How Did This Get Made? – Last Looks: Grizzly II: Revenge

Episode Summary & Thematic Overview

In this lively “Last Looks” episode, Paul Scheer hosts an energetic post-mortem of the HDTGM episode dedicated to the infamous film Grizzly II: Revenge. This “mini episode” is a fan-favorite format featuring audience voicemails, corrections, and hilarious tangents, offering one last chance to air opinions and clarify facts before moving on to the next bad-movie adventure.

The episode centers on:

• Listener deep-dives into the absurdities and production lore of Grizzly II: Revenge
• Fan debates (and official “council” debates) about the evolving definition of the “Geek Squad” — the pop culture moniker for up-and-coming actors
• Surprising movie trivia, notable celebrity anecdotes, and the ever-unfolding connections between Grizzly II and broader pop culture (Star Trek, Jaws, etc.)
• Scheer’s signature comedic sincerity, audience appreciation, and familiar rapport with regular co-host Jason Mantzoukas

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Corrections & Omissions: Grizzly II: Revenge (06:13–20:36)

• Soda-Gate: Clarifying which orange soda Laura Dern’s character was carrying; it was Orange Crush, not Slice. [06:34]
  • Quote: "Warm orange soda doesn’t sound refreshing after a long hike. …It is not a bottle of Slice. It is a bottle of Orange Crush." – Paul Scheer (06:34)
• Stock Footage Oddities:
  • Listener MickG3D points out a surfing motorcycle rider in Grizzly II’s stock footage – confirmed by eagle-eyed producer Scott. Paul marvels: "This movie is absolutely amazing. It continues to confound me." [07:07]
• Jaws Footage Theft:
  • Listener Sean McBee reveals that the scene of the grizzly being electrocuted is simply color-graded stock footage from Jaws 2 of the shark dying. [08:30]
    • Quote: "I can see the scene from Jaws 2 and Grizzly and yeah, it’s the same shot. Whoa!" – Paul Scheer (08:45)
• Bear Massacre Math:
  • Fans highlight Bouchard’s (John Rhys Davies) claim that his family killed 25 bears in one night, raising ecological and ethical eyebrows. [09:36]
• Behind the Scenes:
  • Will Harris of AV Club shares an old interview with John Rhys Davies on his Grizzly II role and co-star Steve Inwood:
    • Quote: "Sometimes you learn more from the films that aren’t terribly successful. …Sometimes you learn more from the real disasters than you do from the ones that succeed." – John Rhys Davies (cited by Paul, 10:43)

Listener Calls & Awesome Anecdotes

• Charlie Sheen’s First Paycheck [11:08–12:43]:
  • Josh shares that Charlie Sheen’s first acting paycheck was for Grizzly II: "$6,000…two fancy camping vests, one in each color.” Paul relates, reflecting on the significance of splurge items.
    • Quote: "I love the fact that Charlie Sheen remembers that." – Paul (12:43)
• Louise Fletcher, Mark Alaimo, and Deep Space Nine Connections [14:24–16:02]:
  • Kelly highlights Grizzly II’s crossover with Star Trek: DS9 villains Louise Fletcher (Kai Winn) and Mark Alaimo (Gul Dukat). Paul nerds out: "You are all the absolute best. …work with somebody on a movie or a TV show that's so f*cked up, it is forever." [16:02]

The “Geek Squad” Debate & Community Feedback (20:36–34:54)

International Perspective

• Emily (France): In France, G Squad is an actual boy band — thus the “Geek Squad” should stick with their branding to avoid confusion. [20:36]
  • Quote: "…No more G Squad. It is Geek Squad. We do not want any confusion with French boy bands." – Paul (21:10)

Who’s In? Who’s Out?

• Fans offer impassioned arguments for and against including various young celebrities in the current “Geek Squad” — the unofficial new Brat Pack.
  • Nicholas Hoult is excluded as “too old” and “famous for too long.” [21:10]
  • Drew (Atlanta) proposes the “family” of young stars from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Maya Hawke, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley, with Dakota Fanning on the fence. Paul says Mikey Madison and Maya Hawke aren’t quite seasoned enough yet: "…need at least three or four performances to get in that squad." (23:27)
  • Kate (Mississippi) reps Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lucas Gage as quintessential Geek Squad material, sparking Paul’s support. (25:20)
  • Longtime Listener (26:47): Argues for Sabrina Carpenter (“Disney Channel, Netflix Christmas movie!”), and all but demands Paul Mescal’s immediate induction. Paul pushes back on Sabrina Carpenter, arguing she’s “a different type of entertainer,” but welcomes Daisy Edgar Jones as a possibility.
    • Memorable moment: This caller shares a moving story about the podcast’s positive impact on her mental health: “I ended up walking all day and listening to a bunch of episodes…and it was enough to get me…to take a step and go see the right kind of doctor…” [28:27–28:44]
  • Gen Z Opinion: Intern Quinn Jennings puts forth a definitive Gen Z list: Timothée Chalamet, Jenna Ortega, and Zendaya in; Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Sydney Sweeney out; proposes Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Zegler, Barry Keoghan, Lucas Gage, and Harris Dickinson as new candidates. [30:41–32:26]
    • Quote: "…Between some Nepo baby status and some denim commercials, I really don’t think any of them…have charmed me enough to be in Geek Squad.” – Quinn Jennings

Paul’s Verdict

• “You are all winners this week, you are all winners.” – Paul (32:26)
• The segment closes with praise and a silly winner’s song.

Just Chat: Paul & Jason’s Halloween Pranks and Movie Picks (37:49–55:04)

• Twelve-Foot Skeleton Mania (37:49–40:03): Paul reveals he, June, and neighbors are decorating with giant skeletons that proved less poseable than hoped. Jason riffs on “skeleton representation” in the neighborhood.
• Hollywood Decorations Gone Wild (40:34–41:36): They brainstorm a horror movie where Halloween decorations come alive. Scott, the producer, reveals Netflix already made The Curse of Bridge Hollow starring Marlon Wayans (and Rob Riggle): "If Riggle is in this, we need to get him on the podcast to talk about it." – Jason (41:42)
• Elf Animatronic Pranks (41:54–46:38): Paul recounts hilariously elaborate Buddy the Elf mannequin drop-offs at friends’ houses, including disguises, Ring-cam avoidance, and power supply fiascos.
  • Quote: “We did some prep work…ran onto his property, put the thing down, rang the doorbell, and then got out.” – Paul (44:01)
• Haunted Houses, Wet or Dry? (48:43–51:45): Jason and Paul joke about Halloween mazes at Universal with “wet or dry” options (you can get sprayed with water/“pee”). They riff on the gross-out “smell-o-vision” and the pitfalls of 4DX movie theaters.
  • Quote: "We gotta be careful. We can't just be letting random water into our mouths and eyes." – Jason (51:18)
• Quick Hits: Criterion Movies, Action Boys & More: Paul and Jason trade movie recommendations, from Robert Altman classics to the Trip series (Steve Coogan/Rob Brydon) and praise for the Action Boys podcast. (52:48–55:04)

Announcing Next Week’s Movie & Wrap-Up [55:04–57:45]

• Next Episode Reveal: The next HDTGM target is Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989).
  • Quote: "Get ready for June, Jason, and I to be confused about the lore of the Jason films. Sorry, but this is your fair warning to just prep for that." – Paul (55:04)
• Where to Watch: Streaming options on Paramount Plus, Pluto TV, AMC app, or for rent on Apple TV/Prime Video.
• Encouragement to Use Library Digital Media: Shout-out to Canopy, Hoopla, and Libby for free digital movie access via local libraries.
• Credits and Farewell: Paul thanks the team and listeners, and promises more hilarity next week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "I gotta say, every week I tune in to see what we have. I mean, I'm not tuning in, I'm broadcasting out." – Paul Scheer (03:00)
• "This movie is absolutely amazing. It continues to confound me." – Paul on Grizzly II (07:12)
• "Man, oh man, I love it." – Paul, reacting to Jaws footage theft (08:45)
• “You remember those purchases when you first get money. Like, for me, it was a foldout couch...wow, I love that fact.” – Paul, on Charlie Sheen’s camping vests (12:43)
• “These people talked about their experience on Grizzly 2 because it is a bond. When you work with somebody on a movie or a TV show that's so f*cked up, it is forever.” – Paul (16:02)
• “I don’t want to put [Sabrina Carpenter] in Geek Squad because…she’s a different type of entertainer. And now she comes back to acting, then it’s open doors again.” – Paul (28:44)
• “Quinn, you are not coached. You are not told to do anything. But when we went to you and said you need to help us, I think you laid it down in the best way possible.” – Paul on Gen Z’s pick for Geek Squad (32:26)
• “Twelve-foot seems small when you stand next to it...” – Paul, reflecting on giant Halloween skeletons (38:22)
• “If Riggle is in this, we need to get him on the podcast to talk about it.” – Jason (41:42)
• “Universal Studios…their horror mazes are Wet or Dry. You get to pick how you would like to experience your horror maze…The idea of being at Universal Studios for Universal Horror Nights and being wet is pure misery.” – Jason (48:49)
• “Get ready for June, Jason, and I to be confused about the lore of the Jason films.” – Paul, teeing up Jason Takes Manhattan (55:04)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Content Highlights | |------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:45 | Opening/Theme Song & Welcome | Paul greets fans, explains episode format | | 06:13 | Corrections & Omissions Theme | Deep dive into Grizzly II trivia and listener corrections | | 11:08 | Listener Voicemail: Charlie Sheen Fact | New Sheen trivia; “camping vests” anecdote | | 14:24 | Listener Voicemail: Louise Fletcher | Grizzly II meets Star Trek: DS9 discussion | | 20:36 | Listener Voicemails: Geek Squad Begins | International perspectives, debate over membership | | 25:20 | Kate’s Call: Companion Cast | Suggestions for Sophie Thatcher et al as Geek Squad | | 26:47 | Longtime Listener: Deep Praise & Picks | Sabrina Carpenter, Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar Jones defense | | 30:41 | Quinn Jennings: Gen Z Geek Squad Ruling | Definitive “in/out” list from Gen Z perspective | | 37:49 | Just Chat intro & Halloween Talk | Paul & Jason’s skeleton hijinks, Home Depot ordeals | | 41:54 | Buddy the Elf Prank Stories | Ring cam dodging, elaborate setups, mishaps | | 48:43 | Universal Horror Mazes Debate | “Wet or Dry” haunted houses; risky interactive amusements | | 52:48 | Criterion/Action Boys Recommendations | Altman movies, Trip series, Sneakers, podcast cross-promo | | 55:04 | Next Movie: Jason Takes Manhattan | Setup for upcoming episode, streaming info, playful warnings |

Conclusion

This episode is a characteristically chaotic and deeply affectionate exchange with HDTGM’s community, reveling in the bizarre legacy of Grizzly II, revisiting fan fixes and lore, and spinning out genre-defying conversations on “Geek Squad,” Halloween, and cult pop trivia. With heartfelt listener shoutouts, hilarious personal stories, and the promise of more gleeful confusion to come (Jason Takes Manhattan!), it’s a perfect “Last Looks” for hardcore fans and casual listeners alike.