#FIRSTLOOK: “HOW DID THIS GET MADE” LIVE AT DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE 2025

By Justin Waldman

Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the How Did This Get Made? live Podcast recording at Massey Hall, as part of Departure Festival + Conference 2025. The Podcast celebrates bad films and on this episode, they took a look at the absolutely indescribable farce that is Sylvester Stallone’s 1991 film, Oscar. This one of the most bizarre, hellish, insane things I’ve ever seen. The exact opposite of what I’d describe a HDTGM live show though, actually. And for someone who attended their first HDTGM show, I would absolutely return time and again at another opportunity, no matter how unlikely as though one audience member had to call out to June Diane Raphael “Why do you hate Toronto?”.

While Paul Scheer told us a story (we swore not to repeat the story and he made a note to get it edited out of the taping!) about 2017 film Governor Gabbi, the Podcast recording itself was insightful and engaging. They talked for about 45 minutes about the sheer madness of disastrous film Oscar, and a movie Stallone (according to an audience member who researched it) said is the second worst thing he’s done in his career behind 1992’S Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Rounding-out this Podcast trio is Jason Mantzoukas who is as unhinged as he is on all things he’s done and is most likely recognized from. This Fan Q&A and taping truly was a night that never to be forgotten!

Without wanting to ruin the Podcast episode before it airs, we won’t divulge into other information that Paul, June and Jason reveal during the taping. If you have never listened to How Did This Get Made? before, you easily will become a fan. This was truly magical witnessing this live!