fostering a sense of community through interactive segments.
- Humor and Satire: Throughout the episode, the hosts employ comedy to both entertain and critique, maintaining the show’s signature blend of humor and analysis.
Notable Quotes:
- Sean McBee (03:00): “Judi Dench should have said they're called the Expendables for a reason, asshole.”
- George Glass (09:00): “Justice for Charisma Carpenter.”
- Paul Scheer (24:37): “I just feel like a jerk about it.”
- Impersonated Stallone (38:51): “Thankful for you and to be away from people in my life who give me bullshit.”
Conclusion: In "Last Looks: Expend4bles," "How Did This Get Made?" continues its tradition of celebrating cinematic missteps through sharp wit and critical analysis. By engaging with listener input, navigating unexpected guest interactions, and blending humor with meaningful critique, the episode provides a comprehensive and entertaining examination of "Expendables 4." The hosts' ability to weave personal anecdotes and comedic elements ensures that both longtime fans and new listeners find value and amusement in their dissection of the film’s shortcomings.