This week on Every Rom Com we’re covering the ultimate cult classic teen movie of the 80s - “Better Off Dead.” This film is a big favorite of Jen’s and her two guests - Jason from the Force Five podcast and Chris from the Get Me Another podcast! Together we unpack the movie’s absurdist humor, let you know which plot points were taken from writer-director Savage Steve Holland’s real life, discuss our favorite John Cusack and Diane Franklin roles, and there might even be some competing Howard Cosell and paperboy impersonations - “Two dollars…” Overall, it’s truly a sight to behold - come take a listen! (Also check out Every Rom Com episode 79 on "One Crazy Summer"!)

0:00-10:27 Introduction, What’s New on the Force Five and Get Me Another podcasts! 

Check out the Force Five Podcast:

https://www.forcefivepodcast.com/ 

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/forcefivepodcast.com 

Check out the Get Me Another Podcast:

https://getmeanother.podbean.com/ (or wherever you get your podcasts)

Twitter: https://x.com/getmeanotherpod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeanotherpod/ 

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/getmeanotherpod.bsky.social 

10:27-32:16 TRAILER, Basic Information, Interesting Facts

If you’re having suicidal thoughts:

In the United States and Canada you can call 988 to reach a suicide hotline: https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention.html 

Help for dealing with suicidal thoughts in the UK:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/ 

For More Information on “Better Off Dead”:

Better Off Dead Panel at Beyond Fest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi-WvJZvnbw 

https://www.tiktok.com/@erinkaufmann/video/7190634745351687470 - Cusack interview Bobby Wygant 1985

https://www.insidehook.com/film/director-steve-holland-cult-classic-better-off-dead-john-cusack 

https://ew.com/article/2011/08/02/better-off-dead-blu-ray/ 

Savage Steve Holland Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At-QESLNFSg 

https://www.fastcompany.com/3055116/the-long-strange-journey-of-better-off-dead-director-savage-steve-holland  

32:16-39:51 General Opinion

39:51-52:34 Cast & Crew In-Depth

For more information on Savage Steve Holland, check out Every Rom Com episode 79 on One Crazy Summer: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/4e8390ed/every-rom-com-79-one-crazy-summer 

For more information on John Cusack check out Every Rom Com episode 41 on High Fidelity: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/3276c825/every-rom-com-41-high-fidelity 

For More Information on Diane Franklin:
https://www.dianefranklin.com/biography 

https://willharris.substack.com/p/rescued-from-the-archives-interview 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyiDUuwpDbY&t=2485s 

52:34-1:00:24 Opening of the Film, Animation, Introduction to Lane, Introduction to the Paperboy

1:00:24 SPOILERS BEGIN

1:00:24-1:09:54 Lane’s Family; Ricky, Ricky’s Mom, and Monique

1:09:54-1:17:41 Ski Team Tryouts, Roy Stalin, Charles De Mar

1:17:41-1:24:17 The Break-up, First Suicide Attempt

1:24:17-1:30:33 The Paperboy, Demian Slade 

More Information on The Paperboy and Demian Slade:

https://web.archive.org/web/20180805214703/http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000134.php 

https://www.rediscoverthe80s.com/2018/06/interview-with-demian-slade-from-better-off-dead.html 

1:30:33-1:43:01 School Scenes, Second Suicide Attempt, Ski Scene, Ski Movies and Culture in the 80s and 90s

More Information on Skiing:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whats-changed-in-the-worl_b_4994824 

https://www.sierra.com/blog/pet/how-skiing-has-changed-since-1986/ 

1:43:01-1:56:26 Christmas, Non-Date and School Dance

1:56:26-2:08:16 Claymation Scene, Dinner “Mon Dieu”, Car Racing Scenes 

More Information on Yuji Okumoto’s Role as Howard Cosell Racing Guy:

rediscoverthe80s.com/2018/09/interview-with-actor-yuji-okumoto.html 

2:08:16-2:19:29 K12 Challenge, Lane and Monique Talk, Jen’s Foreign Exchange Student Story

2:19:29-2:33:02 Monique and Lane, Final Ski Scene, Sports Movie Tropes, Favorite Sports Movies, Jen’s Savage Steve Holland Sequel Wish

2:33:02-2:47:04 Double Feature Recommendations 

“Summer Girl” with Diane Franklin, complete with 80s Commercials!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i11UBQsFeJw&t=7076s 

For more on “Wet Hot American Summer” check out Episode 20 of Every Rom Com: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/65cc8e55/every-rom-com-20-wet-hot-american-summer 

For more on “Heathers” check out Episode 30 of Every Rom Com: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/1b0ee1ef/every-rom-com-30-heathers