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Can't Hardly Wait poster

Can't Hardly Wait

year 1998decade 90sdirector Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfontgenre Teen comedy

101 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Ethan Embry Preston Meyers
Jennifer Love Hewitt Amanda Beckett
Lauren Ambrose Denise Fleming
Peter Facinelli Mike Dexter
Seth Green Kenny Fisher
Charlie Korsmo William Lichter
Robert Jayne Richie Coolboy
Michelle Brookhurst Molly Stinson
Joel Michaely Geoff Piccirilli, X-File #1
Jay Paulson Murphy Pelan, X-File #2

Can't Hardly Wait | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Joanna Robinsonproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

What’s Aged the Best?

The fluid party editing has aged well.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:41Read transcript
  • Following one character directly into the next scene and inventive transition cuts are praised for reproducing a party’s restless flow without feeling dated or panicky.
  • The positive assessment receives agreement.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Multiple party micro-scenes are nominated; the Kenny–Denise bathroom scenes receive a personal preference.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:07Read transcript
  • The coordinated girlfriend-dumping plan and Star Wars code names for the nerds’ raid are nominated.
  • Amanda’s friends comparing her to Gwyneth and Kenny overhearing the next-guy hookup promise are nominated.
  • The wandering letter and Tripp McNeely’s college warning are praised.
  • Jason Siegel’s one-scene appearance and the girl compared to Velma finding romance are mentioned.
  • Mike and Amanda’s public showdown and emphatic line deliveries are favorites.
  • The bathroom scenes, Mike’s crew turning on William, Kenny and Denise’s pairing, and Jenna Elfman’s Scott Baio monologue are nominated; the bathroom scenes receive a personal pick for dropping pretenses and revealing shared history.

The most "year the movie came out" thing

Soundtrack, pop-culture references, Jennifer Love Hewitt and rave goggles define1998.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:41Read transcript
  • Smash Mouth/Blink182, The X Files and the David Duchovny reference are nominated.
  • The fabricated Christy Turlington girlfriend, Gwyneth and Amanda’s Jewel yearbook quotation are nominated.
  • The goggles evoke rave and snowboard fashion, even though not remembered as typical house-party wear.

What’s Aged the Best?

Yearbook jokes, sex positivity and optimistic cross-clique friendship are praised.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:32:19Read transcript
  • Denise’s no-activities yearbook listing and Kenny’s one-game JV basketball credit remain funny.
  • The awkward first-time sex and sex-positive tone are praised, along with Tripp McNeely.
  • The hopeful blurring of social groups is preferred to the rigid stereotypes and unresolved Monday question in The Breakfast Club.
  • The interest in attacks from outer space is jokingly praised.
  • William’s nerd persona is described as a precursor to McLovin, with the cannot-feel-my-legs line praised.
  • Kenny’s time-is-honey wording and Paradise City as an enduring nostalgic rock choice are praised.

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

Ethan Embry/Preston is a forceful personal pick; another participant defends him and questions Mike Dexter instead.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:42Read transcript
  • One participant dislikes Embry’s Preston and connects his performance to an interview about being heavily stoned; another loves the sensitive romantic character and compares the appeal to Lloyd Dobler.
  • Another participant initially says there is no weak link, then identifies Facinelli’s Mike as a possible limitation and wishes him less evil.
  • Billy Zabka, James Spader, Judd Nelson and Craig Sheffer serve as comparisons for the missing menace, charisma or rationale for Amanda’s attraction.
  • Staying with Mike for three years simply for football status is criticized as weakening Amanda too.

What’s Aged the Worst?

The gay-sex trap, slur and Scott Baio devotion are criticized; the PG13 cuts are regretted.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:25Read transcript
  • The gay-sex trap and homophobic slur are explicit aged-worst choices.
  • The Scott Baio crush monologue is reconsidered in light of his later public persona.
  • A Lestat joke is initially considered obscure, then acknowledged as newly relevant because Interview with the Vampire returned; the Hootie reference is also recalled.
  • The lost R rating version is discussed through reported deleted drunk/stoned characters, sanitized brownies/language and watermelon sex; Embry’s resentment of later raunchy hits is quoted.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Amanda should choose herself rather than immediately date Preston.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:23Read transcript
  • A participant argues that Amanda needs time to discover herself after defining her identity through Mike, instead of starting another relationship the same day; Kelly Taylor’s self-choice is invoked.
  • Another agrees the new romance felt too soon and had listed it under Picking Nits.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Make a teen ensemble party movie every year.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:26Read transcript
  • An ensemble cast high school movie centered around one big party is called easy and watchable, deserving many more releases.
  • The invited participant agrees about watchability but disputes ease: many attempts fail, and Sweethearts is cited as a streaming film that disappeared; theatrical release is suggested.
  • The annual-film idea becomes a joking legal requirement, with Mikey Madison encouraged to use her Oscar leverage.

What’s Aged the Worst?

The Kenny–Denise reunion is questioned.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:13Read transcript
  • A participant nearly nominated the epilogue saying they break up five minutes later, preferring to stop there without reconciliation; Denise’s freeze-frame is compared to The Graduate.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Three role-identified performers and Amber Benson are nominated.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:25Read transcript
  • The man who paid Dirk at the church, Seinfeld’s Poppy as the cop, and90210’s obsessive Tara are a favored trio; personal names are not supplied.
  • Amber Benson from Buffy is added.

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Melissa Joan Hart, Sara Rue, Jenna Elfman, Jerry O’Connell, Jason Segel, klepto kid and Brian Klugman are discussed.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:57Read transcript
  • Hart, Rue, Elfman, O'Connell and Siegel form the initial eligible field.
  • The recurring silent klepto kid is a personal favorite, capped by stealing the gumball machine.
  • Brian Klugman’s stoner is praised for the Velma comparison and Preston-wears-T-shirts observation.

Apex Mountain

Embry and Love Hewitt’s1998 period receive support; several other careers and teen-film forms remain debated.

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:48Read transcript
  • Ethan Embry receives an affirmative apex response.
  • Love Hewitt’s overall1998 moment spanning Party of Five, this film and I Know What You Did Last Summer is selected, rather than asserting this film alone.
  • Facinelli’s Twilight patriarch role is preferred over this film.
  • Elfman’s Dharma and Greg period and major cameo receive support, with Keeping the Faith raised as a comparison.
  • For1990s teen films, Scream, Clueless and American Pie are debated; no single shared outcome is settled.
  • What about Bob and Hook are raised.
  • Superbad is favored for single-night high-school movies, alongside Booksmart and Days and Confused alternatives.
  • Blink182 and Smash Mouth are raised, with explicit support for Smash Mouth.

Cruise or Hanks?

Young Hanks as Preston is the final stated choice.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:47Read transcript
  • Young Hanks as Preston and Risky Business-era Cruise as Preston or Mike are considered; Craig supports Hanks leading and Cruise as Mike.
  • Cruise’s size is questioned for football player Mike; the final Hanks choice mistakenly says Mike and is immediately corrected to Preston.

What’s Aged the Best?

Jaime Pressly’s performance receives a retrospective nomination.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:27Read transcript
  • Her performance is praised as iconic and explicitly identified as something that should have appeared in Aged Best.

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

An eight-episode real-time party series is proposed.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:42Read transcript
  • An Amazon series tracking eight actual party hours is pitched through The Pit and American Vandal comparisons; the invited participant says he would watch.

Just One Oscar

Editing and costume design overcome an initial nobody answer.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:25Read transcript
  • One participant initially chooses nobody; the challenge produces an editing nomination and agreement.
  • Mark Bridges’ costume design is nominated, especially Kenny and the popular girls’ clothes.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Fate has limits; wear shower shoes.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:53Read transcript
  • Fate only takes you so far is selected as a lesson.
  • Always wear shoes in dorm showers is another lesson, reinforced by a personal dorm anecdote.

Who Won the Movie?

Seth Green receives the final shared preference after several alternatives.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:44Read transcript
  • The1990s is floated before Seth Green is chosen for contemporary visibility and momentum.
  • Ethan Embry’s chance to lead and Seth Green’s strong run are the other shortlist.
  • Lauren Ambrose’s later career and Love Hewitt’s contemporary moment are considered.
  • The speakers converge on Green, particularly Kenny’s quotability.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Seth Green
Speaker not identified
Seth Green

Apex Mountain

Seth Green’s late1990s run is belatedly raised.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:24Read transcript
  • Austin Powers, Buffy and this film are cited as a high-approval period, with Robot Chicken later mentioned.