S1E34 - SEVERED Origins - "Being John Malkovich" PT01

Drop a note to Allen S. right here. (Can't respond...sorry.) WELCOME BACK, REFINER! TIME FOR MORE "SEVERED: ORIGINS"! This week, we're beginning a voyage into the mind....of John Malkovich. It's time to break down the notorious and infamous "Being John Malkovich" from 1999. Dan Erickson has mentioned this as one of his inspirations while creating "Severance." It's easy to see the questions about 'self' and who is in control raised by this movie. John Malkovich also has literal 'innies' who inhabit his consciousness...but only for fifteen minutes. This time, in Part One, we're going to meet a 'happy' couple: Craig and Lotte Schwartz. She works at a pet store, he's a professional puppeteer. Stop snickering! He's devoted to his craft, and he's REALLY good at it...he's just not always the most appropriate. We see Craig get punched in the face thanks to the randy antics of his 12th Century puppets. Due to the current "wintry economic climate" Craig agrees he should go find a job...and not necessarily as a puppeteer. Craig finds LesterCorp, a professional file management service. Craig's incredibly strong marionette fingers make him great when it comes to high-speed precision filing. It's while working at LesterCorp that Craig both meets the alluring Maxine and discovers a portal into the head and consciousness of actor John Malkovich. This time we are going to meet the gang and get hired at LesterCorp. We'll follow things in Part One right up to the point where Craig discovers the portal. So, Refiner, if you're ready, it's time to open the "Severed: Origins" file called "Being John Malkovich." Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one! Support the show APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!! Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod) Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show. Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: SeveredPod@gmail.com PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!! Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents: LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Se...