The Next Reel Film Podcast

Does this work as well for people seeing it now for the first time? How do Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters do in it? Why’s it called The Jerk? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

“I don’t need anything… except this. This ashtray, and that’s the only thing I need is this. I don’t need this or this. Just this ashtray… and this paddle game.”

Steve Martin was having great success as a comedian, but felt like he was at his peak and wouldn’t last very much longer if he didn’t push into another avenue. That other avenue, as it turned out, was film. Of course, that wasn’t as easy to get into as he had hoped and it took him some time, but eventually, one of the studios latched onto his idea for a script and he was off and away. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a new series looking at the early films of Steve Martin starting right here with Carl Reiner’s 1979 film The Jerk.

We talk about Martin and how this film worked to give him not just a film career but so much more, and why his brand of comedy helped get him there. We look at why comedy in a film like this may feel dated, particularly for people looking at it for the first time. We chat about several of the comedy moments in the film, both famous and not-so-famous, and look at why some stand out better than others. We discuss Bernadette Peters and why she’s such an amazing performer. We touch on the performance of “Tonight You Belong to Me” and why it works brilliantly but also feels out of place. And we debate why the film’s title is The Jerk.

It’s a dated film that seems to work better for people who connected with it earlier in life, but still has some charm and definite iconic comedy moments. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.