Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the fascinating history behind one of the most iconic movie quotes and space exploration catchphrases of all time: "Houston, we have a problem". Did you know this legendary line is actually a popular misquote?

Join us as we explore the real events of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, revealing what astronauts Jack Swigert and Jim Lovell actually reported to NASA's Mission Control Center after an onboard explosion. We'll uncover the original quotes—"Okay, Houston ... we've had a problem here," and "Ah, Houston, we've had a problem"—and discuss why they didn't make the final cut in Hollywood.

We also break down why the 1995 blockbuster film Apollo 13, starring Tom Hanks, purposefully altered the phrase. Screenwriter William Broyles Jr. explains how the actual past-tense delivery wasn't dramatic enough for a suspenseful movie audience.

Whether you're a NASA history buff or a pop-culture trivia fan, this episode explores how a simple change in verb tense cemented this misquote into everyday language as the ultimate ironic understatement for unforeseen problems.

Listen now to uncover the facts behind the fiction of the Apollo space program's most famous phrase!