Podcast Summary: How Did This Get Made? – "The Wraith LIVE! (HDTGM Matinee)"

Introduction In the March 18, 2025 episode of How Did This Get Made? titled "The Wraith LIVE! (HDTGM Matinee)," hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, alongside guest comedian Eliza Skinner and actor Randy Quaid, delve deep into the bewildering 1980s film The Wraith. Filmed live at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, the episode promises an in-depth and humorous dissection of what many consider one of the best worst movies ever created.

Plot Overview The Wraith centers on Jamie Hankins (played by Charlie Sheen), a high school student whose brutal murder leads to his supernatural return as "The Wraith." Armed with a high-tech Dodge Charger, The Wraith seeks revenge on those responsible for his death while restoring justice to the quiet town of Ran Harbor.

Acting and Characters The hosts and guests express a mix of confusion and admiration for the film's cast performances, highlighting Charlie Sheen's limited screen time and Randy Quaid's standout role.

• Paul Scheer remarks, “[the Wraith] is like an art gallery more than a movie” (09:04).
• Tim Baltz adds humorously, “I was super confused” (15:00).
• Randy Quaid cheekily comments on his own role, stating, “Randy Quaid gives that actress a look like, I'm so sorry, honey” (20:31).

Plot and Logic A significant portion of the discussion critiques the movie's convoluted and inconsistent plot elements, such as the Wraith's multiple identities and the unclear mechanics of his supernatural abilities.

• Paul Scheer questions the logic behind the Wraith's scars, saying, “But why would a ghost need, like, body cast?” (28:31).
• Eliza Skinner points out, “This movie was like a bad fairy tale” (15:28).

Specific Scenes and Visuals The hosts dissect several perplexing scenes, including the Wraith's mysterious appearance, the inconsistent use of Charlie Sheen's character, and the overabundance of trash in chase sequences.

• Paul Scheer highlights the inconsistent portrayal of the Wraith, noting, “He's three characters in this movie” (64:47).
• Eliza Skinner humorously critiques the visual representation of the Wraith’s undergarments, stating, “It's a weird phantom crack” (25:22).

Themes and Theories The conversation ventures into speculative territory, with theories likening the movie to Jacob's Ladder and pondering the symbolic meanings behind the Wraith's actions.

• Tim Baltz suggests, “It could be a Jacob's Ladder scenario” (62:03).
• Paul Scheer theorizes, “If he could just be Charlie Sheen” (33:07).

Audience Reactions and Reviews The episode features a humorous review segment where the hosts read bizarre and unfitting Amazon reviews praising The Wraith, further emphasizing the movie’s cult status despite its flaws.

• Paul Scheer reads a nonsensical review: “This magnet has a review of the Wraith underneath it” (84:54).
• Randy Quaid comments on the absurdity, “How did they get so much air up?” (58:31).

Guest Insights Guest Randy Quaid shares his experiences working on the film, providing insider perspectives on the production and his character's quirks.

• Randy Quaid explains his character's confusion: “Why does he have those scars?” (72:50).
• Eliza Skinner reflects on Quaid's performance, noting, “He's just, like, counting down” (74:06).

Conclusion Wrapping up the episode, the hosts acknowledge the film's many inconsistencies and baffling elements but also celebrate its unique place in cinematic history. They encourage listeners to join the conversation and share their own theories and reactions.

• Paul Scheer concludes with enthusiasm, “I think we've uncovered as much as we can with The Wraith” (90:44).
• Eliza Skinner and Tim Baltz add their final thoughts, blending humor with genuine appreciation for the movie’s cult appeal.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer (09:04): “This movie is like an art gallery more than a movie.”
• Tim Baltz (15:00): “I had a lot of confusion” regarding the plot.
• Randy Quaid (20:31): “Randy Quaid gives that actress a look like, I'm so sorry, honey.”
• Eliza Skinner (25:22): “It's a weird phantom crack.”

Final Thoughts This episode of How Did This Get Made? serves both as a nostalgic dive into an 80s cult classic and a humorous critique of its numerous flaws. Through lively discussion and sharp wit, the hosts and guests provide listeners with an entertaining exploration of why The Wraith endures as a beloved piece of "so bad it's good" cinema.