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Film credit

Eartha Kitt

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Boomerang The Rewatchables
Boomerang poster
Boomerang

Half-Assed Internet Research

Research attributes the concept to Eddie Murphy, describes Eartha Kitt’s objections and a deleted nude metal-detector gag, cites Jules and Jim as a structural influence, and explains how Lela Rochon’s feet were made less attractive.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:41Read transcript
  • Eddie Murphy is said to have created the film idea and taken it to Barry Blasstein and David Schepfeld.
  • Eartha Kitt was reportedly hardest to cast because the original Lady Eloise material offended her, leading to joke changes.
  • A deleted Newark Airport scene had Strangé remove a metal dress at security; footage was repurposed in the perfume commercial.
  • Reginald Hudlin cited Jules and Jim as an influence on the Angela-Gerard-Marcus triangle.
  • The production reportedly used makeup and fake ‘hammer time’ details to make the feet of the person transcribed as Lila Roshan look less attractive.
Boomerang The Rewatchables
Boomerang poster
Boomerang

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

John Witherspoon is chosen over Chris Rock, Bebe Drake, Eartha Kitt, the unnamed man commenting on the nipple, and the art-class girl; his nine minutes are proposed as a Hall of Fame heat check.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:34Read transcript
  • The candidates include Chris Rock, John Witherspoon, BB Drake, Eartha Kitt, the unnamed man commenting on the nipple, and the girl in the art class.
  • Witherspoon’s dinner is considered possibly the movie’s most memorable scene.
  • His nine minutes are compared to a 29-point performance that swings the score.
  • The panel keeps the Dion Waiters name but places Witherspoon in the prospective category Hall of Fame.
Boomerang The Rewatchables
Boomerang poster
Boomerang

What’s Aged the Best?

Halle Berry’s performance receives the final first choice; Jeffrey Holder’s ad pitches, the Martin television origin story, period slang, Eddie Murphy’s reactions and clothes, the role reversal, Strangé ads, Star Trek riff, Angela’s breakup, and the heartbreak-and-recovery arc are also praised.

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:03Read transcript
  • Jeffrey Holder makes the deliberately vulgar Kissable ad pitch funny through the character’s sincere disappointment at being restrained.
  • The episode reports that Murphy’s praise of Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell helped inspire their pairing on Martin.
  • “Hammer time” and “the twizzah” remain instantly recognizable bits from the movie.
  • Murphy’s comic orgasm and Grace Jones’s helicopter entrance are singled out as physical and visual comedy.
  • Angela is praised as an unusually complete romantic-comedy character whose humor, warmth and natural presence were underused later.
  • The film’s gender role reversal remains clear in how Jacqueline controls the sexual relationship with Marcus.
  • The first Strangé commercial and Eartha Kitt’s horrified reaction preserve the campaign’s escalating absurdity.
  • Marcus improvising Spock Jenkins is praised as an early example of casual pop-culture conversation inside a movie.
  • Angela’s breakup line and real slap give the emotional turn force.
  • Marcus’s no-tie wardrobe is described as sharp and still wearable.
  • The loss and recovery of Marcus’s confidence is treated as an identifiable relationship arc.
  • Halle Berry’s charisma and complete performance receive the final selection.
  • A longer discussion argues Black actors can receive different, often richer opportunities from Black directors, producers and writers.
  • Berry’s uneven 1990s roles are contrasted with the promise visible in Boomerang.
Displaying all 3 discussions

Films in the archive

Boomerang

1992

Rewatchables episodes featuring their films

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Boomerang

1992 film

Bill Simmons · Van Lathan · Wesley Morris

Aired May 26, 2020

Displaying 1 episode