Podcast Summary: How Did This Get Made? – Episode: Surf II LIVE! w/ Jessica St. Clair

Introduction

In this lively episode of "How Did This Get Made?", hosts Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael delve into the cult classic disaster film "Surf II". Joined by special guest Jessica St. Clair, the trio dissects the absurdities, humor, and sheer bewilderment that make "Surf II" a prime candidate for their celebration of bad movies.

Overview of "Surf II"

Surf II is a 1984 R-rated film that combines elements of surfing culture, zombie lore, and over-the-top 80s aesthetics. The IMDb tagline provokes intrigue and confusion: "A disgruntled nerd who has been bullied in high school creates Buzz Cola, a soft drink that turns surfers into zombies."

Key Discussions

1. Plot and Development

   Paul Scheer introduces the episode by highlighting the movie's convoluted plot and lack of sequels, noting, "there is no Surf one, there is no Surf three," yet cleverly acknowledging the film's self-aware tagline claiming it's the end of a trilogy (03:09). The hosts discuss multiple recuts of the film, including the addition of gratuitous nudity to make it more marketable, which resulted in inconsistent and awkwardly inserted scenes.

2. Notable Scenes and Elements

   • Nudity and Audience Reactions:

     The trio shares personal anecdotes about feeling nauseous during explicit scenes, such as when full nudity appears unexpectedly. Jason remarks, "I loved it. I loved it. It had two of my favorite things. Eric Stoltz and a guy getting slapped in the face by titties" (05:05), while Paul admits to attempting to block his view during these moments (06:27).

   • Character Analysis:

     • Menlo Schwarzer (Stinky Schwarzer):

       Played by Eddie Deezen, Menlo is depicted as a perpetrator seeking revenge by turning surfers into zombies through his creation, Buzz Cola. The hosts humorously dissect his motivations and the absurdity of his plans, with Paul questioning the logic behind his character's actions (45:58).

     • Sparkle (Florinda Buckworthy):

       Jessica St. Clair explores her transformation into Sparkle via a "face shift machine," enabling her to maintain a secret identity. The discussion touches on the character's duality and the lack of coherence in her portrayal (46:35).

   • Humor and Absurdity:

     The movie's humor is a focal point, with references to over-the-top gags like eating motor oil (32:31) and rapid-fire joke delivery that makes the film a subject for rewatching to catch all the Easter eggs and cultural references.

3. Production Insights

   • Casting Choices:

     The hosts joke about casting decisions for a hypothetical Surf III, suggesting actors like Jeremy Allen White and Flava Flav to enhance the film's already eclectic mix of characters (51:21).

   • Soundtrack and Special Effects:

     Jason Mantzoukas highlights the investment in the film's soundtrack, mentioning contributions from Oingo Boingo, and praises the makeup effects by Greg Cannom, a four-time Oscar winner (57:57).

4. Audience Interaction and Live Reactions

   During the live segment, audience members ask questions about potential sequels and casting, leading to humorous exchanges and improvised jokes. Paul engages directly with the audience, maintaining an energetic and interactive atmosphere throughout (51:11).

5. Critical Reception and Reviews

   The hosts mock the sparse and unconventional reviews found online, emphasizing the film's obscure status and the difficulty in finding genuine critiques. They sarcastically rate the movie highly based on these baffling reviews, furthering the comedic portrayal of the film's dubious quality (70:11).

Notable Quotes

• Paul Scheer: "Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?" (01:02)

• Jason Mantzoukas: "I think this movie was powerfully important to me as a child. It might be if it informed certain things that have become very important." (14:18)

• Jessica St. Clair: "Can I just ask, show of hands, who actually felt physically ill watching this film?" (11:27)

• Jason Mantzoukas: "I felt bad for Jocko sometimes." (33:09)

• Paul Scheer: "When you last saw Grandpa crawl at this?" (16:05)

• Jessica St. Clair: "If people were going to take their tops off, they did it willingly. They did it to celebrate, you know, to celebrate the sun and the surf." (49:32)

Host and Guest Interactions

The dynamic between the hosts and Jessica St. Clair is both humorous and insightful. They play off each other's comments, creating an engaging dialogue that balances criticism with affectionate mockery. Their shared experiences of watching the film, coupled with personal anecdotes, enrich the discussion and provide multiple perspectives on the movie's impact.

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, the hosts and Jessica unanimously recommend Surf II, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek manner. They encourage listeners to seek out the film's DVD release by Vinegar Syndrome for special features and restored footage, highlighting its status as a must-watch (or must-miss) cult classic for aficionados of "so-bad-it's-good" cinema.

Final Thoughts

This episode exemplifies "How Did This Get Made?"'s unique blend of humor, critique, and affection for cinematic misfires. By dissecting Surf II with a combination of laughter and genuine analysis, the hosts provide both entertainment and insight, making it a valuable listen for anyone intrigued by the world of bad movies.