GGACP Rewind: Episode #30: Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
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Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the duo behind the cult-favorite 'Problem Child' films, return to Gilbert Gottfried's podcast to reflect on their chaotic, critically panned yet commercially successful debut. They recount how the movie—inspired by a true story of a violent adopted child—was initially dismissed as a disaster, with executives calling it a 'wounded soldier' on the battlefield. Despite the embarrassment, the film became a surprise hit, reshaping their careers and leading to a self-aware embrace of their 'bad taste' legacy. This experience, they say, paved the way for their more personal, sympathetic biopics like 'Ed Wood' and 'Big Eyes,' where they champion misunderstood artists and fringe figures with empathy rather than mockery. The conversation dives into the absurdity of the 'Problem Child' sequels, the bizarre censorship of the films, and their journey to make 'Ed Wood'—a movie that turned their reputation around after Tim Burton took it on. They also discuss their unrealized projects, including a 'Marx Brothers' biopic and a 'Gallagher 2' film, and reflect on the emotional weight of telling Margaret Keene's story in 'Big Eyes,' a film that took 11 years to realize. The episode ends with a celebration of their resilience and a promise of a Part Two, hinting at more untold stories from their prolific careers.
Embrace your 'bad' work—Problem Child was a critical disaster but a box office hit, and that success became a creative springboard.
The best stories often come from misunderstood or marginalized figures; empathy, not judgment, should guide storytelling.
Censorship can make a joke worse—cutting 'diarrhea' to 'rash' made the joke more absurd and offensive.
A script can change your life: Ed Wood was written on spec, landed on Tim Burton’s desk, and launched their career.
Persistence pays: 'Big Eyes' took 11 years and countless false starts, but the final film was a triumph of patience and belief.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Problem Child Legacy: From Disaster to Cult Classic
“We were the only guys in town trying to pitch it as a comedy. Right. So we kind of broke through the clutter, so we sold it as a comedy pitch.”
The Sequel That Went Too Far: Problem Child 2's Absurdity
“They cut it out and make it Her Pie gave us the rash. Wow, that's filthier! Yes! That's filthier! They changed it from diarrhea to syphilis.”
From Problem Child to Ed Wood: Reclaiming Their Identity
“What if you made a movie about Ed but you were totally sympathetic and you're not going to make fun of him at all?”
The Making of Ed Wood: A Race Against Time
The story of how they wrote 'Ed Wood' in just six weeks to convince Tim Burton to abandon his other project, 'Mary Riley.' The script was so compelling that Burton dropped everything and said, 'I read it, it's my next movie and I have no notes.'
Behind the Scenes of Ed Wood: The Real 'Stock Company'
The duo shares anecdotes from the making of 'Ed Wood,' including Paul Marco’s obsession with his own persona, Conrad Brooks’ rivalry with him, and the real-life actors they cast in cameos. They also reveal how Paul Marco once took over the trailer meant for the actor playing him.
“I read it, it's my next movie and I have no notes.”
“They cut it out and make it Her Pie gave us the rash. Wow, that's filthier! Yes! That's filthier! They changed it from diarrhea to syphilis.”
“What if you made a movie about Ed but you were totally sympathetic and you're not going to make fun of him at all?”
Host
Guests
Scott Alexander
person
Larry Karaszewski
person
Gilbert Gottfried
person
Ed Wood
media
Problem Child
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Big Eyes
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Problem Child 2
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Tim Burton
person
Margaret Keene
person
Walter Keene
person
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GGACP Rewind: Episode #29: Henry Winkler
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GGACP Rewind: Episode #31: Danny Bonaduce
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast • 1h 17m • 4/20/2026
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