Recasting Couch
A young Russell Crowe as Dick Goodwin was the suggestion.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:44Read transcript
- Young Russell Crowe was proposed for Goodwin at an early point in his career.
Categories & segments
Sasha Jenkins Award for Actor Who You Can’t Believe Didn’t Become a Bigger Star
Christopher McDonald was honored as the actor who should have become a bigger star, with discussion of why his career nonetheless worked out well.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:39Read transcript
- Craig introduced Christopher McDonald as a mini-version of the category and praised his timing, looks, humor, and versatility.
- The hosts agreed McDonald occupied an awkward space between leading man and character actor.
- His work as Jack Barry and his tape-viewing double take were praised.
Half-Assed Internet Research
Research covered Van Doren’s roadster, the original and revived 21, and Barry and Enright’s later careers.
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:59Read transcript
- Van Doren drove a red Mercedes-Benz 300-SL roadster, now potentially worth seven figures.
- 21 ran for three seasons.
- 21 peaked at number 21 in the ratings.
- 21 was revived in 2000 with Maury Povich.
- Dan Enright moved to Canada after the scandal.
- Jack Barry did not host another national show for more than a decade.
- Barry and Enright returned through The Joker’s Wild and became wealthy.
Apex Mountain
The panel considered Redford as director, Fiennes, Schofield, Christopher McDonald, Geritol, and Morrow, with several explicit yes/no judgments and no single winner.
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:04Read transcript
- Ordinary People was offered over Quiz Show as Redford’s directing apex.
- Fiennes was placed around Schindler’s List, Quiz Show, and The English Patient.
- Paul Schofield’s apex was placed in the 1960s, not at Quiz Show.
- Jack Barry may have been at his fame apex during the original 21 era.
- Christopher McDonald’s apex was assigned to Happy Gilmore.
- Geritol’s apex ended as the scandal broke in 1959.
- Quiz Show was declared the apex of quiz-show movies.
- Turturro and movie Boston accents were rejected as apex cases.
- Morrow’s 1992 SNL hosting spot with Nirvana was called his apex.
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Hanks won after debate over which actor fit Goodwin or Van Doren.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:48Read transcript
- Cruise was proposed as Goodwin or Van Doren but challenged on bookishness and restraint.
- Hanks was accepted as the final choice.
Scorsese or Spielberg?
The hosts split: Spielberg, Scorsese, and Curtis Hanson were each named.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:04Read transcript
- Spielberg was one answer.
- Scorsese was another answer, while Curtis Hanson was raised outside the binary.
What role would Philip Seymour Hoffman play?
Charles Van Doren was the leading idea, with the Azaria, Paymer, and older-father roles also considered.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:34Read transcript
- A younger Philip Seymour Hoffman was proposed as Charles Van Doren.
- The Hank Azaria role was proposed as an alternative.
- The David Paymer role was proposed as an alternative.
- An older Hoffman was proposed as Mark Van Doren.
Picking Nits
The unexplained prize-money structure, the Reuben claim, and insufficient period smoking were the main nits.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:07Read transcript
- The movie does not explain what contestants truly risked or how side deals changed the prize money.
- The claim that only one person invented a sandwich was rejected.
- The 1950s setting seemed to contain too little cigarette smoke.
Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake
A prestige series about broader 1950s television corruption was considered possible but not especially desired.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:52Read transcript
- A series could broaden the story to other corrupt shows.
Is This Movie Better With…?
Teddy KGB as Herb Stempel was the featured substitution.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:06Read transcript
- Teddy KGB was proposed to replace Herb Stempel and repurpose “pay that man his money.”
Just One Oscar
Paul Attanasio’s screenplay was the unanimous choice, with Paul Schofield second.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:00Read transcript
- The screenplay was selected over Redford and Schofield.
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Questions covered Geritol, the unlived Van Doren path, whether 21 would work now, and what the hosts would do if offered answers.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:12Read transcript
- What exactly was Geritol and what did it claim to do?
- What would Charles Van Doren’s life have been if he rejected the compromised question?
- Would the hosts watch a modern revival of 21?
- What would each host do in Van Doren’s situation?
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