Joe Rogan Experience #2508 - Joe Eszterhas

Eszterhas reveals that the core characters of 'Basic Instinct'—the sophisticated, manipulative woman and the troubled cop—were inspired by two distinct figures from his past: a college affair with an older faculty member's wife and a police buddy who seemed to enjoy shootings. These disparate experiences coalesced into the film's central dynamic, demonstrating how deeply personal encounters can fuel iconic narratives.

Eszterhas had an affair at 18 with a 39-year-old faculty member's wife, who was sophisticated and smart. Later, as a police reporter, he befriended a cop involved in multiple shootings, questioning if he enjoyed the violence. These two archetypes merged to form the genesis of 'Basic Instinct.'

Hunter S. Thompson was instrumental in launching Eszterhas's career. After reading Eszterhas's report on a Hell's Angels shootout, Thompson reached out, recognizing a kindred spirit. He later championed Eszterhas at Rolling Stone and helped him secure a top literary agent and publisher for his book, 'Charlie Simpson's Apocalypse,' which became a National Book Award finalist and opened the door to screenwriting.

Thompson sent Eszterhas a note after reading his Hell's Angels story, saying, 'Big [expletive], now there are two of us who know how to write about Hell's Angels.' Thompson later pushed Rolling Stone to hire Eszterhas and helped him get an agent and publisher for his book, which led to his screenwriting career.

Eszterhas, a lapsed Catholic, experienced a profound conversion to Christianity after being diagnosed with stage four throat cancer. Facing his mortality, he found solace and strength in prayer and faith, believing it contributed to his miraculous recovery. This spiritual awakening led him to study the historical Jesus and write Christian-themed scripts, though these were often rejected for being too 'gritty' for religious financiers and too 'religious' for secular Hollywood.

After a successful but unfulfilling period in Hollywood, Eszterhas was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer. During his terrifying recovery, he 'ran across a Jesus' and began praying, later attributing his survival to his prayer life. He then voraciously read about Jesus and Christian history.

As a young reporter, Eszterhas interviewed Jimi Hendrix in Cleveland. After smoking dope and getting the munchies, Eszterhas took Hendrix and his bandmates to a Hungarian restaurant in the heart of Cleveland's Hungarian community. The surreal scene of the rock stars among the traditional Hungarian patrons, and Hendrix's enjoyment of chicken paprikash and graciousness with autograph seekers, highlights a unique cultural intersection.

Eszterhas interviewed Hendrix, smoked dope with him, and then took him, Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding to the Bolaton, a Hungarian restaurant on Buckeye Road. Hendrix ordered three chicken paprikash dishes and signed autographs for old ladies.

Eszterhas argues that both Hollywood and traditional religious institutions have 'cosmeticized' Jesus, turning him into a 'Fred Rogers figure' rather than the 'true man and true God' depicted in historical accounts. He champions films like 'The Passion of the Christ' and 'The Last Temptation of Christ' for their realistic, 'flesh and blood' portrayals, which he believes are more impactful and authentic.

Eszterhas states, 'What we've done to Jesus over the years is make him a kind of Fred Rogers figure. He wasn't that.' He praises 'The Passion of the Christ' for being 'real' and 'The Last Temptation of Christ' for showing Jesus's 'human side' and historical reality.