How Did This Get Made? Episode Summary: "Oscar LIVE!" (Released July 11, 2025)
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Guest Speaker: Unknown (likely a recurring guest or special contributor)
Introduction
The episode titled "Oscar LIVE!" delves into the 1991 film "Oscar," a Canadian crime-comedy feature starring Sylvester Stallone, Marisa Tomei, and Tim Curry. The hosts embark on a live breakdown of the movie, exploring its plot, characters, comedic elements, and overall execution.
Overview of "Oscar"
Paul Scheer (00:00) introduces the film with a humorous nod to Stallone, setting the stage for a critical yet comedic analysis. The movie follows Angelo "Snaps" Provolone (played by Sylvester Stallone), a gangster who promises his dying father to abandon his life of crime and transition into a legitimate banker. Despite his intentions, Angelo finds himself entangled in a convoluted web of misunderstandings and farcical situations.
June Diane Raphael (02:22) provides a synopsis, noting the film's poor commercial performance—grossing only $23 million on a $35 million budget—and highlights its tagline: "A Comedy of Criminal Proportions."
Critical Analysis
Plot and Pacing
The hosts contend that "Oscar" suffers from an overcrowded narrative and sluggish pacing. Paul Scheer (05:40) expresses confusion over the titular character Oscar's minimal presence, noting, "Where was Oscar? This is like Waiting for Godot, but dumber." The absence of Oscar until the film's concluding segments undermines the movie's structure and comedic timing.
June Diane Raphael (09:25) critiques Stallone's portrayal, remarking, "Sly is not a fast actor," which clashes with the film's requirement for brisk comedic exchanges typical of farcical comedies.
Acting and Character Dynamics
Paul Scheer (13:11) points out the lack of character development, especially Angelo's internal conflict about going straight. He states, "If we really understood that he's struggling to stay on the straight and narrow, it would have added depth." This absence of emotional stakes diminishes the comedic impact, turning what could have been a rich character study into a superficial portrayal.
June Diane Raphael (18:08) highlights the inconsistency in character behavior, particularly Angelo's nonchalant attitude amidst chaos: "He never takes his eyes off of her. He has his eyes on her the entire time. He's like, no, no, no, no."
Comedic Elements and Farce
The hosts debate whether the film successfully balances its crime and comedy elements. Paul Scheer (28:53) contrasts "Oscar" with "Johnny Dangerously," suggesting that "Johnny Dangerously" executes similar farcical themes more effectively. The repeated thefts and the resultant confusion are seen as overdone without meaningful progression.
June Diane Raphael (25:03) questions the believability of certain plot points, such as Angelo's seamless integration into the banking world and his interactions with other characters, further emphasizing the film's reliance on slapstick rather than coherent humor.
Guest Insights
The guest speaker offers additional perspectives on the film's shortcomings:
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Production Discrepancies: The reliance on a single location and the minimal use of pivotal characters like Oscar contribute to the film's disjointed feel.
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Costume and Setting: The anachronistic costumes and inconsistent set designs (e.g., the purple-hued office) disrupt the film's immersion into the 1930s setting, as noted by June Diane Raphael (35:36).
Audience Q&A
During the live segment, audience members pose questions regarding the film's adaptation from the original 1958 French farce:
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Character Adaptations: One question addresses the significant differences between the stage play and the movie, such as the addition of gangster elements and the casting of Sylvester Stallone, which arguably exacerbates the film's flaws.
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Alternative Casting: Another audience member suggests that casting Al Pacino or Danny DeVito could have improved the film, aligning better with their comedic strengths. Paul Scheer (54:28) concurs, stating, "Arnold is funny... Stallone is not."
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Plot Clarifications: Questions about Angelo's motivations and the true identity of Oscar reveal lingering confusion about the character dynamics and narrative purpose within the film.
Amazon Reviews Highlight
To provide a balanced view, the hosts read selected Amazon reviews showcasing divergent opinions:
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Celeste Skykop (2014):
"I hate Sly, but I love this movie. It is a cute plot with intricate dialogue. Five stars."
Host Comment: "Can you imagine being so obsessed, so enthralled with this movie that you didn't notice your date abandoned you for the bathroom?" (73:52) -
Rachel W (2022):
"It's like nothing Sylvester Stallone has ever done and it's marvelous. Pretty much everything is bullet points. Five stars."
Host Comment: "That was a great one." (75:00) -
Joseph (2020):
"A comedy primarily in wordplay and scene play. Five stars."
Host Comment: "I feel like we need to come up with a Barbenheimer style name for weapons and Freakier Friday." (76:16)
These reviews illustrate that while some viewers appreciate "Oscar" for its dialogue and unconventional charm, the majority of the hosts and their immediate reactions lean towards a critical stance.
Conclusion
June Diane Raphael (77:15) encapsulates the episode's sentiment: "I feel like he's trying so hard to be funny... these are the jokes that work with his friends who don't tell him." The hosts collectively express that "Oscar" falls short of expectations due to its flawed execution, mismatched casting, and lack of coherent comedic timing.
Paul Scheer (81:02) sums it up humorously: "I think that's everything." Despite acknowledging a few fun moments and appreciating certain performances, the overall consensus is that "Oscar" is an example of a movie that "got made" but perhaps shouldn't have been, embodying the very essence of the podcast's mission to celebrate bad movies.
Notable Quotes
- Paul Scheer (05:40): "Where was Oscar? This is like Waiting for Godot, but dumber."
- June Diane Raphael (09:25): "Sly is not a fast actor,"
- Paul Scheer (13:11): "If we really understood that he's struggling to stay on the straight and narrow, it would have added depth."
- Paul Scheer (54:28): "Arnold is funny... Stallone is not."
- Carlos Rasmussen (70:18): "I just had to take a quick nap."
- June Diane Raphael (77:15): "I feel like he's trying so hard to be funny."
Final Thoughts
"How Did This Get Made?" continues its tradition of dissecting and humorously critiquing flawed cinema. In "Oscar LIVE!", the hosts navigate the pitfalls of a movie plagued by poor pacing, miscasting, and convoluted plotlines, ultimately delivering an entertaining yet critical examination. For fans of cinematic misfires and comedic analysis, this episode underscores why "Oscar" remains a quintessential "best of the worst" film.