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Producer Laura Shuler Donner (as transcribed) met John Hughes after reading his National Lampoon article and his story of a disastrous stretch looking after his two kids; Hughes brought in Aaron Spelling from his TV deal; Universal dumped Hughes for working in Chicago and had others rewrite the script; Spelling said he made it to have a film to take his kids to; Keaton turned down Splash for Mr. Mom
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:19Read transcript
- Producer Laura Shuler Donner (as transcribed), then at Motown Productions, read a National Lampoon article by John Hughes, kept in touch, and in a meeting he described a disastrous experience looking after his two children while his wife was away; she found it hilarious and they started working on the script.
- Hughes had a TV deal with Aaron Spelling and brought him in as producer; Universal dumped Hughes because he worked in Chicago rather than LA and brought in other writers, and his script was apparently better, which the hosts believe.
- Aaron Spelling's stated reason for making the movie was that he could not find a film suitable to take his kids to; a host doubts it, noting his kids were cut out of his estate.
- Earlier, stepping on the category: Keaton turned down Splash to do Mr. Mom.