Total Casting Recall

The podcast where two Gen Xers revisit classic comedies and recast them with modern-ish actors!

Episodes

6 days ago

38 min

It's that time of year again. Or it's this time of year again. And the TCR Halloween series has come to an end. We here at TCR struggled hard to bring to you scary movies to get you in the mood. For scary movies. That is! Gee whiz get your head out of the gutter or toilet or W.C. or Loo. Or John or Porcelain God or Goddess. Here we go!!
John Carpenter's Halloween is the movie.
Are you scared yet?
Keep near the bathroom for this one folks.
"Coz Ista gonna be real scary one, kids!"
- Count Floyd, 1982
Chris and Lee rip open the pumpkin of re-casting on this one!
It's called: Halloween. Or, John Carpenter's Halloween. Not to be confused with Sabrina Carpenter's Halloween. Or, Karen Carpenter's Halloween.
Because the last two don't exist.
So don't worry about it.
Originally based on a story told to someone and they told two friends and so on and so on and so and so on.
(Possibly a rumor.)
John Carpenter's Halloween is directed by: John Carpenter
Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance, P.J. Soles and others that appeared in front of the camera when it was filmed.
Take note: No pumpkins were harmed during the making of this film..
Unless you have a problem with pumpkin carving.
Because If you do, you're a freak.
The holiday of Halloween is based on the story of an Irish immigrant who went to the United States. 
Specifically Pasadena, California or Texas; depending on who you believe in.
That Irish immigrant was named Hal O'Ween. Later he dropped the Hal and the O and just became Ween.
His descendants later formed the band Ween.
They DO NOT appear in this film.  
It would be a fitting tribute to somebody.
This movie is about Mental Health Care cutbacks and poorly run asylums that allow homicidal maniacs to roam freely about the country. 
In this case, the homicidal maniac wanders into this film and turns out to be a great actor.  To be clear, he had NO LINES. Which was an insult to actors worldwide. But nevertheless, it turned out to be a sensatinal hit. 
And a heartwarming Halloween tradition was born.
Chris and Lee let loose and unleashed their recasting think caps and try to fix the unfixable. 
YOU THE LISTENER MUST DECIDE.
Or not. You can always just listen and sing along if you like.
WARNING:
VERY LITTLE SINGING ACTUALLY OCCURS IN THIS EPISODE, SO SING ALONG AT YOUR ON RISK.
Best,
Hallarand O'Weenski
(Halloween historian for almost two weeks.)
Possible TCR intern - hopefuly. Fingers crossed!!
 
 
 
 

6 days ago

38 min

Oct 21, 2026

40 min

Pseudopod means false foot...
What does that mean?
To this day, no one really knows.
BUT!
This week our Halloween tradition continues...
Plato once said: "Hollywood has churned out lots of alien invasion movies over the years but only one features an eyeless, spineless glob of goo."
No, it's not historical or presidential reference.
It's The Blob
And for clarification, the previous quote was from Plato McCready, an eight year old film critic from Wazamaloo MI. And it was the last thing he said before he stepped through a portal- never to be seen again. 
Synopsis:
The meteor falls from the sky. Two 'kids' see it. Old guy touches it.
He's taken to the doctor. It spreads to the doc and nurse. and then to the town. It gets frozen on a diner and dropped in the arctic. Warning: spoiler alert. Just kidding, not a spoiler alert. Just kidding again it is indeed a spoiler alert. 
Now alert all the spoilers you know.
The Blob was directed by: Irvin S. Yeaworth Junior
It stars: Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut and lots of other people are credited.
AND!
Chris and Lee recast it because most of those involved with the original production are no longer around to protest or complain or give and guff.
Happy Days,
Opie Jambo Reykovic TCR researcher AKA (The Last Neandrathal)
 
 

Oct 21, 2026

40 min

Oct 14, 2026

40 min

Boo!
Halloween. is on the horizon...
"Guys in suits, what a hoot!"
-Edgar Allen Poe (Not the)
 
You've heard of World War II, War of the Worlds, The War of Roses, The War on drugs.
You might have heard of a war of words. War on the War on Terrorism.
You've probably not heard of the War on tourism, War on the warts and
The War of The Gargantuas.
It's a movie!
From 1966.
From Japan
Directed by: Inoshirō Honda
Starring: Russ Tamblyn, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara
The Story:  There's running, jumping and spitting!
The aforementioned actions achieved mostly by guys in suits that run around in a hurry and stomp on model tanks and cities because they have a limited time to make it and they are on a budget! 
Very scary!
But have no fear because Chris and Lee re-cast this masterpiece with current day actors and others because-
YOU THE LISTENER, DEMANDS IT!
Maybe not demand it, but.... possibly randomly chance upon it drawn in primarily by the word Halloween used in the description.  Because of the algorithm.
So... get 'er done and listen up!
-Sgt. Rock E. Roads (Area 51 doorman and TCR addict)
 
 
 
 

Oct 14, 2026

40 min

Oct 7, 2026

47 min

Have you ever lost anything?
Perhaps it was your lunch.
Where did it go?
When was the last time you saw it?
What was it? 
What was the question?
None of the questions will be answered but it does mean ONE thing. 
Life is chock full of questions.
Cover yours ears.
Not because the episode you are about to hear is loud.
But because have you seen what your ears look like?
But WHO CARES what they look like because the job of the ears it to hear and also to stick fishing lures in if that's your jam.
HALLOWEEN is approaching and this is our first installment in our Halloween trilogy - plus one, equals four. 
A Four-ology, if you will.
Lost Boys is a scary movie from the scary 1980's where music took a scary dive and so did art and culture and pastel/day glow colors, grids and tinny, shitty dance music and mousse became gold!! 
And like a Phoenix rising from Flagstaff, 
Lost Boys was released to the general public.
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
It starred: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Edward Hermann, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman
It's about a coven of pre-goth vampire bikers with no helmets but tons of hairspray that terrorize a small California coastal town with the mis-pelling of Santa Carla. Not only do they deal in human blood but also VHS video tapes!!!
And Christ and Leet cast the the heck out of it in a 'no holds barred traditional handcrafted way of their own doing.'
Sincerely,
Vroghertath Helgomouth
(Lower Demon TCR Temp Worker)
 

Oct 7, 2026

47 min

9 to 5 - Ep. 59

Sep 30, 2026

Sep 30, 2026

43 min

Hi, or should I say, Hello?
Or maybe not.
Let's just get it started
Why 9 to 5?
Why not 9:30 to 3? Or 5 to 9?
The answer is simple.
Because of the song.
And this movie was made a long, long time ago.
The world was a different place then.
There were more dinosaurs
But there were bats. Just like today.
 Go figure. 
9 to 5 was directed by: Colin Higgins
And is stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton,Dabney Coleman and Sterling Hayden.  This was probably before Josie and the Pussycats or even Charlie's Angels or maybe not. You can find just about anything on the internet or Earth.
The movie in question is about workers who woh't quit their jobs they hate, so they take it out on their boss because they are can-do types and forward thinkers. Who can't bear to look for different jobs. 
And that's where all the funny stuff comes from.
So, if you like workplace comedies like The Office, Shrinking or Mister Holland's Face, then you will enjoy this heart warming and heart smart journey into the world of 1980s and what was considered funny back then. You'll get a chuckle at that!
Open a bag of popcorn along with your mind and listen up as the podcast guys, Lee and Chris recast and rehash this time- honored classic podcast episode called:
9 To 5 Ep. 59
You'll Thank me later,
Confucius
(Hey guys! It's my birthday btw, I was born on this day in 551 B.C.!
it's my 2,577th birthday.)
So, floss 'em if ya got 'em!!
 

Sep 30, 2026

43 min

Sep 23, 2026

1 hr 5 min

Q: How Big is your Lebowski?
A: What's a Lebowski?
A2: Read on and you'll find out.
Maybe...
This week it's more talking by ghostly voices of Lee and Chris plus sound effects about a movie that they recast.
The Big Lebowski
Directed by: Joel Coen
Written by: Ethan Coen
Stars: Jeffrey Bridges, John Goodman, Steven Buscemi, John Tuturro, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Tara Reid and Sam Elliott also some bowling alleys.
Also spotted in this film: Flea and Aimee Mann who appear from the world of music.
This movie is loosely based on Raymond Chandler ideas from them 'ol days of Film Noir. (Look it up.)
This be a comedy whodunit and great all-around non-stop laugh riot.
Chris and Lee really go town and toss a crescent wrench in this one by doing some unnecessary recasting. And who's to stop them. Godzilla? Mothra? or Sasquatch(fake) or The Bigfeets. (possibly)
Actually only a death ray from the gray aliens from Alpha Centauri could possibly stop this podcast but since they cut the podcast deal in White Sands in 1966 all is well. 
Sort of... 
If you're lost- Congratulations! 
So am I.
Enjoy,
Half-Nelson P. Rockin'-Fella (lead guitar)

Sep 23, 2026

1 hr 5 min

Sep 16, 2026

37 min

Congratulations!
Not for just being an avid TOTAL CASTING RECALL listener. But congratulations for just being you!!
Enough with the crap-ola.
Today we have a very serious episode in which with recast Parenthood very seriously. 
It's directed by Ronny (Oprah) Howard
It stars: Steven Martin, Jason (Jace) Robards, Tom Hulce, Joaquin (Hooked On)Phoenix, Rick (I shrunk 'em) Moranis, Dianne Wiest, Martha Plimpton, Mary Steenbergen and the usual suspects(other fine actors).
Are you a Parent?
Did you have a Parent?
Have you ever spotted a Parent in the Wild?
I have. 
Weird.
Perhaps you are familiar. Well, get ready to be more familiar with this word. Parenthood. It has a nice ring to it, don't it.
Makes you think of people with kids.
Mostly. To some parenthood is a serious job to other parents it's a word that is just that. A word.
Whose side are you on?
Be honest. Or not.
Because we absolutely will not or will ever take this topic or the fine Arte of recasting seriously.
"And you can take that to the bank"
-Robert "Baretta" Blake of Vitello's (1979)
No one ever knew which bank he was referring to.
So enjoy Parenthood and our own dismantling of the movie along with false information and fun!
Sincerely,
Jonny Fungi (age 112)
 

Sep 16, 2026

37 min

Sep 9, 2026

52 min

Hello!
And thank you again for tuning in! (No actual tuning needed)
Welcome to another episode of TOTAL CASTING RECALL!
By using caps, it doesn't mean I'm angry. It means I'm that EXCITED.
FOR YOU!!
Alright. This week it's Superbad. 
I know what you're thinking: Not another superhero movie!?!
Nope. It's just about regular joes in a coming of age extravaganza...
BREAKING NEWS:
Sorry to interrupt this blather about another highly unprofessional TCR episode. But!  Godzilla has just escaped and started a jazz combo with Bigfoot.... More details to come...
WE NOW RETURN YOU BACK TO THIS DESCRIPTION ALREADY IN PROGRESS...
...and they nearly get caught! 
Whew!
 That synopsis had a lot spoilers but you get it.
Directed by: Greg Mottola
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Bill Heder, Seth Rogan, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (also a bass player but not in this film) and Emma Stone
PLUS- other fine talented players who memorized their stuff and got it done, yo!
Let's take a moment to think about the craft of acting...
Done!
Bam!!
This was written down by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg
LIFE IS WONDERFUL-
-IS IT NOT?!!
This is your Description writer reminding to: 
Keep reaching for the stars but prepared to be burned by the nuclear fission and good luck with not only the vacuum of space but the infinitely coldness in its vast emptiness  because you probably won't survive it.
Oh yeah and good luck reaching for a star that's probably thousands of light years away. 
Unless it's the sun.
In that case, you'll probably be blinded before reaching it. 
Dummy.
So do something else more practical, like. tying your shoes. Unless you have slip-ons. Like I do. Check them out!
Fun!!
THIS TCR EPISODE DESCRIPTION HAS ENDED...
Courage,
Montie Montoya Malmstein De Turd
(Retired)

Sep 9, 2026

52 min

Sep 2, 2026

38 min

There was a Princess.
There was a Bride.
The two went though a portal and fused together thereby creating an entirely new life form. 
The Princess Bride.
And that- is called evolution, my friends.
More precisely; evolution by mutation.
This motion picture is about something different that's
not necessarily based on science...
The Princess Bride is directed by Rob Reiner
and written by William Goldman
It stars, Andre the Giant, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal and Peter Falk  and lots of other actors; mostly from the world of Komedy.
It's about a guy who digs this girl but goes off the be a pirate and then gives that up and decides he wants to stop a royal wedding, He makes friends and others die but we enjoy watching it all go down. 
Chris and Lee know a classic and when it needs to be repopulated with new people acting. You decide if its any good.
Peace and Love,
Tha Gate Keeper (at TCR)

Sep 2, 2026

38 min

Aug 26, 2026

58 min

The West was tough.
The West was brutal.
The West was just plain Westerly.
You know it and I know it. But for me, only very recently did I know....
'High Plains Drifter', not only an informal greeting to someone in the new frontier. It's also a movie.  
All jokes aside, if there are any. 
High Plains Drifter was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood and other various actors from the Hollywood scene. 
At that time. 
Also, it has come to our attention that the recasting abilities of Chris and Lee have come under fire, not only from the listeners of mostly this podcast, but also the hosts have said so. Lee is very much 'shooting from the hip' or 'phoning it in' on more than on occasion. Also, it is possible that he may, at times, not know at all what he's talking about.  After a serious inquiry he claims not knowing what's going on is a 'lifestyle choice.'
Chris's response was a chuckle/grumbling sound.
Lee also co-signed this response by singing a fake German lullaby.
Upon reading this, you might have some deep questions about life or why you're even reading this.
This movie is about a drifting cowboy who dislikes whips less than other humans. His main form of communication is shooting folks. And the townsfolk love it.
Happy listening,
Aramis DeFacto-Dummy (Un-manifester of Destiny)
 
 

Aug 26, 2026

58 min

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