Last Looks: Monkeybone w/ Brad Meltzer

Summary of Last Looks: Monkeybone w/ Brad Meltzer

by Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas

51m•January 23, 2026
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Overview of Last Looks: Monkeybone w/ Brad Meltzer

This episode of How Did This Get Made? Last Looks (hosts Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas) revisits the 2001 film Monkeybone, runs corrections and listener feedback from the earlier Monkeybone episode, and features a long interview with bestselling thriller author and comic writer Brad Meltzer about his new book The Viper. The show mixes film dissection, fan contributions (Discord and call-ins), deleted-scene content, ads/promos, and a deep-dive on Meltzer’s reporting into funeral homes, Dover Air Force Base, and the modern Witness Protection Program.

Main segments and takeaways

  • Monkeybone discussion

    • Hosts recap and clarify the movie’s confusing premise: “downtown” (the film’s nightmare realm) vs. “downtown” as a word; suggestions by listeners to call it Nightmare Town/Dreamscape.
    • A deleted scene is played where Paul and Jason talk about train travel and a loud passenger.
    • Listeners and Discord contributors supplied alternate movie taglines and theme songs; FunFacts47 suggested “Drop Dead Fraser.”
    • Multiple callers and Discord posts raised production trivia and interpretations (see Corrections & Feedback).

  • Corrections & listener feedback (highlights)

    • “Bingo wings” (UK slang for loose underarm skin) was supplied as a humorous alternate name for the film’s creatures.
    • Henry Selick originally planned a radically different Monkeybone: Nicolas Cage as a puppeteer protagonist with large portions done in stop-motion; producer Chris Columbus reportedly insisted the lead remain live-action, which changed Selick’s concept.
    • Rose McGowan’s 2016 post: Selick was reportedly fired halfway through production; she praised underworld design and noted the film was adapted from a graphic novel titled Darktown (Fox reportedly renamed it).
    • Edgar Allan Poe IV portrays Poe in the film’s cast-of-characters; caller background on Poe IV’s career and one-man show.
    • Strong listener reactions to Griffin Newman’s defense of the film generated a joke-y, uncomfortable caller comment about Hitler; hosts immediately reject any notion of apologism.

  • Brad Meltzer interview — key points

    • The Viper: third book in Meltzer’s Zig & Nola series; opens with a man giving a funeral-garment (burial suit) that hides something crucial—Meltzer used a real-life funeral home closet (locked with donated burial outfits) as inspiration.
    • Funeral-home research: small details (burial-shirt/jersey choices, sequin gowns) reveal cultural and personal quirks; morticians routinely reconstruct bodies for families, so funeral homes are repositories of secrets and identity clues.
    • Dover Air Force Base: described as the U.S.’s most secretive funeral facility (handles military, astronauts, some intelligence assets); morticians there see things few ever do—rich ground for thriller material.
    • Witness Protection insights:
      • The program’s population and profile have shifted over time: from mobsters to gang members and—surprisingly—accountants (per Meltzer’s source), reflecting modern crime trends.
      • Disappearing is harder today because of digital footprints: a total absence of online history can be suspicious; the program now backfills long historical backgrounds to make new identities believable.
    • Meltzer’s research approach: persistence, genuine curiosity, and building trust (letters from public figures helped open doors); being “nerdy” enough to ask the detailed questions that others don’t.
    • Comics and kids’ reads: Meltzer teases an upcoming Marvel project, praises recent mash-ups (Deadpool/Batman, Godzilla crossovers), calls out creators he admires (Jorge Jimenez, Tom Taylor, Fraction), and recommends kid-friendly series (Bone, Hilo, Dogman, Captain Underpants, Batman Brave & Bold) for introducing children to comics.

Notable quotes & insights

  • Henry Selick / alternate Monkeybone idea: a planned Nicolas Cage stop-motion/puppeteer concept that would’ve made the film radically different.
  • Brad Meltzer on the funeral-home hiding-place idea: the locked closet of burial outfits can become “the ultimate hiding space” because no one checks there—this directly inspired The Viper’s opening.
  • On modern disappearance: “If there is nothing there [online], that’s more suspicious—so witness protection has to create believable backstories.”

Guests, plugs & promos (concise)

  • Guest: Brad Meltzer — New book The Viper (available where books are sold).
  • Jason Mantzoukas on Broadway: All Out — discount code alloutpod for up to 20% off (alloutbroadway.com).
  • Matinee replays announced: Tuesday matinees include Cool World; next week’s matinee is Body Rock (guest Alison Brie).
  • Episode ad sponsors included: LinkedIn Jobs, Riverton Chevy, 1-800-Flowers, Squarespace, Mint Mobile, Babbel, Chime, Quince, Carvana, Angi; show notes contain links and promo codes.

Corrections & community contributions (summary)

  • Discord & callers contributed:
    • “Bingo wings” term (listener Ghost Mutt).
    • DVD commentary note: Selick initially wanted Nicolas Cage; Chris Columbus’ studio decisions altered the final film (listener Dr. Guts 1003).
    • Rose McGowan’s post about Selick being fired and the film’s underworld potential.
    • Caller notes about Edgar Allan Poe IV and his Poe-related career material.
    • Comments about the movie’s tonally weird scenes (e.g., organ removal sequence).
    • Hosts repeatedly encouraged more Discord submissions: alt taglines, theme songs (15–20 seconds recommended).

Upcoming movie & viewing info

  • Next week’s Last Looks movie: Return to Oz (1985), Disney sequel based on L. Frank Baum’s books—available on Disney+ and for rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
  • Regular matinee re-releases continue every Tuesday; the show directs listeners to library streaming apps (Hoopla, Libby) as resources for free media.

Action items / Where to find things mentioned

  • Buy or learn more about Brad Meltzer’s The Viper — link in episode show notes (or check bookstores/online retailers).
  • Submit alternate movie taglines or theme songs via the HDTGM Discord / website (short files recommended).
  • Use discount code alloutpod for tickets to All Out on Broadway (alloutbroadway.com).
  • Watch Return to Oz (Disney+) or rent on major platforms next week if you want to follow along.
  • Check show notes for sponsor links and promo codes.

If you want a one-line recap: this episode revisits the oddball cult film Monkeybone through listener corrections and a deleted scene, then pivots to a revealing, research-rich interview with Brad Meltzer about funeral-home secrets, Dover AFB, and how witness protection works in the digital age.