The term "one-hit wonder" gets thrown around a lot, and - yes - you probably are using it correctly, but Chuck Bryant went to the trouble to really define what makes a one-hit wonder in the article this classic episode is based on. Join him and Josh as they get to the bottom of this disparaging term.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know - One-Hit Wonders Episode Summary
Josh and Chuck dive into the surprisingly murky world of one-hit wonders, exploring everything from music icons like Jimi Hendrix and the White Stripes to unexpected categories in sports, art, and literature. While most people think they know what a one-hit wonder is, the hosts discover that defining one is way trickier than it seems, uncovering artists who dominated globally but flopped in America and legendary musicians with technically just one chart hit. Beyond the catchy tunes and iconic names, they explore the psychology of fame and obscurity that these artists experience, alongside some hilarious tangents about Gary Busey, the Arthur remake, and why certain remakes should never exist.
Apollo 13
1995
2h 20m
★ 7.5
"It was in Apollo 13. — Chuck mentions that the song 'Spirit in the Sky' was featured in Apollo 13."
— Chuck
"I have not seen it. You didn't see Arthur? Not only have I not seen the original Arthur. — Josh discusses the original Arthur film directed by Steve Gordon as one of his favorite movies."
— Josh
Black Sheep
1996
1h 26m
★ 6.1
"He made it into Black Sheep with Chris Farley and David Spade. — Josh references Gary Busey being in Black Sheep after a failed casting attempt on Joe Dirt."
— Josh
Heaven's Gate
1980
3h 37m
★ 6.7
"He famously made Heaven's Gate as his follow-up, which was one of the notorious disasters. — Josh mentions Heaven's Gate as one of the most infamous film disasters alongside Ishtar and Waterworld."
— Josh
"One of the notorious disasters along with Ishtar and like Waterworld of all time. — Josh lists Ishtar as one of the most notorious box office disasters in film history."
— Josh
Joe Dirt
2001
1h 31m
★ 5.6
"I never saw Joe Dirt. Oh man, such a great, like, keep your chin up movie is so good. — Chuck mentions Joe Dirt as a movie he hadn't seen but praises for its heartfelt qualities."
— Chuck
Red Dawn
1984
1h 54m
★ 6.3
"For example, I think Red Dawn is one of my favorite movies of all time. There's not a chance that I will ever see the remake of Red Dawn. — Josh uses Red Dawn as an example of a beloved film he refuses to see remade."
— Josh
The Deer Hunter
1978
3h 3m
★ 8.0
"He did The Deer Hunter, of course. Yeah. One best picture in four other Academy Awards. — Chuck discusses Michael Cimino's directorial success with The Deer Hunter and its critical acclaim."
— Chuck
"I told you just all the scream this last trip to New York. — Josh references seeing The Scream painting in New York and being underwhelmed by the experience."
— Josh
This American Life
2007
★ 8.7
"She makes me change over to this American life or radio lab. — The listener's wife prefers This American Life over Stuff You Should Know."
To Kill a Mockingbird
1962
2h 9m
★ 8.0
"That's one of those rare ones where I actually think the movie is better than the book. — Josh compares the To Kill a Mockingbird movie to the book, noting his preference for the film adaptation."
— Josh
Waterworld
1995
2h 15m
★ 6.2
"One of the notorious disasters along with Ishtar and like Waterworld of all time. — Josh names Waterworld as one of the infamous box office failures alongside other notable disasters."
— Josh
Wonder Boys
2000
1h 51m
★ 6.8
"Remember that scene in Wonder Boys where Toby Maguire rattles off the famous celebrity suicides? — Chuck references a scene from Wonder Boys involving Tobey Maguire discussing celebrity suicides."
— Chuck
Year of the Dragon
1985
2h 14m
★ 6.8
"Yeah, I think it was a Western. Oh yeah. If I'm not mistaken. Yeah, and it was just a notorious failure... He did Year of the Dragon was like, with Mickey Rourke, was his only other like notable movie. — Josh mentions Year of the Dragon as Michael Cimino's only other notable film after Heaven's Gate."
— Josh
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