The Rewatchables

‘Weird Science’ With Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt

November 18, 2025

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  • The 1985 film 'Weird Science' is considered one of John Hughes's 'least serious' and 'weirdest' 80s movies, fitting into a specific 1985 trend of 'semi-deranged' teen films. 
  • The creation of Lisa via computer simulation in 'Weird Science' is seen as a precursor to modern AI concepts like Alexa and ChatGPT, reflecting 80s anxieties and fantasies about technology. 
  • Anthony Michael Hall's career trajectory is analyzed, noting his potential to have become a much bigger star had he accepted roles in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'Full Metal Jacket' instead of pursuing SNL. 
  • The performance of actress Kim Malin (who played the piano lady) is highlighted for her surprisingly notable 1980s filmography, including roles in *Weird Science*, *Die Hard*, and *Roadhouse*. 
  • The hosts debate the character of Lisa, noting the contradictory nature of her being an enlightened teacher while simultaneously engaging in sexually teasing behavior and causing significant chaos. 
  • The casting of Ilan Mitchell-Smith as Wyatt is scrutinized due to his young age (15.5) during filming, and Robert Downey Jr. is suggested as a superior casting choice for the role. 
  • The PG-13 rating of ‘Weird Science’ surprised the hosts, who expected more explicit content, leading to slight disappointment over the shower scene cut. 
  • The film contains several inexplicable and bizarre 80s scenes, such as Anthony Michael Hall imitating Richard Pryor and the chaotic climax involving Chet turning into a frog-like creature. 
  • Kelly LeBrock's subsequent career trajectory, particularly her marriage to Steven Seagal, was a major point of discussion and surprise for the hosts. 

Segments

Initial Impressions and 1985 Context
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Sheila Benson’s original LA Times review pegged ‘Weird Science’ as appealing primarily to 15-year-old boys.
  • Summary: The hosts establish that the film was aimed squarely at teenage boys, noting that the reviewer found Kelly LeBrock to be the film’s greatest asset. They debate whether the movie makes more sense in 1985 or 2025 due to its content. The film is placed within a specific 1985 trend of ‘semi-deranged’ teen movies pushing boundaries.
1985 Weird Teen Movie Trend
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(00:03:38)
  • Key Takeaway: ‘Weird Science’ belongs to a specific 1985 cluster of teen movies that began to push boundaries, alongside films like ‘Better Off Dead’ and ‘Teen Wolf’.
  • Summary: The discussion lists several other boundary-pushing teen movies from 1985, including ‘Better Off Dead,’ ‘Teen Wolf,’ and ‘Secret Admirer.’ This era is characterized by films where magical or mystical beautiful women appear to dorky guys, exemplified by ‘Splash’ and ‘Mannequin.’ The core premise across these films is often high school guys trying to get laid.
Influence on ‘Superbad’
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(00:06:44)
  • Key Takeaway: ‘Weird Science’ is argued to be a major, perhaps the biggest, influence on the 2007 film ‘Superbad’.
  • Summary: Specific structural parallels are drawn between ‘Weird Science’ and ‘Superbad,’ including the party scene, the dynamic of the main characters (Anthony Michael Hall vs. Jonah Hill), and the ending structure focusing on the male friendship. The high quotability of both films is also noted as a shared trait.
Hacker and AI Precursors
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(00:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Wyatt and Gary in ‘Weird Science’ are considered the first premeditated movie hackers, predating ‘WarGames’ in intent, and their creation of Lisa foreshadows modern AI assistants like Siri and Alexa.
  • Summary: The hosts debate whether Wyatt and Gary count as the first movie hackers, noting their goal was to hack for a specific outcome, ironically leading to a nuclear missile situation like in ‘WarGames.’ The creation of an all-knowing, perfect woman from a computer is directly compared to the development of modern AI like Siri and the themes in the movie ‘Her’.
John Hughes’s Creative Run
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(00:14:54)
  • Key Takeaway: John Hughes had an unparalleled creative output streak between 1983 and 1990, writing or directing classics like ‘Ferris Bueller’ and ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’.
  • Summary: A comprehensive list of Hughes’s prolific output from 1983 to 1990 is detailed, including writing ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ and ‘Home Alone.’ Hughes and Taylor Sheridan are named as the two greatest creative forces ever due to their consistent output. Dialogue crossover, such as references to girlfriends in Canada, exists between ‘Weird Science’ and other Hughes films like ‘The Breakfast Club’.
Geek vs. Nerd Definition
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(00:17:11)
  • Key Takeaway: John Hughes defined a ‘geek’ as someone who has everything going for them but is too young, whereas a ’nerd’ will be a nerd for life, suggesting geeks can break out of their status.
  • Summary: This definition was relayed via a Roger Ebert review, contrasting the temporary status of a geek with the permanent state of a nerd. The hosts note that ’nerd’ has become a more accepted term today, while ‘geek’ has faded, though Anthony Michael Hall’s character fits the ‘geek’ mold as someone destined to blossom.
Anthony Michael Hall’s Career Crossroads
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(00:19:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony Michael Hall turned down major roles in ‘Pretty in Pink’ and ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ after his initial run of Hughes films, a decision the hosts view as a significant career miss.
  • Summary: Hall’s decision to join SNL instead of taking the ‘Ferris Bueller’ role is questioned, as it would have cemented him as a major star. Furthermore, Hall reportedly passed on playing Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Full Metal Jacket,’ a role that could have earned him an Oscar nomination. His subsequent film, ‘Johnny Be Good,’ is considered a poor pivot away from his established typecast.
Kelly LeBrock’s Early Career
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(00:25:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Kelly LeBrock was married to Steven Seagal from approximately 1987 to 1996, a fact the hosts find surprising given her ‘Weird Science’ persona.
  • Summary: LeBrock’s first three films were ‘The Woman in Red,’ ‘Weird Science,’ and ‘Hard to Kill.’ The hosts theorize that playing a perfect fantasy woman led her to seek out someone who believed they were also perfect, leading to her relationship with Seagal. LeBrock described her character in ‘Weird Science’ as ‘Mary Poppins with breasts,’ created to make the boys better people.
Most Rewatchable Scenes
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(00:30:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The scene featuring Chet trying to make drunk Gary throw up on the stairs is cited as the most rewatchable moment, highlighting Bill Paxton’s performance.
  • Summary: Other highly rewatchable moments include the opening credits sequence showing the ‘geekdom’ and gym culture, the computer creation of Lisa (especially the breast enlargement sequence), and Gary’s dad’s memory erasure scene. The hosts note that Chet’s scenes are often the most memorable parts of the film.
Most 1985 Elements
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(00:43:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The belief that one could create a hot woman using 1985 computer technology, coupled with the hacking visuals featuring David Lee Roth imagery, defines the film’s 1985 essence.
  • Summary: The theme song performed by Oingo Boingo and the presence of 80s alternative band posters (Depeche Mode, A-ha) firmly date the movie. The brief, specific window where David Lee Roth was relevant in film is also highlighted as a key temporal marker.
Unbelievable Anecdote Award
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(00:45:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert Downey Jr. admitted on the Howard Stern show that he and a co-star defecated in another female cast member’s trailer during filming, though it was not Kelly LeBrock’s.
  • Summary: Downey Jr. confessed to the prank after John Hughes questioned the cast, stating he wished he had been the one to do it if it wasn’t him. This anecdote wins the ‘Steven Seagal Shitting on Himself Award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot.’ The hosts note Downey’s chaotic behavior during this era.
Aging Well and Trope Analysis
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(00:47:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The 1980s teen movie trope of ‘parents are away for the week’ ages well in terms of entertainment value, but is completely obsolete today due to surveillance technology like Ring cameras.
  • Summary: The scene where the boys magically clean up before the parents return is cited as a classic example of this trope. The hosts contrast this with modern parenting, where constant digital monitoring would prevent such an unsupervised party from ever occurring.
Kim Malin’s IMDb Triple Crown
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(00:51:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Kim Malin achieved a notable ’triple crown’ of 1980s film roles as the piano girl in Weird Science, a hostage in Die Hard, and a party girl in Roadhouse.
  • Summary: Kim Malin, a May 1982 Playboy Playmate, is recognized for having three distinct, non-named roles in major films: Weird Science (girl playing piano), Die Hard (hostage), and Roadhouse (party girl). The hosts suggest this run should be referenced as a classic 80s actor achievement, comparable to Tom Hanks’s peak period. Malin’s Die Hard role is further specified as the hostage found having sex in the office.
Best Unnamed IMDb Runs
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(00:52:50)
  • Key Takeaway: John Cazale holds the record for the best five-credit IMDb run, while Kim Malin’s three unnamed roles qualify for a ‘random three’ category.
  • Summary: John Cazale’s five-credit run (Godfather, Godfather 2, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, Deer Hunter) is cited as the benchmark for the best short filmography. Kim Malin’s run is proposed as the best ‘random three’ category, provided none of the characters have names (e.g., ‘hostage,’ ‘party girl’). Jim Carrey’s 1994 run is disqualified from this specific category because his characters had names.
Anthony Michael Hall Stun Take Award
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(00:53:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony Michael Hall is recognized for his exceptional, prolonged ‘stun double take’ reaction, a signature move in his 80s comedies.
  • Summary: Anthony Michael Hall is commemorated for his signature move: holding a stunned reaction for an extended period, often lasting three to five seconds. This specific physical comedy element is deemed unique and worthy of an award. The hosts note that Hall’s performance is crucial to carrying the film, especially when contrasted with Ilan Mitchell-Smith.
Best Use of Food and Drink
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(00:53:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘icy’ poured on Chet is the definitive best use of food and drink in Weird Science, especially because the cup is dropped on his backside afterward.
  • Summary: The ‘icy’ poured by Wyatt onto Chet is unanimously selected as the best use of food and drink in the film. The hosts appreciate the detail where the cup is dropped onto Chet’s rear end after the pour, calling it the ’touchdown spike.’
Most Cinematic Shot Discussion
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(00:54:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The shower close-ups are considered cinematic, but the sequence involving Lisa being launched from the chimney is deemed an inexplicable, reaching visual effect.
  • Summary: The close-ups during the shower scene where the girls are getting ready are praised for John Hughes’s directorial flair. However, the sequence where Kim Malin is launched from the chimney and lands in the pond while her clothes blow off is singled out as an unbelievable and reaching special effect, compared to the quality of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior effects.
Best Needle Drop Song
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(00:54:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The General Public song ‘Tenderness’ is chosen as the Best Needle Drop over Oingo Boingo’s theme song because it is a ‘perfect movie song.’
  • Summary: The song ‘Tenderness’ by General Public is selected as the best needle drop, with the hosts noting its first few beats are excellent. The Oingo Boingo theme song is saved for a separate category, suggesting ‘Tenderness’ better serves the narrative moment.
Best Character Named Chet
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(00:55:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The name ‘Chet’ is strongly associated with being a ‘fucking asshole’ or a generally negative character archetype in media, contrasting with names like Tom or Colin.
  • Summary: The category for the best character named Chet is established, predicated on the character being a big brother and an asshole. Names like Chad, Chet, and Chaz are grouped together as generally negative character names that require proof to be liked. Chet Holmgren is mentioned as a recent figure potentially rehabilitating the name’s image.
Weakest Link: Lack of Action
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(00:57:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s biggest weakness is that the horny teenage boys fail to engage in any sexual activity with the created woman, Lisa, instead receiving life lessons.
  • Summary: The segment identifies the lack of sexual payoff as the film’s weakest link, arguing that 15-year-old boys creating a ‘super hot woman’ would realistically prioritize sex over receiving life lessons. Lisa’s behavior is criticized for being contradictory, as she teases them sexually (buying underwear) while simultaneously acting as an enlightened older sister figure.
Uncomfortable Kissing Dynamics
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(01:02:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The prolonged kissing scene between Ilan Mitchell-Smith (Wyatt) and Kelly LeBrock (Lisa) is deemed uncomfortable because the young actor appears visibly awkward and unsure.
  • Summary: The kiss between Wyatt and Lisa is flagged as an ‘Apex Mountain’ contender for uncomfortable kisses, though less severe than De Niro and Juliet Lewis in Cape Fear. The dynamic is strange because Mitchell-Smith, who was 15.5, seems genuinely uncomfortable during the prolonged embrace. The hosts note that while the casting was authentic to high school age, it creates strange viewing dynamics now.
Worst Character Name: Lisa
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(01:01:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Naming a dream girl ‘Lisa’ is considered a dated, unoriginal choice for 1985, especially in the shadow of Lisa Simpson’s later fame.
  • Summary: The choice of ‘Lisa’ for the dream girl is deemed a weak character name choice, suggesting it lacked imagination in 1985. The hosts imply that the name is now irrevocably tied to Lisa Simpson, making it an uncool choice for a modern dream girl.
Worst Lead Actor Casting
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(01:03:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Ilan Mitchell-Smith is considered the actor who drags the movie down, suggesting Robert Downey Jr. would have been a significantly better choice for Wyatt.
  • Summary: Ilan Mitchell-Smith receives the ‘Matt Flynn $26 Million Dollar Contract Award’ for being an actor who was mistakenly cast as a lead, with his line delivery being described as ’excruciating.’ The hosts argue that Downey Jr. could have played the nerd role effectively, and his presence would have elevated the film’s shelf life considerably.
Homage to The Road Warrior
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(01:06:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s climax features an inexplicable nine-minute motorcycle chase sequence that is a direct, heavy homage to Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, which was niche at the time.
  • Summary: The climax of Weird Science involves an extensive motorcycle chase sequence pulled directly from The Road Warrior, a film not widely known by the general 1985 audience. This extended homage is seen as an example of how 80s movies could rely on niche references without alienating the audience. The hosts suggest this sequence was a good time for viewers to get popcorn.
Hottest Take: Lisa Sucks
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(01:12:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Lisa is a terrible character because she enables dangerous behavior (like drinking and driving), sexually teases the boys, and causes permanent memory loss for Gary’s father.
  • Summary: The hottest take asserts that Lisa sucks, citing multiple instances of poor judgment, including allowing Wyatt to drink and drive and using magic to make Gary’s father forget his son exists. Furthermore, her final departure, leaving the biker gang and locking the grandparents in the closet, demonstrates a lack of responsibility despite her supposed enlightenment.
Casting What Ifs for Lisa
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(01:13:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Demi Moore and Robin Wright were auditioning for Lisa, but Kelly LeBrock’s casting was essential, as the movie would fail if she didn’t sensationalize the role.
  • Summary: Kelly LeBrock’s casting was critical; if she hadn’t worked out, the movie would have been terrible, despite Demi Moore and Robin Wright being considered. LeBrock was reportedly self-deprecating about her later film Hard to Kill, referring to it as ‘hard to watch.’
Best 80s Theme Song Contenders
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(01:08:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Weird Science is a top contender for the best 80s movie theme song that explicitly includes the title because John Hughes specifically commissioned Oingo Boingo to write a song based on the movie’s concept.
  • Summary: The discussion ranked theme songs that include the movie title, pitting Weird Science against songs like ‘Footloose,’ ‘Purple Rain,’ and ‘Ghostbusters.’ The case for Weird Science is strong because Hughes provided the band with a detailed concept, unlike Kenny Loggins who seemingly wrote ‘Footloose’ first and then the movie was titled after it.
Unanswerable Questions on Lisa’s Humanity
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(01:34:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Lisa is confirmed to be fully human because she is seen drinking and is implied to have used the bathroom, suggesting she has normal biological functions.
  • Summary: The hosts debate whether Lisa, being artificially created, possesses human biological needs like eating or using the bathroom, drawing parallels to the Chewbacca bathroom question. The evidence suggests she is fully human, as she is seen drinking and likely used the bathroom during the shower scene.
Picket Fence Nit: 1985 Chicago Sports
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(01:25:50)
  • Key Takeaway: It is unbelievable that two high school boys living in the Chicago suburbs in 1985 never mention the dominant 1985 Bears or the 1984 Cubs, missing a major cultural touchstone.
  • Summary: The hosts express disbelief that Gary and Wyatt, living in the Chicago suburbs during the peak of the 1985 Chicago Bears’ success, never discuss the team or the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle.’ This omission is seen as a major missed opportunity for period authenticity, especially given Michael Jordan’s presence in Chicago at the time.
Rating and Kelly LeBrock’s Role
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(01:39:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The movie’s PG-13 rating subverted expectations for nudity, and Kelly LeBrock’s performance and accent were highly praised.
  • Summary: The speaker initially assumed ‘Weird Science’ was R-rated and was slightly disappointed when the shower scene cut away from Kelly LeBrock. The film’s PG-13 nature changed the calculus of what the movie was perceived to be. LeBrock is credited with crushing her role, and her accent was deemed effective.
Inexplicable Movie Scenes
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(01:40:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The film features several inexplicable yet wholesome scenes, including the boys’ inability to look at Lisa and the questionable decision to make her as smart as Einstein.
  • Summary: The movie contains five of the most inexplicable scenes of the 1980s, including Anthony Michael Hall mimicking Richard Pryor. A major quibble was making the created woman as smart as Einstein, which the speakers felt was unnecessary for 15-year-old protagonists. The creation process likely involved significant ad-libbing by the filmmakers.
Chaotic Climax and Hughes’ Intent
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(01:41:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The latter half of ‘Weird Science’ descends into chaotic, out-of-control 80s absurdity, possibly because John Hughes rushed to finish it to make ‘Pretty in Pink’.
  • Summary: The movie is described as insane and out of control, especially after the introduction of the ‘Road Warrior people’ and Chet’s transformation into a frog-like creature. The speaker speculates Hughes rushed the ending to move on to his next project, ‘Pretty in Pink’. Despite the chaos, the 88-minute runtime is packed with memorable moments.
Kelly LeBrock’s Career and Seagal
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(01:41:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Kelly LeBrock did not become a bigger star after ‘Weird Science’, a fact linked to her marriage to Steven Seagal.
  • Summary: The hosts expressed shock that LeBrock married Steven Seagal, leading to a discussion about Seagal’s controversial behavior in his films, specifically referencing an incident in ‘Hard to Kill’ where he took liberties with his on-screen wife before her death. The survival of LeBrock and Seagal’s marriage through such events was deemed unbelievable.
Drake Maye and Kraft’s Supercomputer
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(01:43:14)
  • Key Takeaway: A humorous analogy was drawn between creating Lisa in ‘Weird Science’ and Robert Kraft allegedly using a supercomputer to synthesize the perfect New England Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye.
  • Summary: The discussion pivoted to the New England Patriots, joking that Robert Kraft used a supercomputer to create Drake May by inputting data from past quarterbacks like Brady and Bledsoe. The resulting player, Drake Maye, was considered a successful outcome, unlike the creation of Lisa. The segment concluded with thanks to Kyle Brandt and a promise to cover a more modern film next week.