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The Rewatchables ·

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

year 2006decade 00sdirector Adam McKaygenre Sportsgenre Comedy
host Craig Horlbeckhost Danny Heifetzhost Danny Kellyproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 42 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:17:44

NASCAR is better than expected

The first take is framed as starting a NASCAR podcast and settles on NASCAR being better than expected.

The second calls Talladega Nights the funniest sports movie and compares it with Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore, Waterboy, Kingpin, The Longest Yard, Blades of Glory, Kicking and Screaming, and Semi-Pro.

The film

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Directed by Adam McKay · Sports

108 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Will Ferrell Ricky Bobby
John C. Reilly Cal Naughton Jr.
Sacha Baron Cohen Jean Girard
Gary Cole Reese Bobby
Michael Clarke Duncan Lucius Washington
Leslie Bibb Carley Bobby / Naughton
Jane Lynch Lucy Bobby
Amy Adams Susan
Andy Richter Gregory
Greg Germann Larry Dennit Jr.

Everything from the episode

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

29:56

Most Rewatchable Scene

The dinner and grace sequence

The dinner and grace sequence

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:56Read transcript
  • The opening title card and the childhood and career-day vignettes are nominated as immediate tone setters. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The dinner scene supplies the baby-Jesus prayer, Walker and Texas Ranger, and several of the movie’s most enduring lines. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The Jean Girard bar encounter, Ricky’s crash and hospital scenes, Cal’s family takeover, the cougar training, and Susan’s speech are all discussed as alternatives. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel converges on the dinner and grace scene while still praising the bar sequence.
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50:14

The most 2006 thing

The panel debates Nextel, Halliburton, the gay French villain, Amy Adams’s small role, and Sacha Baron Cohen as the m...

The panel debates Nextel, Halliburton, the gay French villain, Amy Adams’s small role, and Sacha Baron Cohen as the most 2006 element.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:14Read transcript
  • Nextel phones, Halliburton, long sideburns, Circuit City, and mid-2000s celebrity references form the initial list.
  • Making the villain a gay French man is proposed as especially specific to 2006.
  • Amy Adams appearing in a small part and Sasha Baron Cohen appearing shortly before Borat are late alternatives.
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55:04

What’s Aged the Best?

The racing photography; Leslie Bibb’s performance; the marketing jokes

The racing photography; Leslie Bibb’s performance; the marketing jokes

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:04Read transcript
  • The racing footage, crashes, North Carolina locations, and overall production are praised as authentic and durable. — Craig Horlbeck
  • Leslie Bibb’s trophy-wife performance is said to stand out more over time.
  • Ricky trademarking his slogan, the Applebee’s crash commercial, the careful track announcer, and the longevity joke are praised.
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59:54

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The crane move into Ricky’s car; the long crash; the race-pageantry footage

The crane move into Ricky’s car; the long crash; the race-pageantry footage

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:54Read transcript
  • A crane shot descends over the track and enters Ricky’s driver seat. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The slow-motion crash and the flag-and-fighter-jet race introduction are alternatives.
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1:02:54

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

No — Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

No — Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:54Read transcript
  • High, Wide, and Handsome and Red, White, and Racing are reported development alternatives.
  • Talladega Nights is called fantastic, and its Ballad subtitle is compared with Anchorman’s Legend subtitle.
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1:08:32

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Sacha Baron Cohen’s very slow, exaggerated French accent is the only proposed weak link.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s very slow, exaggerated French accent is the only proposed weak link.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:32Read transcript
  • One participant argues the accent limits Cohen’s comic range and makes every line take too long.
  • The others defend the commitment and Ricky’s dismissive reactions. — Craig Horlbeck
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1:09:43

What’s Aged the Worst?

Dated cultural references, homophobic humor, child-hitting, and a line about unconscious sex are cited as aging worst.

Dated cultural references, homophobic humor, child-hitting, and a line about unconscious sex are cited as aging worst.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:43Read transcript
  • References to Dr. Quinn, Golden Girls, Highlander, Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Yasmine Bleeth may now be obscure. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel explicitly says the homophobic humor belongs to 2006 and would not play now.
  • Grandma hitting the children and Cal saying Carly was unconscious during sex are also criticized.
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1:13:16

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Molly Shannon

Molly Shannon

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:16Read transcript
  • Her drunken race-day reactions and belittling of her husband are offered as the evidence.
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1:17:44

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

NASCAR is better than expected; Talladega Nights is the funniest sports movie; it has aged better than Anchorman; big...

NASCAR is better than expected; Talladega Nights is the funniest sports movie; it has aged better than Anchorman; big-budget gloss can weaken comedy

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:44Read transcript
  • The first take is framed as starting a NASCAR podcast and settles on NASCAR being better than expected.
  • The second calls Talladega Nights the funniest sports movie and compares it with Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore, Waterboy, Kingpin, The Longest Yard, Blades of Glory, Kicking and Screaming, and Semi-Pro.
  • The third says Talladega Nights now plays better than Anchorman. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The last argument says big-budget gloss can weaken comedy and prefers practical, lived-in images to obvious CGI. — Craig Horlbeck
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1:27:58

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

No consensus: Gary Cole, Ted Manson, Ian Roberts, and Greg Germann

No consensus: Gary Cole, Ted Manson, Ian Roberts, and Greg Germann

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:58Read transcript
  • Gary Cole is offered as the beginner-level choice because viewers may recognize Office Space and Veep without knowing his name.
  • Ted Manson is the expert-level choice and Ian Roberts is the middle-level choice.
  • Greg Germann and Jack McBrayer extend the debate over how recognizable is too recognizable. — Craig Horlbeck
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1:30:00

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Molly Shannon

Molly Shannon

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:00Read transcript
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1:40:18

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

McKay’s comedies should receive long director cuts, and a continuous blooper channel would be worth watching.

McKay’s comedies should receive long director cuts, and a continuous blooper channel would be worth watching.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:18Read transcript
  • The first late hot take asks for extended McKay cuts in place of other famous director-cut campaigns.
  • A mini hot take says blooper reels can be as enjoyable as the movies and proposes a blooper-only channel. — Craig Horlbeck
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1:41:09

Apex Mountain

Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, NASCAR, Sacha Baron Cohen, and several cultural details receive Apex Mountain discussion.

Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, NASCAR, Sacha Baron Cohen, and several cultural details receive Apex Mountain discussion.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:09Read transcript
  • Will Ferrell’s peak is placed in the Elf–Anchorman–Talladega Nights–Step Brothers window, with Talladega Nights supported by its blank-check premise and box office.
  • John C. Reilly’s apex is tied to this movie leading into Walk Hard. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel says 2006 may be NASCAR’s audience and movie apex while acknowledging limited expertise.
  • Sacha Baron Cohen’s Talladega Nights and Borat releases in the same four-month span make 2006 his choice.
  • Shake and Bake, sideburns, and Jack McBrayer are also tested as cultural or career peaks.
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1:47:58

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Ricky Bobby

Tom Hanks as Ricky Bobby

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:58Read transcript
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1:51:29

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

No

No

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:29Read transcript
  • Adam McKay reportedly had an idea to send Ricky Bobby to Europe for Formula One. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel prefers leaving the movie alone and notes that comedy sequels usually lose surprise. — Craig Horlbeck
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1:52:38

Is This Movie Better With…?

Tom Brady doing the race commentary is the proposed addition.

Tom Brady doing the race commentary is the proposed addition.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:52:38Read transcript
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1:53:32

Just One Oscar

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:32Read transcript
  • John C. Reilly is compared with Mark Wahlberg’s nominated Departed performance, and the movie’s sound is also praised.
  • When forced to choose freely rather than replace a specific 2006 winner, the answer is Will Ferrell.
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1:59:48

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The Wonder Bread hat and race suit, Crystal Gayle shirt, cougar prop, Ricky’s car, Reese Bobby’s wardrobe, and Laughi...

The Wonder Bread hat and race suit, Crystal Gayle shirt, cougar prop, Ricky’s car, Reese Bobby’s wardrobe, and Laughing Clown malt liquor are nominated.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:59:48Read transcript
  • The choice expands from replica clothing to the real car, game-worn suit, cougar prop, Reese Bobby wardrobe, and a six-pack of Laughing Clown malt liquor.
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2:00:58

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

The lesson remains disputed between accepting second through fifth and living by “first or last.”

The lesson remains disputed between accepting second through fifth and living by “first or last.”

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:00:58Read transcript
  • The panel identifies self-motivated racing and accepting places besides first as the movie’s intended lesson. — Craig Horlbeck
  • “Sometimes people don’t change” is added through Reese Bobby selling his own tickets.
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2:03:32

Who Won the Movie?

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:03:32Read transcript
  • Cal is jokingly proposed because he receives Ricky’s wife, house, sponsors, and a race win without consequences.
  • The panel agrees Ferrell wins because the movie confirms his status as the defining comedy star; a combined McKay–Ferrell answer is considered but rejected.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Will Ferrell
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