Most Rewatchable Scene · 38:25
The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase
The clock-filled opening credits and Doc’s laboratory are nominated
Bill Simmons: Einstein’s one-minute time-travel experiment is nominated
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25:52
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The Rewatchables ·
Back to the Future
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Who won the movie
Michael J. Fox
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“That Guy” Award
Malachi actor Courtney Gains
-
Overacting Award
Crispin Glover
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 1:18:27
Great Scott and the roads line
Bill Simmons: Great Scott is identified as the signature phrase that entered common usage
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Michael J. Fox
Marty McFly
Christopher Lloyd
Emmett "Doc" Brown
Lea Thompson
Lorraine Baines McFly
Crispin Glover
George McFly
Thomas F. Wilson
Biff Tannen
Claudia Wells
Jennifer Parker
Marc McClure
Dave McFly
Wendie Jo Sperber
Linda McFly
Elsa Raven
Clocktower Lady
Huey Lewis
Battle of the Bands judge
Richard L. Duran
Libyan terrorist
Jeff O’Haco
Libyan terrorist
George DiCenzo
Sam Baines
Frances Lee McCain
Stella Baines
Jason Hervey
Milton Baines
Jeffrey Jay Cohen
Skinhead
Casey Siemaszko
3-D
Billy Zane
Match
Norman Alden
Lou
Donald Fullilove
Goldie Wilson
Harry Waters Jr.
Marvin Berry
Will Hare
Pa Peabody
Courtney Gains
Dixon
James Tolkan
Principal Strickland
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
25:52
Casting What-Ifs
Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him
Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:52Read transcript
- Michael J. Fox was initially unavailable because Family Ties needed him while Meredith Baxter Birney was absent — Bill Simmons
- Eric Stoltz filmed for five weeks but was judged too dramatic, insufficiently comic, and unconvincing on a skateboard — Bill Simmons
- The studio approved spending another $3 million to replace Stoltz and reshoot with Fox — Bill Simmons
- Stoltz continued filming temporarily after the replacement decision while the production secured Fox — Bill Simmons
- Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson are quoted describing Stoltz as talented but too intense for the needed comedy — Bill Simmons
- Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell were also considered or auditioned — Bill Simmons
- John Cusack is judged a plausible alternate because he could balance comedy, drama, awkwardness, and charm — Sean Fennessey
- Fox’s athletic physical comedy is credited as essential to the final performance — Bill Simmons
38:25
Most Rewatchable Scene
The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase
The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:25Read transcript
- The clock-filled opening credits and Doc’s laboratory are nominated
- Einstein’s one-minute time-travel experiment is nominated — Bill Simmons
- Marty meeting George and Lorraine in the diner and bedroom is nominated — Bill Simmons
- Marty convincing the 1955 Doc and the Ronald Reagan exchange are nominated — Bill Simmons
- Marty punching Biff, escaping on the improvised skateboard, and the manure crash are nominated — Bill Simmons
- The Johnny B. Goode performance is nominated and reported as a preview audience favorite that Zemeckis had considered cutting — Bill Simmons
- The clock-tower return to 1985 is selected for its escalating action beats — Sean Fennessey
- The flying DeLorean sequel tease and transformed McFly family are praised as part of the closing stretch — Sean Fennessey
- The Biff skateboard chase is separately selected and linked to a childhood skateboard purchase — Chris Ryan
49:23
The most 1985 thing
Pepsi Free
Pepsi Free
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:23Read transcript
- Huey Lewis, Twin Pines Mall, the DeLorean, Pepsi Free, and an X-rated downtown theater are nominated — Bill Simmons
- Pepsi Free and Tab or the prominence of Huey Lewis are the leading choices. — Chris Ryan
- Pepsi Free is declared the winner because of its narrow mid-1980s window — Bill Simmons
- The DeLorean remains a nominee but is discounted for originating earlier in the decade — Bill Simmons
51:26
What’s Aged the Best?
Huey Lewis, character payoffs, Claudia Wells, backlots, Christopher Lloyd, and Alan Silvestri
Huey Lewis, character payoffs, Claudia Wells, backlots, Christopher Lloyd, and Alan Silvestri
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:26Read transcript
- The Goldie Wilson setup and later mayor payoff are praised — Bill Simmons
- The Power of Love and Back in Time are praised, including Huey Lewis judging Marty’s performance of his own song — Bill Simmons
- Marty’s horror at Lorraine flirting with him is praised — Bill Simmons
- The 1950s ice-cream shop and George punching Biff are praised — Bill Simmons
- Claudia Wells is praised as a supportive Jennifer Parker — Chris Ryan
- Studio backlots are praised for creating a reusable, convincing town square
- Christopher Lloyd is jokingly praised for appearing not to age
- Alan Silvestri’s score is praised as iconic and durable
- Huey Lewis is selected as the leading Aged Best choice
56:52
What’s Aged the Worst?
Franchise replacement, makeup, Libyan terrorists, sexual misconduct, PG content, guitar mime, and rock-history premise
Franchise replacement, makeup, Libyan terrorists, sexual misconduct, PG content, guitar mime, and rock-history premise
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:52Read transcript
- Claudia Wells leaving the sequels because her mother had cancer is treated as a sad lost opportunity — Bill Simmons
- Lorraine’s heavier-body makeup is criticized as unconvincing — Bill Simmons
- The unexplained Libyan-terrorist plot is criticized, with Zemeckis reportedly apologizing for its insensitivity — Bill Simmons
- George spying on Lorraine and Biff’s attempted assault are criticized
- The violence and repeated profanity are considered surprising for a PG film
- Michael J. Fox’s guitar mime is criticized as unrealistic — Bill Simmons
- Marty being framed as inventing rock and roll is criticized — Bill Simmons
- The high-school dance band is added belatedly to Aged Best — Bill Simmons
1:00:57
Casting What-Ifs
John Lithgow and other alternate casting history
John Lithgow and other alternate casting history
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:57Read transcript
- John Lithgow is reported as the first choice for Doc Brown and is judged plausible — Bill Simmons
- J.J. Cohen was reportedly moved from Biff to a cohort because he was not imposing enough opposite Stoltz — Bill Simmons
- Melora Hardin was reportedly released as Jennifer after Fox replaced Stoltz because of their height difference — Bill Simmons
- An Al Pacino Doc Brown is performed as a comic hypothetical rather than reported casting — Bill Simmons
1:03:29
The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Malachi actor Courtney Gains
Malachi actor Courtney Gains
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:29Read transcript
- the bald Top Gun actor, George Descendant, the Malachi actor, Billy Zane, and Mark McClure are candidates — Bill Simmons
- The actor recognized as Malachi, receives the vote — Bill Simmons
1:04:37
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Crispin Glover
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:37Read transcript
- Crispin Glover and Christopher Lloyd are the two candidates — Bill Simmons
- Crispin Glover is selected while his highly stylized performance is debated as either distracting or perfectly calibrated to the film’s live-action-cartoon tone
1:06:42
Brandy Booth Award for Best Performance by a Pet
Einstein: 8/10 and 6/10
Einstein: 8/10 and 6/10
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:42Read transcript
- Einstein is praised for remaining calm through time travel but criticized for failing to warn Doc about the Libyans — Bill Simmons
1:07:25
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
No clear winner: George’s father; Principal Strickland
No clear winner: George’s father; Principal Strickland
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:25Read transcript
- Biff is ruled ineligible for appearing too much — Bill Simmons
- George’s father and Principal Strickland are tentative candidates, but no winner is found — Sean Fennessey
1:08:47
Recasting Couch
Anthony Michael Hall for George and William Zabka for Biff
Anthony Michael Hall for George and William Zabka for Biff
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:47Read transcript
- Anthony Michael Hall is proposed for George
- Tom Hanks and Robin Williams are considered for George but age is a concern — Bill Simmons
- Meg Ryan is proposed for Lorraine
- William Zabka is proposed for Biff and receives the strongest enthusiasm — Bill Simmons
1:10:42
Half-Assed Internet Research
Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result
Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:42Read transcript
- The original climax reportedly involved driving through a Nevada nuclear test before cost prompted the clock tower — Bill Simmons
- Lea Thompson was reportedly dating Dennis Quaid during filming — Bill Simmons
- A shot of Eric Stoltz’s hand reportedly remains in Biff’s punch scene — Bill Simmons
- Michael J. Fox reportedly worked Family Ties by day and the film overnight — Bill Simmons
- The To Be Continued card was reportedly added to VHS but absent from theatrical and DVD versions — Bill Simmons
- Power of Love was Oscar-nominated but lost to Say You, Say Me — Bill Simmons
1:13:19
Apex Mountain
Fox, Lewis, Lloyd, Wells, Glover, Wilson, Pepsi Free, Zemeckis, and time travel
Fox, Lewis, Lloyd, Wells, Glover, Wilson, Pepsi Free, Zemeckis, and time travel
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:19Read transcript
- Michael J. Fox is judged at his apex through the combination of Family Ties and the film — Bill Simmons
- Huey Lewis, Christopher Lloyd, Claudia Wells, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson are assigned apexes — Bill Simmons
- Libyan terrorists are rejected in favor of Gaddafi as their apex
- Pepsi Free is assigned an apex while the larger Pepsi brand is debated — Chris Ryan
- Robert Zemeckis is assigned an apex because Romancing the Stone and this film enabled later ambitious projects — Sean Fennessey
- Time travel is assigned an apex over Lost for popularizing difficult concepts — Chris Ryan
1:15:50
Picking Nits
Band audition, adult sibling at home, Jeep reaction, George’s income, and transformed Lorraine
Band audition, adult sibling at home, Jeep reaction, George’s income, and transformed Lorraine
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:50Read transcript
- The Pinheads are questioned for being dismissed after only five seconds
- Marty is criticized for treating the group like a backing band without practicing or rehearsing — Chris Ryan
- Performing The Heart of Rock and Roll is proposed as a stronger audition choice
- Adult Dave McFly still living at home after the timeline improves is questioned — Bill Simmons
- Marty’s reaction to receiving an expensive Jeep is judged too restrained — Bill Simmons
- George’s job and ability to afford the Jeep are unclear — Bill Simmons
- Lea Thompson should have been shown in a Jane Fonda aerobics outfit to emphasize how much better the new timeline is — Bill Simmons
1:18:27
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
Great Scott and the roads line
Great Scott and the roads line
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:27Read transcript
- Great Scott is identified as the signature phrase that entered common usage — Bill Simmons
- The line that they do not need roads is the other leading quote — Bill Simmons
1:18:55
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Hearing damage, concussions, dog care, Doc-Marty friendship, Doc’s private life, duplicate selves, and parental recog...
Hearing damage, concussions, dog care, Doc-Marty friendship, Doc’s private life, duplicate selves, and parental recognition
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:55Read transcript
- Marty’s likely tinnitus from the opening amplifier blast is questioned — Bill Simmons
- Marty’s repeated concussions across the trilogy are questioned — Bill Simmons
- Doc is judged a bad dog owner for automated feeding and using Einstein in the time machine — Bill Simmons
- The origin and propriety of teenage Marty’s friendship with adult Doc are questioned
- Whether Doc Brown is a lifelong bachelor, asexual, or gay is speculated about — Bill Simmons
- Whether two versions of one person can occupy the same place and time is questioned
- The failure of Marty’s parents to recognize their son as Calvin is debated, with Bob Gale reportedly arguing they knew Calvin only briefly thirty years earlier — Chris Ryan
1:26:08
Who Won the Movie?
Michael J. Fox
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:08Read transcript
- Michael J. Fox is selected after Robert Zemeckis is reconsidered — Sean Fennessey
- Fox is also selected because replacing Stoltz supplied the needed comedy and physicality — Bill Simmons
- Without Fox, the film is argued more likely to have become a smaller cult science-fiction movie than a culture-changing hit — Bill Simmons
More from the conversation
The film is placed among rare original, non-adapted blockbusters that became enduring cultural phenomena.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:20Read transcript
The small-town setting is praised for enabling one-to-one visual replacements between 1955 and 1985.
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:37Read transcript
The refrigerator time-machine concept is cited as an example of a development choice that would have reduced the film’s cultural power.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:24Read transcript
Zemeckis is compared with Christopher Nolan as a filmmaker joining original storytelling with technical invention.
Approx. transcript time · 00:18:53Read transcript
Mentions across The Rewatchables
Double Feature
Forrest Gump
The Rewatchables · aired February 13, 2024
Back to the Future, Cast Away, and The Waterboy
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:00Read transcript
Source 1