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The Rewatchables ·

Creed

year 2015decade 10sdirector Ryan Cooglergenre Sportsgenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeck format Liveevent Cold Weather Tour
All 31 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:18:28

Wheeler spinoff

Chris Ryan: Hottest take: Wheeler deserves his own film or sequel after Conlan breaks his jaw and Adonis inherits the title opportunity.

Van Lathan: Van provocatively imagines Rocky and Apollo as lovers after the private third fight, using their intimacy and Rocky avoiding the widow as interpretive material. This is a joke theory, not a film fact; audience applause is not a ballot.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:42:49

Do not let anyone make you feel like a mistake

Life lesson: do not let others make you feel like a mistake. Van adds a deliberately provocative condom joke tied to Apollo having a child; it is not health advice.

The film

Creed (2015)

Directed by Ryan Coogler · Sports

133 minutes

IMDb Letterboxd Find on JustWatch Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Michael B. Jordan Adonis Creed
Alex Henderson Young Adonis Johnson
Sylvester Stallone Rocky Balboa
Tessa Thompson Bianca Taylor
Phylicia Rashad Mary Anne Creed
Tony Bellew Ricky Conlan
Graham McTavish Tommy Holiday
Wood Harris Tony Little Duke Evers
Ritchie Coster Pete Sporino
Andre Ward Danny Wheeler
Gabriel Rosado Leo Sporino
Liev Schreiber HBO24/7announcer
Michael Buffer Himself
Tony Kornheiser Himself
Michael Wilbon Himself
Hannah Storm Herself
Max Kellerman Himself
Jim Lampley Himself
Carl Weathers Apollo Creed (archive footage)

Everything from the episode

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

30:01

Most Rewatchable Scene

Meek Mill training montage; shadowboxing with Apollo

Meek Mill training montage; shadowboxing with Apollo

In the discussion (19)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:01Read transcript
  • Most Rewatchable Scene begins with young Adonis’s opening encounter with Mary Anne, praising a scene that works better than expected. — Bill Simmons
  • The opening adoption scene is essential to explaining Adonis’s feelings; the unclenched fist and title reveal are praised.
  • The Andre Ward car-key-bet fight is nominated, though watching Donnie beaten makes one host sad; Van compares it to humbling real boxing encounters. — Van Lathan
  • Donnie meeting Rocky at Adrian’s is praised for Stallone gradually recognizing Apollo’s son and the time-is-undefeated line. Rocky diminishing his own victories to honor Apollo reframes the franchise mythology.
  • Rocky says Apollo won their private third fight. Bill doubts whether he is sparing the son’s feelings; Van thinks Apollo probably won. The uncertainty remains unresolved. — Bill Simmons
  • Donnie moving into Paulie’s room leads to a scene using Stallone’s real son’s photograph; the hosts praise his visible emotion and report Coogler persuaded him to include it. Paulie’s absence and missing robot prompt jokes. — Bill Simmons
  • The uninterrupted Leo–Donnie fight is nominated; the panel names its cinematographer and reports thirteen takes with the eleventh used. — Bill Simmons
  • The two-round fight is praised as a culmination of boxing cinema, immersive proof of Jordan’s credibility and Coogler’s action ability. Its tie-ups and counterpunches feel more realistic than the Rocky-style finale; the camera’s move from Rocky’s instruction to the knockout is admired.
  • The Baby Creed confrontation with Tone Trump is a scene nominee, called a characteristically Philadelphia escalation between two easily offended men. Van had invited the rapper to attend. — Van Lathan
  • Van interprets Tone Trump and Bianca as former sexual partners; another host offers past flirtation without consummation as an alternative. Familiarity is agreed but sexual history remains speculation; a joint music track is imagined. — Van Lathan
  • A provocative joke links Bianca’s hearing loss to gunfire; the panel asks whether Baby Creed is insulting and suggests Adonis was primed to take offense.
  • The jailhouse reconciliation and its absent-father monologue are nominated, linked to the mirror-training advice. — Bill Simmons
  • The bikes-and-ATVs training montage is a thrilling modern counterpart to Rocky’s runs. Its Meek Mill music is framed against the 2015 Drake feud and explicitly wins the needle-drop category.
  • The press conference, Conlan’s false-Creed taunt, the trunks from his mother, Rocky’s pre-fight speech, Tupac’s Hail Mary and Conlan’s entrance are praised. — Bill Simmons
  • Adonis shadowboxing while watching his father’s footage is nominated as an image of wanting to become Apollo. — Van Lathan
  • The final fight is nominated, especially round two and the late corner exchange about not being a mistake. Rocky’s love and renewed will to fight his illness lead into the deliberately withheld Rocky theme; the implausibly timed finish is enjoyed with objections deferred. — Bill Simmons
  • The final museum-steps exchange about seeing one’s life is nominated.
  • Chris chooses the Meek Mill training montage and adds the cheesesteak first date as a particularly Philadelphia scene; the date also wins the food award.
  • Van favors the father-film shadowboxing and training montage; the recreated 24/7 fight promotion also impresses. Another final choice is the montage. Liev Schreiber’s narration and his Hard Knocks appearance prompt a tangent.
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34:56

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Apollo’s third fight; Adonis’s job; Rocky’s son; Tone Trump photo; Mary Anne’s wealth

Apollo’s third fight; Adonis’s job; Rocky’s son; Tone Trump photo; Mary Anne’s wealth

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:56Read transcript
  • Rocky says Apollo won their private third fight. Bill doubts whether he is sparing the son’s feelings; Van thinks Apollo probably won. The uncertainty remains unresolved. — Bill Simmons
  • Nitpicks/unanswerable: Adonis’s financial-services job and work history are unclear, and weekend Tijuana boxing seems incompatible with managing clients’ money; Don Johnson is an appealing adviser-name joke.
  • Unanswerable: would Creed’s breakthrough uplift Philadelphia during poor Eagles and Sixers seasons? His Los Angeles–Philadelphia–Liverpool route is jokingly the reverse of Chris’s family migration.
  • Unanswerable: why does Rocky’s son not visit during chemotherapy, and did Tone Trump retain or post his photograph with Adonis after their fight? — Bill Simmons
  • Unanswerable: Adonis as the success of Philadelphia’s Process is a sports joke; Mary Anne’s wealth and his privileged upbringing are discussed without a firm financial answer.
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37:22

Half-Assed Internet Research

Philadelphia locations; Rocky callbacks; flag trunks; muscle gain; Bellew’s title

Philadelphia locations; Rocky callbacks; flag trunks; muscle gain; Bellew’s title

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:22Read transcript
  • The uninterrupted Leo–Donnie fight is nominated; the panel names its cinematographer and reports thirteen takes with the eleventh used. — Bill Simmons
  • Jordan reportedly told Bill he took a real punch for the eleventh-round knockdown at Stallone’s insistence, continuing a franchise tradition; the Leo fight is reiterated as aged best. — Bill Simmons
  • Philadelphia research identifies Victor’s Cafe as Adrian’s, Front Street as Mighty Mick’s gym location, and Max’s as the cheesesteak restaurant. — Bill Simmons
  • Research: the cannot-sing-or-dance shirt references Rocky’s skating date; Stallone requested the flag trunks; Paulie’s grave gives 1940–2012; Jordan gained 24 pounds of muscle and learned boxing; Bellew won a cruiserweight title months later. — Bill Simmons
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45:36

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Meek Mill training montage

Meek Mill training montage

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:45:36Read transcript
  • The bikes-and-ATVs training montage is a thrilling modern counterpart to Rocky’s runs. Its Meek Mill music is framed against the 2015 Drake feud and explicitly wins the needle-drop category.
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50:37

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

Cheesesteak first date

Cheesesteak first date

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:37Read transcript
  • Chris chooses the Meek Mill training montage and adds the cheesesteak first date as a particularly Philadelphia scene; the date also wins the food award.
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52:52

What’s Aged the Best?

Rocky homages; reluctant mentor; Bianca; boxing; media realism; Wood Harris

Rocky homages; reluctant mentor; Bianca; boxing; media realism; Wood Harris

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:52Read transcript
  • Aged best: subtle Rocky homages, including chicken chasing and Kellerman contrasting Balboa’s body shots with Creed’s head shots.
  • Aged best: Rocky’s reluctant acceptance of training Donnie, especially the restaurant-food unloading and eventual gym arrival. — Chris Ryan
  • A provocative aged-best nomination praises emotional manipulation: Donnie reveals Rocky’s illness to get Bianca to open her door. The exchange is joking rather than an endorsement of real-world conduct. — Van Lathan
  • Aged best: realistic YouTube and 24/7 media touches, the large Mickey gym poster, and Coogler’s intimate camerawork in the upside-down kiss and cheesesteak booths. — Bill Simmons
  • Andre Ward’s career peak is debated against his earlier run and Kovalev fights; this period is only probably when he was most prominent, not a firm film-Apex award.
  • Aged best: Wood Harris as Duke’s son, with the irony of The Wire’s Avon refusing to train the actor who played Wallace; more Harris is a reason for sequels. — Bill Simmons
  • Aged best: Stallone was reportedly 69 at release, the same age as Burgess Meredith in Rocky. Donnie calling Rocky Unc is also introduced. — Bill Simmons
  • Burgess Meredith’s aged appearance prompts jokes about earlier roles and smoking.
  • Aged best: Conlan’s trainer and his demand that Adonis use Creed’s name; the Kobe-number 24 jacket is admired. Donnie’s fictional Los Angeles upbringing is offered as the reason he would idolize Kobe, whose Philadelphia connection is also noted. — Bill Simmons
  • Jordan reportedly told Bill he took a real punch for the eleventh-round knockdown at Stallone’s insistence, continuing a franchise tradition; the Leo fight is reiterated as aged best. — Bill Simmons
  • Aged best: producers taking a chance on young Coogler, and Bianca having an independent, written character rather than the obstructive sports-movie-girlfriend role. Rocky IV’s Adrian prompts a long mocking contrast.
  • Tony Bellew’s acting as Conlan is praised and Everton promotion noted. — Bill Simmons
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1:02:27

What’s Aged the Worst?

Age chronology; jawn and cheesesteak order; widow neglect; pacing; paperwork; bathroom; boxing’s stature

Age chronology; jawn and cheesesteak order; widow neglect; pacing; paperwork; bathroom; boxing’s stature

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:27Read transcript
  • PTI leading with the boxing match is nominated for aged worst.
  • Aged worst: Apollo’s 1985 death would make Donnie about 29, older than he seems. Setting Creed around 2010 is suggested; others question whether either movie’s internal year is fixed, leaving the chronology uncertain. — Bill Simmons
  • Aged worst: Bianca’s use of jawn now grates after wider popularization; her cheesesteak ingredients are questioned, though local preferences differ. — Chris Ryan
  • Van recalls receiving conflicting Philadelphia cheesesteak recommendations and ordering delivery after being warned against exploring at night; Bill had gone out. — Van Lathan
  • Van identifies Ishkabibble’s as his delivered cheesesteak; only some audience members approve. — Chris Ryan
  • Aged worst: Rocky never contacts Apollo’s widow after the funeral. Guilt over not stopping the fatal fight is offered as an explanation; the panel still argues he should have checked in.
  • Bill finds the film about twelve minutes too long but cannot name cuts; others object. A backstage film argument and Philadelphia basketball wishes interrupt the discussion.
  • Aged worst: printing and handing over a resignation letter seems unnecessarily formal. — Chris Ryan
  • Donnie’s pre-fight bathroom moment divides the panel between humanizing realism and a scene they do not need to see repeatedly. — Chris Ryan
  • The sidewalk promise of complete honesty ages poorly because Donnie lies to Bianca in later films. — Chris Ryan
  • Boxing’s diminished cultural importance is nominated, with a possible recent upswing acknowledged. MMA is considered as a modern substitute, but even praise for Warrior does not displace boxing’s cinematic appeal.
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1:02:55

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Leo fight; Tijuana introduction; slow-motion ATVs; walkout

Leo fight; Tijuana introduction; slow-motion ATVs; walkout

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:55Read transcript
  • The Leo fight tracking shot, Tijuana hand-wrapping introduction, slow-motion ATVs and walkout are nominated. — Bill Simmons
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1:03:20

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

Mighty Mick’s Gym

Mighty Mick’s Gym

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:20Read transcript
  • Mighty Mick’s gym is selected as the scene-stealing location. — Bill Simmons
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1:03:20

The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?

Ringside doctor; Tone Trump disputed

Ringside doctor; Tone Trump disputed

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:20Read transcript
  • Bad at his job: Tone Trump is proposed for provoking a professional boxer and threatening him; objections say provocation suits a rapper and Adonis actually starts the fight.
  • Bad at his job: the ringside doctor allows a clearly blinded Adonis to continue after the corner taps his head, compared with permissive NFL medical evaluation. — Chris Ryan
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1:05:46

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

Rocky denying they are family, disputed

Rocky denying they are family, disputed

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:46Read transcript
  • Weak link: Rocky briefly denying they are family feels mean and inconsistent to Bill. Others defend it as fear of attachment, bereavement and protective withdrawal; Van finds it acceptable.
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1:18:07

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Creed

Creed

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:07Read transcript
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1:18:28

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Wheeler spinoff; Rocky/Apollo romance theory; let Creed win; best franchise reboot

Wheeler spinoff; Rocky/Apollo romance theory; let Creed win; best franchise reboot

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:28Read transcript
  • Hottest take: Wheeler deserves his own film or sequel after Conlan breaks his jaw and Adonis inherits the title opportunity. — Chris Ryan
  • Van provocatively imagines Rocky and Apollo as lovers after the private third fight, using their intimacy and Rocky avoiding the widow as interpretive material. This is a joke theory, not a film fact; audience applause is not a ballot. — Van Lathan
  • Hottest take: Creed and the original Rocky should have let their heroes win; the moral victory already feels like victory, and withholding the title just to create a sequel seems cynical. — Sean Fennessey
  • Hottest take: Creed is the best franchise reboot or legacy sequel. Blade Runner 2049, Top Gun:Maverick, Cobra Kai and Nolan’s Batman films are alternatives, with qualifications about single-film sequels versus a long-running franchise. — Bill Simmons
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1:22:47

Casting What-Ifs

Rashad replaces Apollo’s earlier wife performer; no alternative candidates

Rashad replaces Apollo’s earlier wife performer; no alternative candidates

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:47Read transcript
  • Casting what-ifs: no reliable alternative casting is offered; Omar Epps and Meryl Streep are explicitly jokes. The panel attributes Phylicia Rashad replacing Apollo’s earlier wife performer to that actor’s death, a reported claim requiring separation from external credits. — Bill Simmons
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1:23:21

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Jordan’s basement announcement; Max Kellerman

Jordan’s basement announcement; Max Kellerman

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:21Read transcript
  • Overacting: Jordan’s excited basement announcement about fighting Conlan, with Max Kellerman’s heightened commentary as another nominee.
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1:24:06

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Ritchie Coster; Graham McTavish

Ritchie Coster; Graham McTavish

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:06Read transcript
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1:24:38

The Danny McBride Award for Playing Yourself

Tone Trump; Wilbon and Kornheiser

Tone Trump; Wilbon and Kornheiser

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:38Read transcript
  • Danny McBride playing-yourself award: Tone Trump is one selection, while another chooses Wilbon and Kornheiser’s convincing PTI segment; Lampley, Kellerman and Schreiber are other nominees. — Bill Simmons
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1:25:10

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Ritchie Coster; Wood Harris

Ritchie Coster; Wood Harris

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:10Read transcript
  • Heat check: Ritchie Coster and Wood Harris receive distinct choices. PTI hosts, Tone Trump and Ricky Conlan are considered; Conlan’s larger role raises eligibility concerns.
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1:26:03

Recasting Couch

Skipped

Skipped

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:03Read transcript
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1:26:15

What Would Tony Romo’s Director’s Commentary for This Movie Sound Like?

Tony Romo impressions

Tony Romo impressions

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:15Read transcript
  • A live-show director-commentary category imagines Tony Romo narrating the romance and Rocky’s cancer treatment; no actual recording is claimed. — Bill Simmons
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1:28:13

Apex Mountain

Michael B. Jordan; jawn in cinema; Paulie’s absence; Creed films; real boxers in movies

Michael B. Jordan; jawn in cinema; Paulie’s absence; Creed films; real boxers in movies

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:13Read transcript
  • Apex rejects Coogler and Thompson; Jordan receives explicit yes after Black Panther is considered. Jawn is affirmed within cinema.
  • Apex: Bellew’s championship is preferred, but another suggests the film for wider recognition; Stallone is rejected. Paulie’s absence is jokingly the peak. HBO 24/7 receives a qualified could-be discussion, not firm consensus.
  • Apex: Tone Trump’s episode prominence is joked about, then qualified by community work; Lampley and Kellerman are rejected. Creed movies and real boxers acting in films receive explicit affirmative selections. — Van Lathan
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1:29:50

Mount Rushmore for Philadelphia Movies

The Sixth Sense; Rocky; Blow Out; Trading Places; Super Bowl 52 joke addition

The Sixth Sense; Rocky; Blow Out; Trading Places; Super Bowl 52 joke addition

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:50Read transcript
  • Chris’s Philadelphia movie Mount Rushmore names The Sixth Sense, Rocky, Blow Out and Trading Places, then adds Super Bowl 52 as emphatic number one, a sports-event joke beyond the four-film set. — Chris Ryan
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1:31:33

Picking Nits

Unclear day job; Godfather crossover; ring experience; recovery; relationship pacing; eye makeup; post-fight respect

Unclear day job; Godfather crossover; ring experience; recovery; relationship pacing; eye makeup; post-fight respect

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:33Read transcript
  • Nitpicks/unanswerable: Adonis’s financial-services job and work history are unclear, and weekend Tijuana boxing seems incompatible with managing clients’ money; Don Johnson is an appealing adviser-name joke.
  • Nitpick: Donnie’s Godfather impression crosses fictional worlds because Talia Shire appears in both franchises. — Chris Ryan
  • Nitpicks: Adonis has too little ring experience for this fight, despite a Ngannou comparison. Tijuana matchmaking is questioned; Van describes paid easy opponents as possible, but says he never did it. — Van Lathan
  • Nitpicks: Rocky’s rapid cancer recovery and international travel, Bianca’s abrupt backstage intimacy, Conlan’s physique and vulnerability, and Donnie’s swollen-eye makeup. — Bill Simmons
  • Changing Adonis’s maternal surname is challenged, then the objection is withdrawn when both Johnson and Creed are noted on the trunks. — Van Lathan
  • Conlan’s warm post-fight respect seems abrupt after their hostility, though reconciliation is called common in boxing; the length of his British gun sentence prompts jokes.
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1:36:13

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

Existing sequels; Apollo’s children assemble a boxing team

Existing sequels; Apollo’s children assemble a boxing team

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:13Read transcript
  • Remake/sequel: the Rocky franchise covers the category’s options; Van proposes a limited series in which Adonis recruits Apollo’s other children into a boxing team, like Nick Fury. — Van Lathan
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1:37:41

Just One Oscar

Ryan Coogler after initial Stallone preference

Ryan Coogler after initial Stallone preference

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:41Read transcript
  • One Oscar: Stallone is the initial preference, but Coogler is argued for because the film’s success was unlikely in other hands; the initial speaker explicitly changes his mind. — Bill Simmons
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1:38:05

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins in backyard training

Wayne Jenkins in backyard training

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:05Read transcript
  • Better with: Wayne Jenkins present at the backyard training, with a brief impression.
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1:38:19

The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?

Creed II

Creed II

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:19Read transcript
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1:42:13

Best Double Feature

Field of Dreams; Diggstown; Fat City; a Rocky-to-Creed pairing, skipping V and VI.
Creed
Field of Dreams
Diggstown
Fat City
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:13Read transcript
  • Double-feature choices include Field of Dreams, Diggstown and Fat City. Another proposal leads into Creed from Rocky while explicitly skipping Rocky V and VI; the machine transcript’s wording of the preceding Rocky installment is unclear. — Bill Simmons
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1:42:32

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Trunks; swelling tool; gym poster; Mustang

Trunks; swelling tool; gym poster; Mustang

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:32Read transcript
  • Memorabilia: the trunks, the metal swelling-reduction tool, the Mighty Mick’s poster and the Mustang. — Bill Simmons
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1:42:49

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Do not let anyone make you feel like a mistake

Do not let anyone make you feel like a mistake

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:49Read transcript
  • Life lesson: do not let others make you feel like a mistake. Van adds a deliberately provocative condom joke tied to Apollo having a child; it is not health advice.
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1:43:22

Who Won the Movie?

Ryan Coogler and Sylvester Stallone: 2–2 panel tie

Ryan Coogler and Sylvester Stallone: 2–2 panel tie

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:22Read transcript
  • Who won: two hosts choose Coogler and two choose Stallone. An audience cheer comparison leans Stallone but is called a split decision; applause is not converted into individual ballots.
Podcast choices
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More from the conversation

The recorded live Philadelphia episode features Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey and Van Lathan. A later introduction acknowledges Carl Weathers died after recording and honors his Apollo Creed legacy and wider career.
Approx. transcript time · 00:01:44Read transcript
The hosts greet the Philadelphia audience and introduce Sean, Van and Chris, joking this is a home game for Chris.
Approx. transcript time · 00:03:08Read transcript
Chris calls Creed an unusually immediate Rewatchable whose striving protagonist embodies Philadelphia’s grinding, working-city psyche.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:30Read transcript
Van initially doubted the premise and Apollo’s hidden-child timeline, but was won over within about 35 minutes; he praises its timing for Coogler and Jordan and its enduring quality.
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:33Read transcript
Sean recalls seeing it between Grantland and The Ringer without work obligations, amid a theater audience weeping and applauding.
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:23Read transcript
Bill calls Rocky his Star Wars, despises Rocky V and finds Rocky Balboa repetitive. After skepticism about a post-Fruitvale sequel, Jordan’s podcast visit and the screener convinced him the franchise revival worked.
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:48Read transcript
The theatrical response is compared with Top Gun: Maverick and a Field of Dreams/300 blend. Alongside Fury Road, Jurassic World and The Force Awakens, Creed benefited from 2015 enthusiasm for revived franchises before exhaustion set in.
Approx. transcript time · 00:09:01Read transcript
Bill recalls confusion over the original Rocky ending as a six-year-old and the sports-event excitement around Rocky II; Creed becomes Stallone’s comeback.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:01Read transcript
Stallone’s Oscar loss is debated. Forgetting Coogler and Jordan during his Golden Globes speech, despite returning during a break to thank them, may have hurt; a history of difficult professional relationships and creator entitlement are offered as explanations, not proven causes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:55Read transcript
Stallone’s lead/supporting nominations for the same character are compared with Pacino and Barry Fitzgerald; Tyler Perry is a joke corrected in discussion. Mark Rylance won, with Bale, Hardy and Ruffalo also nominees.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:18Read transcript
Creed missing Best Picture is judged a greater disappointment; the panel compares it with the nominees, especially Room, then jokes about a final solo Room episode.
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:08Read transcript
The comeback-film discussion introduces Reynolds in Boogie Nights and Travolta in Pulp Fiction.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:02Read transcript
Stallone’s restrained, vulnerable older Rocky is praised against his action-heavy 1990 sroles and physique-driven sequels; Cop Land is another acting example. Letting Coogler write and direct is interpreted as freeing his performance.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:17Read transcript
Chris describes Rocky as Philadelphia’s exported identity while feeling a generational distance from Stallone’s iconography. Van emphasizes real local fighters such as Bernard Hopkins; Detroit and New York are rival boxing cities.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:29Read transcript
The father-son theme makes the film unusually moving for the panel. They connect it to personal family losses attributed to Coogler and Stallone; these biographical claims are not independently established here.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:05Read transcript
Coogler’s skill is making familiar narratives personal; Rocky’s love declaration before the twelfth round reliably moves the hosts. His young age when directing is emphasized.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:51Read transcript
Adonis fights for family and identity rather than economic survival: Rocky both becomes a father and restores access to Apollo. Resisting paternal inheritance, the jail scene and proving he was not a mistake deepen the connection.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:44Read transcript
The not-a-mistake line is praised as the film’s emotional culmination. Jordan’s performance is judged his most affecting, with Killmonger the main rival; Without Remorse is a joking alternative.
Approx. transcript time · 00:22:21Read transcript
Jordan’s path through The Wire, Friday Night Lights, Parenthood and Fruitvale Station made the hosts root for him; Creed proved he could carry a commercially successful film, a breakthrough less visible now.
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:03Read transcript
The panel wishes Coogler directed more films and places him with Chazelle, Gerwig, the Safdies, Jenkins and Peele. The indie-to-franchise jump is praised, while his deeply personal material may explain his pace; Creed combines intimate scenes with spectacular boxing.
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:59Read transcript
Creed is proposed as the best immediate Sundance-to-franchise jump; Slacker to Dazed and Confused is floated but rejected as not a blockbuster comparison.
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:00Read transcript
A 40 million budget and 175 million gross are cited. Several prefer moving Creed III’s returning-past storyline before the Drago-son sequel, finding the latter too obvious despite initially enjoying it; Stallone is credited with that idea.
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:39Read transcript
Creed III’s necessity is debated playfully; Bill recalls traveling to see Rocky V with a friend and drinking afterward in disappointment.
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:49Read transcript
Apollo dying young preserves his legendary image, illustrated through a deliberately provocative celebrity-comeback tangent; the panel reiterates his established greatness.
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:06Read transcript
Sixers and injury-related sports banter interrupts the scene discussion.
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:25Read transcript
Rocky abandoning restaurant duties leads to questions about whether he cooks and whether Adrian’s food is good; a celebrity-photo pasta restaurant is imagined.
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:41Read transcript
Closing audience questions compare Philadelphia teams and players. A separate outro explicitly credits producer Craig Horlbeck, points to cold-weather-tour videos and previews another live episode.
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:55Read transcript