Pod Meets World – "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" (May 5, 2026)
Episode Overview
Hosts Will Friedle and Sabrina Bryant (with guest input from producer Michaela) take listeners on a vibrant, nostalgia-fueled journey back to 1989, breaking down the Disney classic "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." They recall memories of childhood fandom, provide fascinating production history, critique the film's effects with a gentle hand, and debate what makes it an enduring family entertainment staple. Generous helpings of personal stories and humorous banter help set the episode’s inviting, lighthearted tone.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
Would You Rather: Tiny or Huge?
- [02:39] The hosts open with a “would you rather” – be way too small or way too big? – paralleling the movie’s theme.
- Sabrina: Prefers being small: “I think I’d want to be way too small. … Way too big would be like, where do you go? Where do you sleep?” (03:03)
- Will: Points out the constant dangers of being tiny: “It would take you two years just to get to the gate at LAX. That would be your vacation.” (03:41)
- Both agree each extreme brings serious downsides and unique adventure potential, setting the tone for discussing the film.
Movie & Cultural Context
The Moranis Moment
- [06:06-08:12] In-depth Rick Moranis appreciation:
- Will: “It’s difficult to even say this movie’s title without thinking of the man, the myth, the legend himself, Rick Moranis.” (06:06)
- Will and Sabrina lovingly list Moranis’ hits: "Ghostbusters," “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Parenthood,” “Spaceballs,” “Strange Brew,” “The Flintstones.”
- Nostalgia for Moranis’ comedic genius pervades: “He is a national treasure. …He’s a world treasure.” (07:10–07:28)
- Discussion of Moranis’ career hiatus and recent news.
The Box Office & Franchise
- [11:39–14:08] “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” wasn’t expected to become a hit, but grossed $222 million globally ($575M adjusted for inflation), temporarily becoming Disney’s highest-grossing live-action film.
- Spawns not just sequels and a TV spinoff, but beloved theme park attractions (notably “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”).
- Memorable quote: “He just solved world hunger. … The man has literally just solved world hunger. Think about it!” – Will on the laser’s potential (74:18)
Production Deep-Dive
Casting & Origins
- [15:06] Role was written for Chevy Chase; John Candy also passed, suggesting Moranis for the part instead—a characteristically generous move from a beloved icon.
- Will shares a personal story of meeting John Candy while dressed as a Romulan for a kids’ TV pilot. (16:24)
- Filmed primarily in Mexico City, not L.A., with heavy use of practical effects (giant props, puppets, animation, stop-motion).
- “None of it holds up in 2026. It doesn’t look great, but I just didn’t care.” – Will (17:21)
- Both hosts agree charm outweighs any “dated” visual flaws.
Direction & Crew
- [23:08] Director Joe Johnston’s impressive visual effects pedigree:
- Art director on the first three “Star Wars,” designed Yoda and Boba Fett, led VFX on classics like “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” created “The Iron Giant.”
- Johnston’s feature directorial debut, followed by “The Rocketeer,” “Jumanji,” “Jurassic Park III,” “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
Cast Recap and Fun Anecdotes
- Rick Moranis: Career highlights, versatility, and personal stories about his kindness.
- Marcia Strassman: TV legend (“Welcome Back, Kotter”; “MAS*H”), and Will’s childhood crush.
- Christine Sutherland: Noted for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
- Jared Rushton: Familiar from “Big” and “Overboard,” left acting for music.
- Amy O’Neil: Former child actor, later a circus performer (“Girls on Stilts”).
- Robert Oliveri: Played Nick, also in “Edward Scissorhands”—Will once interviewed him as a kid.
- Lou Cutell (Dr. Brainerd): Known for “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (as Super Dave’s dad).
Scene-by-Scene Recap & Key Moments (Timestamps approx.)
Opening & Family Dynamics
- [35:51–41:12] Opening animated credits, introducing the suburban Zelinsky and Thompson families.
- Wayne Zelinsky: Distracted inventor Dad, wife Diane, teens Amy & Nick.
- Thompson family: Blue-collar, masculine Russ Sr., sons Russ Jr. and Ron.
- Lots of comedy drawn from clashing neighbor personalities and quirky family moments.
Shrinking Incident
- [41:22–43:56] Ron’s baseball breaks into Wayne’s lab; accidental laser activation shrinks all four kids.
- [44:00] Wayne unknowingly sweeps the shrunken kids into a trash bag and tosses it outside – launching the heart of the adventure.
Backyard Peril
- [45:26–47:00] Kids’ journey becomes a fraught trek through a jungle-like backyard, battling hazards like mud, bugs, and massive water droplets from the sprinkler.
- The practical sets and oversized props ignite both childlike exhilaration and real suspense.
- Memorable moment: Nick’s plan to whistle for the dog, Quark, to ride him to safety (46:44).
Action Setpieces & Practical Effects
- [53:04] The harrowing ant (“Auntie”) scene — the kids befriend, then tragically lose, their giant ant companion in battle with a scorpion.
- “He dies, guys. … It was so sad, dude.” – Sabrina (65:54)
- Both hosts note the emotional impact and unexpected darkness for a “family” movie.
- [67:16] Remote-controlled lawnmower sequence: A genuine near-miss thriller, full of creative visuals.
Rescue & Ending
- [71:06–74:26] Nick uses Quark the dog to finally reach his dad—narrowly avoiding being eaten with a Cheerio in a now-iconic giant cereal bowl sequence.
- Wayne and Diane frantically repair the shrinking machine, bringing the kids back to size just in time.
- Finale: Neighbors reconcile over a literally massive Thanksgiving dinner (giant turkey courtesy of Wayne’s invention).
Lighthearted Banter & Personal Reflections
Nostalgia & Real-Life Connections
- Will describes interviewing Robert Oliveri as a child and being mesmerized by set stories (19:50).
- Both hosts reflect on how much more immersive practical effects were for actors (“So much better for actors and so much more fun!” – Will, 45:05).
Pop Culture & Generational Humor
- Running jokes: Will’s ignorance of certain 80s/90s blockbusters (never seen “Moana” or “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”), and the world's “tiny couch” meme.
- Quips comparing “French class” to French kissing and recounting awkward first kiss stories (94:09).
Notable Quotes
- On enduring charm: “I had a smile on my face the whole time. … I literally didn’t care [about the FX] because that’s the way they all looked. Right. I just didn’t care. [This is] such a feel-good movie that you can literally watch over and over.” – Sabrina (97:22)
- On nostalgia’s power: “It made me want to apologize to people for how I’ve been talking about movies that they’ve attached nostalgia to, because I get it.” – Will (97:53)
- On practicality winning over effects: “The charm outweighs any ‘dated’ visual flaws.” (17:21 summation)
Fun Segments & Games
The “Shrunk King” Quiz (80:07)
- Who’s the shortest Hollywood star? (e.g., Michael J. Fox, Seth Green, Paul Simon, Joe Pesci, Josh Hutcherson).
- Hosts playfully compete, shocked by some stars’ heights (“Paul Simon is 5’3”!” – 82:17).
Sabrina’s “Things You Might Have Missed” (84:10)
- Observations about odd details: red truck continuity, Saturday science conference confusion, animal size discrepancies, stop-motion FX history, TV counterbalance gag, and new understanding of the “French class” euphemism.
- CPR accuracy rant: “That was the worst CPR I could ever see. Like, he would have not saved her at all. He just blew into her mouth.” (88:40)
Critical Take: Final Ratings
Both hosts rave about the film’s enduring warmth and agree it’s nearly perfect for families:
- Sabrina: 9.5/10 “good uses for cigarettes by kids” – “Just such a feel-good movie that you can literally watch over and over again.” (97:22)
- Will: 10/10 “good uses for cigarettes by kids” – “Even now at 50, I was jealous of them shooting this back in 1988. …This was a great movie.” (98:39)
Visitor & Listener Feedback
- Read aloud a five-star and a one-star review, with Will hilariously roasting the negative reviewer: “Go [bleep] yourself.” (79:40)
Closing Thoughts
- The movie stands as a prime example of '80s/'90s family filmmaking—funny, scary, inventive, sentimental, and visually extraordinary (despite now-dated effects).
- The hosts’ genuine affection for the film, peppered with personal and industry tidbits, makes for both a fond trip down memory lane and a useful primer for the uninitiated.
- Next episode teased: 2016’s “Adventures in Babysitting,” with more Sabrina Carpenter stories to come.
Handy Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:39 – Would you rather be tiny or huge?
- 06:06 – Rick Moranis appreciation & “career era”
- 11:39 – Box office and Disney history
- 15:06 – Casting: Chevy Chase, John Candy, Rick Moranis
- 23:08 – Director Joe Johnston’s legendary resume
- 35:51 – Scene-by-scene plot breakdown begins
- 53:04 – Auntie the ant’s emotional moment
- 67:16 – Remote-controlled lawnmower sequence
- 71:06 – Quark/cereal bowl rescue
- 74:10 – Massive turkey/finale
- 80:07 – The Shrunk King (shortest actor quiz)
- 84:10 – Sabrina’s “Things You Didn’t See” roundup
- 94:09 – French kissing stories
- 97:20 – Final ratings
Notable Quotes
- “He is a national treasure…a world treasure.” (07:10)
- “None of it holds up in 2026. …I just didn’t care.” (17:21)
- “He just solved world hunger!” (74:18)
- “Even now at 50, I was jealous of them shooting this in 1988.” (98:21)
- “I had a smile on my face the whole time.” (97:22)
Summary
This episode is a love letter to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”—embracing both its technical jank and its immense, enduring heart. Rich with memories, jokes, and behind-the-scenes facts, it’s a lively primer for anyone who missed, or misses, the family adventure heyday of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
