Podcast Summary: How Did This Get Made? – "The Shadow LIVE! w/ Pete Davidson"

Episode Information:

• Title: The Shadow LIVE! w/ Pete Davidson (HDTGM Matinee)
• Release Date: January 21, 2025
• Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
• Guest: Pete Davidson

Introduction

In this lively live episode of "How Did This Get Made?" (HDTGM), hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, the trio along with special guest Pete Davidson convene at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles to dissect the perplexing 1994 superhero film, "The Shadow." Known for its convoluted plot and questionable execution, the hosts aim to unravel why this movie was produced despite its apparent flaws.

Paul Scheer [00:00]: "On January 24, Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh takes command."

Initial Banter and Setting the Stage

The episode kicks off with the hosts exchanging humorous and offbeat remarks, setting a comedic tone for the deep dive ahead. They reference various pop culture elements and playful jabs at each other, engaging the live audience with their trademark humor.

Jason Mantzoukas [02:04]: "Or maybe see a burlesque show with Nick Crow and take a bubble speech to hitting cruise control J man Big."

Dissecting "The Shadow"

The primary focus swiftly shifts to "The Shadow," a superhero film starring Alec Baldwin. The hosts critique the movie's inconsistent storytelling, lackluster special effects, and underdeveloped character arcs.

Plot and Character Critique

They express confusion over the protagonist's abilities and the movie's enigmatic plot points, such as the invisible hotel and the protagonist's transformation into a shadow.

June Diane Raphael [04:25]: "I'm good, how are you, Paul?"

Paul Scheer [06:05]: "It is a hero played by Alec Baldwin who is a shadow and he stops an atomic bomb attack in New York in the 40s."

The hosts question the logic behind Alec Baldwin’s character navigating the opium trade with exaggerated physical traits and improbable narrative choices.

Jason Mantzoukas [07:27]: "What?"

Special Effects and Villain Design

Tim Curry's portrayal of the villain is a particular point of contention. The hosts mock the character's over-the-top design and ineffective use of special effects, highlighting scenes where the villain engages in absurdly staged confrontations.

Jason Mantzoukas [15:23]: "Why have we not talked about Tim Curry?"

Inconsistencies and Logical Flaws

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the film's numerous plot inconsistencies, such as the inexplicable invisibility of the protagonist's lair and the convoluted method of communication via pneumatic tubes.

June Diane Raphael [06:12]: "But why does he need a disguise? Why not just become a shadow?"

Paul Scheer [10:57]: "They seem to be very visible and like, why is there a tube shooting out of that building, connecting to it, and very ramshackle."

Audience Interaction and Theoretical Breakdown

The live audience participates by posing questions and suggesting sequel titles, further illustrating the confusion surrounding the movie's narrative.

Rob [54:45]: "The title would be the VO Superhero."

Mallory [63:14]: "Shadow two. Shad don't love that."

The hosts attempt to answer but mostly engage in humorous frustration, reflecting the movie’s difficulty in conveying a coherent story.

Reading Reviews

Contrasting their negative opinions, the hosts read a few misleadingly positive reviews from platforms like Amazon. These reviews praise aspects like Alec Baldwin's appearance and acting, which the hosts find either superficial or entirely disconnected from the movie's actual content.

Paul Scheer [78:48]: "The shadow is something like Batman, Superman, and the Phantom and other comic book hero movies."

Jason Mantzoukas [80:12]: "Doesn't Tim Curry call him a sissy?"

Wrapping Up the Discussion

As the episode progresses, the hosts delve deeper into the movie’s unresolved plot elements, such as the origin of the antagonist and the mystifying powers of the protagonist. Their dialogue becomes increasingly exasperated as they attempt to make sense of the film's convoluted mechanics.

Jason Mantzoukas [85:39]: "Why didn't that gigantic building cast a shadow?"

Paul Scheer [84:38]: "The crawl at the beginning is this. So it goes. The price of redemption for Cranston was to take up man's struggle against evil."

Conclusion and Final Verdict

Concluding the episode, the hosts unanimously agree that "The Shadow" is a poorly constructed film that fails to deliver a compelling superhero narrative. They humorously lament the movie's production choices and express reluctance to recommend it to listeners.

Jason Mantzoukas [87:55]: "No. Really, really genuinely, and I mean this from the bottom of my tiny stone heart. No."

Paul Scheer [88:13]: "I'm gonna just finish it up and say nope."

Post-Discussion Remarks

The episode wraps with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through social media and promoting their upcoming projects. They maintain their comedic demeanor, even as they express genuine frustration with the film under discussion.

Jason Mantzoukas [89:12]: "Parents, we invest in so many things."

Paul Scheer [89:23]: "That's a line for sensuality and that's a line for adult talk, not movie Talk."

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer [10:57]: "They seem to be very visible and like, why is there a tube shooting out of that building, connecting to it, and very ramshackle."

• Jason Mantzoukas [15:23]: "Why have we not talked about Tim Curry?"

• June Diane Raphael [84:16]: "It's so confusing. I mean, I guess we've already gone over this, but, like, why? The shadow's power is mind control. Like, why not just be a shadow and lean into that?"

• Jason Mantzoukas [86:25]: "I can't. I don't know from what's happening. I don't feel good about this. I didn't enjoy it. I didn't enjoy any of this. This was."

Conclusion

In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?," the hosts and Pete Davidson provide a thorough and comedic critique of the baffling superhero film "The Shadow." Through sharp wit and insightful observations, they highlight the film's numerous flaws, from its inconsistent plot to underwhelming performances. For those unfamiliar with the movie, this summary encapsulates why "The Shadow" remains a subject of amusement and bewilderment in the realm of bad cinema.