Podcast Summary: How Did This Get Made? – "Xanadu: LIVE! w/ Michaela Watkins (HDTGM Matinee)"

Release Date: June 17, 2025
Duration: Approximately 80 minutes

Introduction

In this special live episode of "How Did This Get Made?" titled "Xanadu: LIVE! w/ Michaela Watkins (HDTGM Matinee)," hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, joined by guest Michaela Watkins, delve deep into the enigmatic 1980 musical fantasy film Xanadu. Known for its cult classic status, Xanadu has long been a subject of intrigue and amusement due to its unconventional plot and eclectic mix of musical elements. This episode dissects the film's various facets, exploring its plot, casting decisions, production challenges, and enduring legacy.

Plot and Character Analysis

The discussion kicks off with Michaela Watkins setting the stage for the episode:

[03:00] Michaela Watkins: "This movie is insane. Insane in a way that I feel like it was late night art deco furniture, cocaine use, and like I feel like there was someone fucking someone as they pitched this idea."

The hosts express confusion over the film's fragmented narrative, noting the lack of coherent character development and plot progression:

[05:03] Jason Mantzoukas: "This whole movie could be seen as, as far as I'm concerned, a Jacob's Ladder kind of. Perhaps a fever dream."

June Diane Raphael shares her experience of watching the film:

[06:10] June Diane Raphael: "I had chills when it started. By the end, I was hiding under my bed, so scared."

They debate the protagonist Sonny Malone's (Gene Kelly) journey from a frustrated artist to a club owner, questioning the character's motivations and developmental arc:

[14:27] Jason Mantzoukas: "Why make him a painter who then goes to paint replicas of... it's totally normal."

[24:25] Elliott Kalan: "He becomes part owner of a roller skating club that was never his dream. So she didn't."

Production and Casting Decisions

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the film's casting and production mishaps. The hosts highlight Gene Kelly's involvement and the subsequent fallout:

[40:15] Jason Mantzoukas: "The director said the original 45-page script was weak. They repeatedly rewrote it but never fixed it, leading to improvisation."

Michaela Watkins uncovers behind-the-scenes insights:

[44:27] Mikaela Watkins: "Joel Silver, producer, locked the screenwriter in a room for over three days because he wouldn't finish the rewrite."

They discuss the casting choices, emphasizing how multiple actors turned down the role of Sonny Malone before Michael Beck was cast without auditioning:

[14:52] Mikaela Watkins: "Andy Gibb was first offered the role but said no, then Travolta, who also declined. It ultimately went to Michael Beck without an audition."

The hosts critique the portrayal of muses in the film, questioning their relevance and integration into the plot:

[25:03] Jason Mantzoukas: "This movie is about someone's mental illness. It's like Birdman, where there's stuff that you're like, did that really happen?"

Critical Analysis and Theories

The episode delves into various theories attempting to make sense of Xanadu's convoluted narrative. One such theory posits that the entire film exists within Sonny Malone's psyche, drawing parallels to Birdman:

[56:11] Mikaela Watkins: "Maybe Sonny Malone is a homeless guy who lives inside that abandoned club. Everything just goes away, and he's in the corner with a bottle, just drinking."

Another theory suggests that the muses are projections of Sonny's desires and that the film serves as a critique of seeking external inspiration rather than finding it within oneself:

[82:44] Elliott Kalan: "Maybe what they're ultimately saying is that seeking muses outside ourselves is futile. Inspiration comes from within."

June Diane Raphael emphasizes the film's lack of cohesive storytelling and character consistency:

[61:41] June Diane Raphael: "He never had a partner before. Take me shopping. But he looks the same before and after."

Production Challenges and Budget Overruns

The hosts highlight significant production issues that plagued Xanadu, notably the substantial budget overruns:

[48:24] Jason Mantzoukas: "We're a little over. We're a little over right now."

[48:46] Jason Mantzoukas: "13 million over budget. So, we're doing more cocaine and giving skates to extras, who are suffering broken legs."

They discuss how these financial strains led to creative compromises, such as an animated sex scene to save costs:

[41:40] Mikaela Watkins: "Instead of reshoots, they opted for an animated sequence, which is why it looks like Fern Gully but was running short on time."

Audience Q&A and Interactive Segment

In the later part of the episode, Michaela Watkins opens the floor to audience questions, leading to humorous and insightful exchanges about the film's perplexing elements:

[63:32] Jason Mantzoukas: "I'm gonna fuck Gene Kelly for the rest of my life."

[66:36] Jason Mantzoukas: "Why does Zeus have an English accent? And his daughter has an Australian accent?"

The hosts collaboratively brainstorm alternative endings and interpretations, further illustrating the film's ambiguity and creative shortcomings:

[83:52] Mikaela Watkins: "The entire time. So when he sees her, everything just goes away. He's in the corner with, like, a bottle, just drinking."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on Xanadu's place in cinematic history, acknowledging its flaws while appreciating its nostalgic and cult appeal:

[78:09] Mikaela Watkins: "This is the most important movie ever made because we take for granted, like, we see movies like, 'Oh, I hated that movie.' Most movies do the job of creating a cohesive plot. This one disregards that, making us thankful for every bad experience."

[85:45] June Diane Raphael: "He looks great. Gene Kelly was incredible."

The episode concludes with a unanimous recommendation to watch Xanadu for its sheer entertainment value and its testament to the creative chaos of filmmaking gone awry.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michaela Watkins [03:00]: "This movie is insane. Insane in a way that I feel like it was late night art deco furniture, cocaine use..."

• June Diane Raphael [06:10]: "I had chills when it started. By the end, I was hiding under my bed, so scared."

• Jason Mantzoukas [14:27]: "Why make him a painter who then goes to paint replicas of... it's totally normal."

• Jason Mantzoukas [41:02]: "I am shocked."

• Elliott Kalan [56:11]: "Maybe Sonny Malone is a homeless guy who lives inside that abandoned club."

• Mikaela Watkins [78:09]: "This is the most important movie ever made because we take for granted..."

Final Thoughts

"How Did This Get Made?" provides an in-depth, humorous, and critical examination of Xanadu, unraveling its complexities and celebrating its status as a quintessential "so bad it's good" film. Through lively discussions, creative theories, and candid critiques, the hosts offer listeners both laughter and a deeper appreciation for the chaotic beauty behind Xanadu's production.