WHAT WENT WRONG
Sad Boom Media
<p>What Went Wrong covers Hollywood’s most notoriously disastrous movie productions, digging into the behind-the-scenes insanity of everything from massive flops to record-breaking blockbusters. In each episode, hosts Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer dive into a new film to explore the mind-blowing (and sometimes numbing) reasons why making a movie is nearly impossible (especially a good one). Produced by David Boman.</p><br><p>Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-went-wrong/id1512847066" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/15lonNfWzHLbMepKo0EDjs?si=192c8cfd55544a76" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.patreon.com/whatwentwrongpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a> for monthly bonus episodes!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Recent Episodes
20 episodesCasablanca
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.
SNAFU with Ed Helms: Starfish Prime
Join Chris & Lizzie as Ed Helms guides them through Starfish Prime: that time the US government decided to detonate a nuke in the atmosphere, just to see what would happen. SNAFU is basically What Went Wrong, but with real-world stakes, nukes, and hosted by the wonderfully talented Ed Helms! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 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.
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 reactions to the on set vibes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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. 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.
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 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.
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 script before Nic Cage reads it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Top Movie Moments (with Glamorous Trash)
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.
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 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.
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—ever—argue with James Cameron. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 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.
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 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.
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: 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.
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 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.