United Artists reportedly wanted Redford, Ryan O’Neal, Burt Reynolds or James Caan; this is defended as plausible studio thinking rather than ideal casting.
O’Neal is rejected as too handsome and WASPy.
Caan as Rocky with Keitel or Cazale as Paulie is imagined.
Caan and Reynolds are challenged as too established; the unknown Stallone makes the audience root for the real performer too.
Ken Norton reportedly withdrew from Apollo before Carl Weathers took the role.
Stallone reportedly wanted Harvey Keitel for Paulie.
Carrie Snodgress reportedly left Adrian over money; Cher and Susan Sarandon auditioned, with Sarandon judged too pretty.
Lee Strasberg reportedly wanted too much money to play Mickey.

John Cazale as a more likable Paulie; otherwise unchanged

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:18:58Read transcript

Caan as Rocky with Harvey Keitel or John Cazale as Paulie is imagined, but Caan and Reynolds are considered too established for the unknown-underdog effect.
Recasting: initial leave cast alone, then more palatable Paulie considered; John Cazale failed-brother type may repeat roles but charisma would make him likable. Imagined neglected skinny alcoholic and robe-logo hustler.

Production constraints; fight choreography; poster error; number-one song

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:23:13Read transcript

Duke reportedly received his name only in Rocky II; Bound for Glory and Marathon Man preceded Rocky’s Steadicam use.
The ice rink was empty because the production could not afford extras.
Meredith used a fake cauliflower ear and a nostril tube to alter his appearance.
Young reportedly applied vermouth and wore excess clothing to feel uncomfortable and angry; the meat-locker drinking is recalled.
The final fight reportedly began without choreography and had to stop so it could be planned.
The wrong trunks on the arena poster were reportedly an actual error incorporated into the scene.
A Philadelphia union issue reportedly moved much of the fight filming to Los Angeles.
Gonna Fly Now reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, above the guesses of top ten or seven.

Arena access; five-week notice; Mickey’s training/hearing; Adrian’s dating

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:34:42Read transcript

Picking Nits: empty Spectrum access questioned, defended because Rocky on next-day fight card and could inspect ring; empty setup implausibility reiterated.
Nit: forty fighters refusing five-week notice implausible for huge payday; response perhaps feared Creed, matchmaking story correction, real short-notice fight examples.
Nit: string-between-ankles balance training dubious, Mickey contribution limited; Apollo better trainer argument versus Mickey teaching body punches/balance/no smoking and real improvement.
Nit: Mickey cannot plausibly hear normal-volume speech down hall/stairs through doors after years of punches.
Nit: someone would have dated Adrian earlier, Rocky only now pursuing friend's sister; rebuttal he repeatedly visited making jokes. Sexual transformation and clothing jokes.

Women weakening legs; hypothetical fight odds

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:40:32Read transcript

Unanswerable: do women weaken legs? Recalled HBO or Showtime Sex and Sweet Science program allegedly found no scientific support; podcast assertion, uncertain network.
Unanswerable betting hypotheticals: Creed minus2000 or perhaps30–1 using Tyson/Douglas analogy, rounds over-under2.5, Gazzo fixing angle, after early knockdown Creed minus400. Clearly invented odds not actual betting history.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:43:51Read transcript

Double features three final responses: Raging Bull, Saturday Night Fever, Rocky II. Rocky II requires skipping coma section; ending25min praised.
Sequel quality disagreement: Van likes Rocky V, another despises it but praises final30min; discussion rediscovering Marie in Rocky Balboa.