Tom Segura’s ‘Bad Thoughts’: Prosthetic Genitals, Conjoined Twins, and Mom’s Horror

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Tom Segura’s latest Netflix show “Bad Thoughts” is packed full of intriguing topics such as artificial body parts, joined-at-the-hip twins, digital illusions, and a shocked mother from Peru.

Segura shares that she previewed a handful of episodes in a discreet viewing room with concealed cameras, he chuckles. ‘She demanded, ‘Return the funds, this can’t be broadcast. I’ll lose my social circle,'” Segura recounts. The upcoming six-episode comedy series, set to debut on May 13th, is characterized by its grotesque style, exaggerated absurdity, and a touch of the surreal – imagine ‘Black Mirror’ infused with David Cronenberg’s psychedelic trips. Despite its focus on humor, ‘Bad Thoughts’ aspires to achieve an uncommon level of artistic depth.

Segura expresses that he’s long harbored a dream of filmmaking, stating this to EbMaster from his Austin residence. He feels this is the initial stride, aiming to emulate Jordan Peele, but with a distinct twist involving masculinity.”

Or simply:

“Segura shares that he’s wanted to make movies for a long time, telling EbMaster from his home in Austin. He sees this as the first step, striving to be like Jordan Peele, but with a focus on masculinity.

Initially, the project started off as several brief comedic scripts penned by the stand-up comedian during his tour breaks. He then presented these to director Rami Hachache, and following an energetic 11-day filming period, they amassed enough content to persuade Netflix to commission a complete television series.

According to Segura, he shared with his wife what we were filming, and she exclaimed, “After all these years, you’ve had these ideas in your mind?”, he reminisces. His stand-up comedy style is more on the side of sarcastic yet easily identifiable humor.

Unlike most sketch shows, which often feature poor lighting and awkward setups, “Bad Thoughts” stands out with its cinematic quality. Director of Photography, Nico Wiesnet, brought a vibrant visual style to the series. Segura commented, “We had Oscar-winning DPs who were interested, but I knew no one would be as dedicated to this project as Nico would be. The aesthetic is essential to the characters. I wanted it to feel like a movie.

The ambition is clearly shown in sketches such as one filmed in black and white, where Segura’s face has been digitally replaced onto the back of a Frenchwoman, portraying them as conjoined twins during an intimate moment. Originally, it was just a depiction of Segura having sexual intercourse with himself, but Rami suggested, “What if you’re a conjoined twin?”, to which Segura responded, “That’s much more interesting.

Intertwined within the comedy of exaggerated humor lie deeper messages about male insecurities and body image issues. One skit revolves around a supplement that turns ordinary men into grotesquely muscular gym enthusiasts. “It’s that dream that if you could just alter one aspect, everything else would become perfect,” he explains. “Of course, we take it to the extreme — 12 feet.

The production of the show occurred amidst challenging circumstances: Comedian Christina Pazsitzky, Segura’s spouse and creative collaborator, was fighting cancer at that time.

Segura shared that she received the diagnosis last June,” he mused thoughtfully. “I decided to halt production, but she insisted, ‘Keep going with your show.’ Even though she was at home recuperating from surgery and I was immersed in prosthetics playing a sex-crazed mutant character, she encouraged me.

Netflix granted Segura substantial artistic liberty, with just one suggestion concerning a sketch containing the N-word. Additionally, he noted that certain explicit scenes might need to be pixelated in South Korea due to their resemblance to actual human bodies: “If they appear too lifelike, it seems they are not acceptable.

The main characters of the series are Shea Whigham, Dan Stevens, Rachel Bloom, and Rob Iler who returns after “The Sopranos.” Segura aimed for even more renowned actors. He shares, “I asked Jason Momoa to portray a charming dream character. He agreed, but later video-called me from a bathtub to withdraw. I replied, ‘Weren’t you supposed to dry off first?’

Bryan Cranston nearly became a part of it as well. “He found the script appealing, but unfortunately, things didn’t fall into place. In the end, I took on the role myself. That’s just how show business works.

The show is bound to stir controversy, yet Segura dismisses the criticism that humor is no longer acceptable, labeling it as “utterly absurd.” In fact, this is a golden era for comedy. Audience members crave bold moves. Social media may not represent reality exactly.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that statement like this: “Elon Musk’s ‘let’s make comedy legal again’ catchphrase strikes me as quite humorous, especially since comedy has never been outlawed. We didn’t require your assistance in that department.” Moving forward, I’m immersed in various projects such as a feature film and multiple TV deals. However, my mission remains the same: to continually challenge boundaries, no matter the project I undertake.

Regarding his mother’s response to “Bad Thoughts,” it was so exaggeratedly hilarious that Netflix chose to incorporate it into their promotional materials for the show. According to Segura, it might just be the most amusing part of the entire series.

Thoughts Gone Awry” is set to vie for the Emmy Awards in the exceptional category of short-format programs (comedy, drama, or variety show).

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2025-04-29 21:17