Alright, film fanatics, gather round your audio devices! Dan and Sarah are back on Shoot the Hostage, and this week we’ve finally braved a cinematic experience that’s less blockbuster and more… well, block-bust. We're talking about Martin Scorsese’s 1982 gem (that the world collectively ignored), The King of Comedy. Settle in as we dissect this certified box office flop, a movie so unloved by initial audiences that, according to Entertainment Tonight, was the biggest flop of 1983.

We'll be trying to unravel why this incredible film, starring the one and only Robert De Niro as the intensely awkward and delusional Rupert Pupkin, alongside the incomparable Jerry Lewis as the beleaguered talk show host Jerry Langford, somehow failed to connect with audiences despite the Scorsese touch. Was the world simply not ready for its cringe comedy and profoundly uncomfortable exploration of fame and obsession?

We'll also be singing the praises (as we see fit) of Sandra Bernhard’s gloriously unhinged performance as Masha, a character who redefines the term 'stan'.... We’ll be tackling the burning questions: Was Rupert the proto-incel? Is his stand-up actually… good? And just how much inspiration did Joker shamelessly borrow from this criminally underseen cult film? (Spoiler: a metric tonne)

What to expect from this episode:

• A deep dive into the mystery of why The King of Comedy was a certified box office flop yet has ascended to cult classic status.
• Our unfiltered opinions on the unforgettable performances of Robert De Niro, the surprisingly serious Jerry Lewis, and the absolute revelation that is Sandra Bernhard.
• A look at the film’s unsettlingly contemporary themes of celebrity worship, the desperate pursuit of fame, and the dark side of parasocial relationships.
• Our reliably questionable humour and Dan’s ongoing battle with basic pronunciation.

So, if you're a devotee of Martin Scorsese, fascinated by movies that flopped at the box office, or simply seeking a podcast that appreciates a truly unique and disturbingly prescient film, then congratulations, you’ve found your tribe! Subscribe now so you don't miss our descent into the delusional world of a wannabe comedy king!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

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