How Did This Get Made? – Last Looks: Surf II (July 4, 2025)

Hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of How Did This Get Made?, the hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dive deep into the perplexing and often baffling world of the cult classic "Surf II." Released on July 4, 2025, this installment of "Last Looks" focuses on dissecting the myriad of oddities and questionable decisions that make "Surf II" a perfect candidate for celebration as one of the best worst films ever made.

Community Contributions: Corrections and Omissions

The episode prominently features listener interactions, showcasing the community's passion and attention to detail. Paul Scheer introduces the segment by encouraging listeners to submit their observations and corrections regarding "Surf II."

• Aaron Renee's Alternative Tagline (02:15): Aaron Renee from Discord suggests the tagline "Surf II: Grease 3, Eugene's Revenge," which Paul praises for its creativity and humor.

• Dove's Insight on the Buzz Cola Trophy (10:11): Dove points out that the Buzz Cola International Surf Trophy awarded to Eric Stoltz is actually a women's bowling trophy, adding a layer of unintended humor to the film's props.

• Mitch Kappa Chunkstyle on the Yearbook (10:34): Mitch questions the extravagance of featuring "The Nerdiest Couple" with two full pages in the yearbook, highlighting the film's emphasis on nerd culture.

• Ghostbag's Theoretical Twist (11:07): Ghostbag theorizes that the extra 'Z' in Buzz Cola signifies "zombie," suggesting a deeper, albeit unintended, connection to the film's zombie elements.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer on Aaron's Tagline: "I love it. Thank you, Aaron Renee, for that alt tagline." (02:15)
• Dove on Sir Boards: "They might have given it an F. Oh, I like that, Dove." (10:27)

The Simpsons Connection: A Listener's Theory

Luke from Seattle presents a compelling theory connecting "Surf II" to The Simpsons, specifically likening a scene of Homer choking Bart to the way characters in "Surf II" wrangle their necks after a surf competition. Paul enthusiastically agrees, stating, "You might have really cracked open a whole gold mine here." (16:34) The hosts express excitement over this revelation and announce plans to explore and share Simpsons references found within "Surf II" on their Instagram page.

Shoutout to Avril Halley

A heartfelt segment honors Avril Halley, the show's dedicated movie-picking producer battling brain cancer. Paul Scheer emphasizes Avril's invaluable contributions and urges listeners to send her messages of support:

• "Avril is truly one of the kindest, nicest people I have met. We've loved our time working with her." (09:35)

Details for sending support include emailing her at andrewoviebitches@xyz.com or mailing to her P.O. box in Agora Hills, CA.

Deleted Scenes and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Paul introduces a bonus deleted scene that delves into the origins of "Surf II," highlighting the film's rushed creation process:

• Unsafe Work Conditions and Rapid Production (22:43): The episode reveals that the writer-director, while on painkillers from a surfing injury, wrote the movie in just two days. Initially titled "Frankie and Annette Go to Hell," it was later renamed "Surf Death the Movie" before being marketed as "Surf II."

• 3D Misrepresentation and Added Gags (23:41): The studio added numerous sexual and gross-out gags post-production to capitalize on trends similar to "Revenge of the Nerds." Despite being sold as a 3D film at Cannes, most of the movie was not actually filmed in 3D.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul on the Director's Struggles: "The writer director had suffered a surfing injury to the face, and while on painkillers, he wrote this movie in two days." (22:46)
• Jason Mantzoukas on Boobs Slapping (25:05): "I think the sun damage doesn't do..." (Dialogue discussing added scenes and their nonsensical explanations)

Listener Stories: Personal Connections and Theories

• Rob from Long Island (11:07): Rob clarifies the historical meaning of "thong" in the context of the film, explaining its reference to flip-flops rather than the modern interpretation of the word. Paul humorously appreciates the newfound knowledge: "I'm glad my image of the Beach Boys stays untarnished." (11:39)

• John's Interaction with Gerard Butler (12:27): John shares his encounter with Gerard Butler, who appreciated the shirt Paul wore at a Seattle show. Paul responds warmly, acknowledging the significance of such personal connections.

• Jafar's Detailed Analysis (14:33): Jafar provides an in-depth comparison between the original and director's cut of "Surf II," noting the increase in nudity and its impact on the film's coherence. Paul welcomes this insight, stating, "Katie, you are definitely hired on Surf I." (15:57)

• Luke's Simpsons Theory (16:34): Luke draws a parallel between a surf competition scene in "Surf II" and a classic Simpsons moment, prompting Paul to praise the depth of the theory and announce further exploration of such connections.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul on Rob's Clarification: "Thank you. I'm glad my image of the Beach Boys stays untarnished." (11:39)
• Paul on Jafar's Input: "Katie, you are definitely hired on Surf I." (15:57)

Conclusion and Upcoming Attractions

As the episode wraps up, Paul Scheer announces next week's focus on the 2001 Sylvester Stallone film "Driven," promising more laughs and insightful breakdowns. He also encourages listeners to join their Discord community for ongoing discussions and support Avril Halley.

Final Quotes:

• Paul on Luke's Winning Theory: "You might have really cracked open a whole gold mine here." (16:34)
• Jason Mantzoukas on Winning: "You win." (21:56)

Join the Conversation

Listeners are invited to continue the discussion and share their own theories and observations on the How Did This Get Made? Discord server: discord.gg/hdtgm.

Key Takeaways:

• "Surf II" serves as a prime example of cinematic missteps, prompting extensive community engagement.
• Listener contributions reveal hidden details and foster a deeper appreciation of the film's quirky elements.
• The episode balances humor with heartfelt moments, especially in honoring team members like Avril Halley.
• Upcoming episodes promise more explorations into similarly baffling films, maintaining the show's commitment to celebrating the wonderfully terrible side of cinema.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "I love it. Thank you, Aaron Renee, for that alt tagline." – Paul Scheer (02:15)
• "They might have given it an F. Oh, I like that, Dove." – Paul Scheer (10:27)
• "You might have really cracked open a whole gold mine here." – Paul Scheer (16:34)
• "Avril is truly one of the kindest, nicest people I have met." – Paul Scheer (09:35)
• "You win." – Jason Mantzoukas (21:56)

This comprehensive breakdown ensures that both longtime fans and newcomers to the podcast can grasp the full scope of the episode's discussions, insights, and the vibrant community that fuels How Did This Get Made?