Summary
Overview
Paul Scheer hosts Last Looks for the Robin Williams movie 'Jack,' fielding listener corrections, discussing Francis Ford Coppola's compromised vision for the film, and diving deep into recent movies and TV shows with Jason Mantzoukas. The episode explores Jennifer Lopez's terrible teaching, the film's troubled production history, and wraps with recommendations ranging from Coyote vs. Acme to obscure anime.
Jennifer Lopez's Teaching Incompetence
A teacher librarian from Ontario delivers a devastating takedown of J-Lo's character, detailing her complete failure to prepare students for Jack's arrival, provide appropriate accommodations, or intervene in problematic situations. Paul enthusiastically agrees, noting that her only attempt at integration was having Jack discuss his hatred of broccoli. The segment highlights how the film's supposed voice of humanity and compassion was actually terrible at her job.
- Teacher didn't prepare students beforehand despite knowing Jack was coming and could have discussed how to treat people who are different
- Had no proper desk ready for Jack despite knowing he's much larger than other students
- Didn't ensure Jack had a friend to play with during recess, unlike what good teachers do for new students
- Only chased away bullying girls but didn't actually talk to them about their behavior
- Allowed physical basketball game with 180-pound man without stepping in, creating injury risk
" J-Lo is a terrible teacher. And you know what? I had a note written down and I didn't get to it. But the only thing that she does to ingratiate Jack to the class is have him talk about how he hates broccoli. "
Francis Ford Coppola's Debt-Driven Filmmaking
A listener recounts attending a Francis Ford Coppola Q&A in college where an angry film student confronted the director about Jack's inaccurate portrayal of progeria. Coppola defended the film by stating it was never meant to be medically accurate, then dismissed the movie entirely by saying he only made it for money because he was deeply in debt. This leads Paul to push back on the idea that being in debt excuses making poor films.
- Student confronted Coppola about Jack not being an accurate depiction of progeria, getting very angry and making the room awkward
- Coppola explained the film wasn't trying to accurately depict any disease - Jack has a fictional condition
- Coppola admitted Jack, Dracula, and other films from that period were made purely for the paycheck due to severe debt
- The movie never claimed to portray progeria - the doctor even says he's never seen anything like Jack's specific condition
" Jack, Dracula, all those movies I did during that period, I did it for the paycheck. I was in severe debt. "
" Being in debt doesn't mean that you can't make a good movie. Poor people can't make good movies? Well let me tell you a lot of people start off these indie movies they're coming out with hits, low budget, no budget, whatever you want to do. "
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