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The Rewatchables ·

Animal House

year 1978decade 70sdirector John Landisgenre Comedy
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 30 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:01:07

Belushi playing Flounder

Chris Ryan: The possibility that Belushi’s career changes if he plays Flounder instead of Bluto is debated

Bill Simmons: The film is blamed for inspiring two generations of destructive college imitation

The film

Animal House (1978)

Directed by John Landis · Comedy

109 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

John Belushi John Blutarsky ("Bluto")
Tim Matheson Eric Stratton ("Otter")
Thomas Hulce Lawrence "Larry" Kroger ("Pinto")
Peter Riegert Donald Schoenstein ("Boon"), Otter's best friend
Stephen Furst Kent Dorfman ("Flounder"), Pinto's best friend and fellow freshman whose older brother Fred was a member of the Delta fraternity
Bruce McGill Daniel Simpson Day ("D-Day")
Karen Allen Katy, Boon's girlfriend
James Widdoes Robert Hoover ("Hoov")
Douglas Kenney Dwayne Storkman ("Stork")
Christian Miller Curtis Wayne Fuller ("Hardbar")
James Daughton Gregory Marmalard
Mark Metcalf Douglas C. Neidermeyer
Kevin Bacon Chip Diller
Mary Louise Weller Mandy Pepperidge, Marmalard's original girlfriend and Bluto's love interest
Martha Smith Barbara Sue "Babs" Jansen, Mandy's fellow Pi house member who also likes Marmalard
John Vernon Dean Vernon Wormer
Verna Bloom Mrs. Marion Wormer
Donald Sutherland Dave Jennings
Cesare Danova Carmine DePasto
Sarah Holcomb Clorette DePasto
Lisa Baur Shelly Dubinsky, Otter's date from Emily Dickinson college and Fawn's roommate
DeWayne Jessie Otis Day

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

28:48

Most Rewatchable Scene

The toga-party “Shout” performance

The toga-party “Shout” performance

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:48Read transcript
  • The opening entrances for Bluto, Otter, and D Day are praised — Bill Simmons
  • The pledge-recruit sequence and its nicknames are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Flounder killing the horse and the following dean meeting are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Belushi’s cafeteria-line routine, the zit gag, and the food fight are leading choices — Bill Simmons
  • The ladder sequence is called funny while its voyeurism is acknowledged as dated — Bill Simmons
  • The grocery-store catching routine and flirting are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The toga party is praised for its visual gags and “Shout” performance — Bill Simmons
  • The Dexter’s road trip and Otis Day sequence is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Dean Wormer reading the grades and imposing double-secret probation is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s rally speech is identified as the movie’s most famous scene — Bill Simmons
  • The parade is enjoyed but described as an oversized closing set piece — Chris Ryan
  • The closing character-title cards are praised as influential — Bill Simmons
  • The toga-party “Shout” performance is selected and agreed to as most fun to watch — Bill Simmons
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34:51

The most 1978 thing

The 13-year-old reveal

The 13-year-old reveal

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:51Read transcript
  • National Lampoon’s prominence as a comedy brand is nominated — Chris Ryan
  • Smoking marijuana secretly in a dark room and fearing schizophrenia is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The reveal that Pinto’s date is 13 is called shocking even by 1978 standards — Bill Simmons
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35:51

When I Would Have Died

Hearing the date reveal that she was 13

Hearing the date reveal that she was 13

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:51Read transcript
  • The speaker says he would have died after learning the girl was 13 — Bill Simmons
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37:19

What’s Aged the Best?

The music, Bluto’s sports-arena rally speech, several performances, and many durable comic bits

The music, Bluto’s sports-arena rally speech, several performances, and many durable comic bits

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:19Read transcript
  • “Louie Louie” and “Shout” are praised as enduring party and wedding songs
  • Donald Sutherland enabling the production and his brief performance are appreciated — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s rally speech is praised for becoming a home-arena staple — Bill Simmons
  • The women’s-college visit and kiln-explosion story are praised as sharply observed — Chris Ryan
  • Belushi smashing the acoustic guitar is described as an enduring party fantasy — Chris Ryan
  • Tim Matheson’s Otter performance is praised as charming, funny, and star-worthy — Bill Simmons
  • The ROTC students, golf scene, and opening fraternity-door gag are praised — Bill Simmons
  • The film’s jokes and music are described as still effective despite dated material — Bill Simmons
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50:08

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The horse-heart-attack freeze frame and Belushi’s cafeteria face

The horse-heart-attack freeze frame and Belushi’s cafeteria face

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:08Read transcript
  • The freeze frame after the horse’s heart attack is nominated
  • The cafeteria “Amazit” image is selected as the strongest image
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50:25

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

Belushi’s cafeteria “zit” gag and buffet routine

Belushi’s cafeteria “zit” gag and buffet routine

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:25Read transcript
  • Belushi’s cafeteria buffet routine and “zit” gag are selected
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50:48

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

John Blutarsky, Mandy Pepperidge, and Gregory Marmalard are nominated

John Blutarsky, Mandy Pepperidge, and Gregory Marmalard are nominated

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:48Read transcript
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51:03

The Dennis Peck Relationship Test

Otter pursuing Flounder’s girlfriend

Otter pursuing Flounder’s girlfriend

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:03Read transcript
  • Otter’s behavior toward Flounder’s girlfriend is compared to Dennis Peck — Chris Ryan
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51:21

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The Greg–Mandy–Babs triangle

The Greg–Mandy–Babs triangle

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:21Read transcript
  • The Greg, Mandy, and Babs romantic triangle is selected as the weak link
  • The 13-year-old storyline is set aside before the ordinary weak-link comparison — Bill Simmons
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52:14

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Old School

Old School

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:14Read transcript
  • The film is considered effectively remade as Old School — Bill Simmons
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52:25

Steven Seagal shitting on himself award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot

The cast’s fight with Oregon students and Belushi’s attempted retaliation

The cast’s fight with Oregon students and Belushi’s attempted retaliation

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:25Read transcript
  • Delta actors reportedly fought hostile students at a fraternity party — Bill Simmons
  • Belushi reportedly had to be restrained from seeking out the football players afterward — Bill Simmons
  • A participant reportedly obtained early dental treatment through a woman whose father was a dentist — Bill Simmons
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53:18

Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?

An intramural football or campus-track sequence

An intramural football or campus-track sequence

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:18Read transcript
  • An intramural football scene is proposed in place of one of the two hand-job scenes — Chris Ryan
  • Track at Oregon’s Hayward Field is offered as an alternative
  • A sports contest deciding whether the fraternity stays in school is developed as the premise
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55:42

What’s Aged the Worst?

The underage storyline, racial material, flat direction, and some missing consequences

The underage storyline, racial material, flat direction, and some missing consequences

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:42Read transcript
  • The Belushi voyeur sequence and the 13-year-old storyline are identified as badly dated
  • The primitive cultures remark followed by a cut to Otis is identified as racism — Bill Simmons
  • John Landis’s direction is criticized as visually flat compared with possible Reitman or Ramis versions — Chris Ryan
  • Niedermeyer’s spit is singled out as an unpleasant detail — Bill Simmons
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59:39

Hans Gruber Scale Villain Ranking

Dean Wormer beats Niedermeyer because he expels the Deltas and alerts their draft boards

Dean Wormer beats Niedermeyer because he expels the Deltas and alerts their draft boards

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:39Read transcript
  • Niedermeyer and Dean Wormer are the finalists — Bill Simmons
  • Dean Wormer wins for expelling the Deltas and notifying draft boards that they were eligible — Bill Simmons
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1:01:07

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Belushi playing Flounder; the film’s harmful copycat influence

Belushi playing Flounder; the film’s harmful copycat influence

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:07Read transcript
  • The possibility that Belushi’s career changes if he plays Flounder instead of Bluto is debated — Chris Ryan
  • The film is blamed for inspiring two generations of destructive college imitation — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers
1:03:23

Casting What-Ifs

The original SNL-heavy casting wish list and alternate directors

The original SNL-heavy casting wish list and alternate directors

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:23Read transcript
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1:05:38

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

John Vernon

John Vernon

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:38Read transcript
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1:05:54

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:54Read transcript
  • Donald Sutherland is selected for making two brief scenes feel like an event — Bill Simmons
  • Dean Wormer’s wife is an alternative choice
  • Shelley, Fawn’s roommate, is offered as another alternative — Chris Ryan
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1:06:39

Recasting Couch

Ivan Reitman as alternate director

Ivan Reitman as alternate director

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:39Read transcript
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1:09:16

Half-Assed Internet Research

Oregon locations, cast bonding, music, sequel plans, and the contested Dexter’s scene

Oregon locations, cast bonding, music, sequel plans, and the contested Dexter’s scene

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:16Read transcript
  • The University of Oregon reportedly rented its campus while asking not to be named — Bill Simmons
  • Black extras reportedly had to be brought from Portland — Bill Simmons
  • The Delta cast reportedly arrived early to bond while being separated from the Omega cast — Bill Simmons
  • Belushi’s exposure to Curtis Salgado is connected to the Blues Brothers — Bill Simmons
  • A Summer of Love sequel around Otter’s wedding was abandoned after More American Graffiti failed and Belushi died — Bill Simmons
  • DeWayne Jessie reportedly bought the Otis Day name and toured with it — Chris Ryan
  • Stephen Bishop’s relationship with Karen Allen reportedly inspired “Separate Lives” — Bill Simmons
  • Richard Pryor’s approval is described as preserving the Dexter’s bar sequence — Bill Simmons
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1:12:50

Apex Mountain

Belushi, Tim Matheson, cafeteria scenes, college movies, toga parties, and Stephen Furst

Belushi, Tim Matheson, cafeteria scenes, college movies, toga parties, and Stephen Furst

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:50Read transcript
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1:14:56

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Otter

Tom Hanks as Otter

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:56Read transcript
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1:14:56

Scorsese or Spielberg?

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:56Read transcript
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1:15:13

Picking Nits

The fraternity’s expulsion process, implausible logistics, and omitted comic payoffs

The fraternity’s expulsion process, implausible logistics, and omitted comic payoffs

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:13Read transcript
  • Dean Wormer should not need constitutional research to expel students with zero grades — Chris Ryan
  • Several actors look too old for college, though that may aid the joke — Bill Simmons
  • Mandy should hear or see Bluto moving the ladder — Bill Simmons
  • Moving a twelve-foot ladder while standing on it is questioned — Bill Simmons
  • Flounder’s brother should understand the risks of lending his car to the fraternity — Chris Ryan
  • Boone’s neglect of Katie for the road trip is questioned — Chris Ryan
  • Mrs. Wormer attending the Delta party is called implausible — Chris Ryan
  • More explanation is requested for Fawn’s kiln-explosion death — Chris Ryan
  • Not showing Flounder vomit on Dean Wormer is called a missed payoff — Bill Simmons
  • A store having ten thousand marbles is questioned — Bill Simmons
  • The completely covered Eat Me float car appears impossible to see out of — Bill Simmons
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1:18:26

Is This Movie Better With…?

Zane Lowe and Dr. Charles Nichols impressions

Zane Lowe and Dr. Charles Nichols impressions

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:26Read transcript
  • Zane Lo is proposed to confront Boone about his all-time low — Bill Simmons
  • Dr. Charles Nichols is proposed for a line about Blutarsky being unwell — Bill Simmons
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1:19:18

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The origin of double-secret probation, the film’s genre influence, student majors, and Greg’s repression

The origin of double-secret probation, the film’s genre influence, student majors, and Greg’s repression

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:18Read transcript
  • Whether the film coined “double secret probation” is questioned — Chris Ryan
  • Whether the film invented both modern sex comedy and college comedy is questioned — Chris Ryan
  • The students’ majors and whether communications existed as a 1962 major are questioned
  • The Omega fraternity is jokingly compared to the Illuminati — Bill Simmons
  • Greg’s sexuality and repression are debated from his relationships and fixation on the Deltas — Bill Simmons
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1:20:26

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The bar’s fishbowl-breast prop and Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt

The bar’s fishbowl-breast prop and Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:26Read transcript
  • The fishbowl-breast display behind the bar is selected — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt is another selection — Bill Simmons
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1:20:56

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

“Don’t get mad, get even” and “You’re only young once”

“Don’t get mad, get even” and “You’re only young once”

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:56Read transcript
  • “Don’t get mad, get even” is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • “You’re only young once” is offered as an alternative — Bill Simmons
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1:20:56

Best Double Feature

Old School; Revenge of the Nerds; Project X; Neighbors
Animal House
Old School
Revenge of the Nerds
Project X
Neighbors
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:56Read transcript
  • Old School is selected
  • Revenge of the Nerds is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • Project X is proposed for its debauchery
  • Neighbors is offered as another pairing
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1:22:49

Who Won the Movie?

John Belushi

John Belushi

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:49Read transcript
  • Bluto’s performer is selected immediately as the movie’s winner. — Craig Horlbeck
Podcast choices
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More from the conversation

The film is described as foundational to raunchy comedy, college comedy, and later ensemble hang movies.
Approx. transcript time · 00:01:06Read transcript
The speakers connect the film’s 1962 setting to pre-assassination American innocence filtered through late-1970s comedy.
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:45Read transcript
Belushi’s simultaneous SNL, film, and Blues Brothers success is discussed alongside the personal cost of rapid fame.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:52Read transcript
A household party modeled after Project X is recounted as growing from 125 invitees to roughly 400 and drawing police.
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:37Read transcript
The closing assessment praises the film as an ensemble hang, its friendships and acting, its broad social commentary, and the useful limits imposed by the studio.
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:04Read transcript