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After finishing the episode I am amazed that the people the crew compared Gutt's look to was Dee Snyder and Dog the Bounty Hunter, which while are apt, are nowhere near the perfect mullets that belong to Billy Ray Cyrus or Lorenzo Lamas in Renegade.

While I recognize that in real life it would be extraordinarily problematic for someone to assume a false identity in order to court/seduce another person, it is a literary trope that has been around since at least Shakespeare. Off the top of my head, Twelfth Night, Comedy of Errors, Love’s Labours Lost, Taming of the Shrew, and The Tempest all have characters using some form of disguise or mistaken identity in order to romance another character. And while some of those disguises are superficial, in many cases, the use of such disguises is meant to reveal some deeper truth about the character. In that grand tradition, Don’t Tell Her It’s Me use of the “Lobo” disguise allows the reticent Gus to access the bravery and confidence that’s been lost to him due to his health and mental issues. Honestly, what I found far more problematic, especially given recent events within both the comedy and comic book community, was his sister’s proposition that he should use his fame to prey upon the fans of his work. When she first visits him on his palatial pier palace, she picks up a very kind get well card addressed to him from a fan. It’s just a sweet card wishing him well and a speedy recovery, with nary a hint of sexual or romantic interest composed within. Yet, after his sister reads it, she immediately suggests that “an enterprising single guy could find a date amidst all those thousands of adoring fans.” I’m sorry, but the idea of them scouring his fan letters in search of women suitably enamored with his silly, bubble-headed cartoons, is super gross. Don’t do that.

As a point of disambiguation, there are many different sub-genres of romance, and what Paul described reading in the podcast, and what June described as essentially “porn for women,” sounds more like erotica rather than straight romance. It’s the idea that all romance novels are just “dirty books for woman” which has allowed people to perpetuate the idea that romance isn’t a valid literary genre and has been repeatedly used as a means to censor female voices. Erotica is absolutely a popular sub-genre, but people too often conflate it with the entire genre. Many romance novels don’t even involve sex at all. In fact, Long’s character specifically mentions in the movie that her characters cannot be together until the very last page. If I were to classify this movie, I would say it was a BCD (“behind closed doors”) or “sweet” Romance. Which is to say, there is sex, but it is literally off the screen/page.

While I get a lot of the cynicism leveled at this movie and the character motivations within, it’s pretty faithful to romance novel literary conventions, which I feel is kind of the point. In romance novels, people fall in literal true love at first sight. Most characters in romance novels end with the characters getting married after knowing each other for a week or two. Romance readers don’t wants “realism” in romance. Nobody wants to read a book about a relationship that slowly deepens and develops over a series of dinner dates over the course of a couple of months. Everything needs to be heightened. Everything has to feel urgent. What’s important is that the reader/audience believes that the protagonist’s intentions are pure. In this case, Gus is constantly reaffirming that he is “in love.” In fact, I think the movie almost does this too much as I believe Gute’s acting conveys that pretty well on its own. The thing is, if you don’t believe he is acting in good faith, then the whole thing doesn’t work. And in all honest, I don’t believe the movie ever gives the viewer a reason to not believe that Gus is on the up and up. While far from perfect, you have to look at the entire movie as an adapted romance novel. It hits all the beats. It’s got a star-crossed couple, duoche-y ex, wacky side characters, and a series of escalating misunderstandings all set against a romantic back drop. That’s pretty much the formula across the board, and for the most part, I think the movie nails it.

Paul is correct in that Romance Conventions typically don’t have cosplayers; however, it is relatively common for publishers to hire models as part of their marketing strategy during these events. These people will dress in genre dress for convention goers to take photos with and provide ambiance. So you might have models dressed as Highlanders, Cowboys, Motorcycle Club (of which “Lobo” would have been an example) etc. wondering around throughout the event interacting with attendees. During the scene in question, as the group of “Dolly Partons” pass, you can hear an announcement on the PA for the “Country and Western harlots” to report to the green room, presumably for some kind of exhibition being staged by Loveboree.

So I was the guy that sent copies of the VHS copy to Paul, and what's crazy is... at the very end, there is an after credits gem! I’m a kid of the 80s who was an avid VHS renter. So was this an actual thing? Paul… In that you worked at Blockbuster, were you aware people could write-in for a refund if not satisfied with their rental?

You get butter from a female cow and nutter butter from a male cow.

So considering a good portion of my list has been done by the show since I wrote it, including the double live show for Con Air and Face/Off, I have updated my list accordingly. 1. Southland Tales - cars fucking in a commercial and random song and dance numbers 2. Last Action Hero - a lot of potential especially considering how well the movie has aged since its release 3. The Happening - Marky Mark fights the air 4. The Wizard - a 90 minute Nintendo commercial with Fred Savage 5. Ready to Rumble - the reason that David Arquette is officially known as a former World Heavyweight Champion

With apologies to horse lovers.

During the robbery, I honestly thought it was staged to make Lobo seem heroic. I thought they were really getting into this ridiculous plan. It wasn't until he started talking to himself that I realized this was actually happening. So, I don't get what the plan was either. It seems like his heroics made the plan work. I don't blame Gertz for not being into Gus at the first dinner. It definitely wasn't just his appearance. He was also acting weird and nervous which made a bad first impression. And that meal was enough to ruin anyone in my mind. Plus you'd have this annoying woman as your sister in law. It was just a bad situation. Despite all that, looks are kind of important. Certainly not the most important aspect. I've certainly gotten more attracted to someone I wasn't initially into as I've gotten to know them. But, if the introduction was anything like that dinner (which wasn't Gus' fault), I'm not going back just in case they have a great personality.

Was it ever explained how Gus found Gertz at the gas station the first time as Lobo? Was he stalking her or just following the billowing clouds of smog coming off that deathtrap of a car of hers every two seconds?

They touched on it in the episode, but one of the moments I really enjoyed was when Shelly Kong’s husband says he recognized that “Lobo” was foreign because of his BO. What I particularly loved was the thought that a badass, illegal immigrant biker would be just cruising around town in a tourist t-shirt from his home country.

I dont trust brother and sister that get along

The one thing I was wondering the whole time was Long's deadline that was just in her head. She was pushing Gus to keep up with this plan because as she said Gertz was going to be unhappily married sooner rather than later. How the hell did she figure that? Nowhere in their conversations did she mention the next time she finds some hot dong was she going to put a ring on it, she just said her relationship is odd at the moment and what she was into when looking for a guy, which also kind spits in the face of Gertz's own words as when she tells Long what she's looking for, it all gets pushed to the back burner for a hot/mysterious guy like in one of the romance novels or what she's been going for her whole life. I get having fun in life, but if you have a ideal person or characteristics, don't you kinda want to slow down and see if a new person in your life is that person? When she meets Gus she's basically like "nah fuck that tubby baldy" and runs back to MacLachlan the next day. Also am I the only one thinking there would have been more buildup to the reveal of the scheme? In most rom coms the scheme takes place usually near the end of the 1st act leading to the reveal and the end of the 2nd, with the 3rd being the big makeup scene. This one they spent so much time on the prepping for the scheme that they really only had time to have 1 1/2 dates, sex, and then instant reveal, followed by a quick turnaround for Getz to realize she really does love Gus.

Personally, I wouldn’t classify Long’s character as a villain as she lacks malicious intent. While she may come off as pushy, she’s genuinely trying to help her brother. And not just to hook up, either. She sees that he is “in love” with Gertz and is doing what’s in her power to make that relationship come about—which she 100% does! Yes, she is trying to prove a point to Gertz as well, but there’s never any antagonism. If she didn’t think they’d be good together, she probably would have let the whole thing slide. I also think Gus’ more radical transformation was more to circumvent Gettz’s preconceived opinions than to set up a long con. Long knows that despite how much he’s changed physically, Gertz will never be able to fully see Gus as anything other than the shy, chubby guy with the terrible toupee. She needs to completely erase that image from Gettz’s mind before they can truly have a second chance.

Definitely, she's a persistent liar and manipulator. The whole first scene I'm wondering why she can't just get off her brother's back about dating . . . he literally just finished cancer treatments and you're hounding him like crazy! Maybe if she stopped talking about how terrible it is that he lives alone he wouldn't be so damn miserable.

Let's all just agree... Shelly Long's character is THE VILLAIN of this movie! The whole idea of transforming Gus into Lobo only comes after Shelly is upset that Gertz is not interested in Gus. Gertz tells Shelly she is not into Gus and kind of involved with someone. But Shelly will not accept that and gets angry with Gertz, even saying, " right, you'd have fallen for Gus like a ton of bricks if he'd been devastatingly handsome and treated you like shit." Gertz denies this, but to add further proof why Shelly is the VILLAIN... in the next scene, all you hear is Shelly essentially saying how it's bullshit when people are saying looks aren't important. Do I think Shelly cares that Gus eventually finds love? Yes, but when Shelly feels denied by Gertz's honesty... all Shelly cares about is making Gertz eat her words and USES her brother as a toy in her game of deception! Prove me wrong! (ps... i love all of you)

I am halfway through this movie and already feel that Shelley Long is the worst wingman in movie history. Why would you not preface trying to set your brother up with someone by mentioning the hardships that he just got over, because his appearance will clearly create some questions in the person that you're trying to hook him up with, thus saving them saying something like "he has no hair" to the point where you give them the riot act for the various procedures he went through. Also it is amazing how Kyle MacLachlan can do a character as interesting and nuanced as Dale Cooper and in the same year basically read a book titled "what 90s yuppies are" and shart that out onto the screen.

This will always be my favorite Ben Vareen performance:

Quotes like, "We're selling my human-boy skin-pants.", are jewels that I take with me through my week. Thank you.

Yeah it’s been a long time since I last watched it but even then I knew it was a pretty whacky gnarly flick. I feel it’s ripe for HDTGM since it was a legit box office movie. Plus it has the French teacher lol.

I saw this as a kid (probably too young), but I must admit I still knew in the back of my head that this would not be a movie to seek out and show to other people as thought it were a good movie. I plan on rewatching it though to see how much the rose colored glasses of childhood have affected my memory.

This is a gem of a flick the gang should have fun with it

This movie is bananas lol. Best quote ever is from the French teacher ‘the bar’s closed!!!!’

I just called the number to tell them they should do this movie. I guess if I would if checked the forum I could of saved myself, not 1 but 2 calls. Still worth it.