Podcast Summary: "How Did This Get Made?" – Episode: Last Looks: The Arrival Release Date: May 23, 2025
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Platform: Earwolf

Introduction

In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?", the hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas delve into the quirky and convoluted aspects of the film The Arrival. This episode, titled "Last Looks: The Arrival", primarily focuses on listener interactions, corrections, omissions, and provides a heartfelt segment dedicated to supporting one of their team members.

Shoutout and Support for Avril

Timestamp: [02:17] – [05:00]

Paul initiates the episode with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Avril, a long-time contributor to the show, who has been battling cancer and recently completed two weeks of whole-brain radiation therapy.

Paul Scheer: "She has been fighting cancer for the last few months and she just finished two weeks of whole brain radiation therapy. I am sending my love to Avril."

The hosts encourage listeners to support Avril by sending virtual love through email or traditional mail, emphasizing the importance of community support during challenging times.

Return of Paul's Helpline: Listener Questions

Timestamp: [06:27] – [35:15]

Paul reintroduces the "Paul's Helpline" segment, where listeners call in with their questions and anecdotes related to The Arrival.

1. Introduction to Helpline: Avril humorously sets the stage for the helpline, blending creative wordplay to engage listeners.

2. Listener Call: Jameson from DC ([07:00] – [09:46])

   • Question: Appropriate age to introduce the Fast and the Furious franchise to his nearly five-year-old son.
   • Paul's Advice: Recommends waiting until the child is between 8 to 10 years old to ensure they can appreciate the movies.
   • Notable Quote:

     Paul Scheer: "I would say you gotta wait until they're 8 to 10. In my opinion, that is the appropriate age. Yes, they'll watch it, but they won't get it. They won't love it."

3. Listener Call: Rachel from Baltimore ([09:46] – [11:57])

   • Question: Tips for a non-camping family planning a two-day car camping trip.
   • Paul's Advice: Emphasizes making the experience fun with activities, games, and challenges to keep the family engaged.

4. Listener Call: Jameson from Minneapolis ([11:57] – [12:44])

   • Question: Availability of a Speed 2 episode featuring Patrick Muldoon and missing a podcast episode on Date with an Angel.
   • Paul's Explanation: Due to licensing issues, they release episodes only when the movie is available on streaming platforms to enhance listener experience.
   • Notable Quote:

     Paul Scheer: "We just want to create a great experience for the home audience. And that's always our rule."

Corrections and Omissions: Deep Dive into The Arrival

Timestamp: [12:44] – [33:26]

In this segment, listeners contribute corrections and insights about The Arrival, enhancing the hosts' understanding and appreciation of the film.

1. Danny's Observation: ([Various])

   • Issue: Questioning the aliens' ability to terraform Earth while inhabiting it.
   • Paul's Response: Suggests it could be an actor's choice or a nod to classic sci-fi elements like breathing apparatuses.

2. Discussion on Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog":

   • **Paul and Co-hosts laugh over the misinterpretation of the song title, revealing behind-the-scenes naming struggles.
   • Notable Quote:

     Paul Scheer: "I was understandably confused about the name of the song and band and why a song with the refrain, 'now you're messing with a son of a bitch' would be called 'Hair of the Dog.'"

3. Dr. Guts 1103's Query:

   • Issue: Charlie Sheen's character holding a lozenge in The Arrival and its significance.
   • Paul's Hypothesis: Attributes it to an actor's choice, possibly learned from acting classes.
   • Notable Quote:

     Paul Scheer: "Everything I know about Charlie Sheen, that is an actor's choice."

4. Spicy Lyf's Theory:

   • Hypothesis: The phrase "backwards knees aliens" might indicate the aliens' inverse needs compared to humans.
   • Paul's Take: Appreciates the creativity but remains skeptical about the movie's cleverness.

Listener Anecdote: Grapefruit Incident with Charlie Sheen

Timestamp: [22:03] – [23:04]

Alex from Pasadena shares a personal story from his childhood when he accidentally threw a grapefruit at Charlie Sheen during the filming of The Arrival. Instead of reprimand, his family was invited to watch the film, leaving a memorable impression on young Alex.

Alex: "But we couldn't really see anything except through a small hole. So we fought over who could look through there... two police officers came to our house, and apparently the grapefruit landed next to Charlie Sheen, and he was not happy... the crew being nice and giving me a ton of snacks."

Notable Quote:

Paul Scheer: "Why did you throw a grapefruit at Charlie? He's just trying to work."

Corrections and Omissions Winner Announcement

Timestamp: [26:59] – [27:25]

After engaging discussions and inventive listener theories, Paul announces Dr. Guts as the week's winner for his intriguing question about Charlie Sheen's lozenge, although humorously stating that the winner receives nothing tangible.

Paul Scheer: "Dr. Guts, you are the winner this week for your lozenge question. And you know what? You get nothing. But you do get this amazing song."

Announcements and Upcoming Content

Timestamp: [27:25] – [35:15]

Paul wraps up the main content with several announcements:

1. Next Week's Movie:

   • Film: Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989) starring Lou Ferrigno.
   • Plot: Sinbad must recover five magical stones to free a city from an evil wizard's spell to help a prince win a princess's hand.
   • Streaming Information: Available on Amazon Prime Video, FUBU, MGM, and Philo; rentals on Apple TV.
   • Notable Quote:

     Paul Scheer: "It's quite possibly the worst movie I've ever watched... but you know what? That's how I felt too."

2. Library Services Support:
   Encourages listeners to utilize digital media services like Hoopla, Canopy, and Libby to support local libraries.

3. Call to Action:
   Urges listeners to rate and review the podcast on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts and to continue sending support to Avril.

Advertisements and Sponsorships

Throughout the transcript, several advertisements are interspersed, promoting brands such as Amazon, T-Mobile, Masterclass, Quince, Babbel, Dove Men+Care, and Shark Beauty. These segments are marked by timestamped sections like [00:00], [00:31], [01:00], [35:15], etc., and are to be skipped as per the user's instructions.

Conclusion

"Last Looks: The Arrival" offers a blend of humor, listener engagement, and insightful discussions about The Arrival. The hosts effectively balance comedic elements with genuine support for their team member Avril, creating a relatable and entertaining episode for both regular listeners and newcomers.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Scheer on Introducing Movies to Kids:

  "I would say you gotta wait until they're 8 to 10. In my opinion, that is the appropriate age. Yes, they'll watch it, but they won't get it. They won't love it."
  (Timestamp: [07:21])

• Paul Scheer on Movie Availability:

  "We just want to create a great experience for the home audience. And that's always our rule."
  (Timestamp: [12:44])

• Alex's Grapefruit Story:

  "But we couldn't really see anything except through a small hole... the crew being nice and giving me a ton of snacks."
  (Timestamp: [22:03])

• Paul Scheer on Dr. Guts' Question:

  "Everything I know about Charlie Sheen, that is an actor's choice."
  (Timestamp: [33:26])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the "Last Looks: The Arrival" episode, highlighting key discussions, listener interactions, and the hosts' unique comedic flair.