WHAT WENT WRONG

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 more information.

'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 spiraled into an all out war in post-production. Discover how Kaye got completely shut out of the edit, and find out why he decided to spend $100K of his own money to retaliate... in public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, the boys chat with Chris and Lizzie, the hosts of the What Went Wrong podcast about why Hollywood produces so many "twin films," movies that have very similar concepts and that release within a year of each other. They also debate whether A Bug's Life or ANTZ is the better movie, and talk through some controversial Hollywood development rumors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Mifune saved the film from a self-serious tone, and how a request for 10 days off can lead to a two year stay at your director's house.*This episode was made possible by the incredible support of Patrons like Blaise Ambrose! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘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 Tom Hanks’ performance were thrown in the trash, and the unexpected source behind Forrest’s now-iconic accent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 silver screen in mere months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'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 devastating floods that destroyed entire sets to a power struggle between director Stephen Norrington and star Sean Connery that nearly turned physical, 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' was doomed from the start. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 reactions to the on set vibes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'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. Even though 'The Cotton Club' began as a story highlighting the racial inequalities of the actual nightclub, it became a film that marginalized its own black talent. Find out why it took Coppola 30 years to correct this mistake, finally allowing Gregory and Maurice Hines to steal the show.  Make sure you listen to our Out of Frame episode on The Cotton Club Murder first as a primer for this episode!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ambitions of her own, and why the entire case revolved around one of the most influential producers of all time: Robert Evans.Listen to this episode first as a primer, then come back Monday when we break down exactly what went wrong with ‘The Cotton Club’ in our full main-feed episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 script before Nic Cage reads it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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' 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 joke pushed things over the edge? What exactly was in those leaked emails? And why are some people still questioning who was really behind the hack? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 importance of second chances.*ADDENDUM: David Benioff had crucially penned 2004’s Troy prior to Game of Thrones, as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 one of Hollywood’s most sensitive and sought-after performers. We also explore the troubled production of his final film 'Dark Blood', and why it took almost 20 years to be released.Out of Frame is a bonus series that pulls back the curtain on the offscreen lives of Hollywood’s most fascinating figures—where the real stories are often stranger, darker, and more revealing than anything you see on film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 compelling than the movie itself. Discover what changed from the original script, why key themes were misrepresented, and how Florence Pugh’s deafening silence helped fuel a media frenzy.*CORRECTIONS: Cockburn is pronounced "co-burn", not "cock-burn" as we assert in this episode. That being said, it stands to reason Olivia Wilde chose to change her name precisely because America is filled with dummies like us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 of Sammy Jankis, the Hollywood hunk who almost took on the role of Leonard Shelby, and why Joey Pants owes Carrie-Anne Moss a lawn chair or two.*CORRECTIONS: Editor extraordinaire Dody Dorn's name is pronounced "DOE-dee", not "Dotty" as Chris mispronounces it throughout this episode. Our apologies to Dody! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris and Lizzie join Chelsea Devantez on Glamorous Trash to reveal some of their favorite moments from movies and memoirs we've covered on our shows. Find out what Barbra Streisand had to say about Lady Gaga, revisit Rex Harrison and Elizabeth Taylor's bonkers antics on Cleopatra, and much more!Listen to more of Chelsea's show: Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Lizzie's assertion, Zoe Saldaña was not in any of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels; thus, Chris's point that she was a relative unknown stands! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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—ever—argue with James Cameron. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Warner Bros./Netflix or Paramount merger will change the landscape for movies like this.This episode DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS! Listen with caution.*CORRECTIONS: Chris mistakenly asserts that 2019's Captain Marvel underperformed - it did not. He confused it with 2023's The Marvels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 agenda.*CORRECTIONS: Jimmy Stewart won his Oscar for The Philadelphia Story in February of 1941, the same month as he enlisted, not one year prior, as Chris incorrectly stated, and he played Macaulay "Mike" Connor, not C.K. Dexter Haven (played by Cary Grant).Tums is calcium carbonate, not calcium chloride (which is a salt used as a de-icer). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: why Billy Bob Thornton was nowhere near the first choice to play Willie, and why Zwigoff’s controversial director’s cut is the Christmas miracle you absolutely need this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 that today's episode includes mention of suicide and domestic violence.*CORRECTIONS: Chris mispronounces composer George Bruns' name as "Burns". The first Disney animated film to extensively use CGI was "The Great Mouse Detective" (1986). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam to unpack the wild behind-the-scenes story of the 1975 documentary ‘Grey Gardens’. Discover how the film survived production chaos, what became of the Beales afterward, and how two women behind the camera ultimately saved the entire project.Each episode of Out of Frame investigates the darker, more obscure corners of Hollywood history and shines a light on the offscreen lives of some of our favorite onscreen stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 through his fingers for only $10M. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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… but not for the reasons you might think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 weekend. What happened that night depends on who you ask… and when you ask them.Join Chris, Lizzie, and special guest Daisy Eagan from Strange and Unexplained for the first episode of our bonus series 'Out of Frame' where we’ll investigate the darker, more obscure corners of Hollywood history. In this episode we’ll find out if Wood’s death sank her final film, or if ‘Brainstorm’ had something to do with her death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 small part to its brilliant viral marketing campaign. But while studios made millions, its incredibly talented young stars were essentially left for dead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 otherwise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 set, and which part Cher almost played! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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... cat lovers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 information.

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’, join us on this journey behind the scenes with one of England’s loudest bands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Herzog's "Fitzcarraldo", a Sisyphean endeavor to bring a Sisyphean endeavor to the silver screen.Check out https://www.squarespace.com/WRONG to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using WRONG. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 more information.

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.