The hosts read that Ebert gave it two and a half stars, writing that Chase's performance reduces every scene to the same level, that his inflexible mask of cool detachment keeps viewers from identifying with him, and that Fletch needed an actor more interested in the character than in himself.
The review is rejected as missing the movie entirely, and Ebert's comedy takes are called consistently bad.
Siskel nailed it in the At the Movies segment: Chase had been miscast for years and finally had a character whose ironic detachment is the point, while Ebert wanted the audience invested in the character and missed the point. — Sean Fennessey
Jokes that Ebert thought it was a drama and wanted something like The Big Sleep, The Killing Fields or Chariots of Fire.

Burt Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Mick Jagger, Barry Bostwick, Richard Dreyfuss and George Segal were considered

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 00:52:18Read transcript

The hosts read that Bert Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Charles Grotto, Mick Jagger and Barry Bostwick were considered; the author had rejection rights and turned down Reynolds and Jagger.
The hosts read that original producer Jonathan Burroughs wanted Richard Dreyfus after Chase's managers rejected the part; Dreyfus would not have worked.
Bostwick had one of the worst possible career outcomes, 'market corrected' over and over again by other white guys. — Bill Simmons
George Siegel is said to have been considered and to have turned it down; he might have been good in the late 70s.

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:58:22Read transcript

It would be a better movie if Gina Davis and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson swapped roles; the answer is yes.
Davis, in her second movie and clearly headed for bigger things, is stuck as Fletch's LA Times helper; she played opposite tall leading men like Goldblum in The Fly and would be great opposite Chevy.
A future Gina Davis episode could be A League of Their Own.
The recasting-couch move is to flip them.
Elizabeth Shoe may be too young; the Wheeler-Nicholson fan denies a personal connection and calls her a dynamite lady of the Diane Cannon school who rolls with the punches, which is attributed to her not acting.

Godfather house; unused hockey-player disguise; cut World Series fantasy

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:00:24Read transcript

The research says Alan Stanwyk's house is the same house used in The Godfather when Jack Waltz finds the horse head.
The research says original posters show Fletch in disguises including a hockey player that never made the final cut.
The research describes a cut fantasy with Fletch pitching in the World Series with Lassorta pulling him; production stills exist, which explains the line about hating him.
Why an L.A. sports fan would hate Tommy Lusorta is debated, followed by a Hershiser digression about 1985 versus 1988.

Gail's tennis; the cabana; Mrs. Stanwyk's calm; Lasorda photos; Stanwyk's plan; the publicized second marriage

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:05:58Read transcript

Gail Stanwyk's tennis is the worst anyone has ever played; a joke says she wanted to prove she was bad at everything, not just acting.
A take that tennis wasn't widely played back then is called terrible, since she belongs to a tennis club.
The tennis-club cabana looks like a $2 million house.
Mrs. Stanwyk seems completely unfazed when Fletch tells her everything.
Someone that obsessed with the Lakers wouldn't punch glass-framed pictures of Tommy Lusorto.
Stanwyk's plan is not bulletproof; he has a plane and could get to Brazil without the dead-body scheme.
A second marriage covered with a big photo in the LA Times would have been noticed; why marry at all.

Spelling of the Cocktoston alias; whether Fletch retired; whether Fletch 2 happened

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:08:09Read transcript

The correct spelling of the John Cocktoston alias: IMDb reportedly gives 'Cock Tolstoy', while others hear 'Cocktoston' and argue over a K or a C.
Chris is teased as never making it as an investigative reporter, and a spelling starting with K is offered.
Did Fletch retire from the LA Times, and did Fletch 2 happen: Fletch Lives was hugely disappointing, and Mr. Underhill is one of the few returning actors.
Late-80s sequels were repeated letdowns: 48 Hours 2, Godfather 3, Fletch Lives, Caddyshack 2 (though Chevy is funny in it) and later Beverly Hills Cop 3.