Is This Thing On Discussion – Bradley Cooper Directs Will Arnett Through Divorce and Stand-Up Pain!!

Описание: In this episode of Burnt or Buttered, Toast and I talk about Is This Thing On?, a movie that looks like it’s going to be a fun comedy… and then quietly sucker-punches you with something way more honest.

We get into how Bradley Cooper reshaped the tone, why the tight 40mm lens choice makes everything feel uncomfortably real, and how Will Arnett delivers a performance that’s way deeper than people expect from him. We also talk about the stand-up scenes feeling like an open diary instead of punchlines, the subtle ways the divorce plays out without big screaming moments, and the surprising details that make this feel like a lived-in New York story.

This episode contains spoilers.

Chapters
00:00 – Trailer-style opening synopsis
01:23 – Welcome to Burnt or Buttered
01:26 – What movie we’re talking about
01:40 – Why this one was a surprise
03:17 – Bradley Cooper’s rewrite and hands-on directing
04:27 – Where the story came from and what changed
04:48 – New York locations and real-life details
05:22 – Comedy scene comparisons and vibe
06:19 – Aspect ratio inspiration and visual feel
07:06 – Tight shots and Will Arnett’s acting range
08:11 – Bradley operating the camera and directing in-scene
10:00 – The train moment and quiet heartbreak
12:30 – The cabin portrait scene and the mismatch of needs
14:12 – Why the comedy isn’t really “jokes”
15:12 – Open mics, bombing, and why it feels real
17:11 – Standup and improv talk
18:17 – The Under Pressure score idea
20:00 – Editing changes and Bradley Cooper’s scenes
20:47 – The character that didn’t fully work for Stetson
22:31 – The jealousy scene that adds depth
23:25 – The dad scene and why it lands
26:52 – Comparing grounded storytelling vs stylized biopics
32:29 – Final Pops
34:33 – Wrap-up