How Did This Get Made?

Last Looks: Jack's Back w/ Tom Scharpling

September 26, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The 'Last Looks' segment addressed listener feedback and corrections regarding the previously discussed movie, *Jack's Back*, including clarifications on smoking in 1980s medical facilities and the film's original title concept, *Red Rain*. 
  • Guest Tom Scharpling, host of *The Best Show*, discussed his 25th anniversary tour, the viral *Grown Ups 3* spec script he wrote, and his new TV project with Matt Berry and Natasha Lyonne. 
  • The next movie to be analyzed on *How Did This Get Made?* will be the long-delayed 1983 film *Grizzly 2: The Revenge*, which features an early cast including George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Charlie Sheen. 

Segments

Podcast Opening and Ads
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode opens with advertisements for Claude AI and a movie trailer for Tron Aries, followed by an introduction to the ‘Last Looks’ format.
  • Summary: The episode begins with an ad read for Claude AI, positioning it as a thinking partner for analyzing complex topics. A trailer for the fictional movie Tron Aries is played, setting a dramatic tone before Paul Scheer introduces the ‘Last Looks’ segment. Listeners are reminded to call 619-PAULASK for corrections regarding the previous Jack’s Back discussion.
Corrections and Omissions Theme
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(00:01:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The theme song for the ‘Corrections and Omissions’ segment, submitted by Benjamin Helton, is performed, referencing the need for Paul to admit being wrong.
  • Summary: Paul Scheer introduces the ‘Corrections and Omissions’ segment, which allows listeners to fact-check the previous episode on Jack’s Back. The theme song for this segment, created by Benjamin Helton, humorously suggests Paul must admit fault. Listeners are encouraged to submit alternative movie titles and theme songs via Discord and the HDTGM website.
Listener Feedback on Smoking/Laws
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(00:08:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners confirmed the pervasive haze in Jack’s Back was due to constant smoking, even in places like doctor’s offices, and questioned the necessity of a back-alley abortion given 1980s California law.
  • Summary: A listener confirmed that the haze in Jack’s Back resulted from characters constantly smoking, including Sydney in a doctor’s office. Another listener pointed out that a sex worker paying for an abortion in the 1980s seems illogical since Planned Parenthood was operational. A follow-up correction noted that the clinic scene implied the procedure was illegal because the character was two weeks past the legal limit.
Movie Title Origin Clarification
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(00:10:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The movie Jack’s Back was originally titled Red Rain until the producers could not secure rights for the Peter Gabriel song, leading them to avoid the title Red Harvest to prevent confusion with the Dashiell Hammett novel.
  • Summary: The original working title for Jack’s Back was Red Rain, but this was scrapped because they could not obtain rights for the Peter Gabriel song. The alternative title, Red Harvest, was also avoided to prevent association with the famous Dashiell Hammett novel. Hammett’s Red Harvest is the source material for films like Yojimbo and Last Man Standing.
Cubs Connection to Los Angeles
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(00:11:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The Chicago Cubs held spring training on Catalina Island from 1921 to 1951, explaining a potential connection between the Cubs reference in Jack’s Back and Los Angeles, as Wrigley Sr. built a stadium there.
  • Summary: A caller explained that the Cubs reference in the Jack’s Back discussion stems from the team’s long history of holding spring training on Catalina Island. W. Wrigley Sr. subsequently built a stadium in Los Angeles for the PCL Angels, linking the Chicago team to the area. This provided a specific historical context for the seemingly random Cubs mention.
Transition to Ask Paul Segment
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(00:15:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The deep dive into Jack’s Back corrections concluded, prompting a pivot to the ‘Ask Paul’ segment where listeners pose unrelated questions to Paul Scheer.
  • Summary: The hosts decided the abortion law discussion was sufficiently covered, leading to a transition to the ‘Ask Paul’ segment. This segment allows listeners to ask Paul Scheer questions entirely unrelated to the movie being analyzed. The first question concerned the origins of Paul and June Diane’s distinct laughing styles.
Paul and June’s Laugh Origins
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(00:15:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul Scheer acknowledged the listener’s observation that his and June Diane’s laughs mimic each other, noting he will now pay attention to the dynamic without immediately knowing the origin.
  • Summary: A listener noted that Paul Scheer’s and June Diane’s laughs seem to mimic each other, asking who adopted whose pattern first. Paul found the observation cute and stated he would investigate further without telling June. He then addressed a second question regarding Marcus Lemonis’s new show, The Fixer, admitting he had not watched it yet.
Paul’s TV Viewing Habits
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(00:17:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul Scheer revealed that he and June Diane rarely watch shows together, taking several days to get through a single episode of Task, which they are currently watching as a shared exception.
  • Summary: Paul explained that he and June Diane typically watch television separately due to her tendency to fall asleep during hour-long episodes. They have made Task an exception, requiring Paul to rewatch the first episode multiple times to keep pace with her. He expressed excitement about watching The Fixer after the interview.
Army Medic Skill Underutilized
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(00:18:07)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener noted that Darkspader’s background as an army medic in Jack’s Back was never utilized in solving the crime or impersonating his brother, serving only to implicate him as a suspect.
  • Summary: The listener pointed out that Darkspader’s army medic skills were irrelevant to the plot of Jack’s Back. His skills were not used to analyze evidence or aid in the clinic impersonation, contrary to expectations. His background was only used by police to frame him as a suspect.
My Buddy Doll Anecdote
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(00:18:37)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener shared a personal story about believing the word ‘buddy’ referred to a penis because his parents used it, leading to shock upon seeing the My Buddy doll commercial.
  • Summary: The listener recounted that his parents referred to his penis as his ‘buddy,’ leading him to assume this was the universal term for the body part. He was shocked at school when friends did not understand his confusion over the My Buddy doll commercial. This story was declared the winner of the ‘Corrections and Omissions’ segment for being uniquely ‘Paul Scheer-coded.’
Tom Sharpling Interview Begins
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(00:25:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling’s 25-year radio/podcast career, The Best Show, is highlighted as pioneering, leading into a discussion about his upcoming tour and writing work.
  • Summary: Paul Scheer introduced Tom Sharpling, emphasizing The Best Show’s 25-year history originating as a radio program on WFMU. Sharpling has also written for shows like What We Do in the Shadows and is launching a new series with Matt Berry and Natasha Lyonne. The interview immediately focused on the longevity and nature of The Best Show.
Tom Sharpling’s Influences
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(00:27:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling avoided listening to West Coast radio artist Phil Hendry to maintain his unique style but was heavily influenced by Joe Frank’s use of audio manipulation on WFMU.
  • Summary: Sharpling stated he never listened to Phil Hendry, fearing it would be too influential on his work, despite knowing of him. He frequently listened to Joe Frank on WFMU, admiring how Frank took full advantage of the audio medium. The structure of The Best Show often involves introducing a topic and then interacting with recurring, eccentric callers from ‘Newbridge, New Jersey.’
Grown Ups 3 Spec Script Buzz
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(00:31:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling wrote the Grown Ups 3 spec script over a weekend, which generated significant buzz and was reportedly read by actors including Nick Swardson and David Spade, eventually reaching Adam Sandler’s camp.
  • Summary: Sharpling wrote the 55-page script in two days as a joke that evolved into a serious writing exercise during a period of free time. The script circulated widely, acting as a Rorschach test for readers’ feelings about Adam Sandler. He confirmed that actors like Nick Swardson and David Spade read it, and it eventually made its way to Sandler’s circle.
Picket Line Experiences
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(00:35:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling described picketing at Universal Studios as dangerous due to traffic patterns off the 101 freeway, noting that only one Sklar Brother (Jason, identified by his glasses) appeared.
  • Summary: Sharpling recounted the difficulty of picketing near the 101 freeway exit ramp at Universal, where cars often nearly hit the line. He mentioned seeing celebrity support, including Jay Leno providing hot dogs. He noted that Jason Sklar was the only Sklar Brother he saw, identifiable by his glasses.
Tom’s New Show Details
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(00:37:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling’s new show, shooting in Europe next year, pairs a British man (Matt Berry) and an American woman (Natasha Lyonne) solving crimes in a style reminiscent of Heart to Heart and 80s dramas.
  • Summary: The new series is described as a funny, retro-style show where the two leads, dressed formally, insert themselves into crime scenes. The dynamic is compared to a tougher pairing alongside a Roger Moore-era James Bond figure. Sharpling anticipates the show will be very funny and is scheduled to shoot in Europe next year.
Music Recommendations
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(00:42:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Sharpling recommended Destroyer’s new album Dan’s Boogie, Steve Gunn’s Music for Writers, and the new album by Wednesday, while suggesting listeners find new music via streaming service recommendations or by checking opening acts for touring bands.
  • Summary: Sharpling praised Destroyer’s constant sonic evolution, comparing it to Bob Dylan changing styles with every album. He highlighted Steve Gunn’s instrumental album Music for Writers as beautiful ambient music. He advised listeners to explore who headlining bands choose as opening acts to discover new artists.
Next Movie Announcement
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(00:51:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The next movie for How Did This Get Made? is the 1983 film Grizzly 2: The Revenge, which was filmed in 1983 but not released until 2020, featuring George Clooney and Laura Dern.
  • Summary: The next episode will cover Grizzly 2: The Revenge, which was filmed in 1983 but had a 37-year delay before its 2020 release. The plot involves a giant grizzly attacking a massive rock concert in a national park. Rotten Tomatoes rated the film 8% rotten, though critics found it fascinating.