Don’t Push Pause

Episode 67 Wayne’s World

Expanding a comedy sketch into a full-length feature film is always a gamble. When WAYNE’S WORLD hit theaters in 1992, the film’s instant success was not only a surprise, but also catapulted careers & paved the way for even more Saturday Night Live films. By appealing to a mass audience & departing from predictable humor, WAYNE’S WORLD continues to be a beloved comedy classic.

▶️Synopsis: Two music-oriented best friends, Wayne and Garth, produce a late-nite, cable access entertainment TV show called Wayne’s World. Seeing an opportunity to exploit the show, a slick TV producer attempts to commercialize the underground program, while also trying to schmooze Wayne’s ultra cool, musician girlfriend.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Evolution & development of Wayne & Garth, from conception to SNL’s effect; director’s background, influence & filmmaking style; writing the film, structuring commentary with story & atypical humor; cast, cameos & character breakdowns; musical influences & cultural impact; behind-the-scenes tidbits, audience, reception, sequel & subsequent SNL movies.

**Starring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Tia Carrere, Rob Lowe. Directed by Penelope Spheeris.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, CONEHEADS (1993): Stranded on Earth after crash landing, three cone-headed extraterrestrials are forced to assimilate to human life, while also trying to avoid governmental deportation.

**Starring Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Michelle Burke. Directed by Steve Barron.**

—Justin’s Pick, AIRHEADS (1994): Determined to have their demo played on the radio, an aspiring & desperate band resort to holding a radio station hostage with water guns.

**Starring Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi. Directed by Michael Lehmann.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Find out the origin of a well-known WAYNE’S WORLD catchphrase through another legendary SNL duo, Billy & Gilda Radner.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Two scenes Myers wanted cut from WAYNE’S WORLD, Justin’s acquisition of his Wayne’s World hat & rethinking the intensity of the head-banging to Queen car scene.

▶️Next Up: DOLLY DECEMBER: STEEL MAGNOLIAS (1989)!

Episode 66 : Election

Alexander Payne’s ELECTION (1999) breaks down politics in the most basic of ways. Through sharp critique, biting satire & layered performances, the fresh relevance of this film rings true in its relatability. ELECTION’s brutal honesty & exposure of human imperfections makes it one of the most provocative comedies fo the ‘90s.

▶️Synopsis: Feeling that an over-achieving high school student needs to be sidelined, a well-liked teacher convinces a popular jock to join the race for student body president. In doing do, multiple feuds come to the forefront as everyone’s morals and ethics are tested.

⏩⏩Discussions include: The real-life inspirations for ELECTION, adapting the novel for film & pre-production journey; layered writing style & visual translation; themes & filming techniques; main character breakdowns & relatability; Payne’s dedication to detail with casting choices, rewrites, filming locations, set design & costuming; visual cues, metaphors, use of edgy, dark humor; critical reception & marketing.

**Starring Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Jessica Campbell, Chris Klein. Directed by Alexander Payne.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, BILOXI BLUES (1988): An autobiographical tale of a young man’s observations & experiences while in boot camp during WWII.

**Starring Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Corey Parker. Directed by Mike Nichols.**

—Justin’s Pick, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME (2000): In a story about reevaluating one’s life, an independent single mother becomes the beacon of strength & growth for her brother who drifts back into her life.

**Starring Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Matthew Broderick, Rory Culkin. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy’s turn as Franklin D. Roosevelt in HYDE PARK ON HUDSON, how he came to be involved, prep work for the role & anecdotes from the film’s cast.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: The decision to reshoot ELECTION’s climax.

▶️Next Up: WAYNE’S WORLD!

Episode 65 : Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

Considered one of the all-time best horror movies, George A. Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) is a landmark achievement in moviemaking. Artistically combining social commentary, storytelling & game-changing visuals, the essence of DAWN is still emulated to this day. It is the zombie movie to which all others are compared. When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth... and Romero is the only one who can properly guide us.

 

▶️Synopsis: Society is in the midst of chaos as an ever-growing epidemic of the dead rising & attacking the living is taking over. Brought together by circumstances, a foursome seek refuge in a mall, but find the outside world is impossible to avoid.

⏩⏩Discussions include: A brief history on zombie films & beginnings of Romero’s career; origin, script, pre-production & community vibe of DAWN; unique story structure, filming techniques, realism, intended tones, themes & spirit of the film; strength of characters/cast; original ending, Tom Savini’s inspiration for makeup/effects, reception, advertising, impact & the film’s unsettling score; Romero’s subsequent “Of The Dead” films & DAWN’s 2004 remake.

**Starring Ken Foree, Gaylen Ross, David Emge, Scott Reiniger. Directed by George A. Romero.**

 

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

 

—Lindsay’s Pick, CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1972): Six theatre actors head out to a deserted island cemetery wherein they enact a ritual to raise the dead.

**Starring Alan Ormsby, Anya Ormsby, Valerie Mamches. Directed by Bob Clark.**

 

—Justin’s Pick, THE DARK HALF (1993): A high-brow author is exposed for writing bestselling, gumshoe thrillers under an alias. While attempting to squash his secret career, the murderous character in his book comes to life.

**Starring Timothy Hutton, Michael Rooker, Amy Madigan. Directed by George A. Romero.**

 

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Anecdotes from the production of THE DEAD DON’T DIE,  plus an unforgettably classic Billy story.

 

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Some more love given to DAWN’s Gaylen Ross & the film’s director, along with Romero’s lost film, THE AMUSEMENT PARK (1973).

▶️Next Up: ELECTION (1999)!