Episode 182 - Rock Star: LIVE!

[JulyDiaz 2797]

Comedian Jake Weisman (Corporate) joins Paul, June, and Jason to discuss the 2001 musical comedy-drama Rock Star starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they cover the use of wigs, the orgy scene, and nipple piercing. Plus, the audience tries to make us believe they are British during Q&A.

 

 

 

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

You can see Jason, June, and Paul in The Disaster Artist in theaters now.

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on A Futile and Stupid Gesture, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Opening Night, and Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

 

Jason can be seen in The Good Place, The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

[Smigg. 509]

YEAAAAAAH!!! Just a forewarning, like I said in the mini-episode thread, I am going to be insufferable.

[Smigg. 509]

I'm glad the discussion about "Where the money went" was talked about. Chris wouldn't have really made much money, he wasn't in the band for even a year, sang on one album, and didn't write any of the songs. So, unless they gave him an advance to sign with the band (sort of like how Metallica offered Robert Trujillo $1,000,000 when he joined the band in 2003), he'd still be relatively poor.

 

In fact, the question that should be asked is, where the fuck would he have gotten money for a Batmobile?! Or for a motorbike to just ride through hotels and smash into doors.

 

Maybe he's having to hitch-hike because the little money he made, he pissed up against a wall buying Batmobiles and Hotel Motorbikes

[Smigg. 509]

Okay, I was sitting on this one, with my fingers crossed that it wasn't brought up, but Mark Wahlberg donned his Steel Dragon wig, and joined his Steel Dragon bandmate, Zakk Wylde in the video for Black Label Society's "Counterfeit God" as the bass player. To me, that would have been a MUCH better ending than the one they had, because Zakk Wylde is the fucking man.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEvasv5KMko

[Smigg. 509]

Now, if you look at the "Once in a Lifetime" montage (which I have LOTS of things to point out), one of the magazines opens up showing an article about "25 Reasons To Love Steel Dragon". However, it's actually an article about Rage Against The Machine and their influence on the Rap-Metal boom of the late 90s.

 

The montage as a whole shows how fucked up the timing of the movie is, because it's all over the place.

 

When the movie starts it just says "Pittsburgh - The 80s", like it's an episode of The Goldbergs, when it pans through the porno theatre (the title 'All That Jizz' was a personal favourite), and into the Blood Pollution rehearsal area, outside of all of the Steel Dragon paraphanalia, there's a Metallica poster, Metallica released their debut album, "Kill 'em All" in 1983, and when Chris is working on the copier in the office, Karma Chameleon is playing on the radio, which was released in the US in 1984, so far, so good... so what (that's a Megadeth reference for my own amusement if you didn't catch it.)

 

When Chris joins Steel Dragon, he's on the "Livin' The Life Tour 1985", as written on the back of Tim Spall's jacket. So, the montage isn't about the years they've spent on the road, it's just for that tour, because the dates still show 1985, here's where the timing is fucked up.

 

As pointed out earlier, those magazines were still coming out in 1985, why they all had Steel Dragon on the cover, I have no idea, however, when you look at some of the articles featured on them. You had:

 

- "Heart: More Than Just Pretty Faces": Heart released their first album in 1977, so they'd been releasing stuff for 8 years at that point, everyone would already know that they were more than just pretty faces.

 

- "Step Aside Jon Bon-Jovi": Bon Jovi released a couple of albums, not really breaking the top 40, however, it wasn't until 1986 when they really hit it big with "Slippery When Wet", so, Jon Bon Jovi wouldn't be stepping aside for Chris, Chris would be stepping aside for Jon Bon Jovi.

 

Bon Jovi leads me to the the music they used in the movie, which is all out of line with when the movie takes place. They used "Livin on a Prayer" which came out in 1986, which isn't really the most egregious use of a song considering the time frame:

 

- When Chris is getting his nipple pierced, the song that's playing on the radio is AC/DC's "Are You Ready?", that song is on the album "The Razor's Edge", which came out in 1990, Chris was getting his nipple pierced in 1984.

 

- When they went to the after party for Chris's first show with Steel Dragon, the song playing in the nightclub was "The Devil Inside" by INXS, a song which came out in 1987.

 

- Def Leppard's "Lets Get Rocked" came out in 1992

 

- Motley Crue's "Wild Side" came out in 1987

 

So I can see why people think this movie took place over many years, when really, it's the people making the movie didn't know their arse from their elbow when it came to the right music to use, and just said "Fuck it, that'll do".

[Herself 107]

God, this movie sucked! It was so boring!

[Smigg. 509]

Tanya being transgendered might have been foreshadowed earlier in the movie.

 

When Tim Spall was handing out backstage passes, Chris asked him for one, he said "Not without a blowjob and a sex change". Then, when Chris goes into his audition, he makes a comment that Tanya dated Bobby Beers for a while, then Bobby reveals he was gay.

 

So, perhaps Tanya was dating Bobby because Bobby hadn't gone public with being gay. To be honest, I have no idea if that actually is the way it would work, but a 2001 movie would probably be working off the same level of ignorance.

[Smigg. 509]

Okay, I tried tempering it, but I've got so much to get out about this movie, but there are plenty of little references to things that occured in the world of metal music.

 

- When Chris was going into his audition, they were staring at a Bobby Beers tour outfit, that's a nod to Judas Priest, as Rob Halford would wear outfits like that. He's credited for introducing the "Metal Uniform" with the leather, studs, spikes and chains, most of which he got when he visited S&M shops in Soho, London. One particular store he would visit was "Mr. S. Leather".

 

- Even though the story is based upon Tim "Ripper" Owens joining Judas Priest, the story itself seems to follow more closely to Jason Newsted joining Metallica. Newsted was a Metallica superfan who idolized their bassist, Cliff Burton. When Burton died, Newsted ended up joining his favourite band, and eventually left (albeit after 14 years, and not the 1 that Chris was in the band), because he wasn't able to add much creatively, as Metallica's frontman, and drummer (James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich), wrote the songs, and it was Newsted's job to play what they wrote. Kirk Cuddy even plays the same guitar as James Hetfield, and both serve as rhythm guitarist in their respective bands.

 

- The press conference Steel Dragon hold to introduce Chris is in the same place as Spinal Tap's

 

- The guy who auditioned before Chris went on to become the frontman of Steel Panther

- When Tim Spall said that MTV "don't play the lad's music as much after they trashed their studio" is a reference to Guns N' Roses trashing the studio for MTV's Headbangers Ball.

 

- The tattoos on Steel Dragon's lead guitarist, Ghode, (played by Zakk Wylde) are the logo for Wylde's band, Black Label Society.

 

- Noted rock/metal musicians who appear in the movie include:

• Jason Bonham, who played Steel Dragon's drummer, has played for Foreigner, UFO and appeared in VH1's 'Supergroup' and is the son of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham.
  
• Jeff Pilson, who was Steel Dragon's bassist, was also in Foreigner as well as playing for Ronnie James Dio, and Dokken.
  
• Nick Catanese (Mark Wahlberg's lead guitarist in his tribute band) was in Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society
  
• Zakk Wylde is the frontman of Black Label Society, Pride & Glory. and has solo albums to his name too, as well as being the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, and was also tapped to replace Slash in Guns N Roses but turned them down.
  
• Myles Kennedy, who was Mike/Thor at the end of the movie, went on to become the lead singer of Alter Bridge (that band that was Creed, but then told Scott Stapp to go fuck himself)
  
• Stephan Jenkins, the other Steel Dragon tribute singer, was the frontman for Third Eye Blind
  

[grudlian. 4725]

If the singer (Brian Beers) is getting fired, why is he even at the auditions for his replacement?

[Crummy Scrimmage 188]

Jason said "yins" in the correct context this week!

[Smigg. 509]

If the singer (Brian Beers) is getting fired, why is he even at the auditions for his replacement?

 

I don't think he was getting fired, because Dominic Wood said "You want to go and do you're own thing, and that's fine!" So, I think he was leaving of his own volition, but then I think they were just openly disrespecting him, by making fun of him being gay, and by wheeling out knock-offs, showing him that they think he's just a meat bag who can be easily replaced by some jabroni off the street.

[pscudese 701]

I get that the interaction between Jen and the "limo girl" were discussed on the podcast, but the actual line Jen delivers at the end of the scene proves that the roles filled by her and Marky Mark were severely miscast. As we know, she tells the girl, "I just hope I am not as cynical as you are when I am your age.” Jen is then informed this soothsayer is 23, which shocks Jen.

 

So what this scene is suppose to communicate to us, is that Jen thought this woman was much older then she was. But what’s so weird, is that at the time of this filming, Jen is approximately 32 years old and the actress next to her is 30. It’s not a huge difference and they do look the same age. What they should have done is have Rachel Hunter deliver these words of wisdom for although she too was 32yo at the time of the film... she did look a little more “tired” then Jen.

 

In the end, this conversation proves that the main characters were suppose to be much younger and the studio should have hired accordingly.

[grudlian. 4725]

I get that the interaction between Jen and the "limo girl" were discussed on the podcast, but the actual line Jen delivers at the end of the scene proves that the roles filled by her and Marky Mark were severely miscast. As we know, she tells the girl, "I just hope I am not as cynical as you are when I am your age.” Jen is then informed this soothsayer is 23, which shocks Jen.

 

So what this scene is suppose to communicate to us, is that Jen thought this woman was much older then she was. But what’s so weird, is that at the time of this filming, Jen is approximately 32 years old and the actress next to her is 30. It’s not a huge difference and they do look the same age. What they should have done is have Rachel Hunter deliver these words of wisdom for although she too was 32yo at the time of the film... she did look a little more “tired” then Jen.

 

In the end, this conversation proves that the main characters were suppose to be much younger and the studio should have hired accordingly.

I agree the ages of the main characters were way too old. I would have guessed they were supposed to be college aged. I would have guessed 19 years old but they play in bars. So, 21 or 22 would be my guess for the intended ages.

 

I wonder if the woman being 23 was meant to be a subtle hint that being a rock star wife ages you into cynicism. I might believe that if this were a better movie.

[pscudese 701]

As Paul mentioned, the actress sitting next to Jen in the limo is Heidi Mark and she was once married to Vince Neil.

 

But what's so interesting, is that the marriage only lasted 15 months and the divorce was finalized just weeks before the release of “Rock Star.”

 

So I'm wondering if the film was the catalyst for their break up. We’re the antics performed by this fictitious band too real for Heidi and eventually opened her eyes to the likely insanity that took place while Mötley Crüe was on tour?

 

 

On a side note, I lived in NYC through 9/11 and the only mental escape I could find was going to the movies. So I saw this film a few days after the attack. Oy vey.

 

 

In fact this is how I sat through the movie at that time...

 

 

[Smigg. 509]

I agree the ages of the main characters were way too old. I would have guessed they were supposed to be college aged. I would have guessed 19 years old but they play in bars. So, 21 or 22 would be my guess for the intended ages.

 

I wonder if the woman being 23 was meant to be a subtle hint that being a rock star wife ages you into cynicism. I might believe that if this were a better movie.

 

That's what I was thinking too. Because later in the movie, the drummer was talking about his new girlfriend being high school age after his wife ran off with Peter Gabriel.

[taylor anne photo 11311]

Quick correction while I'm still listening.

 

It's said on the podcast that Marky Mark only had two drinks at that party before the orgy dance scene starts but Tonya gives him a pill on the dance floor that I believe we are supposed to assume is ecstasy. That pretty much negates whatever amount of alcohol he consumed lol.

[SlidePocket 707]

Oddly enough, this episode just posted after Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have called it quits!

[Smigg. 509]

Oddly enough, this episode just posted after Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have called it quits!

 

She probably heard that they're doing this episode, she sat Justin down and said "Jason Mantzoukas acknowledged my existence, and I think I might have a shot with him, so... we can still be friends."

[taylor anne photo 11311]

Another correction:

 

Jake says that they seem to be more progressive when it comes to trans people but I would have to agree with June that this movie was so fuckin' transphobic even if it wasn't aggressively so. While yes they don't seem to make a big deal that Tonya is trans and don't kick her out of the group for being so - Timothy Spall calls her a "that" which alone made me very angry even if we didn't already have the Marky Mark looking disgusted once he finds out scene.

 

So while there weren't any scenes like what we saw with Bobby where they genuinely make fun of him and say to "keep his cock away from them" even tiny aggressions can place huge impressions on people.

 

Basically... fuck this movie.

[grudlian. 4725]

Another correction:

 

Jake says that they seem to be more progressive when it comes to trans people but I would have to agree with June that this movie was so fuckin' transphobic even if it wasn't aggressively so. While yes they don't seem to make a big deal that Tonya is trans and don't kick her out of the group for being so - Timothy Spall calls her a "that" which alone made me very angry even if we didn't already have the Marky Mark looking disgusted once he finds out scene.

 

So while there weren't any scenes like what we saw with Bobby where they genuinely make fun of him and say to "keep his cock away from them" even tiny aggressions can place huge impressions on people.

 

Basically... fuck this movie.

Also, it furthers the idea that trans people are just hiding their dicks to trick straight people. That totally isn't a thing.

 

I get Mark Wahlburg reacting the way he did because he did have sex with Tonya right? I'm not misremembering that am I? Leaving aside the logistics that they had sex and Wahlburg didn't notice Tonya had a penis during sex, that's her lying to him which qualifies as sexual assault.

[taylor anne photo 11311]

Also, it furthers the idea that trans people are just hiding their dicks to trick straight people. That totally isn't a thing.

 

I get Mark Wahlburg reacting the way he did because he did have sex with Tonya right? I'm not misremembering that am I? Leaving aside the logistics that they had sex and Wahlburg didn't notice Tonya had a penis during sex, that's her lying to him which qualifies as sexual assault.

This is a tricky topic to be honest and it kinda seems like your second statement goes against your first. For trans women it's not that they are hiding whether or not they have a dick. If they are identifying as women then they are women. What goes on in their pants is genuinely none of our business. Not to mention that we honestly have NO idea what transpired in between the dance floor and the next morning. She could have been like "hey I have a dick hope that's cool." Because according to Timothy Spall it doesn't appear to be a secret that she is trans.

 

And honestly, in my humble opinion, that doesn't excuse the way this movie handles Mark's reaction. If he didn't remember and was shocked - yeah okay I guess, but he wasn't just shocked he was genuinely disgusted and that's what I have a problem with.

[grudlian. 4725]

This is a tricky topic to be honest and it kinda seems like your second statement goes against your first. For trans women it's not that they are hiding whether or not they have a dick. If they are identifying as women then they are women. What goes on in their pants is genuinely none of our business. Not to mention that we honestly have NO idea what transpired in between the dance floor and the next morning. She could have been like "hey I have a dick hope that's cool." Because according to Timothy Spall it doesn't appear to be a secret that she is trans.

 

And honestly, in my humble opinion, that doesn't excuse the way this movie handles Mark's reaction. If he didn't remember and was shocked - yeah okay I guess, but he wasn't just shocked he was genuinely disgusted and that's what I have a problem with.

Let me clarify because I don't think I'm explaining myself accurately.

 

Trans people don't pull out surprise penises or vaginas. That doesn't happen no matter how much movies and transphobic people pretend it does.

 

But I think the movie heavily implied they had sex. I was certainly under that impression until it was revealed that Tonya was trans. We can't know that for sure they did but I think they want us to believe that. I could be wrong though. That really bothers me because, if they did have sex, Wahlburg didn't know until the next day Tonya was trans. So, either he's to inebriated to consent or she somehow hid her genitals from him (out also implies trans people are pulling out surprise dicks which also bothers me because it doesn't happen). I'd consider that sexual assault. I could be wrong and maybe they didn't have sex. If no one else thinks the sex was implied with them, I'll admit I was wrong.

 

I think Mark Wahlburg's reaction is intended to show the idea that he's disgusted by the idea of trans people. But, it could be interpreted as realization of being a sexual assault victim. I think that's giving the movie way too much credit though.

 

Hopefully, that clears up what I meant.

[taylor anne photo 11311]

Let me clarify because I don't think I'm explaining myself accurately.

I understood what you meant but that's why I believe this movie mishandles the entire situation and it's honestly a very tricky topic.

 

I do think it is implied that they had sex as it's implied that everyone in that room had sex with each other but this is why this is soooooo tricky to discuss. On one hand neither one of them seemed to have signed up for what happened in that room but that doesn't seem to hinder on the discovery that Tonya is trans. On the other hand, yes if Tonya purposefully hid being a transwoman based on the fact that she thought Marky Mark would deny having sex with her then that's not a good thing at all and he would have a right to feel like he was tricked into having sex with her.

 

However, we're both in agreement that that is just not a thing transwomen do, and it doesn't seem like a thing Tonya does in this movie either based on the fact that she seem to be so proud of standing while peeing and then Timothy Spall saying "Well, we all know what that is." Unless Timothy Spall was there that night then Tonya is open about being trans and it doesn't appear that she was purposefully withholding that information.

 

Ugh this movie even touching on this topic in such a way has made me very uncomfortable.

[grudlian. 4725]

I understood what you meant but that's why I believe this movie mishandles the entire situation and it's honestly a very tricky topic.

 

I do think it is implied that they had sex as it's implied that everyone in that room had sex with each other but this is why this is soooooo tricky to discuss. On one hand neither one of them seemed to have signed up for what happened in that room but that doesn't seem to hinder on the discovery that Tonya is trans. On the other hand, yes if Tonya purposefully hid being a transwoman based on the fact that she thought Marky Mark would deny having sex with her then that's not a good thing at all and he would have a right to feel like he was tricked into having sex with her.

 

However, we're both in agreement that that is just not a thing transwomen do, and it doesn't seem like a thing Tonya does in this movie either based on the fact that she seem to be so proud of standing while peeing and then Timothy Spall saying "Well, we all know what that is." Unless Timothy Spall was there that night then Tonya is open about being trans and it doesn't appear that she was purposefully withholding that information.

 

Ugh this movie even touching on this topic in such a way has made me very uncomfortable.

I agree with all this. I was just extrapolating 1. They had sex and 2. Mark Wahlburg didn't know this was trans. If both those things are true, then what is this movie saying?

 

This is certainly not the movie to be addressing trans issues. I would assume the writers didn't put this or any thought into it. The writers were just "lol chix with dix lol"

[Smigg. 509]

Did anybody else notice that Chris's brother was a cop in the "Keystone" Police Department?