Intentional attacks on opponents and Good Vibrations in a celebration are Most2001 nominees.
Stickum is proposed but judged more characteristic of the1970s.
Stripper cheerleaders are another candidate, with a later defense promised.
The tight end returning immediately after a major hit, without concussion protocol, is the final choice. Old ESPN Jacked Up segments and Madden openings illustrate the era’s treatment of dangerous hits.
The Elisabeth Shue Oxford electrochemist award goes to Annabelle: a beautiful, financially independent bar owner inexplicably single and cheerleading for little pay. A joking erotic-thriller sequel imagines her stalking Shane, riffing on the missed-date scene and Fatal Attraction.
The sex-worker cheerleaders are praised for comic energy and television-friendly spice, compared with turn-of-the-century media culture.
Changed sports-labor discussions are an aged-best theme. The hosts recall the lost promise of the 1994 baseball season, the 1999 NBA lockout, and a canceled hockey season as shifts in their relationship to sports.
Keith David as union leader is praised, with speculation that his brief role may have lost scenes in editing.
Orlando Jones’s football-as-gun celebration is praised and tentatively linked to The Last Boy Scout.
The blue Washington hats are praised as desirable merchandise.
Reeves reportedly took less money to enable Hackman's casting, prompting praise for his public reputation and jokes hoping he never disappoints fans; hypothetical misconduct is not a factual allegation.
The never-was insult aimed at Falco is praised for cutting deeply.
Madden and Summerall now provide nostalgic pleasure and football credibility, compared with Vin Scully in For Love of the Game; what once seemed like a cash-in has aged well.
The kicker smoking during games is praised for commitment to the gag.
Hoosiers jokes during Hackman’s coaching scenes are enjoyed.
The cheerleader paired with the deaf player is an aged-best choice.
Shane Footsteps Falco is praised as a nickname, interpreted through fear of sacks and compared with Jim Everett.
Reeves's athletic build and throwing motion make him credible at quarterback, with Scott Mitchell and Tua comparisons. A bad throwing clip from an unspecified Amanda Bynes movie is contrasted without identifying its actor.
Madden and Summerall's commentary over Shane approaching Annabelle, then blending into game coverage with Every Breath You Take, is praised as inventive. A supposed explicit deleted scene is clearly a joke.
Cinematic shot: the penalty flag enters the bottom of frame while Falco appears to score, resembling live game coverage rather than an isolated insert.
The music budget is jokingly estimated at most of the total budget; Blinded by Rainbows is nominated.
Two Voodoo Lounge songs appearing in favored films or television prompt a comparison with The Sopranos.
I Will Survive in jail is the preferred needle drop.
The Heroes ending is another candidate.
Lit’s Zip-Lock at the opening receives a shout-out.
I Will Survive is reaffirmed for thematic fit. The large volume of songs makes the film strongly identifiable with 1999–2001, and Every Breath You Take is flagged for later discussion.
The Seth Rogen/Katherine Heigl worst-chemistry award goes to Reeves and Brooke Langton. The hosts disagree over which character seems less invested and predict the missed date will cause later resentment.
Ebert’s criticism of Madden and Summerall is rejected as an aged-worst take.
The earlier review calling Favreau’s performance career-ending is retracted; his later success and this performance are now appreciated.
The Gary Glitter song is an aged-worst choice because of the performer’s history.
The hosts discuss Michael Jace’s murder conviction as a disturbing contrast with his character’s fear of returning to prison.
A host recalls recognizing Jace while he was serving as an usher at an Oasis church on Wilshire.
Thick as Thieves is recommended in a tangent recalling Alec Baldwin, Michael Jai White, Janeane Garofalo, and Andre Braugher; some character details are tentative.
The host recalls having spoken with Jace and then learning of his arrest while working at TMZ. The segment’s proposed fun-fact title is rejected as inappropriate to its subject.
Coaches wearing suits is added as an aged-worst observation, with Mike Nolan's unsuccessful revival blamed for ending the look.
