Podcast Title: How Did This Get Made?
Episode: The Specialist LIVE! w/ Nicole Byer (HDTGM Matinee)
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Guest: Nicole Byer

Introduction

In this lively and in-depth episode of How Did This Get Made?, the hosts—Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas—along with special guest Nicole Byer, delve into the enigmatic 1991 action-thriller The Specialist. Known for celebrating and dissecting the most perplexing and poorly received films, the trio brings their signature humor and sharp critique to unravel the tangled web of The Specialist.

Overview of The Specialist

The Specialist stars Sylvester Stallone as Earl Quick, a retired bomb expert seeking revenge for the murder of his girlfriend's parents, portrayed by Sharon Stone. The movie intertwines themes of love, vengeance, and explosive action, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Miami's underworld.

June Diane Raphael (04:10):
"What's up, Drucks? How we doing, Largo?"

Character Analysis

Sylvester Stallone as Earl Quick

Stallone's portrayal of Earl Quick is a central focus of the discussion. The hosts critique his decision to emphasize physicality over emotional depth, leading to numerous on-screen moments that highlight his obsession with his own physique.

Jason Mantzoukas (10:58):
"He's embracing his feminine side. And I think that’s beautiful. But I also feel like he was trying to out-sexy Sharon Stone."

June Diane Raphael (10:42):
"Do you feel she leaves him? She's like, I gotta get outta here."

Sharon Stone’s Role

Sharon Stone's character is examined as a femme fatale whose quest for revenge drives the plot. The hosts question the film’s handling of her motivations and the authenticity of her relationships within the narrative.

Special Guest Nicole Byer (08:53):
"It was like trying so hard to be sexy. But then his hands were too big to be sexy."

James Woods’ Role

James Woods plays a pivotal role, purportedly the Specialist's mentor. The hosts discuss Woods' limited screen time and speculate on Stallone's attempts to overshadow his co-star to maintain control over the film.

Jason Mantzoukas (05:21):
"Stallone's ego is part of the problem with this movie."
June Diane Raphael (05:45):
"A movie that somehow fetishizes his body more than Sharon Stone's."

Eric Roberts in the Film

Eric Roberts portrays a drug lord whose interactions with Stallone and Stone add layers of unnecessary violence and confusion. The hosts critique Roberts' over-the-top performance and lack of narrative purpose.

June Diane Raphael (17:29):
"He is."

Scene-by-Scene Analysis

Sex Scenes

The episode highlights several awkward and gratuitous sex scenes that fail to contribute meaningfully to character development or plot progression. The hosts express discomfort with the portrayal of intimacy between the leads.

Jason Mantzoukas (16:04):
"When they go to the floor in the shower, I'm like, ew. It's a fucking hotel shower."

Nicole Byer (58:33):
"Respectfully, I disagree. Sharon Stone naked on the phone with Stallone was electric."

Violence and Bombs

The hosts dissect the film's excessive and often illogical use of violence and bomb-related action sequences. They point out inconsistencies in bomb placements and the overcomplication of assassination tactics.

June Diane Raphael (14:08):
"He blows up half of a building, falls off on top of an entire building."

Jason Mantzoukas (43:16):
"After he beats that man up... he kicks a man out of a bus window."

Notable Moments

Bus Scene (43:16 - 44:04):
A particularly contentious scene involves Stallone's character violently ejecting a man from a bus for taking an open seat. The hosts debate the necessity and impact of this moment, questioning its contribution to the overall narrative.

Funeral Scene (35:02 - 37:10):
The chaotic and abrupt interruption of a funeral by James Woods' character leads to a discussion on the film's mishandling of emotional storytelling.

Production and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

The podcast delves into the behind-the-scenes power dynamics, particularly Sylvester Stallone's dominance over the production. Stallone reportedly demanded more screen time by reshooting scenes and minimizing James Woods' role, reflecting his desire to maintain control and overshadow his co-star.

Jason Mantzoukas (75:36):
"Stallone demanded that James Woods' scenes were to be cut out... to have more screen time."

June Diane Raphael (76:32):
"A budget of 45 million."

Financial aspects are briefly touched upon, revealing the film's budget of $45 million and a domestic gross of $57.4 million, which suggests a marginal profit but likely falls short of expectations given the high production costs.

Audience Interaction and Reviews

During the live matinee, audience members posed questions related to the film's bomb-scene logistics and plot inconsistencies. The hosts entertained these inquiries with humorous and often sarcastic responses, further emphasizing the film's convoluted nature.

Listener Matt (64:35):
"Where would you hide your bomb? In an earpiece."

Nicole Byer (64:35):
"An earpiece. Damn."

Additionally, the hosts mocked Amazon reviews that paradoxically rated the film highly despite its evident flaws, highlighting the disconnect between critical reception and audience sentiment.

Jason Mantzoukas (69:25):
"But I'm gonna bullet through them because they are all one sentence. So here we go."

Second Opinions

Drawing from pseudo-positive Amazon reviews, the hosts satirize the tendency of some viewers to overlook a film's shortcomings in favor of superficial elements like actor physiques or setting aesthetics.

June Diane Raphael (71:04):
"It's a woman's movie."
Jason Mantzoukas (71:15):
"She’s hot, but inexplicably, he's naked."

Fun Facts and Box Office Details

The discussion wraps up with interesting trivia about the film, including its budget, box office performance, and competition with other major releases of 1991 such as The Lion King, Forrest Gump, and True Lies. Despite these competitors, The Specialist managed to secure a respectable, albeit underwhelming, position.

Jason Mantzoukas (75:36):
"In 1993, the Los Angeles Times listed The Specialist as the best unproduced thriller script in Hollywood."

June Diane Raphael (77:29):
"It came in number 21 in the top 200 films of 1991."

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In conclusion, the hosts unanimously agree that The Specialist is a film riddled with unnecessary violence, poor character development, and illogical plot choices. Despite its star-studded cast and significant budget, the movie fails to deliver a coherent and engaging storyline.

Jason Mantzoukas (84:25):
"Would we recommend the movie? Yes, absolutely." (Delivered sarcastically)

Nicole Byer (84:35):
"Hey, you gotta see it."

Conclusion

This episode of How Did This Get Made? serves as both a humorous and critical examination of The Specialist, shedding light on why the film remains a puzzling entry in action cinema. Through sharp wit and candid conversations, Paul, June, Jason, and Nicole provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the movie's flaws and peculiarities, all while maintaining the show's entertaining and irreverent spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer (00:00):
  "Change is always happening. But no matter what changes in five years, there's one thing that will stay the same. The price of your Internet."

• Jason Mantzoukas (05:12):
  "I have some dirt about why James Woods is not in the trailer."

• Special Guest Nicole Byer (09:32):
  "He was like, gay."

• June Diane Raphael (21:15):
  "This is a movie about revenge, murder, and bombs. And this is how it ends."

• Jason Mantzoukas (72:21):
  "There's a real history in Hollywood about Stallone being kind of tricked and conned by producers and other actors."

• Jason Mantzoukas (75:36):
  "The opening weekend was 14.3 million, and the full domestic gross was $57.4 million."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the hosts' humorous takes on The Specialist. Whether you're a fan of the show or new to it, this summary provides a clear and engaging overview of why The Specialist is a quintessential subject for How Did This Get Made?.