Podcast Summary: "The Number 23 (HDTGM Matinee)"

Episode Title: The Number 23 (HDTGM Matinee)
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Podcast: How Did This Get Made?
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Description: In this special matinee episode, the hosts delve deep into Jim Carrey's enigmatic thriller, The Number 23. Known for celebrating the quirks of bad movies, Paul, June, and Jason dissect every confusing plot twist, numerical conspiracy, and character anomaly the film offers.

1. Introduction to "The Number 23"

Paul Scheer opens the discussion by highlighting the interconnectedness and isolation in today's world, segueing into how certain moments, like in The Number 23, push characters toward a more human experience. The hosts quickly transition from a quirky advertisement parody to the main topic.

Paul Scheer [00:25]: "This podcast is dropping on February 23, 2023. That's 2, 23. 23. 2320 threes."

June Diane Raphael humorously points out the obsession with the number 23, setting the tone for their deep dive.

June Diane Raphael [00:25]: "It's human."

2. Plot Breakdown and Initial Reactions

Paul provides a synopsis of the film, introducing Jim Carrey's character, Walter Sparrow, a dog catcher who becomes obsessed with a book titled The Number 23, leading him into the labyrinth of the 23 enigma.

Paul Scheer [02:34]: "Today we are talking about a classic Jim Carrey thriller. The number 23 came out in 2007..."

Jason initially mistakes the movie for an Ace Ventura-style film, highlighting the confusion surrounding the plot.

Jason Mantzoukas [03:12]: "Oh, yeah, did you forget? This movie starts with being Ace Ventura and talking to animals."

June Diane Raphael criticizes the movie's mathematical logic, emphasizing its convoluted nature.

June Diane Raphael [04:24]: "The crazy thing is like listening to you say that though, Paul..."

3. The 23 Enigma Explored

Paul delves into the real-life conspiracy theory behind the number 23, linking various historical and cultural references to illustrate its supposed significance.

Paul Scheer [05:07]: "Human sex cells have 23 chromosomes. Other human cells have 46 arranged in 23 pairs."

Jason draws parallels between the movie's themes and broader societal conspiracy theories, expressing skepticism.

Jason Mantzoukas [08:12]: "It feels like... this movie makes more sense than, like, QAnon nonsense."

June Diane Raphael questions the validity of attributing meaning to the number 23, suggesting that any number can be manipulated to fit patterns.

June Diane Raphael [07:56]: "I mean, you can make so many numbers work if you do enough kind of. If you're backing into 23..."

4. Character Analysis and Plot Inconsistencies

The hosts critique the film's characters, particularly Jim Carrey's portrayal of a protagonist with conflicting traits—being a dog catcher who despises dogs while maintaining a seemingly happy family life.

June Diane Raphael [12:01]: "Right. So now I know the... It's like a dog catcher who hates dogs..."

Paul highlights the film's confusing narrative structure, where multiple identities and timelines overlap without clear resolution.

Paul Scheer [12:24]: "It's like layers on layers on layers of... nothing."

Jason expresses frustration over the lack of coherent storytelling, drawing comparisons to other films with strong plot reveals.

Jason Mantzoukas [14:03]: "This movie makes more sense than... feels like the X Files."

5. Thematic Elements and Symbolism

The discussion turns to the symbolic use of colors and numbers, particularly the recurring motif of red and its association with the supernatural or malevolent forces.

Paul Scheer [16:24]: "They keep on going, oh, no, you're being crazy..."

June Diane Raphael speculates on the possible demonic influences within the film, questioning character motivations and supernatural elements.

June Diane Raphael [10:19]: "23 is a killer number and the devil's number."

6. Critical Reception and Audience Reviews

Paul reads out five-star reviews from platforms like Amazon and Letterboxd, humorously undermining their credibility due to their simplistic praise.

Paul Scheer [72:16]: "A title is solid movie. Jim Carrey made a good movie. But there is one flaw only..."

June Diane Raphael cynically interprets five stars as a combination of two and three stars, highlighting the disconnect between critical acclaim and actual film quality.

June Diane Raphael [72:41]: "You know what five stars is? Two stars and three stars put together."

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The hosts wrap up their analysis by reiterating the film's lack of coherence and satisfying conclusions. They express a mixture of bafflement and amusement over the movie's attempts to weave complex conspiracy theories with an otherwise disjointed narrative.

Jason Mantzoukas [73:52]: "It feels like they're all with the same level of intent as like, let's go play Pokemon Go together."

Paul summarizes his frustration, comparing the film unfavorably to other well-executed thrillers.

Paul Scheer [77:35]: "It's like top secret. Because it's also like, it's not a top secret that he's like, top secrets is not that."

June Diane Raphael admits to feeling unsettled by the movie's unresolved threads and perplexing storyline.

June Diane Raphael [77:42]: "I really don't feel well. I really don't."

Key Takeaways

• Convoluted Plot: The Number 23 attempts to intertwine numerical conspiracy with personal tragedy but falls short in delivering a coherent and satisfying narrative.

• Numerology Obsession: The film's fixation on the number 23 serves as both a thematic element and a narrative crutch, leading to strained believability.

• Character Contradictions: Jim Carrey's character exhibits conflicting traits that undermine audience connection and character development.

• Unresolved Symbolism: The use of colors, especially red, and characters like the dog remain ambiguously symbolic, leaving viewers questioning their true significance.

• Critical Disparity: Despite some positive reviews, the hosts collectively view the film as a misguided attempt at a thriller, hampered by poor execution and lack of clear direction.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer [02:34]: "This is where how did this get made? Let's wallow in the mediocrity of subpar art."

• June Diane Raphael [04:24]: "If you're a doubter... yet, if you do enough, you can make any number work."

• Jason Mantzoukas [08:12]: "This movie makes more sense than, like, QAnon nonsense."

• Paul Scheer [77:46]: "And we're deep in Madsen, she was great."

Conclusion:
In this matinee episode, How Did This Get Made? hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas provide a thorough, albeit critical, examination of The Number 23. Their analysis uncovers the film's ambitious yet flawed attempt to blend psychological thriller elements with numerological conspiracies. While the movie garners some superficial praise, the hosts remain unimpressed by its execution and narrative coherence, ultimately questioning how such a convoluted film found its way to the screen.