The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name Johnny Hooker; Doyle Lonnegan; Henry Gondorff and the con crew. In the discussion (1) Approx. transcript time · 01:10:21Read transcript Johnny Hooker is selected as a strong lead-character name.
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film The extra hitmen, absence of a substantial woman, sequel, racial slurs, and slow late stretch In the discussion (5) Approx. transcript time · 01:11:41Read transcript Cole and Sullivan continuing to pursue Hooker after Salino takes over are criticized as a confusing and unnecessary extra hitman subplot. — Chris Ryan The absence of a substantial woman in the con is identified as a missed opportunity. — Bill Simmons The Sting II is selected as the worst extension of the film. Several racial slurs are identified as dated. — Bill Simmons The stretch after the Blue Note scene is criticized as slow and overextended. — Bill Simmons
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Casting What-Ifs Jack Nicholson, Sterling Hayden, and Richard Boone are reported casting alternatives. In the discussion (4) Approx. transcript time · 01:23:50Read transcript Jack Nicholson reportedly declined Hooker while predicting the movie would be a hit. — Bill Simmons The panel believes Nicholson would have had the charm to succeed in the role. — Bill Simmons Sterling Hayden reportedly declined Lonnegan because he would not shave his beard. — Bill Simmons Richard Boone is named as another Lonnegan possibility who dropped out. — Bill Simmons
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Apex Mountain Redford and George Roy Hill In the discussion (6) Approx. transcript time · 01:30:25Read transcript Paul Newman is rejected for Apex Mountain, which is placed earlier in his career. — Bill Simmons Redford is selected for reaching first-call status through The Way We Were and The Sting. George Roy Hill is selected after winning Best Director and following Butch Cassidy with The Sting. Scott Joplin’s ragtime revival is proposed. Schlitz is proposed for its 1930s dominance and possible 1970s revival. — Bill Simmons The Sting is debated as Apex Mountain for con movies because of its success and influence.
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Scorsese or Spielberg? Martin Scorsese, with a strong Spielberg case. In the discussion (2) Approx. transcript time · 01:37:12Read transcript Martin Scorsese is initially selected for grit. Steven Spielberg is defended for the film’s wonder, winning tone, and backlot craft.
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Picking Nits Poker procedure, the train conductor, shooting evidence, race verification, Billie’s availability, and the large con crew In the discussion (6) Approx. transcript time · 01:38:01Read transcript The poker game is criticized for splashing the pot and acting out of order. The conductor’s participation in the full poker game is questioned. The group argues Lonnegan should notice the absence of entry and exit wounds on Hooker. Lonnegan’s ability to verify the horse races in newspapers is questioned. — Chris Ryan Eileen Brennan’s ability to run the brothel while remaining available for elaborate cons is questioned. — Bill Simmons The payout and loyalty of roughly thirty betting-parlor participants are questioned. — Bill Simmons
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting The Vivian Award for Best Clothes Gondorff’s overalls and relaxed con-man clothes. In the discussion (1) Approx. transcript time · 01:46:07Read transcript Gondorff’s overalls during the planning are praised. — Chris Ryan
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson Revenge is for suckers; never reveal that the con succeeded. In the discussion (2) Approx. transcript time · 01:46:21Read transcript Revenge is for suckers is selected as a lesson. — Chris Ryan Keeping the victim unaware even after taking the money is selected as another lesson.
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 Best Double Feature The Sting + Focus Focus Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Eleven The Hot Rock The Hot Rock In the discussion (1) Approx. transcript time · 01:47:16Read transcript Focus is proposed as a modern double-con pairing.
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting Who Won the Movie? Robert Redford In the discussion (3) Approx. transcript time · 01:47:38Read transcript Paul Newman receives the first winner vote. Robert Redford receives two winner votes because he walks out of the movie “smelling like gold.” George Roy Hill is proposed as an alternative for directing both this film and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. — Bill Simmons Podcast choices Speaker not identifiedPaul Newman Speaker not identifiedRobert Redford Speaker not identifiedRobert Redford
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award Redford’s performance outside one speaker’s top ten; 1970s prank culture defended In the discussion (2) Approx. transcript time · 01:19:33Read transcript One participant says the Oscar-nominated performance would not make his top ten Redford performances. Another argues that pranks were cooler in the 1970s and that modern anti-prank sentiment is excessive. — Bill Simmons
The Sting · The Rewatchables ·September 30, 2025 The Sting The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance Lonnegan’s silent henchman In the discussion (2) Approx. transcript time · 01:25:09Read transcript Luther, Salino, Billie, Lonnegan’s silent henchman, and the fake FBI agent are nominated. Lonnegan’s silent henchman is selected for standing out without dialogue. — Bill Simmons
