The hosts report Ebert gave the movie one star and put it on his most hated list, which the hosts say was normally reserved for movies like Showgirls; it is called the all-time roughest Ebert moment.
The review is quoted: the film plays like an explosion at the screenplay factory, with a bewildered office boy rescuing pages at random that should have been mailed to the insurance company instead of filmed.
The review is called very well written but a horrendous take.
No defense is offered: Ebert mattered for film literacy, but with broad comedies he does not get why they work, like a basketball player who can't go left; Farley's weight at the center of the comedy may have made him sensitive. — Sean Fennessey
Fat guys need to stick together: Farley uses his weight to his advantage while doing cartwheels, the same reason for loving Kevin Duckworth and Oliver Miller.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Tommy's first sales meeting

In the discussion (21)

Approx. transcript time · 00:29:05Read transcript

The scene concept is amorphous for this movie, which is built from two-to-two-and-a-half-minute bits; the list could have run to 20.
The opening credits are phenomenal: the little kid running, shifting to older Farley graduating and falling, with comedy inside the credits; the others agree it shows who the character is right away and speeds up the usually boring credits.
Tommy's first visit with his dad in hard hats, the kung fu, Spade's dismissiveness and the new office set up that Spade's character will hate him; the 'It's called reading' exchange is cited.
A personal favorite, though maybe not most rewatchable: Tommy on the boat with Julie Warner, starting with real acting about his father's death, the boat tilting, the heckling kids, and her threat to them.
Farley proves a surprisingly good actor there, but he would be scarier than Julie Warner to the hecklers.
The boat scene matters enough that it returns for the ending.
Julie Warner is listed at 5-2 but seems 4-9 or 4-10, prompting draft-measurement jokes and an elevated-curb observation.
Tommy's first sales meeting falls apart as he reenacts a car accident with 'new guy's in the corner puking his guts out'; anyone who doesn't laugh is dead inside.
A six-year-old's first viewing named the sales meeting his favorite part; the scene is cringeworthy as their only chance at a sale while he sets model cars on fire and Spade shoots darts at him; it is called that speaker's favorite, most rewatchable.
Watching Spade's horrified reactions is a fun way to watch the movie; the puking line is iconic.
The sales meeting leads into the gas-station door scene and 'What'd you do?', tied to a son denying he knocked over a wrestling glass; a 'Benny Boy' sequel joke follows.
A roughly ten-minute stretch is submitted as one rewatchable run: Fat Guy in a Little Coat, the Carpenters sing-along, the roadside fight and the diner with the waitress.
Of those four bits, the Carpenters 'Superstar' sing-along is a favorite, with the song called the ideal choice.
The later sing-along callback is loved, and the road-trip stretch is a favorite, especially the waitress deadpanning 'God, you're sick' after the biscuit bit. — Sean Fennessey
Small moments also stick: Richard picking Tommy up at the airport, the suitcase, the M&Ms in Richard's car; the movie is like 65 sketches stitched together, and the diner scene is named a favorite.
The diner is the pivotal moment where Richard sees Tommy can sell, and it could have been hit harder; still, someone so pathetic you have to give them money is a good idea.
Tommy catching Richard watching the woman in the pool and the repeated jokes about Buddy Wackett and the Yankees are a favorite.
As the hosts tell the story, Fat Guy in a Little Coat began as a bit Farley did in the SNL offices that Spade had to endure, then became a song in the movie; it is joked to become the country's post-quarantine anthem.
The diner scene is probably the pick, with a shout-out to the climax: Zelensky signing for 500,000 brake pads and the factory cheer gave chills on rewatch. — Sean Fennessey
The first sales meeting with the new guy puking his guts out is picked as a favorite that gets that speaker every time; the same speaker notes 'Sal and I had the same'.
Setting the model cars on fire is picked as cringeworthy and physically beautiful. — Cousin Sal

Opening credits; 'Luke, I'm your father' fan gag; Callahan family portraits; Rob Lowe's performance; the board-meeting old lady; Tommy and Richard singing; the bees gimmick; Spade's hair jokes; the lost-virginity speech; Brian Dennehy

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 00:45:45Read transcript

The opening credits, the 'Luke, I'm your father' bit with the fan, and the Callahan family portraits with Farley in drag hold up as subtle comedy.
Rob Lowe's performance has aged best; he was good in anything SNL adjacent, a comedy side unpredictable in the 1980s.
Also listed: the old lady in the board meeting, Tommy and Richard singing, the bees gimmick, the jokes acknowledging Spade's weird hair, and the speech line about losing his virginity to R.T.'s daughter.
Bo Derek seemed past her prime then though she was only 39, with Lowe, Farley and Spade 31; pairing her with Dennehy, 57, was accepted but kissing Lowe as a supposed son was strange; the casting is still called nailed.
Her haircut is flagged as aged the worst for making her look older, like Alice from The Brady Bunch.
Dennehy is incredible and overqualified, a stage legend whose Death of a Salesman history makes him a callback great salesman; serious actors going toe to toe with the bits add credibility, and he is a dead ringer for Farley. — Sean Fennessey
An anecdote: interviewing Dennehy in Winnipeg in 2001 in brutal cold for an ESPN Bobby Knight TV movie, he got choked up about Farley; his IMDb has a lot of wins though he never became famous-famous.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Sandusky, Ohio setting; Bo Derek stunt casting; Flashdance jokes; sneaking onto a plane as flight attendants; Herbie Hancock joke; rushed brake-pad reversal

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 00:51:43Read transcript

The Sandusky, Ohio setting is a tough beat that jumps off the screen; the sign and a few spoken mentions could have been changed, as films have done with the Twin Towers.
Bo Derek's stunt casting was a big deal in 1995, when she had been like Marilyn Monroe for two years; the equivalent now would be a long-absent Britney Spears, and it no longer translates.
Jokes about Flashdance have become progressively less funny; producer Craig is joked not to know what Flashdance is.
Sneaking onto a plane as flight attendants is impossible post-9/11; where they were flying from and to is unclear.
Too few cameos from the SNL universe is raised, but rebutted: not overloading it makes a better, weirdly sincere movie, and Aykroyd's part drives the story.
The Herbie Hancock joke is lost on kids who did not get it. — Cousin Sal
Unsure about Aykroyd's character, with a Coneheads voice and a Mel Kuyper Jr. look, the country-club lunch invite at the end, and the finale where a presumed robber with flares gets to a camera crew.
Everyone watching local news during a workday and a fake bomb being shrugged off are nitpicked, but it's a comedy.
After the whole road trip to sell brake pads, the reversal back in Sandusky happens too quickly to process. — Sean Fennessey
A reply adds that drunk Lowe presses two buttons on a computer and everything goes to hell immediately.

Casting What-Ifs

Rob Lowe as Richard; Adam Sandler as Richard; Matthew McConaughey for the Lowe role; Roseanne Barr as Helen

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 00:58:37Read transcript

As the hosts tell it, Michaels originally envisioned Farley with Lowe as the foil in the Richard part, which fell through because Lowe had other commitments.
The hosts say Farley pushed for Spade or Sandler; Sandler was already shooting Billy Madison, so Spade was the third choice, called the right one.
The hosts say scheduling conflicts nearly forced Lowe out, and quick auditions included Matthew McConaughey, which would have been fun between Dazed and Confused and A Time to Kill.
Helen the waitress was reportedly meant for Roseanne Barr, who was busy with her show; called a good miss.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Zach Grenier

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:00:29Read transcript

The stealth pick is the bald, bulgy-eyed board member ('Zach Grinier'), from Fight Club, Curb Your Enthusiasm season 1 and Devs, with about 75 TV shows; he is the winner without question.
He has one of the best lines, filmed at the wedding saying he'd like a piece of Beverly, and is chased off with 'you little prick'.

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Dan Aykroyd

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:01:50Read transcript

Farley could win for five scenes, which is what makes him great.
Aykroyd is picked and seconded: he reportedly filmed his scenes in two days, with strange hair and a Chicago-meets-Coneheads accent, and his motivation is unclear; he definitely wins.
As the host sees it, this was when Aykroyd moved to a new career phase and resurfaced doing Bob Dole on SNL.
Aykroyd works as a cameo guy, as in Grosse Pointe Blank; here he is sillier, but the weirdly political, Rust Belt movie needs his Zelensky character as the evil corporation face opposed to what Farley believes in. — Sean Fennessey
He was not evil enough and should have been 20 percent more Vince McMahon; the movie has no clear villain beyond one loudmouth foreman.
Per the host's read of his IMDb, Aykroyd stayed busy with about four productions a year from 1994 to 2001, which changes perceptions of him.

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Rob Lowe

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:02:06Read transcript

Aykroyd could make a case for the heat-check award and arguably wins it.
Uncertain who wins; Aykroyd could since he jumps off the screen, though it is not a favorite performance.
Rob Lowe is suggested, with the eligibility question that he has only about four scenes; the cow-tipping scene is funny.
If eligible, Rob Lowe is declared the winner.

Recasting Couch

Phoebe Cates in the Bo Derek role

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:10:09Read transcript

Phoebe Cates replaces Bo Derek, a nostalgia pick echoing her Fast Times pool scene and a far better actress than Derek, called abysmal.
Without Bo Derek the '10' joke is lost.
Julie Warner had been written down but the size disparity is judged worth keeping.
A question is floated about swapping Julie Warner for 1995-era Julie Bowen after the Happy Gilmore episode.
Cates would have been only 32 in 1995, much closer to Tommy's age; agreed as a fair point.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Lowe uncredited; Farley's own stunts; Spade-Farley set altercation; Bo Derek's Razzie nomination; the pool actress dating both stars; alternate titles

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:12:12Read transcript

The hosts report Lowe is uncredited; filming The Stand, he felt weird about another movie but did it because he loved Farley; Farley did his own stunts.
They relay Spade's story: after Spade drank with Lowe, a jealous Farley kept needling him, Spade threw a Diet Coke, Farley threw him against a wall and down stairs, and Spade walked off; they often communicated through the director.
Another version says Farley was too sick to go out, was upset when they went without him, and crushed Spade's tuna sandwich.
Bo Derek was reportedly nominated for a Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress.
The hosts say the woman in the pool was Lori Bagley, whom both Spade and Farley later dated, causing tension on Black Sheep.
They report the working title Billy the Third: A Midwestern was changed because of Billy Madison, with Fat Chance, XL and Rocky Road also considered; Tommy Boy is called the perfect name.

Apex Mountain

Chris Farley; David Spade; brake pads; "Holy schnikes"

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:14:34Read transcript

Chris Farley is at Apex Mountain, with 100 percent agreement.
David Spade is a yes; younger viewers know him as the Grown Ups guy, and like Mike and the Mad Dog the two must go together.
Julie Warner is proposed but countered with Doc Hollywood and its emerging-from-the-water moment; Tommy Boy has lived on more; Michael J. Fox is taller than her there.
The Midwest is proposed and doubted, with the Packers' Super Bowl the next year and Wisconsin mentioned.
Brake pads get a 100 percent yes.
He could not describe what a brake pad does. — Bill Simmons
'Holy schnikes' is suggested and liked; Farley reportedly took it from John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, which the movie resembles; 'son of a' is used about a dozen times.

Picking Nits

Driving without a driver's door; unclear season; no background check on the fiancée; the fiancée's weight-camp grift; instant order hacking

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:16:56Read transcript

Driving the highway without a driver's side door would be harder and scarier than shown.
The season is unclear: turning leaves versus convertible weather, when Farley would be far sweatier.
A rich Tommy Sr. should have run a background check on his fiancée; she met him at a weight-loss camp, an odd grift, and her son is only a few years younger.
Hacking Julie Warner's computer and changing hundreds of orders in a minute is implausible for a character who can't shoot out a tire.
It leads to a favorite moment where the chute rips Lowe's shirt off and he exits shirtless.

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

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:26Read transcript

God no; don't remake this movie, stay away.

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

"A lot of people go to college for seven years." "I know. They're called doctors."; "Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a kid?"; "I just barfed on an inhale"; "I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it"

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:43Read transcript

The seven-years-of-college exchange ending 'They're called doctors' is a great line.
Farley's self-deprecating slur line is praised for its delivery, tied to his flustered self-hitting on the Chris Farley Show sketch.
The paint chips line and Spade's 'I just barfed on an inhale' are also cited.
The steak line, finally delivered right at the end after failing all movie, is gratifying and could have gone in aged best.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Did Bo Derek's character kill Tommy Sr.?; Were Tommy and Michelle ever a couple?; How do their next six months play out?

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:21:58Read transcript

Did Bo Derek's character kill Tommy Sr., who died at the wedding reception? A spiked drink or toxicology report reveal is suggested, and her ending up with Zelensky is bothersome.
Were Tommy and Julie Warner's character dating? They had one date, never kissed, and she nearly left him.
Asked about the next six months, a story follows about Jimmy's shelved ABC upfronts parody 'Fat Guy with a Beautiful Wife'; the couple could last. — Cousin Sal
The boat could last; love between the two is possible. — Sean Fennessey

Who Won the Movie?

Chris Farley

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:07Read transcript

An easy one: Chris Farley won the movie, met with mock surprise.
A solo Cast Away episode had the most convincing winner ever, but this is in the mix; it is a Chris Farley movie.

Podcast choices

Speaker not identified: Chris Farley

More from the conversation

A network plug covers the Book of Basketball podcast redraftables of the 1996-99 drafts, the Ringer YouTube channel near 250,000 subscribers, two Rewatchables a week going forward, and World Central Kitchen donations for LA frontline meals.

Approx. transcript time · 00:00:39Read transcript

The episode is framed around one of their favorite comedies of the past 25 years having an anniversary this week, with Ringer pieces on Chris Farley.

Approx. transcript time · 00:03:18Read transcript

Quarantine banter across three locations about a fresh haircut learned from YouTube tutorials.

Approx. transcript time · 00:04:24Read transcript

The 25th anniversary was this week though it had been scheduled for next month; the 1995 Mets were not significant.

Approx. transcript time · 00:04:51Read transcript

It was not a big hit at first; research is cited that by 2004 it was among the 10 biggest VCR/DVD purchases, and it reportedly took in $32 million on a $22 million cost, with Black Sheep similar, while topping rentals.

Approx. transcript time · 00:04:51Read transcript

With one or two more movies the Spade-Farley duo would rank with Abbott and Costello.

Approx. transcript time · 00:06:07Read transcript

Falling for Farley on SNL began with the Chippendales sketch, which people videotaped and shared.

Approx. transcript time · 00:06:33Read transcript

College fans discovered it stoned on home video and learned every line like a pop song; the mid-90s comedy run included Jim Carrey and There's Something About Mary.

Approx. transcript time · 00:07:05Read transcript

Belushi, discovered through SNL prime-time best-ofs, is compared with Farley as a big, physical Midwestern successor.

Approx. transcript time · 00:07:56Read transcript

Farley blows Belushi away, like a Tiger Woods doing cartwheels on the green.

Approx. transcript time · 00:08:55Read transcript

Farley is said to hit three rewatchables: Tommy Boy, the Chippendales sketch, and his Letterman entrance promoting Black Sheep, described as a trash-can toss the host calls obviously set up, plus cartwheels.

Approx. transcript time · 00:09:12Read transcript

Sandler, on the podcast with KG, said Farley was funnier than all of them, with a story about Farley at a 30 Rock window.

Approx. transcript time · 00:10:54Read transcript

Tommy Boy gives the full Farley; Belushi never had his Tommy Boy, Animal House being closest; Dirty Work is also liked.

Approx. transcript time · 00:11:57Read transcript

There is no Farley without Belushi, whom he idolized to excess; Farley is sweeter and Tommy his most likable character.

Approx. transcript time · 00:12:42Read transcript

Belushi was the better actor, citing his SNL Kirk impression; Farley is the evolutionary Belushi, like Dr. J to Jordan.

Approx. transcript time · 00:13:29Read transcript

Farley's Letterman appearances looked reckless enough that getting what we did feels lucky.

Approx. transcript time · 00:15:19Read transcript

The hosts say that by the mid-90s cocaine's danger was understood, that the recurring theme in writing about Farley is people trying to help him, with rehab about 12 times, and that some remain bitter at Michaels over his late SNL hosting.

Approx. transcript time · 00:15:38Read transcript

Tommy Boy catches him at the peak of his powers, before the drug look, for 100 minutes.

Approx. transcript time · 00:16:46Read transcript

Movie-nerd view: it isn't sophisticated cinema, and comedy reviews look insane decades later; chemistry plus Farley let loose every 12 minutes is enough.

Approx. transcript time · 00:17:06Read transcript

The film is said to consider Farley's roots as the host recalls them (Marquette, seven years, rugby, Madison), and it is set in Sandusky, Ohio, a name now shared with the Penn State tragedy.

Approx. transcript time · 00:18:42Read transcript

Two premises carry it, the screw-up put in charge and the road trip; Caddyshack's audibled night-golf scene is contrasted with letting Farley cook.

Approx. transcript time · 00:19:25Read transcript

The hosts call Spade the revelation: a mid-level SNL player who, as they tell it, found his persona once Hollywood Minute took off.

Approx. transcript time · 00:20:56Read transcript

As the best SNL-adjacent comedy, Wayne's World, Blues Brothers and Tommy Boy are the top three, with Tommy Boy the funniest.

Approx. transcript time · 00:21:30Read transcript

Kids still love it; the 12-minute formula is likened to the Incredible Hulk, and the office-relationship dynamic has viewers rooting for both.

Approx. transcript time · 00:22:24Read transcript

The hosts note it was written by Terry and Bonnie Turner of Wayne's World, Coneheads and Brady Bunch fame, say Black Sheep barely had a script, and recall the DVD, Blockbuster and cable era keeping Tommy Boy on constantly.

Approx. transcript time · 00:23:29Read transcript

A host-read charity break promotes World Central Kitchen and Feeding America.

Approx. transcript time · 00:26:49Read transcript

A Rob Lowe tangent covers his SNL-movie villain sweet spot, ageless looks, a Costner Grantland party anecdote, a run of IMDb favorites, and a debate over his St. Elmo's Fire saxophone role.

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:18Read transcript

Asked about an entire Rob Lowe podcast, the reply is that there are many thoughts on his complicated life, maybe not safe for public consumption.

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:18Read transcript

Sal is asked for last words on his first Rewatchables pod.

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:37Read transcript

Closing words: Farley would have scared everyone into staying home in a coronavirus PSA and is missed; banter about gambling losses avoided.

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:37Read transcript

The episode is called a memorial for the late Chris Farley in closing banter.

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:57Read transcript

Next week's films are announced as Total Recall and Enemy of the State.

Approx. transcript time · 01:27:23Read transcript