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WHAT WENT WRONG

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

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. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or PATREON for monthly bonus episodes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

United States

Description:

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. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or PATREON for monthly bonus episodes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English

Contact:

2067905118


Episodes
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Game of Thrones (Pilot)

1/19/2026
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:29:06

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The Life and Death of River Phoenix (with Last Podcast on the Left)

1/16/2026
Chris, Lizzie, 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.

Duration:01:12:11

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Don't Worry Darling

1/12/2026
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:32:59

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Memento

1/5/2026
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:26:23

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Top Movie Moments (with Glamorous Trash)

12/29/2025
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.

Duration:01:07:22

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[Bonus Preview] Avatar: Fire and Ash Review

12/26/2025
Lizzie and Chris candidly reflect on James Cameron's newest tale from Pandora, Avatar: Fire and Ash. Join us for a discussion that covers story vs. special FX, the evolution and current status of the saga, whether even the great Sigourney Weaver can pull off being an underage alien, and much more. To enjoy the full episode and all other WWW Bonus Episodes, subscribe to Special Features on Apple Podcast, or join us on Patreon at the $5 tier or above. Happy New Year! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:21:03

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Avatar (2009)

12/22/2025
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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:51:42

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Aliens

12/15/2025
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.

Duration:01:23:16

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REVIEW: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

12/12/2025
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:47:16

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It's a Wonderful Life

12/8/2025
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 dopplegangers, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:35:26

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Bad Santa

12/1/2025
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.

Duration:01:22:56

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The Iron Giant

11/24/2025
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:39:49

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The Curious Case of Grey Gardens (with Watch What Crappens)

11/21/2025
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.

Duration:01:23:04

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Toy Story

11/17/2025
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.

Duration:01:22:18

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[Bonus Preview] Frankenstein (2025) Review

11/14/2025
Lizzie and Chris discuss Guillermo Del Toro’s newest film, “Frankenstein” - Del Toro's approach to adapting his favorite book of all time, Jacob Elordi's last minute casting, and where it ranks in the Del Toro filmography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:18:41

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Heat

11/10/2025
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.

Duration:01:28:12

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The Last of the Mohicans

11/3/2025
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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:01:34:18

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[Bonus Preview] Deep Cuts: October 2025

10/31/2025
Chris, Lizzie, and David dive deep answering some of our audiences most piercing questions followed by a discussion about the relationship between creative control and financial interest in filmmaking. For the full episode join the $5 tier subscription or above on Apple Podcasts or Patreon at Patreon.com/whatwentwrongpodcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:17:02

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Halloween

10/27/2025
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 deep 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:01:24:14

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The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood (with Daisy Eagan)

10/24/2025
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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:01:09:46