How Did This Get Made?

Last Looks: Return to Oz

February 6, 2026

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  • Listeners strongly defended *Return to Oz* against the hosts' negative assessment, leading to a segment dedicated to corrections and omissions. 
  • Several listeners pointed out that *Return to Oz* was significantly darker and less whimsical than the original L. Frank Baum books, which the hosts initially seemed unaware of. 
  • The episode featured significant discussion about the practical effects used for the character TikTok, including the complex method used by the performer Michael Soudan. 

Segments

Opening and Listener Feedback Setup
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul Scheer opened the Last Looks: Return to Oz episode acknowledging intense listener reaction to their previous negative review.
  • Summary: The episode began with Paul Scheer welcoming listeners to Last Looks: Return to Oz, noting that fans strongly disagreed with their assessment of the movie as bad. He mentioned that listener corrections and omissions would be the focus of the initial segment. The opening also included promotional plugs for Jason’s Broadway show, All Out.
Corrections on TikTok Effects
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(00:05:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The robot TikTok was operated internally by a trampolinist, Michael Soudan, who had to look through his legs to see.
  • Summary: A listener correction revealed that TikTok was operated by trampolinist Michael Soudan, who had to bend over and look through his legs to see while operating the arms. The heat inside the suit limited Soudan to two-and-a-half-minute shifts. Another caller added that Tim Rose, who operated TikTok’s head, also performed as Admiral Ackbar and Howard the Duck.
Book Fidelity and Tone Differences
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(00:08:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Multiple callers emphasized that Return to Oz is much darker than the original L. Frank Baum books, which are characterized by whimsy and satire.
  • Summary: Callers noted that the books feature whimsical, goofy villains, such as the Wheelers admitting they have no hands, contrasting sharply with the film’s horror tone. One listener shared being gaslit for years when family denied the movie’s existence because it deviated so much from the source material. The film’s plot is a mishmash of the second and third Oz books, with Oz never depicted as being in ruins in the novels.
Copyright and Visual Differences
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(00:16:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Disney likely made Return to Oz visually distinct from the 1939 MGM film to avoid copyright infringement lawsuits over character likenesses.
  • Summary: A law professor suggested Disney had to avoid trademark issues by changing Dorothy’s look and the overall visuals to prevent conflict with MGM’s highly protected intellectual property. Listeners confirmed that the Ruby Slippers, which were silver in the original book, required Disney to pay a large fee to MGM for their use in the film.
Ozma’s Transgender Representation
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(00:20:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Princess Ozma in the books is often cited in queer studies as a pioneering transgender character in American children’s literature, raised as a boy named Tip.
  • Summary: A Discord user pointed out that Princess Ozma was raised as a boy named Tip before discovering her female lineage, suggesting she might be an early trans character. An English literature professor confirmed that Ozma is frequently highlighted as an important figure in queer studies.
Jason’s Broadway and Taskmaster Updates
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(00:26:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason is enjoying performing in the Simon Rich show All Out on Broadway, noting audiences are either polite or raucous, and he participated in Taskmaster Live in New York.
  • Summary: Jason confirmed he is having a blast performing eight shows a week in All Out alongside stars like Sarah Silverman and Craig Robinson. He observed that crowds vary between being politely engaged and highly energetic, often reflecting the audience’s familiarity with comedy podcasts. He also appeared as a special guest during the final task at the Taskmaster Live show in NYC.
Hosts’ Current Media Recommendations
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(00:38:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason highly recommended Sam Raimi’s new film Send Help for its surprising plot twists and praised Landman for its scenery-chewing performances.
  • Summary: Jason urged listeners to see Send Help, calling it phenomenal and noting that it successfully surprised him, a seasoned movie watcher. He also lauded Landman for its high-caliber, scenery-chewing performances reminiscent of Nicholas Cage. Paul recommended the anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and The Apothecary Diaries, comparing the latter to a procedural mystery starring a teenage ‘House’ in feudal China.
Next Movie Announcement
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(00:45:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The next movie for How Did This Get Made? is the 1987 rom-com fantasy Date with an Angel, available on Tubi.
  • Summary: The next film to be covered is Date with an Angel (1987), starring Phoebe Cates, which was previously unavailable for two years. Roger Ebert famously reviewed the film, stating it ‘ought to be shot’ and wasted the talent of its lead actress. Listeners are advised to check local libraries for free access to media services like Hoopla and Libby.