The podcast explicitly states Ebert’s two-out-of-four-star rating.
Ebert criticized Robin Williams for slipping from dramatic acting into his comedian persona.
The cited review argued that the film praised values that its own story abandoned.

Research covers the deleted Keating leukemia story, chronological filming, the cast living together, Williams’s regard for the film and Peter Weir, Cameron refusing the final desk stand, Hawke’s tense relationship with Williams, Delaware locations, a failed first production, and several cast connections.

In the discussion (15)

Approx. transcript time · 00:39:03Read transcript

The original script reportedly had Keating dying of leukemia, which motivated his carpe diem outlook.
Peter Weir removed the leukemia subplot, keeping Keating’s private life largely unexplained.
The actors playing the students reportedly all lived together to forge a sense of community and friendship.
The movie was shot chronologically so the relationships could develop in order.
Robin Williams reportedly called it one of his favorite films and Peter Weir the best director he worked with.
Robert Sean Leonard later played a doctor on House, matching Mr. Perry’s demand that Neil become a doctor.
The actor who played Cameron vetoed having Cameron stand on the desk because it violated the character, and Weir agreed.
Colin Irving, who played Chet Danbury, is identified as novelist John Irving’s son.
Ethan Hawke believed Williams disliked him because Hawke resisted the improvisational joking while staying inside Todd’s reserve.
Williams’s teasing reportedly generated improvised classroom material while supporting Hawke’s character.
Josh Charles reportedly completed the bicycle ride down the hill in one take.
The production moved from Georgia to Delaware because fake snow was too difficult or expensive.
The studio once wanted the story made as a musical called Sultans of Strut.
A first day of shooting collapsed when Williams, whose deal was unfinished, did not appear; the constructed sets were then burned.
Josh Charles and James Waterston are reported as later appearing together in The Good Wife.

Casting What-Ifs

Dustin Hoffman, Mel Gibson, and Liam Neeson were earlier John Keating possibilities; River Phoenix wanted Neil, Sam Rockwell auditioned for Charlie, and Lara Flynn Boyle’s role was removed.

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:04:32Read transcript

Dustin Hoffman was intended to play Keating and make the film his directing debut.
Mel Gibson was attached while the observed Jeff Kanoe was directing, before cost and creative changes moved the project elsewhere.
The observed Liam Mason reportedly had the role before Robin Williams and Peter Weir joined.
Peter Weir took the film while Gérard Depardieu’s availability delayed Green Card.
Her role was reportedly edited out, and she was told not to attend the premiere.
River Phoenix wanted to play Neil, but the role went to Robert Sean Leonard.
Sam Rockwell reportedly auditioned for Charlie.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Questions cover Keating’s other classes and soccer role, his London relationship and age, the caller in Charlie’s God stunt, Chet’s fate, Knox and Chris’s relationship, and Keating’s next job.

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:22:20Read transcript

The panel asks whether Keating taught other classes and why only this class heard about the society.
Keating’s presence in the soccer montage prompts questions about whether he coached the team and how it performed.
The woman in London may be a wife or girlfriend, but the film leaves the relationship unresolved.
Keating’s age is debated as roughly thirty-four versus forty, with World War II service used as speculation.
The group asks who placed the call that enabled Charlie’s phone-from-God stunt.
Josh Charles’s later view that Knox and Chris probably had one date supports doubts that the relationship lasted.
Chet’s threatened response to Knox remains an open sequel question.
Keating’s lost reference and the failed school production make another teaching job uncertain.

Picking Nits

Nitpicks cover Keating retrieving belongings during class, Mrs. Perry missing the gunshot, limited blood, dog-treat evidence, Knox finding Chris, and the school controlling the suicide inquiry.

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:41Read transcript

Retrieving personal belongings during the only class he teaches makes the final confrontation seem avoidably staged.
Mrs. Perry somehow does not hear the gunshot in her own home.
The study shows much less blood than the panel expects, though restraint protects the ending’s tone.
The large number of dog treats leaves crunchy residue and creates its own risk of discovery.
A student at Chris’s school instantly supplies a room number, though Chris is actually at her locker.
The school appears to conduct the post-suicide investigation without visible outside authorities.