Stepping in early, one host says Robert Downey Jr. (transcribed 'Danny Jr.') as Kevin would make it a better movie; the other says he likes Andrew McCarthy. The name is spoken as 'Robert Downey as Kevin is the sweet spot' at 148.
For the Wendy part, an era-specific, better-looking brunette is sought: Daphne Zuniga (transcribed 'Daphne Zaniga'), contrasting with Demi Moore; the reply is "I like that."
Justine Bateman is raised and rejected as too famous given her 1985 show.
Helen Slater is proposed as Leslie and Linda Fiorentino, coming off Vision Quest, as Jules; the response is "That's pretty good."
Downey Jr. (transcribed 'Danny Jr.') is again called a win in that role (name as spoken at 148).

Casting What-Ifs

Anthony Edwards; Lea Thompson; Emilio Estevez as Billy; C. Thomas Howell as Kirby; Robert Downey Jr. as Billy; Charlie Sheen; Jenny Wright as Jules

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 00:56:22Read transcript

The hosts say hundreds were interviewed, with Anthony Edwards and Lea Thompson (transcribed 'Leah Thompson') coming close.
The hosts say Schumacher had to push for the three Breakfast Club actors, and that Emilio wanted to play Billy (called a potential disaster) before settling for Kirby.
The hosts say C. Thomas Howell (transcribed 'See Thomas Howe') auditioned for Kirby but was too young, and that Rob Lowe was only 20 when cast as Billy.
The hosts say Robert Downey Jr. was considered for Billy before Lowe won it after three auditions; one host loves Lowe as Billy and still sees Downey as Kevin as the sweet spot.
Emilio's Kirby is like his Breakfast Club character five years later, yet he had one of the better careers with Young Guns, his own films and Stakeout.
Charlie Sheen is called a bit too young and reportedly skipped his audition; one host says he could have played Alec, as he basically does in Wall Street.
The hosts say Demi Moore was cast after Schumacher saw her storm out of a John Hughes audition on the Columbia lot; she was on General Hospital, which one host watched.
The hosts say that when Moore went to rehab, moving Jenny Wright into the role of Jules was discussed.
Madonna stories are uncertain; Madonna as Jules is a good runner-up, but Moore was perfect, and Madonna may not have managed the Jeep scene, possibly Moore's best acting.
Mid-80s ensembles seem to have had about 40 actors going up for the same eight parts.
Linda Hamilton was rumored for a role, maybe Jules or the Ally Sheedy part.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Universal back-lot bar street; the Tombs as the model bar; cast partying; Georgetown filming refusal; shower-door accident; Lowe learning sax; McCarthy feeling apart

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:05:06Read transcript

Per the hosts' research, the bar's street was on the Universal back lot, near the Back to the Future clock tower.
Per the hosts, the bar was based on the Tombs (transcribed 'Tumes'), a Georgetown hangout one host visited in the early 90s, which looked similar.
The hosts say the five partied a lot, and that Estevez and Moore got engaged and made Wisdom, which he directed and which bombed.
The hosts say Georgetown would not permit filming, so the production used the University of Maryland; per Gora's book, a priest answered Schumacher's Exorcist jab by saying God wins in The Exorcist.
Per the hosts' research, Lowe had Lakers courtside tickets and a new Porsche.
Per the hosts' research, the shower door breaking in the Sheedy-McCarthy scene was an accident; per McCarthy in the book, Schumacher's crude outburst made Sheedy cry, which would be a bigger deal in 2020.
The hosts say Lowe learned the sax, though some moments show he is not playing.
McCarthy is quoted from the book saying he always felt apart from the group; he is judged a bad hang, and Judd Nelson is preferred.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Georgetown basketball's view of the movie; what happened to each character; freezing to death in a D.C. apartment; whether Kevin is gay in a 2020 version

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 01:10:36Read transcript

Would Patrick Ewing like this movie? No. Has John Thompson seen it? No way.
The film should have referenced Georgetown basketball, such as Reggie Williams or David Wingate; Kirby should have had an Ewing poster.
A Perfect Storm follow-up: a friend emailed that the film says it is October, so Celtics games should have been on.
Kevin probably preferred his Woody Allen poster; he is a one seed with Troy among movie characters one host would not hang out with.
Kevin's writing career: a Pop Tarts front-page column, a Mitch Albom-style career (transcribed 'Mitch album'), or Spin in the late 80s; one verdict is that it failed because he is too much of a loser.
Alec becomes a senator and resigns in a scandal; the Ally Sheedy character's fate is unknown (transcribed 'Alice Sheedy'); Billy is dead.
Jules called her shot and hosts a show; Kirby has a bad ending, perhaps as Nationals GM.
Wendy is of no interest; Hubley joins the Navy and becomes a pilot.
Can you freeze to death in a Washington, D.C. apartment? No.
In a 2020 TV version, is Kevin gay? The other host says the Leslie love triangle must stay as the story's hinge.

Picking Nits

Jules losing every possession; the party-night timeline; Billy's quick bail before the bar

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:11:41Read transcript

How do you lose all your possessions to a cocaine problem? The bank repossessing credit-card purchases is debated.
The Billy Idol poster looked like an art installation; whether it could go up at home is debated.
On the night of Kirby's party, Kirby's drive, Billy and Jules's drive, Kevin and Leslie's night with the broken shower door, and Alec's morning arrival do not add up.
At the start, Billy gets a DUI and is bailed out before the bar that night, raising the question of a 40-minute bail.
The party night becomes one of the longest in movie history, about 14 hours, with Kirby driving three and a half hours, possibly to the Poconos.