Sh*t Show Podcast: Tombstone (1993)

Making the Western Godfather is hard. Let’s talk about how difficult it was to make Tombstone, from writer/director Kevin Jarre getting fired four weeks in, to Kurt Russell possibly ghost directing to finish the movie on time.
Get the longer Director’s Cut version of this episode on Patreon (with 20 extra minutes)!
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In the entertainment world, there are millions of dollars on the line and troubled productions are bound to happen. Whether it's big egos, bigger budgets, or just plain bad luck, we are going behind-the-scenes on these disastrous, never ending, and sometimes dangerous productions. From the creators of WTF Happened To This Movie?, It Was A Sh*t Show is a video essay/documentary/podcast series looking at some of your favorite films and tv shows, and why they were such a nightmare to make.
Chapters:
00:00 - Teaser
00:50 - Intro
02:58 - Tombstone (1993)
01:25:46 - Follow Ups!
Sources:
Original Script: bit.ly/3R8x4pZ
Entertainment Weekly: bit.ly/3V6kx7y
bit.ly/3Kjz5Mh
Hollywood Reporter: bit.ly/3yzyLX2
Old West: bit.ly/3KFTUBT
Setting History Straight: bit.ly/4dZ66L6
True West: bit.ly/4aJOUqs
bit.ly/3KlsLnj
Val Kilmer Gallery: bit.ly/3VftJaX
GQ: y2u.be/GGHXWF7LeZI
y2u.be/m8vG9v8x8-w
Inside of You: y2u.be/RLjw4czibzQ
Featured Footage:
Arrested Development (2003-2019)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Jackass (2000-2007)
Tombstone (1993) and special features
Music:
Ryan Hudson - Sh*t Show Theme
#itwasashtshow #tombstone #kurtrussell

[@justinstoll4955]

As an old guy, I saw this in the theater. I still watch this movie probably once a year. It's freaking awesome..

[@ZyxthePest]

I think Bill Paxton was exactly what he needed to be as an actor and just seemed to enjoy nearly every project he did. He seemed like a great dude to have on set.

[@danthefan28]

"Nobody Wins Golf Cart Chicken" needs to be on a shirt.

[@Seannshades]

I’ve loved this movie for so many years and then you hear all the turmoil behind it over the last several years. It is a miracle this film ever got finished. There is a lot of great stuff in here but you can tell it was rushed. Just imagine if this was given the time, it would have been AMAZING. Also love how Costner got face palmed with his 3 HOUR Wyatt movie. I haven’t seen it, but dude needs to make shorter movies. I like a lot of his films but sheesh. Great podcast as always - nobody wins in chicken golf cart killed me. Also would LOVE a dueling movies podcast. It is funny how some movies come out around the same time with similar plots. Volcano/Dantes Peak, Armageddon/Deep Impact, friends with benefits/no strings attached, ants/a bugs life, the prestige/the illusionist, Truman show/ed tv, mission to mars/red planet, Olympus has fallen/White House down, the Cave/ the descent

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Ohh thanks for the list. Totally forgot about the Mars double feature.

[@tylerdurden788]

What is funny is i have seen all of those movies.

[@thetuesday]

Kurt Russell not working on a director's cut of "Tombstone" to spend more time with Goldie is the right move.

[@laurencebarnes1322]

I feel like Rae at least deserves some more Ape points and another dance for knowing that Transylvania is in part of modern day Romania. Sorry, I just had to pause the podcast to write this. Now back to the show!

[@raereynolds1]

YES! Justice for Rae!

[@AitkenSteele]

Sounds like Kurt just handed George an unplugged MadCatz controller 😅

[@SEESKIP]

SOOOO…. Tombstone was one of my favorite movies and movie scores growing up, also one of the only things i remember my dad and me having in common. Then a few years ago i discovered that Tombstone was one of my girlfriends favorite movies, and now we are getting married. ❤️❤️❤️ love yalls show!!! Ive seen every episode and cant wait for the next!

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Please tell me you said you were broke, and she replied, well my parents are rich so…

[@doshin]

I think Michael Biehn's description of the situation makes a lot of sense, Cosmatos didn't direct it, but neither did Kurt, it was directed by committee, and the group was largely the big name actors involved.

[@doshin]

Also, hearing about how much footage in 5 weeks they tossed out, all of the wives stories, because they switched directors

[@doshin]

lol just hit the point where you're quoting him about it

[@doshin]

Also I subbed based on this episode, I clearly have a backlog to listen to

[@almightytallestred]

Transylvania is _in_ Romania. It's basically central Romania.

[@christiandowning6634]

I maintain Tombstone is up there with some of the greats when it comes to memorable lines. My family loves this movie, and we grew up with it. Val as Doc will go down as one of the best performances in history. Every line is gold, every look is perfect, and every scene is memorable

[@pskopsyke]

@@christiandowning6634 Val is a character actor with leading man looks.

[@dre3425]

I’m convinced Val actually contracted tuberculosis to play Doc Holiday.

[@welldonemovies]

This show is well researched. Really, really, really well researched. Not easy! 🎥🍿

[@brodycdxx2554]

When you guys said “Stanley cups for guys” my brain immediately went to the Piston Cup from cars, thinking that it was named The Stanley cup, but then I remembered that’s the NHL and THEN FINALLY I realized you were talking about the thermos drink cups and finally got the joke at the beginning. Love the pod ❤❤❤

[@ItWasAShtShow]

For weeks when Stanley Cups became the internet thing, I was too scared to ask what they were in fear of seeming ignorant.

[@jochenheiden]

This movie was such a classic.

[@nicklang6798]

"I got two guns one for the each or you" 😂

[@langleymneely]

I always found the story behind Tombstone and Costners classic arrogance & interfering ironic because ultimately Tombstone turned out to be a far better film than that long boring Wyatt Earp film. I still think Kilmer should have throttled whoever was responsible for not mounting an Oscar campaign for his supporting performance. Man should have been nominated and probably would have won for his Doc Holiday performance.

[@kyleh3615]

Had to go and rewatch Tombstone again. Truly the godfather of westerns. Reading through Ike Clantons Wikipedia I found a sentence that you Utah people fight find interesting in reference to Evans, a member of the Clanton gang. "...wanted to see 'if a bullet would go through a Morman'" In 1996, they think they found Ike's grave Shallow and alone, just as he deserved Ike's decendant has tried to move the remains to Tombstone's 'Boot Hill' cemetery. They have rejected the offer

[@eglsoprcm]

3:28 as I nervously look over at my complete collection of McDonald’s Batman forever mugs

[@triforcewielder8500]

Love this classic. One of Val Kilmers best roles...

[@Intabih]

"My dear, you've set your gaze upon the quintessential frontier type. Note the lean silhouette... eyes closed by the sun, though sharp as a hawk. He's got the look of both predator and prey." "I want one." "Happy hunting."

[@nickb3968]

Sometimes when you have to get stuff done, especially with brutal deadlines, you need a giant a-hole to push things along...that's probably what Cosmatos was there for- getting it done without caring about what people thought about him.

[@lynnerose7891]

I can’t think of a single film where he was ever good. That explains why Kurt was the ACTUAL director. If you’re COMPETENT, THEN you can be an arse. If you’re not AND an arse, nothing gets done. The only things that got done were bc Kurt EXPLICITLY told George to stuff it. He didn’t get anything done. He did what he was told to do. Kurt got everything done.

[@wDoucheCanoe]

Man….i really wish yall would make and release more podcast episodes. I know yall have lives and more important things lol just voicing my thoughts because it’s my favorite podcast rn!

[@shoefury]

Update: listened to the episode. I loved it as always. And it made me laugh. I was excited when I saw it drop but then got immediately nervous because I was like please don’t ruin Tombstone for me! Lol But y’all didn’t. It was great. I’ve never wanted to be a part of one of your podcasts/video reviews sooooo bad! Lol I was a freshman when it came out and was like yes! I need to see this immediately! And loved it of course. And I remember seeing the trailer for the Costner Wyatt Earp and being like nah… hard pass. Tombstone felt like the fun action Western movie where Costner’s just looked boring, plodding, wannabe Oscar-grab for boring adults lol and as an adult (technically man-child) I’ll never not love Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday and will never watch Costner’s Earp. Or as you mentioned in the intro Costner’s new epic western series. Won’t watch it. He’s coming out with 4 of these F*CKING boring movies?! Nope. Anyway, loved the episode! Keep it up. P.s., I’ll be your huckleberry.

[@yohansong3207]

As I'm listening to this episode, I'm reading a news article saying that Horizon Part 2 is getting pulled from the theaters due to the first one flopping... I guess he's regretting his decision to quit Yellowstone by now?

[@davidjames579]

I really want a making of Tombstone movie, with Sam Elliot narrating like he's The Stranger in The Big Lebowski "I knew from the third day Kevin couldn't direct" cut to ironic juxtaposition.

[@henryjames366]

Wyatt came out a week before my dad passed away. My sister & I were at the hospital night & day for almost 2 weeks. Needless to say we were exhausted. My brother-in-law picked us up on one of the last days to make sure we got a good meal & some rest. I closed my eyes for a few minutes & when I felt the car stop, we were at a theater & he handed my sister & I two tickets & said he'd be back to pick us up. Once inside we saw there were maybe 5 other people seated to see ...Wyatt. It was the best 3 hour nap we admitted later, that we'd ever had.

[@Banjo-Oz]

Tombstone is not just a spectacular film, but it is funny in hindsight how it is such a beloved and iconic movie, and other Earp films just vanished from public memory despite the people involved. Also that Jarre does have such a great record of stunning scripts that became meme-worthy cult favourites. Kasdan has written great stuff but will always be most known by the public for Star Wars.

[@jamesrrath]

Everyone quotes "I'm you're huckleberry" but there are a dozen better quotes in the film.

[@pskopsyke]

Stallone directed his scenes in Cobra while Cosmastos directed everything else and yes Cosmastos was an ass to the crew and other actors.

[@kbaley]

If you decide to do a show on competing movies, please consider the veritable onslaught of body swapping movies in the late 80s: - Dream a Little Dream (1989) - Like Father Like Son (1987) - Vice Versa (1988) - Big (1988) - 18 Again (1988) With shout outs to both Freaky Fridays and All of Me

[@nickb3968]

Makes me wonder if Russel did a Director's Cut of Tombstone if there's enough stuff left to get the film closer to what he wanted....it's still a good movie as it is though IMO. The acting was great almost across the board.

[@Ispilledketchup]

This is such a tight group. Rae is really funny, Clint keeps things on track, and Ian is doing all the side quests/bridging between the defined roles of the other two. I also love the dynamic of Clint having all the information and the other two being given the chance to guess/riff on their expectations. Always impressed with this channel

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Keep it up Clint!

[@bennygerow]

Great impression of Michael!

[@graysonmusic.]

I live in Tucson Arizona. Tombstone is indeed a historic town, mostly designated for tourism. I don't know if there's a high school there, crappy city to raise a kid. There were some movies filmed there but most stuff was filmed on a separate set (really, in the middle of the desert) which they keep blocked off.

[@WilliamBrinkley45]

Doc Holiday was Val Kilmers’ best role I believe. 30 years later people still quote those lines of his dialogue

[@AnubisConstantine]

it always makes me laugh when powers boothe saw billie zane & said “that’s the most handsome man Ive ever seen”. I wonder if he improvised that because of the look on his face. great episode I had to watch the movie after this one

[@buddabellyboom]

How can you mention Lawrence Kasdan and Costner without mentioning Silverado? Costner was the young hot-shot comic relief in that movie. I know, I'm extending an already off-topic tangent even longer by mentioning this.

[@diegogiovanni1]

Let's gooooo! I literally constantly check for anything from you guys. Wish there were more episodes, weekly or atleast talking about current shows, movies, etc. I'm in tv and film (16+ years here in Portland, OR) and love hearing about past present and future works. Love your guys chemistry on the show.

[@destroyerinazuma96]

I fear that the Dracula film might've been bad, assuming the writer was also directing. Imagine trying to do a medieval historical film with 50's techniques on purpose. With that being said I feel like the script could be used today, if someone with experience and love for the subject matter directs it.

[@GregDaniel78]

Outside of the states we just know Costner in expensive watery movies and historically accurate Robin Hood films.

[@thatgirlinokc3975]

I love this channel so much! Always entertaining and informative. I know you don’t want to be on camera but I hope you change your minds

[@CommieGobeldygook]

Just before anyone makes the same mistake, its pronounced Grow-ning. Jeez Clint.

[@clinterekson]

I didn’t say anything…and it’s Grey-ning

[@CommieGobeldygook]

@@clinterekson It's pronounced Fronk en steen, Clint.

[@ryandineen3655]

Ooh, please do an episode that includes the Aaron Sorkin Steve Jobs movie. It is unapologetically one of my favorite movies. It’s so criminally under appreciated in my opinion. I love it.

[@ItWasAShtShow]

You’re not alone. That movie is quite excellent.

[@doggedout]

Unpopular internet opinion but... Costner ended up making the better movie. After the Sergio Leone films of the 70's, nobody was really clambering to see a return to the 50's tv westerns. This movie ended up looking like a bunch of tailor dressed fashion models prancing around in old west sets. If not for Val Kilmer, this movie would be damn near unwatchable. Costner and Russel are both in love with their own faces, but at least Costner has the decency to dress and talk somewhat like an actual old west character. This movie made possible such classic crap as Silverado! Eastwood had to basically come back from the dead with Unforgiven to stomp that pretty boy cowboy genere back into the mud.

[@MrMcSwiftface]

I love this podcast but wish the outro music was a lot quieter. My wife and I weee just jump scared awake 😂

[@chelle5900]

I'll be Clint's #2 fan.

[@sonsofthewestredwhiteblue5317]

The success and undeniable quality of this film almost in spite of itself is the antithesis of ‘the operation was a success but the patient died’.

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Great analogy!

[@sonsofthewestredwhiteblue5317]

@@ItWasAShtShow cheers mate. I did want to flag a comment made by the female when you guys were discussing how Costner baulked at the script on offer so opted to abstain from that project and go out and champion his own ‘vision’ of the adventures of Wyatt Earp. I think you guys basically concluded that at the end of the day, there are as many versions of events pertaining to these people as there are people telling the story and from a narrative p.o.v there’s ample wiggle room for 2 different creative interests to flesh out there own take on what took place back then and which mattered most. On face value.. I agree with that sentiment in principle. Where I believe Kevin performed a bona fide ‘dog act’ was to read the script as the preferred star, decide it wasn’t ’him-centric’ enough and then hastily assemble his own executive team to set about realising his take on Wyatt’s exploits… which is akin to shitting in the original teams lunchbox given the impetus they’d developed on the project and their generous insistence that big Kev get top billing. If Kevin could prance around Sherwood Forrest in tights to right wrongs and triumph for the little guy, surely he could butt-whip Billy-Bob Thornton with his peace-maker on account of he was getting lippy and still call it an honest days thespianing. The line where Wyatt says to Billy-Bob… “Don’t need to be heeled to get the bulge on a x like you!’… has all sorts of cross-dressing and homo-erotic implications in the modern vernacular, back then tho it was literally THE COOLEST thing you could say to a bloke just before you steal his 6 shooter and proceed to flog him with it. 😎

[@shoefury]

Yes! Can’t wait to watch this episode. Tombstone is hot garbage but I’ll watch it for Val Kilmer alone lol

[@daniellovett577]

It looks like you can't leave comments on Spotify anymore. Either that or I just got dumber. Also, Groening may be pronounced "Graining" but Rooker is definitely not pronounced "Roaker." 😆 Just had to be a little shit.

[@RWScott986]

great podcast, very informative! I respect & agree w/the Paxton comment. one thing? it's Clanton, not Clayton. Clayton would be a lawyer (played by George Clooney) who represents the Earps in all those court cases.

[@lynnerose7891]

Sooooooo distracting. You’re talking about accuracy and you can’t get the name right….and the movie is over 30 years? 🎉

[@OfficialAR22]

can confirm people love the compilation style episodes

[@PooterBigums]

Val Kilmer method acting reminds me of RDJ in blackface for Tropic Thunder 😂 I just imagine the whole cast and crew like “Val we called cut you can stop” and he just looks them straight in the eye “Who the hell is Val?” 🤣 And yeah I’ve always wondered why some movies plots are so similar. The two I know are Knight & Day and Killers. We definitely need a pod ep on some of those!

[@brodycdxx2554]

I always got Western Batman (Doc Holiday) confused with Doctor Emmet Browm for back to the future and can’t get it out of my head

[@everyoneash]

Tombstone is one of the greatest westerns ever...period

[@BenjaminRose37]

You guys should look at Tango & Cash. Apparently they couldn't decide what kind of movie it should be and switched directors halfway through.

[@J-Vasa]

Got an idea, i know its a bit extra work but it would be really cool if you posted the intro teaser as a sort of trailer with the title of the film and where to watch it (if it is available online) a week before the episode drops. so that we can watch the film in that week then watch the episode 😊 there again i dont know how many people are like me and would actually do it lol

[@ItWasAShtShow]

We do announce this a week in advanced on our Discord. But we hide it like a spoiler because some people like the surprise.

[@J-Vasa]

​@@ItWasAShtShowahhhhhh that makes sense!

[@MatthewBreck]

this idea is dope though

[@ItWasAShtShow]

I'll give y'all inside tip for the next round... watch all of the Beverly Hills Cop movies.

[@botz77]

Is this one of them French new wave westerns?😂

[@jeremiahbullfrog9367]

I have to disagree with you guys that Tombstone is not a good romance movie. It's one of the best!!! Can you name a better Bromance movie? Btw, LOVE THE EPISODE! Very funny!!!

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Touché

[@sarahhirsch8919]

I watched Tombstone as a kid when it came out and thought it was badass. I found Wyatt Earp to be nigh unwatchable.

[@kristianisreal8689]

I just sat down to work and needed something engaging to listen to 🙏

[@J-Vasa]

Yesss another upload from my favourite podcast! 😁 love you guys

[@tyefelix]

Love the show. Keep em coming.

[@LikesLimes]

My husband loves this movie and I’ve always been completely mystified by his affection for it. But we all have our own pet favorite s***show I suppose!

[@christophernichols4224]

I think this is the most quoted movie from my highschool years.

[@GTXDash]

I've been listening to almost all of your podcasts while I'm in crunch mode trying to get our game released on time. I'm getting dangerously low on S#!t show content. I'm so happy to see a new one uploaded. It really gets me through the day.

[@evanmurphy2473]

Er uh.. Ich bin dein Huckleberry -JFK

[@MasterOfPuppets714]

God yes can't wait to listen to this instead of working

[@Rf-dr6zm]

If anyone ever tells you that you mispronounced that name, you need to look them dead in the eye and say I'm your huckleberry

[@ItWasAShtShow]

100% just elevate that scenario past what they thought it would be.

[@TheAdamGiles]

Somewhere, there was an 'unpopular opinion ' thread. And I stated Tombstone is not a good film. I happened to come off of seeing it for the first time in years. And there was a mixed bag of opinions. But I still stand to my word. It's not good. Especially the montage, which until this point never made sense to me, or the rushed love story at the end.

[@kkdugs88]

Cowboy hats and baseball caps is an excellent epitaph 🤠 🧢!

[@James-Alai]

Best cowboy movie ever

[@Ryanneey]

I need more of this podcast! 😊 Can you please release an episode every day? 🙏

[@ItWasAShtShow]

We’re thinking of doing a live stream 24/7. It never stops. Hope that helps.

[@tobycatVA]

This is a sh*t show.

[@404TVfr]

Still can't wait til the Star Trek episode.

[@jondorsey2043]

Just great podcast, really enjoyed how in depth you guys went! New fan here! Couple details: I don't know if the real person is actually Ike 'Clayton,' but in the film, Lang plays Ike 'Clanton.' Also Michael Rooker's last name is pronounced 'Rook' er.

[@salvatoreocello]

Love this movie 0:07

[@jaxking904]

Great job on the episode my father loves this movie and a competing movies episode sounds like a great idea I got an idea for a podcast episode surprising last role for famous actors.

[@ryandineen3655]

My favorite podcast does my favorite western? I’m in:-)

[@redstrat1234]

Excellent

[@christiandowning6634]

Do you think this show will be around long enough to cover Rust??? It can be a short episode. What caused this production to be a sh!t show? The star shot someone. That's it. Clint, what did you bring from your closet?

[@ItWasAShtShow]

Will we be around long enough?! Damn

[@elevan2760]

These podcasts make me want to watch the movies if I haven't seen them. Perhaps a future revenue stream if you can figure out how to monetize that?>.......... Also, this movie was/is so confusing to me.

[@nicklang6798]

There is a high school named Marshal

[@kalvinreese8387]

Thanks for the upload

[@russellgill5376]

Woot woot

[@incarnazione]

We all talk this way in Tombstone Arizoña

[@Zephyr88723]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@anitric2000]

The lack of awareness and respect over what it takes to select a remote period-appropriate and film-crew accessible filming location, particularly 30 years ago, and have it look good and have the right features for the narrative at various times of day as you're dealing with natural light and unexpected weather changes...it's pathetic, especially given the nature of the podcast. Far more embarrassing than reading Fangoria. This is like Taika Waititi making fun of his own VFX, the difference being he's made successful feature films. Shape up and don't belittle entire departments just to get in a jab at a dead director...who, by the way, also made other successful feature films.

[@ItWasAShtShow]

It was a joke. And we were picking up the diss Russell started. Of course we aren’t belittling entire departments. If anything, we are always championing the little guys getting crushed by the big chaotic egos. Also your Taika analogy doesn’t make any sense. We didn’t make the movie. If we were making fun of how shitty our audio was, that would be more appropriate. Otherwise the comparison doesn’t work.

[@langleymneely]

What the fuck are you on about?! Only embarrassing thing here is this comment. Get a freaking sense of humor or don’t listen, either way you are not the arbiter of what can and can’t be joked about in a goddamn podcast called SHIT SHOW. I’m sorry but if anyone listening interprets any of their OBVIOUS jokes seriously enough to be THAT obtuse and histrionic about it, it says more about their weird hangups and insecurities. Give me a fucking break.

[@OrganicActing]

I don't think the women are undeveloped; it's not their story. Not every piece of art requires you to appreciate it through an activist lens.

[@LikesLimes]

Or it’s a poorly developed story. Saying that women are fully formed humans with their own intrinsic motivations and personalities is not an activist position; it’s a basic tenet of good storytelling.

[@ItWasAShtShow]

^ this.

[@langleymneely]

@@LikesLimesPreach!

[@addisonbecker3458]

Ouooo actually it’s actually pronounced “Groaning”.