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Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
A humorously nostalgic podcast covering all things in The Karate Kid & Cobra Kai universe. Hosts: Jason Connell, award-winning documentary producer & martial arts guru, & Sal Rodriguez, comedian & toy expert/collector.
Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Waxing On - The Karate Kid and Me (2022) - Preview
Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Episode 101: Waxing On - The Karate Kid and Me (2022) - Preview
Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss Ralph Macchio's upcoming memoir, Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me.
Original Episode: S04E13
Recorded: 03-28-22
Studio: Just Curious Media
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Whoa, just curious. Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk Cobra Kai. I'm Jason Connell.
Sal Rodriguez:And I'm Sal Rodriguez.
Jason Connell:All right sound we are back for another episode and a very exciting one. I may add.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, I agree. Very exciting. I'm really looking forward to this.
Jason Connell:Yeah, we'll tease it. Now before we get a word from our sponsor, but we are covering waxing on the karate kid in me. The Ralph Masaccio memoir. And this is more of a preview episode because this book is coming out this year and 2022
Sal Rodriguez:Is it a memoir or biography? Are they different? Are they the same?
Jason Connell:I read memoir so that's what I'm going with. But yeah, for now, I don't know if it's an autobiography biography. Not sure he wrote it solo or with someone else? I don't know, but doesn't matter. Sure. So we need to work in our sponsorship here before we get rolling. I'm ready. Support for let's talk Cobra Kai is brought to you by manscaped who is the best in men's below the waist grooming and offers precision engineered tools for your family jewels. Join over 4 million men worldwide who trust manscaped and with this exclusive offer, you'll get
Sal Rodriguez:20% off and free worldwide shipping with the code Cobra kai@manscaped.com
Jason Connell:Very good. So yes, I came across this article and People Magazine, thank you to Big shout out goes to Sam Gillette, this came out March 23 2022. People exclusive sell. And essentially 30 years after the release of The Karate Kid fans will get all of their questions answered by Ralph Masaccio. himself in his new memoir, waxing on the karate kid in me, which will be published on October 18 2022. Huge news to Hell
Sal Rodriguez:yeah, very exciting. Very exciting. And you know what, this is going to make me a reader again. I have to fault the web. I used to be an avid reader. I was one of these guys that will keep a book in the restroom, a book in a backpack and a book in my car. I will usually be rotating three books. Wow, the last few years with the web and Facebook and YouTube and I'm just not reading as much anymore. So this would be a wonderful incentive for me to actually open up an actual living book.
Jason Connell:So your phone I take it goes with you into the restroom.
Sal Rodriguez:Regretfully. Yeah. I
Jason Connell:have to regret to say,
Sal Rodriguez:I'm not proud of it. I know jet I used to. I used to be an avid reader. Yeah, I'm not anymore. I'm not proud of that. And I do hope to use this as my incentive to start opening up books again.
Jason Connell:Well, hopefully Ralph macho can bring you back to books. Oh, yeah.
Sal Rodriguez:And he's I guess he's been on a I don't know a press tour. Maybe because I found a great article about Machiel. Recently in West ways magazine, shout out to AAA that's magazine, great Westway. I'm a big fan. We are not sponsored or endorsed by AAA yet, but I love AAA and they have the West ways magazine. And they had a great interview with Macho here called Smart quotes. It's got like these one easy questions and macho answers. He talks about how he likes to go on vacation with his family and so forth. One thing he mentions is liking to go to wineries. He likes to visit wineries. And for you and I, you and I have talked about and just curious media, that's a crime. We've talked about Francis Ford Coppola. We've mentioned his wineries. Yeah, so I wonder if he visits the couple of wineries when he's up there with his family in Sonoma County. But I also wonder if he visits the Cayman wineries when he's traveling. So anyway, if anybody gets a chance to see winter 2021 West ways magazine page 58 A wonderful interview with Ralph macho
Jason Connell:Sal, you just spoiled another episode. We were gonna do
Sal Rodriguez:macho and winery and
Jason Connell:Wes was, well also, let's not forget, I always mentioned this but he worked with Francis Ford Coppola and the outsider so he knows him and obviously came in so why wouldn't he go to those wineries? It's rough Maggio.
Sal Rodriguez:Very exciting. Very exciting. Yeah. I've become a big why No. Is that the word why? I've been getting into wines I've been enjoying couple of wines lately myself. So yeah, big fan.
Jason Connell:Well, unlike you so I am an avid reader continued to be and I read exclusively are 95% biographies autobiographies, memoirs, of famous people from all walks of life from various industries. And this will be consumed by me this October, we should come back and do a review episode as we both have read it. So I'll be waiting on you there pal. To get you a copy
Sal Rodriguez:as excited as I am and what I just said to you, it's talking about reading or not reading, but now I'm thinking I wonder if he's gonna do a books on tape. Maybe I could listen to it in the podcast
Jason Connell:that all counts if it's audibles or whatever, but just consume it because I'm sure it's gonna be great. And I am just so curious how to learn more about the making of the Karate Kid and any and all stories from behind the scenes. I mean, we got little nuggets here and there from John J. Watson Rest in Pieces YouTube, he put some deleted scenes and some rehearsal videos of it's real grainy, kind of hard to watch. But it's nothing like the power of the pan. I want to hear these stories firsthand, especially from Maggio's point of view. I mean, he just grew up as the credit cut, although he was in his 20s. I mean, but for the most part, a lot of his life, he has been this character at least portrayed him. Sure. And he'd had this meteoric rise. I mean, just think he was coming off the heels of the outsiders. And the next movies, the Karate Kid, I mean, boom, instantly, you know, once he ever come down, I mean, he's just skyrocketed to success. And I'm sure this book covers that and so much more.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah. And look where Cobra Kai is now. Exactly. Because there was those a few decades where he was living in the memory of the Karate Kid here and still working. Yeah, doing other stuff. Yeah. But it was always like the Karate Kid spirit was always kind of lingering. And then Cobra Kai drops, and it's just skyrocket. Yeah, I
Jason Connell:wonder if this book is because of the success of Cobra Kai. He decided to do it. Would there be a waxing on the credit kid in May? Maybe Maybe there wouldn't be maybe there wouldn't be but I'm sure because of the success and the newfound love he has for the character and Daniel Russo's grown, continues to evolve. Yes. So I just there's not many instances where this is happening well, in this article, they also have quotes from as an email interview with Macho, who, by the way, is 60 years old at the time of reading this article, which is looking at looks fantastic. Like you said before we were started recording, who is remind you of declerck. He's got the Decart Jeem.
Sal Rodriguez:Dick Clark is the poster child for guys who look younger. He always looked younger. Yeah. And some of his protegees like Mario Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, these guys who like don't really age much, Tom Cruise. Yeah, yes. You know what? Because I just saw, sorry, everybody. I just saw Top Gun for the first time. recently, very recently. Yeah. Maverick should have married goose's widow. But that's another story. Yeah. But yeah, so he looks great. I hope when I'm 60 I look half as good. Alright, you go.
Jason Connell:Well, I'm glad they got this email interview. So I figured we would just pull a couple of quotes or speaking, you know, in Maggio's words, and then I have some special treat that we're gonna read, you know, and books come out. There's like this little about the book, I found the website. They're pre selling. So what kind of hit what the books about because it's easy to think like, Well, is it about this than the other? It's spoken in their words is best and then we'll kind of dissect that. So I'll jump in. So this is from macho through the interview with People magazine. Ultimately, with waxing on I wanted to tell my story from the unique perspective of walking in these shoes for close to 40 years now.
Sal Rodriguez:I wrote the lion's share of the book in between shooting days on season four and five of the Cobra Kai series. It was quite an emotional journey diving into the memories and experiences of getting the role and making of the original film. My relationships with the extraordinary filmmakers and caskmates The magic of Mr. Miyagi. Oh my god, I got goosebumps. I
Jason Connell:really I know. I read that earlier. And having you say it and hearing it's like, oh, my gosh, the magic of Mr. Miyagi. And hey, there's a little tidbit there. We already know this, though. But season four and five Cobra Kai series. So five is done. They have already filmed it now exciting to know I don't need any spoilers. I'm just happy to know the shows is moving on down the road. But yeah, so here he is working, being in character getting reflective, churning 60. All these things at play make people hey, why not put this out? Why not tell this story. And you know, the memories are probably still fresh enough to share. And he's probably always telling or sharing some of these tales with classmates and, you know, crew members and show runners and so why not? Now, I don't know if it's the Karate Kid. Part two, part three in his experience, and all of them are of it's really just funneled into the original. But I guess we'll find out in October.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this.
Jason Connell:So this is from about the book like I just talked about. Just a couple little takeaways. Usually it's like on the inside sleeve, or somewhere over there promoting the book, but after reading this as like, oh, it's really good in their words. So we'll just kind of go back and forth on this as well. This is not his words. This was just on the website. So it was written maybe he wrote it, maybe he didn't but it's not like quoting Ralph macho right now. Since the Karate Kid first crane kicked its way into the pub culture stratosphere in June 1984. There hasn't been a week Ralph macho, hasn't heard friendly shouts of wax on wax off or Sweep the leg. Now with Macho reprising his role as Daniel Russo and the number one ranked Netflix show Cobra Kai, he is finally ready to look back at this classic movie and give the fans something they've long craved. Sow, sow sow true,
Sal Rodriguez:this is very excited believe it. Next is the book will be rough, macho celebratory reflection on the legacy of the Karate Kid and Film, pop culture and his own life. It will be a comprehensive look at a film that shaped him as much as it influenced the world. Macho will share an insider's perspective of the untold story behind his starring role, the innocence of the early days, the audition process and the filmmaking experience, as well as take readers through the birth of some of the film's most iconic moments. Oh, boy.
Jason Connell:See right there. So the audition process the filmmaking experience, so it really is kind of funneled towards the Karate Kid the original which is listen, I mean, it's, it's the Bible. It's everything. So if he wants to just allude to the sequel and the trilogy fine, but I love this the audition process who could have been who could have played this? We know some of it but to hear it played out? You know, the chemistry he had with Elizabeth Shue? Was it immediate? All those little nuggets are coming to life. Hey, where's Elizabeth shoes? Biography although she's not really known for this isn't probably maybe it's her biggest role, but maybe not where it's definitely Maggio's.
Sal Rodriguez:No, but you know what? I got to see Elizabeth Shue recently surprisingly so well just showed up on Netflix Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon. Oh, I saw that long and Elizabeth shoe kicks ass in that yeah, very surprised to hear I didn't even know that she was in it. So very, very spooky sort of I think a sort of a take on the Invisible Man. Yes, it was. Yeah. And Kevin Bacon is plays Hollow Man. Yeah, he is hollow man who turns evil when he becomes hollow I guess or invisible. Elisabeth Shue does a great job is my pleasure to see her.
Jason Connell:Yeah, well when she was leaving Las Vegas I forgot it was even Elizabeth Shue. It's a tour de force performance. Her Nicolas Cage Mike Vegas film incredible far from Ali. Far, far, far away.
Sal Rodriguez:I love it when you latch on to an actor and their character. And you love that. And then you see them do other stuff. And it looks so cool and weird to see them playing other roles. Yeah, when
Jason Connell:macho, not that character, that goody two, not goody two shoes, but a good guy where he's kind of dark and has that element? Absolutely. So and also Zabka needs to put a memoir out at some point. Well, that's
Sal Rodriguez:what I was gonna mention is like, this is so exciting. I can't wait for the Zabka because that'll be a whole take. We haven't really considered over the years. He hasn't been as in the public eye as much who has over the years. He was more I think typecast how you can
Jason Connell:see that he was going down that path. Yeah, he was a guy and just one of the guys and he was also going back to school. Yeah, he was absolutely typecast and probably got turned off to Hollywood and a lot of ways you know,
Sal Rodriguez:maybe yeah, because typecasting leads to lack of roles is what can happen if you you know, hopefully not but that could happen. So yeah, it will be interesting to see zap because of how his life has gone here and there and how he finally wind up to where he's at in his audition process. He know his take on exactly.
Jason Connell:And let's not forget Martin Cove, which has probably come in at some point in time. Yeah, there's
Sal Rodriguez:there's so much so many pack and unbox. It is very exciting to read all of it Macho
Jason Connell:is lighting the fuse for everybody. But anyway, the last part of about the book says, ultimately, the book centers on the film itself, focusing on the reason that the characters and themes have endured in such a powerful way and how these personal experiences have impacted Maggio's life. It will bring readers back to the day they met Daniel Russo and Mr. Miyagi, for the first time, who chills again sow but will also provide a fascinating lens into how our past shaped all of us and how the past can come back to enrich one's life. And surprising and wonderful ways.
Sal Rodriguez:And you know, it's so cool what it says the day they met Daniel Russo, Mr. Miyagi, for the first time. And where was I just the other day at the South Seas apartment on saticoy. In receita. I was there just the other day and now reading stuff like this. This is this is almost dreamlike at this point.
Jason Connell:It really is. I'm so excited. I really am. I was like, I gotta tell this this out. I didn't know if you already knew the news of this, but I
Sal Rodriguez:didn't. I didn't know about this. No. So then lastly,
Jason Connell:one more great quote from macho to kind of conclude his words, if you will. But why don't you take this?
Sal Rodriguez:Daniel Russo has become such a fixture of pop culture and the Karate Kid film has continued to inspire on a human level ever since its debut in 1984. It has been the gift that keeps on giving with waxing on I get to share my perspective on all of it. And you know what's so cool is you know, when this does come out, he will be on a book tour. Absolutely. Heck, maybe there'll be a signing There we
Jason Connell:go. Just go do a live episode.
Sal Rodriguez:Oh my god, that'd be so cool.
Jason Connell:How many other titles do you think they tried on? I mean, well actually, it's interesting. I like it. It's really hip and cool and fresh waxing on you got the subtitle, the karate kid in me. It could have been the credit cut of me I'm sure there was much debate for what to call this book. The credit cut me says it all. But waxing on just gives you that little bit of I don't know a little flair. I like it. I like it a lot.
Sal Rodriguez:also the word waxing almost a double meaning because you know exactly we all know waxing the car, right wax on wax off, but waxy, like I become a moon worshiper in recent times, I'm looking at the moon cycles chasing the moon looking for the full moon. waxing moon means it's becoming the full moon and then waning. So waxing in lunar terms is becoming out. So becoming waxing on. Very cool.
Jason Connell:Yeah, there you go. It could have been wax on wax off the karate kid in me. But anyway, no, I like it's very hip. He's on the cover, looking great at 60. And I am thrilled to read this books and get closer and closer to a film icon for us. For all of us on Let's Talk Cobra Kai, and just a really good guy and upstanding guy and some point in time Sal, in the not too distant future. Let us get rough macho on the show. Oh, my God, we will
Sal Rodriguez:have arrived. Would that be like good night America, you know, that will last opposite? No. Yeah. No, that will be very exciting when that time comes. And you know what, I do feel that that day will arrive?
Jason Connell:Yeah, I mean, whenever they do a new season, they go on their own tour, and they had all these shows. But you know, I'm a fan anyway of cinema in general. So maybe pivot to some old roles that he hasn't talked about that very much like Crossroads love it course, the outsiders. My cousin Vinnie. There's lots of movies along the way that we could kind of spark some fun questions because you know, when they do junkets, same question, same responses, same thing. I don't want to have that conversation. You know, sure.
Sal Rodriguez:What inspires you? That whole thing I really, you know, we mentioned the outsiders again, I really want you and I to explore the outside of it almost like it's outside. It's kind of looms with your roots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well, with all the mention of Coppola that you and I have done on this podcast. Let's talk movies. And recently on that's a crime as well. Yep. So the name Coppola has been thrown around and outsiders, of course, with Macho, I think you and I need to definitely need to be exploring outsiders very soon.
Jason Connell:Yes, I absolutely agree with you. And it was a pleasure and an honor to see Francis Ford Coppola in the flesh through the TV screen last night at the Oscars, standing side by side with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. And they were honoring them just a little shout out to the Godfather 50 years old. Amazing. And he gave a couple thanks to Mario Puzo, which was beautiful. And also he thanked Robert Evans for the first time ever. And who was that? Robert Evans, he was the head of paramount, and they had a very tumultuous relationship during the making of it. I've read so many books about it. A couple of despised him. Robert Evans has passed away. But you know, people get older, they have different take on things. I'm not sure it's led by ego. It was a beautiful moment. And one of the better moments of the Oscars and there was obviously a very negative moment that's lingered and kind of overshadowed everything else, but I love seeing them seeing him so I'm with you. We shall explore the outsiders at some point very soon.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah. And because the same teacher fifth grade teacher, who made watching the Karate Kid required watching a machine brought in, you know, the TV on the stand. She made us watch the Karate Kid. That same teacher, Mrs. minks fifth grade tougher Elementary, also made us watch the outside. For some reason those movies were really important to my fifth grade teacher, and she made us watch
Jason Connell:them. That's amazing. What a great teacher she was. She was a great teacher. So that's all I got. So read the book. We'll come back and do a review
Sal Rodriguez:of the book. Oh,
Jason Connell:man, what's your book title again?
Sal Rodriguez:The book is called waxing on the Karate Kid and me. Nice. Well, looking forward to October I don't like time to fly but I'm looking forward to October
Jason Connell:October 18 2022. So unlock your confidence and always use the right tools for the job with manscaped
Sal Rodriguez:and get 20% off and free shipping with the code Cobra kai@manscaped.com
Jason Connell:So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to the let's talk Cobra Kai podcast as well as the let's talk Cobra Kai YouTube Live Channel. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast.
Sal Rodriguez:And for all your listeners that enjoy sharing your thoughts. You can leave us a review on Apple podcasts, send us a direct message or post a comment on any let's talk Cobra Kai social media platform.
Jason Connell:If you're a dedicated listener, or viewer of Let's Talk Cobra Kai, please consider supporting the show on Patreon. We also highly recommend checking out our other podcast and visiting just curious media.com
Sal Rodriguez:No Mercy
