WHAT WENT WRONG
What Went Wrong explores the most notoriously disastrous movie productions in Hollywood, uncovering the behind-the-scenes chaos of everything from massive flops to record-breaking blockbusters. Hosts Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer dive into a new film each episode to reveal why making a movie is nearly impossible, especially a good one. The podcast is produced by David Boman and offers bonus episodes for subscribers on Patreon.
Episodes
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Jane Austen’s first novel became Emma Thompson’s first screenplay, which eventually won her an Academy Award. But when producer Lindsay Doran first pitched ‘Sense and Sensibility’ no one understood her vision - including director Ang Lee. This week Chris and Lizzie venture into a comedy of errors behind the scenes where language barriers, broken hearts, blossoming romances, and some illegal activi
ENCORE: James McAvoy on California Schemin'
This week, we revisit our interview with the one and only James McAvoy as Chris and Lizzie break down what went wrong - and very right - on his directorial debut, California Schemin’.The film follows two young Scottish rappers who get laughed out of the music industry… until they start pretending to be American. It’s a true story of ambition, delusion, and the blurry line between reinvention and o
Saw
Just two guys and we're having a good time! This week, Chris and Lizzie chain themselves to James Wan and Leigh Whannell's breakout horror hit, SAW. What began as a simple exercise to try to escape their tiny home country of Australia led to a franchise beyond either of their expectations and, perhaps, desires. From work VISAs to unpaid profits and Cary Elwes' self-discovery of latent
Out of Frame: Lana Turner & Johnny Stompanato (ft. Hollywood Crime Scene)
Lana Turner made a name for herself as one of Hollywood’s most sought after femme fatales in films like ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’, but her personal life may have been more scandalous than anything she portrayed on screen. Turner was a true rags to riches story - complete with an iconic discovery at a soda shop counter - but her life was an extremely difficult one, full of married men, debau
Carrie (1976)
It’s been 50 years since Brian De Palma turned prom into a blood bath, so let’s find out what went wrong on ‘Carrie’. Join Chris and Lizzie as they dive deep into Stephen King’s first on-screen adaptation. Find out why no one wanted to adapt the novel, why De Palma had to beg for the job, and why he was dead-set against casting Sissy Spacek. Plus, discover why that deadly prom sequence was just as
Resident Evil (2002)
This week, Chris & Lizzie try to figure out how Paul W.S. Anderson saved his career, his love life, and Constantin Film (maybe just in the United States) with a lovable clunker of a zombie movie. They trace the origins of the hit game Resident Evil is based on (and the game that game was born from, and the movie that game was based on), untangle a creative love triangle between Milla Jovovich,
Practical Magic
Despite its all-star cast, when ‘Practical Magic’ landed in theaters in 1998 it was a critical and commercial failure. The blow was particularly devastating for director Griffin Dunne who had tried to exorcise some very personal demons via the film. This week, Chris and Lizzie discover how the Owens sisters went from box office poison to home video magic. Find out how Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kid
Witches! A Primer
As spooky season approaches, Chris and Lizzie explore a brief history of witches. Find out how they’ve evolved in folklore, literature, and entertainment from ‘MacBeth’ to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Weapons’ and beyond! Plus discover how ‘Practical Magic’ fits into this witchy arc, and what the upcoming sequel may bring to the cauldron. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Psycho
We all go a little mad sometimes... And Alfred Hitchcock certainly seemed to when he decided to follow up his most expensive film to date with a black and white B-movie based on a gritty novel that would never survive the withering glare of the Motion Picture Production Code. Chris & Lizzie explore the restrictions that birthed one of the most influential horror films in history, the brillianc
Dysfunctional Duos (with Couples Therapy Podcast)
This week we have Andy Beckerman and Naomi Ekperigin from the Couples Therapy podcast to discuss some of the most chaotic creative partnerships and rivalries in Hollywood history. Join us as we lay out an array of feuds from Tom Cruise vs. Anne Rice, to Patrick Swayze vs. Jennifer Grey, and beyond. Grab yourself a bucket of Liz Taylor’s favorite chili and get ready to pick a side. Hosted on Acast.
Thelma & Louise
‘Thelma and Louise’ has one of the most iconic endings ever, but it almost didn’t make it to the screen. This week Chris and Lizzie explore Callie Khouri’s relentless dedication to her screenplay, Ridley Scott’s reluctance to direct it, and why neither Geena Davis nor Brad Pitt were even close to first choice for their roles. Find out which alternate ending earned boos from a test audience and how
Featurette: Drop Dead Gorgeous (with Ruined)
‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ was supposed to be a big break for first time feature writer Lona Williams and first time feature director Michael Patrick Jann… except they couldn’t agree on anything. Difficulties with the film’s biggest star, Kirstie Alley, and a lawsuit from Dairy Queen didn’t help. In this bonus Featurette, Halle Kiefer from the Ruined podcast joins Chris and Lizzie to break down this 199
Dog Day Afternoon
54 years ago, nearly to the day, John Wojtowicz and two accomplices caught a matinee showing of The Godfather, then walked into a bank and inadvertently changed cinema history. Chris & Lizzie explore Sidney Lumet's adaptation of Wojtowicz's sensational and tragic failed heist, the major studios' reticence to touch the material, Al Pacino's struggles with the role, and what Hollywood owes the s
Three Kings
When George Clooney read the script for 1999’s ‘Three Kings’, he knew it was the kind of project he wanted to be attached to. Even though Clooney was a bonafide TV star, he hadn’t found his footing as a leading man yet, so he practically begged director David O. Russell to cast him. Little did he know he had just signed up to work for his worst enemy. This week Lizzie and Chris dive into the madne
Cutthroat Island
It's the film that fin(n)ished Carolco! Or so we've been led to believe... This week, Chris & Lizzie seek to uncover who really scuttled Carolco Pictures - was it Geena Davis and Renny Harlin? Or was Cutthroat Island a mere scapegoat? Plus, Matthew Modine takes his lumps (on set and after), poop tanks infect the crew, and Michael Douglas dodges a trip to Davy Jones' locker.Go to surfshark.com/
Raina Deerwater of GLAAD
Join Chris & Lizzie for a conversation with Raina Deerwater, GLAAD’s Associate Director, Entertainment Research & Analysis covering GLAAD's recently published Where We Are in Film Study. They'll cover the findings of GLAAD's research, the future of film for the LGBTQ community, and how an increasingly consolidated Hollywood can benefit from a diverse ecosystem of stories and storytellers.T
The Blues Brothers
In the summer of 1979, citizens of Chicago found themselves subject to traffic jams, random explosions, and S.W.A.T. teams invading Daley Plaza. But they weren’t frightened, they were thrilled! It was just Jake & Elwood Blues, and they were on a mission from God. This week Chris and Lizzie dive head first into John Landis’ 1980 classic ‘The Blues Brothers’. Find out why they really drove cars
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Who are you calling ugly? This week, Chris and Lizzie defend Eli Wallach's looks, Sergio Leone's directing style (to a point...), Clint Eastwood's acting chops and screenwriter Luciano Vincenzoni's decision to pitch a sequel to For a Few Dollars More without his director's input. Plus, why you should always let the Italian stunt men do their job, never trust the Spanish army with a detonation, and
Spaghetti Westerns! A Primer
Who do you think of when you think of Spaghetti Westerns? Because Sergio Leone thinks of... Akira Kurosawa? In this week's primer, Chris & Lizzie dive into the Eurocentric Western revival of the 60's and 70's, how it saved Clint Eastwood's career, drew the scorn of American critics, and gave birth to some of the most stylish movies ever made.This episode is brought to you by Brami. Shop Brami
The Dark Knight
It took Christopher Nolan mere minutes to sell Warner Brothers on his vision of Batman. And while he began to change the face of superhero movies with Batman Begins he altered it forever with The Dark Knight. This week Chris and Lizzie break down which element of The Joker made the studio very nervous, why Hong Kong proved incredibly difficult to film in, and how the hell they flipped that 18 whee
Featurette: 10 Things I Hate About You (with Two Judgey Girls)
How did Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ become one of the greatest teen comedies of all time? In this Featurette bonus episode, Chris, Lizzie, and special guest Mary from Two Judgey Girls explore the movie that introduced Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles to the world. Find out why the screenwriters clashed with the director, which role Joseph Gordon Levitt really wanted to play, and how that
Pan's Labyrinth
Once upon a time there lived a boy who loved monsters. This week, Chris & Lizzie head swap Jim Henson's Labyrinth for Guillermo Del Toro's, err... Pan's, err... the Faun's Labyrinth. They explore Del Toro's dark-fairy-tale of a childhood, his battles with real Hollywood monsters (the Weinsteins), and how an insult to Alfonso Cuarón's face led to arguably his most defining film. Hosted on Acast
Independence Day
‘Independence Day’ was a runaway hit in the summer of 1996, elevating Will Smith to full blown movie star status, and cementing Roland Emmerich as a major action movie director. But Emmerich and co-writer Dean Devlin had a rocky road to alien domination. This week, Chris and Lizzie discover how Tim Burton’s competing ‘Mars Attacks’ almost canceled out ‘Independence Day’, why the studio didn’t want
Tank Girl
This week, Chris and Lizzie explore the mid-90's full metal misfire, Tank Girl, a movie bursting with creativity that deserved better than it got. From Ice T believing he'd be playing a stripper to Lori Petty knowing she'd gotten the part (even when she explicitly hadn't) and director Rachel Talalay fighting the studio to protect the dildo cut, this one's a doozy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr
The 13th Warrior
In 1999, Touchstone thought they had a surefire hit in the works. They had source material by the author of ‘Jurassic Park’ and the director of ‘Die Hard’ behind the camera! But soon things fell apart so spectacularly that ‘The 13th Warrior’ would become one of the year’s biggest box office bombs. This week, Chris and Lizzie unpack how a power struggle between author Michael Crichton and director
War of the Worlds (2005)
This week, Chris & Lizzie try to unearth the truth behind 2005's War of the Worlds - was it an unmitigated, Cruisian PR disaster? Or was Tom Cruise's bizarre press tour merely a scapegoat? Plus, how Steven Spielberg and company put together a $135M sci-fi epic on a 10 month turn-around, how a couple of B-movie mockbusters beat it to the box office, and yet another concept album throwing a wren
Out of Frame: Scientology and Hollywood
In preparation for Monday's episode on War of the Worlds (2005) Chris and Lizzie explore the history of Scientology, the wave of religious movements in early 20th century Los Angeles, and set the table for Tom Cruise's disastrous publicity tour leading up to the release of the film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Giant (1956)
‘Giant’ may be remembered as James Dean’s final film, but there is so much more to the story. Chris and Lizzie dive into the making of the classic 1956 film, why James Dean and Rock Hudson couldn’t stand each other, and how Elizabeth Taylor found herself caught between the two. Find out how homophobia tore Rock Hudson’s life apart, why director George Stevens constantly fought with James Dean, and
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat... Latina Wedding? This week, Chris & Lizzie dive into the magical, seemingly impossible indie-darling that could, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Learn how Nia Vardalos turned what Hollywood perceived to be her biggest liability (her Greek heritage) into a movie so specifically hilarious, it felt universal. This is the unlikely story of how a one-woman show (and a $500 ad in the LA Times
Breakfast at Tiffany's
When Hollywood producers got their hands on Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, they thought they’d found the perfect RomCom. There was just one problem: there was no rom in that com because the narrator was gay. In this episode, Chris and Lizzie break down the Audrey Hepburn classic and discover why she was reluctant to take the part, which actor caused the most trouble on set, and how the
Out of Frame: In Cold Blood | Movie vs. Book
When the town of Holcomb, Kansas opened its doors to renowned author Truman Capote in 1959, they had no idea their story would change the way True Crime was written forever. Join Chris and Lizzie as they explore the real case behind the novel ‘In Cold Blood’ and its 1967 film adaptation, plus find out where Capote may have twisted the truth, and the shocking lengths film director Richard Brooks to
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
It's time for the feel bad sequel of 1984! Join Chris and Lizzie as they explore how bad breakups and broken backs contributed to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg being branded villains by People magazine. Plus, why Ke Huy Quan's "Short Round" is the real hero, Kate Capshaw paying a steep price for not reading the entire script, and why we still love Harrison Ford even though he stole Short Round
Cabaret
This week Bob Fosse is clawing his way out of director’s jail with one of the greatest movie musicals ever made: ‘Cabaret’. Join Chris and Lizzie as they discover how instrumental Liza Minelli was in creating Sally Bowles’ iconic look, why Joel Grey cried after he saw the first cut, and which role Bob Fosse might have wanted to take for himself… We also find out why Bob Fosse probably shouldn’t at
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
How does George Lucas top the most successful film of all time? He outsources the writing and directing, finances it himself, and then wonders if it could've been as successful if it had just been a little bit worse! This week, Chris & Lizzie head to Hoth to watch Irvin Kershner's cameras freeze, Dagobah to bear witness to Frank Oz create our favorite little bog freak, and navigate the asteroi
The Devil Wears Prada (with Jameela Jamil)
When director David Frankel signed on to adapt the novel The Devil Wears Prada into a movie, he didn’t realize he’d be up against the real Miranda Priestly herself: Anna Wintour. This week Chris, Lizzie, and very special guest Jameela Jamil discover how it took 5 tries to find the right screenwriter, why Anne Hathaway was the 9th choice to play Andy Sachs, and how fear of retribution from Ann
Taxi Driver
This year marks the 50th anniversary of 'Taxi Driver', which is somehow even more relevant now than it was in 1976. But the truth is 'Taxi Driver' almost didn't make it to the screen. This week, Chris and Lizzie break down how Martin Scorsese and Paul Schrader fought to make a dark, deeply uncommercial script on a shoestring budget, that made the studio nervous from the start. Discover why th
Jodie Foster & John Hinckley Jr. (with RedHanded)
'Taxi Driver' isn't just one of the greatest movies ever made... it's also deeply entangled with one of the most shocking true crimes in American history. In this Out of Frame episode, Chris and Lizzie welcome special guests Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire from RedHanded to examine the disturbing case of John Hinkley Jr, whose obsession with Jodie Foster spiraled into an attempt to assassinat
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Let's dive into a world of pure imagination... and some pretty unsafe set pieces! This week, Chris and Lizzie are joined by Aaron Tracy, creator and host of The Secret World of Roald Dahl, and they head into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory to figure out how such an odd movie came to be. From cereal financing to secret rewrites and Gene Wilder's unexpectedly edgy performance, this production's only
James McAvoy on California Schemin'
This week, the one and only James McAvoy joins Chris and Lizzie to break down what went wrong - and very right - on his directorial debut, California Schemin’.The film follows two young Scottish rappers who get laughed out of the music industry… until they start pretending to be American. It’s a true story of ambition, delusion, and the blurry line between reinvention and outright fraud.Find out w
Lawrence of Arabia
David Lean's ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made… but behind the sweeping desert vistas was a production as brutal and unpredictable as the landscape itself. This week, Chris and Lizzie break down how a script that was never truly finished—thanks in part to one of its screenwriters landing in jail—left the film constantly evolving even as cameras roll
Labyrinth
How did the Star Man, the Star Wars Man, and the Muppet Man come together to make the seminal 1986 oddity, Labyrinth? Join Chris and Lizzie as they get lost in the experimental mind of Jim Henson, young Jennifer Connelly's dispassion for acting, and the remarkable juggling of David Bowie's (crystal) balls.*CORRECTION: Terry Jones was Welsh, not English. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m
American History X
'American History X' was a tough sell on paper, though that didn't stop up-and-coming star Edward Norton from fighting for it. But what started as a promising collaboration between Norton and first-time director Tony Kaye would soon explode into one of the most infamous behind-the-scenes battles in movie history.This week, Chris and Lizzie break down how tensions that started brewing on set spiral
Seven Samurai
A Kubrickian schedule! Two months of shooting in the mud! Roundworm, tuberculosis, and mass-method acting! What are the building blocks of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic jidaigeki film, Seven Samurai? Chris and Lizzie learn of Kurosawa's battles with censors (Japanese and American), studios, and his own personal demons. Plus, how the score went from the wastebasket to the silver screen, how Toshiro
Forrest Gump
‘Forrest Gump’ became one of the biggest hits of the ’90s—but it was never a sure thing. What started as a seemingly unadaptable novel bounced through multiple directors, screenwriters, and studios before it finally found the team that could bring it to life.This week, Chris and Lizzie break down how Robert Zemeckis pulled off the film’s groundbreaking visual effects, why the first three days of T
Casablanca
This week, everybody comes to Rick's! Chris and Lizzie head to French Morocco for a deep dive on Casablanca, the movie that no one believed in and everyone wanted credit for. Learn how a notoriously tough director (Michael Curtiz), a freshly minted producer (Hal Wallis), a frustrated starlet (Ingrid Bergman), and a truly international cast brought this Hollywood classic from an unproduced play to
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' was supposed to launch a franchise... Instead, it was a production so toxic it ended a legendary career—and shoved one of the most influential comic writers of all time into a legal nightmare. This week, Chris and Lizzie break down how 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' collapsed under the weight of ego, chaos, and truly terrible luck. From devasta
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Were Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman star-crossed lovers or creatively cursed? This week, Chris & Lizzie plumb the memories of all involved in the 2004 sci-fi hit, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a movie Charlie Kaufman tried endlessly to break up with. Plus, Gondry and Jim Carrey's loveless marriage, how Kate Winslet set the tone, and Mark Ruffalo and Tom Wilkinson's wildly different
The Cotton Club
'The Cotton Club' was supposed to be Robert Evans’ big comeback... Instead, it became the movie that finally took him down - and nearly dragged Francis Ford Coppola with him. Chris and Lizzie break down how Evans' desperation to make the film led to shady financing, a baffling creative curveball from Richard Gere, and a production so chaotic that an actual mobster came on board as a line producer.
Out of Frame: The Cotton Club Murder
Before ‘The Cotton Club’ became one of Hollywood’s most notorious flops, it was connected to something much darker. In this episode of Out of Frame, Chris and Lizzie dig into the death of Roy Radin — a small-time producer whose obsession with breaking into Hollywood by financing ’The Cotton Club’ ended in murder. Find out how Radin got involved with Lanie Jacobs, a cocaine dealer with movie ambiti
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Lord & Miller lord over creative chaos as Sony succumbs to the stratospheric success of Marvel. This week, Chris & Lizzie learn how relinquishing control of Peter Parker may have opened the door for Miles Morales, how Donald Glover is at least partly responsible for the Spider-Verse trilogy, and why you might want to double check the meaning behind that 1930's slang you just added to the s
Oscars 2026: Sinners & One Battle After Another
Chris and Lizzie kick off the 2026 Oscars conversation by discussing the overall Hollywood landscape, followed by a deep dive on where the best picture nominees stand. This week it's Sinners and One Battle After Another. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Interview
'The Interview' was supposed to be another easy studio comedy win for hitmakers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Instead, it cost Sony millions — and that was only the beginning. In this episode, Chris and Lizzie investigate how 'The Interview' went from parodying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to being labeled an act of war, triggering one of the most devastating corporate hacks in history. Which j
Game of Thrones (Pilot)
How did two lowly squires, an outsider king, and a network known more for sex than sorcery come together to make one of the most successful TV shows of all time? By completely botching it the first time around. This week, Chris & Lizzie brave the Hollywood game of thrones to learn what went wrong making Game of Thrones, from bad wigs and green screen White Walkers to ridiculous hats and the im
The Life and Death of River Phoenix (with Last Podcast on the Left)
Lizzie, Chris, and special guests Henry Zebrowski and Ed Larson from the 'Last Podcast on the Left' investigate the extraordinary life and untimely death of River Phoenix. We dig into Phoenix’s complicated family dynamics, his deep discomfort with fame, and the pressures that followed him. Find out how his childhood - including a stint in the Children of God cult - informed his meteoric rise as on
Don't Worry Darling
How did 'Don’t Worry Darling' become one of Hollywood’s biggest misfires since 'Ishtar'? Chris and Lizzie investigate how Olivia Wilde’s highly anticipated sophomore film began falling apart long before it reached theaters.From Shia LaBeouf’s hotly disputed exit and last-minute replacement with Harry Styles, to how Wilde’s personal life hijacked the press tour, the off-screen drama proved far more
Memento
In 2000, Christopher Nolan had to believe in a world outside his own mind... even though no one seemed interested in what his imagination had wrought. Join Chris & Lizzie as they ring in the New Year with a dive into the early aughts' seminal neo-noir cult classic, Memento, and sleuth out how Nolan's breakout film was nearly forgotten. Plus, how Stephen Tobolowsky's penis snagged him the role
Avatar (2009)
Would you make love to an alien? Because James Cameron wants to know. Lizzie & Chris cap a James Cameron Christmas with perhaps his most polarizing film, Avatar. From epic spats to studio subterfuge and accusations of plagiarism, the journey to Pandora (and box office glory) begs the question: was it worth a seemingly self-imposed exile to a world that doesn't exist?*CORRECTIONS: Contrary to L
Aliens
On camera it was Ripley vs. the Alien Queen… off camera it was James Cameron vs. everyone else. Mutinous crews, studio interference, and seemingly impossible creature builds were just the beginning of the chaos behind 1986’s action-packed classic 'Aliens'. This week, Chris and Lizzie uncover why no one called Ridley Scott, how Sigourney Weaver almost didn’t make the cut, and why you should never—e
REVIEW: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
In this bonus episode Chris and Lizzie share their unfiltered thoughts on Rian Johnson’s ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’, and discuss the surprising (and potentially mis-marketed) message of the film. Find out which stars stood out in an all-star cast - we’re looking at you Josh O’Connor & Daryl McCormack - and which were completely unnecessary. We also discuss how the impending Warne
It's a Wonderful Life
The Christmas classic that was never intended to be a Christmas classic! This week, Chris & Lizzie explore the many versions of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life that we were nearly gifted, complete with adultery, murderous doppelgängers, and political intrigue. Plus, why Jimmy Stewart worried Hollywood had passed him by, the invention of a new kind of snow, and suspicions of a communist age
Bad Santa
When 'Bad Santa' hit theaters in 2003, audiences got a filthy, chaotic Christmas classic. What they didn’t get was the movie director Terry Zwigoff or producers the Coen Brothers intended to make.In this episode, Chris and Lizzie uncover how Bob Weinstein became the real villain of 'Bad Santa'—seizing Zwigoff’s cut, alienating the Coens, and waging war on anyone who tried to protect the film. Plus
The Iron Giant
We are who we choose to be, and if Brad Bird hadn't chosen to be a pain in the ass, we'd never have The Iron Giant. This week, Chris & Lizzie are joined by Alex Steed of the You Are Good podcast to explore the complex history of The Iron Giant. From children's stories to profound loss, The Iron Giant's journey to our homes was one of falling apart and coming back together again.*Please note th
The Curious Case of Grey Gardens (with Watch What Crappens)
When the Maysles brothers showed up at Grey Gardens, they thought they were filming a quick piece on Jackie O’s quirky relatives. Instead, they uncovered Big and Little Edie Beale—an isolated mother-daughter duo living in shocking squalor, feeding raccoons in their attic, and completely frozen in time.In the second episode of Out of Frame, Lizzie and Chris are joined by Watch What Crappens hosts B
Toy Story
There’s no 'Toy Story' without Pixar, and there’s no Pixar without… Steve Jobs. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first computer animated feature film ever, Chris and Lizzie dive into the story behind 1995’s absolutely miraculous 'Toy Story'. Find out why an early version of Woody made Disney almost pull the plug, how Tim Allen changed Buzz Lightyear, and why George Lucas let Pixar slip thr
Heat
What if you got a do-over on the score of a lifetime? Would you take your shot, or walk away? Join Chris & Lizzie as they infiltrate the incredible crew behind 'Heat' and learn how Michael Mann was finally able to pull off his sprawling LA crime drama yet still ended up getting robbed… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Last of the Mohicans
Michael Mann meets his match in one of the most dedicated method actors of all time: Daniel Day-Lewis. Join Chris and Lizzie as they chronicle Mann’s obsessively detail-oriented 1992 historical epic ‘The Last of the Mohicans’. Find out how on-set strikes and last-minute firings caused turmoil behind the scenes, and why ‘Dances with Wolves’ inspired Russell Means (Chingachgook) to join the cast… bu
Halloween
Paint your leaves yellow and orange and scatter them across the yard, because it's springtime in Pasadena and Halloween is coming to town! Chris & Lizzie plumb the depths of the real Michael Myers, how John Carpenter's career was saved by UK audiences, and why you should never show anyone your movie without music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood (with Daisy Eagan)
When Natalie Wood drowned in 1981 she was only 43 years old. Thanks to films like ‘West Side Story’, ‘Rebel Without a Cause’, and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ she was an icon, but she’d been out of the spotlight for almost a decade. Wood was in the midst of filming her comeback, ‘Brainstorm’, when she, her co-star Christopher Walken, and her husband Robert Wagner took their yacht out for Thanksgiving
The Blair Witch Project
In 1999, a found footage documentary showed audiences the terrifying last days of 3 intrepid filmmakers before they disappeared forever. Thanks to the popularity of the film, their mothers received condolence calls and police offered to reopen their case - there was just one problem… they were actors and they were very much alive. ‘The Blair Witch Project’ shattered box office records thanks in no
A Nightmare on Elm Street
This week Chris and Lizzie dive into Wes Craven's nightmares, bask in Johnny Depp's nauseatingly green performance, and marvel at Freddy Krueger's culinary inspired makeup. Plus, how Bob Shaye's leap of faith on Elm Street gave us Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings", Wes Craven's failed attempts to make a nice movie, and the unexpected benefits of setting yourself on fire, literally and otherw
Interview with the Vampire
Tom Cruise was thrilled to be cast in 1994’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ - he'd been a fan of the books since his teens. Imagine his surprise when he found out that author Anne Rice absolutely hated him. Join Chris and Lizzie as they break down this bloodsucking behind the scenes battle of the wills! Find out why this movie took almost 20 years to make, what made Brad Pitt utterly miserable on se
Vampires! A Primer
As we crawl into spooky season, Lizzie pries open the caskets of vampires past. Join us for a plunge into the dark history and shimmering evolution of the vampires we all know and eternally love, from their origins in Eastern Europe to the Anne Rice renaissance and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Catwoman (with Ryan Bailey)
Who has nine lives, one Oscar, a Razzie and a check for $12-14 million? Halle Berry, and we love her for it. This week, Chris, Lizzie and Ryan Bailey (of the 'So Bad It's Good' podcast) explore a cinematic furball solidly centered in the pantheon of so bad its good greatness. They dive deep on Catwoman's origins, then throw them away just like Warner Bros. did in an effort to make a movie for... c
The African Queen (1951)
Elephants, dysentery, and cannibalism, oh my! Join Chris and Lizzie as they venture down the river in 1951’s ‘The African Queen’. Find out why Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and John Huston ventured to Africa to escape HUAC, how they were terrorized by bugs, and why John may have accidentally… eaten a person. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Back To The Future
How did two Bobs, fresh off back-to-back flops, the studio's second choice sitcom star, and a script that changed more than Marty's future, er, present, become one of the most beloved movies of all time? Plus, Sid Sheinberg's terrible title ideas, the origins of "nuking the fridge," and how Crispin Glover girded SAG for the AI battle of the 2020s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in
This Is Spinal Tap
What if Rob Reiner hadn’t directed ‘This Is Spinal Tap’? What if the classic 1984 rockumentary had never even existed? This week Chris and Lizzie go to eleven with a behind the scenes look at why no one wanted to finance Spinal Tap, how Tom Petty served as inspiration, and why it took 36 years and a $400M lawsuit for its creators to finally get paid. In honor of ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’,
Fitzcarraldo
Come see us live! Oct. 8th and 9th at the Caveat Theater in Manhattan! Head to cheerfulearful.com/podlifeevents.com and click on our show dates for tickets!They say one man's dream is another man's nightmare, but what if your nightmare is the leading man of your dream? Join Chris and special guests Casey O'Brien and Mille De Chirico of "Dear Movies, I Love You" as they head down river with Werner
Bohemian Rhapsody
Between overly involved band members, a completely absent director, and a huge legacy for lead actor Rami Malek to live up to, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ had more than its fair share of problems. This week Lizzie and Chris dive into one of the messiest biopic productions in movie history and discover why it took so long to FINALLY fire director Bryan Singer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor
Below The Line - Creature Design & Practical FX (Starship Troopers)
You’d be hard pressed to find someone who’s contributed to more of your nightmares than Alec Gillis. He’s behind creature designs for monsters from Predators to Xenomorphs, Graboids, to brain bugs and everything in between. Join Chris and Lizzie as they discuss his career, creatures, and his favorite James Cameron memory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starship Troopers
How do you satirize a self-serious sci-fi staple? Any way you can! This week, Chris & Lizzie drop in on Paul Verhoeven's widely misunderstood anti-fascist spectacle and try to figure out how the cast of 90210 was employed to battle some of Phil Tippett's best-looking creations on Klendathu.Come see us live! Oct. 8th and 9th at the Caveat Theater in Manhattan! Head to cheerfulearful.com/podlife
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