How Did This Get Made?

Last Looks: Date with an Angel

February 20, 2026

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  • The 'Last Looks: Date with an Angel' episode focuses on listener corrections and omissions regarding the film, including discussions about a bizarre mouth-to-mouth resuscitation scene and the recurring question of whether the main character has a brain tumor. 
  • Listeners provided several insightful observations, including identifying the 'Born Sexy Yesterday' trope in *Date with an Angel* and noting parallels between it and the previously covered film *Passion Play*. 
  • The episode announced the winner of the Discord fan poll for the next main episode: the 2007 action-comedy *Shoot'em Up*, despite controversy over the voting process. 

Segments

Listener Corrections on Date with an Angel
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(00:05:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Tad’s mouth-to-mouth resuscitation technique in Date with an Angel involved exhaling away from the victim, prompting listeners to suggest blaming the main character’s tumor.
  • Summary: A listener detailed Tad’s incorrect mouth-to-mouth technique, where he exhaled away from the recipient, leading to the running joke that the tumor explains all bizarre actions. Another correction clarified that Tad smelled his hand after the bachelor party not due to a blow-up doll encounter, but to identify spilled pool water. The segment also featured a correction regarding the song ‘Angel in Flip Flops,’ which is from Only Murders in the Building, not a song related to Date with an Angel.
Identifying the ‘Born Sexy Yesterday’ Trope
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(00:09:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The trope where an otherworldly, attractive creature falls for the first person they meet, often leading to a dynamic where the man educates the naive being, is formally known as ‘Born Sexy Yesterday.’
  • Summary: Listeners identified Date with an Angel and Splash as examples of the ‘Born Sexy Yesterday’ trope, which describes an attractive, worldly creature suddenly appearing and falling for the first person encountered. This trope is often criticized for enabling mansplaining, as the male lead feels superior to the naive but beautiful counterpart. Other examples cited included The Fifth Element and various Christmas movies featuring animated decorations coming to life.
Angel Movie Parallels and Actor Fact
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(00:11:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Actor Tony Ritano’s career is uniquely defined by playing singing characters in PG-rated angel movies, specifically Date with an Angel and Angels in the Outfield.
  • Summary: A listener noted that actor Tony Ritano, who played the love bug in Date with an Angel, later played the singing umpire in Angels in the Outfield seven years later. Another listener pointed out strong parallels between Date with an Angel and Passion Play, noting both involve a man protecting a non-flying angel from exploitation, with the man revealed to be dead or dying at the end. The segment concluded with a listener sharing a story about mistakenly thinking they saw Burgess Meredith’s real-life breasts in Clash of the Titans.
Paul’s Sushi Chef Anecdote and Show Plugs
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(00:12:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul Scheer recounted an experience where he judged a white sushi chef in Hawaii unfairly, only to find the sushi delicious, leading him to speculate that white chefs might work harder to overcome bias.
  • Summary: Paul addressed a listener’s question about a story concerning disappointment over a personal sushi chef being white, clarifying the story’s origin and sharing a personal anecdote from Hawaii. He then offered a controversial opinion that white sushi chefs might work harder due to the uphill battle against stereotypes. The segment also included plugs for Paul’s book, Joyful Recollections of Trauma, and his Dinosaur Improv show.
TV Show Recommendations and Jason’s Arrival
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(00:22:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul and Jason highly recommend the Marvel series Wonder Man for its unique, character-driven, small-stakes storytelling that feels more like an FX show than typical MCU fare.
  • Summary: Jason joined the show, and the hosts immediately praised Wonder Man, noting it functions as a character study about a struggling actor (Simon Williams) and does not require prior MCU knowledge. They highlighted Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s performance and the uncomfortable hilarity of scenes involving him on a set, comparing the show’s tone favorably to Legion and Kurt Busiek’s Astro City comic series. They also recommended 30 Rock, Girls5Eva, and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.
Next Movie Announcement and Trailer
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(00:41:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The fan-voted movie for the next main episode of How Did This Get Made? is the 2007 action-comedy Shoot’em Up, which Roger Ebert described as opening with a hero delivering a baby during a gun battle and killing a villain with a carrot.
  • Summary: The next film chosen via the Discord fan poll is Shoot’em Up, starring Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci, and Paul Giamatti, despite Paul Scheer’s belief that the vote was rigged to force their hand. The film is summarized as a blend of a Bugs Bunny cartoon and John Wick, focusing on Mr. Smith protecting a newborn during a shootout. Shoot’em Up is currently available to rent on major digital platforms.