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The Rewatchables ·

Say Anything...

year 1989decade 80sdirector Cameron Crowegenre Comedygenre Romancegenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanguest Judd Apatow
All 15 categories

Most Rewatchable Scene · 31:14

The graduation party

The opening with the lead’s three female friends efficiently establishes his goal, personality, and the social stakes around Diane.

Diane calling him back turns landline anxiety into a successful party invitation.

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 1:19:57

“Power Lloyd”

The rain-on-the-car baptism and “Power Lloyd” monologue is offered as a favorite and a yearbook quote.

The film

Say Anything... (1989)

Directed by Cameron Crowe · Comedy

100 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

John Cusack Lloyd Dobler
Ione Skye Diane Court
John Mahoney Jim Court
Lili Taylor Corey Flood
Amy Brooks D.C.
Pamela Segall Rebecca
Jason Gould Mike Cameron
Polly Platt Mrs. Flood
Bebe Neuwirth Mrs. Evans

Everything from the episode

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

1:04:32

Casting What-Ifs

John Cusack beat Christian Slater after Robert Downey Jr. declined; Jennifer Connelly, Elisabeth Shue, Pamela Adlon, ...

John Cusack beat Christian Slater after Robert Downey Jr. declined; Jennifer Connelly, Elisabeth Shue, Pamela Adlon, Julia Roberts, Dick Van Dyke, Lawrence Kasdan, and Richard Dreyfuss figure in other casting or directing possibilities.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:32Read transcript
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1:10:09

Recasting Couch

Keep the cast; jokingly replace only the principal

Keep the cast; jokingly replace only the principal

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:09Read transcript
  • All three panelists call the film exceptionally or perfectly cast and decline to replace anyone. — Bill Simmons
  • The principal is offered as a late joking nominee.
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1:10:46

Half-Assed Internet Research

The shared Karate Kid dojo, Don “The Dragon” Wilson’s work with Cusack, the Toshiba boombox, and the rejected Smither...

The shared Karate Kid dojo, Don “The Dragon” Wilson’s work with Cusack, the Toshiba boombox, and the rejected Smithereens theme song

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:46Read transcript
  • The dojo also appeared in The Karate Kid. — Judd Apatow
  • Don “The Dragon” Wilson worked on Cusack’s kickboxing scenes, which reportedly began the actor’s decades-long practice. — Bill Simmons
  • The iconic boombox is identified as a Tashiba RTSX-1. — Bill Simmons
  • Crow commissioned the Smithereens to write the theme; he rejected “A Girl Like You” because its lyrics revealed too much plot, and it became the band’s biggest hit. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:08

Picking Nits

The panel debates trimming or expanding the nursing-home fraud and whether Diane’s breakup is too abrupt, then defend...

The panel debates trimming or expanding the nursing-home fraud and whether Diane’s breakup is too abrupt, then defends the time passage and pre-college pressure.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:08Read transcript
  • One view would remove two or three minutes of nursing-home fraud; another wants twenty more minutes and deeper relationships with residents.
  • Diane’s breakup initially seems abrupt because she appears to love Lloyd. — Bill Simmons
  • Changing outfits and rooms imply repeated conversations and time passing before the breakup. — Chris Ryan
  • The father’s manipulation and the expectation of a pre-college breakup supply a period-specific motivation. — Judd Apatow
  • The panel gives young listeners a joking public-service recommendation to end high-school relationships before college. — Chris Ryan
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1:23:06

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Questions imagine Lloyd’s later UFC and podcast career and ask how long he and Diane lasted in England.

Questions imagine Lloyd’s later UFC and podcast career and ask how long he and Diane lasted in England.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:06Read transcript
  • The panel asks whether Lloyd predicted the UFC and became an MMA blogger, podcaster, or both.
  • Lloyd is imagined meeting Dana White and building a podcasting empire after returning for a fight.
  • The group asks how long the couple stayed together in England and predicts tension over Lloyd’s idleness and party behavior.
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