New wrapper 24 years-later reassessment: Jennifer Coolidge White Lotus and Eugene Levy Schitts Creek became belated breakout stars; retrospective pair distinguished from original ballot discussion. — Bill Simmons
Cousin Eddie is an all-time heat check and obvious winner, with a suggestion that the award could be named for him; the white-shoes gift is remembered fondly. — Bill Simmons
Buying the station wagon from Eugene Levy’s salesman is nominated, especially the sales pitch and the promise that driving it will make Clark hate it more. — Chris Ryan
The trip’s beginning is nominated for Mockingbird, the Wally World anthem, family singing, and the recurring complaint about Russ’s feet.
Clark falling asleep at the wheel is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The St.Louis scene is nominated despite recognition of overt racial stereotypes; its direction-request joke remained memorable through the era before navigation apps.
The St.Louis stereotypes are acknowledged, including the basketball, stolen hubcaps, paid directions, and the family’s comments; Clark’s later theft and hostage-taking complicate the film’s moral contrast. — Van Lathan
The local man admitting it is not even his neighborhood remains a favorite joke, with another performer apparently breaking into laughter. — Van Lathan
Ellen’s stuck head, the children peering over the seat, and Clark’s potential sexual distraction make the driving sequence funny and startling.
Dodge City is called an underrated and possibly funniest scene: Clark taunts the performer, gets shot with a prop gun, and reassures everyone that he is fine.
Meeting Eddie’s family is a favorite stretch, starting with the child who has no tongue but can whistle. — Bill Simmons
The cousins’ French-kissing and masturbation discussions are singled out as outrageous jokes. — Bill Simmons
The pregnancy and multiple-night-jobs line, Hamburger Helper, ketchup, and hand-stirred Kool-Aid make the family visit densely funny. — Bill Simmons
The worm-farm invitation and the daughter’s lasting comic impression are celebrated. — Bill Simmons
The dead-dog traffic stop is nominated, especially the officer not knowing the penalty and imagining the dog keeping up for the first mile.
The dead-dog gag still receives strong comic approval despite acknowledged distress from dog lovers and changed attitudes toward pets. — Bill Simmons
Clark and Russ’s beer-sharing talk before the desert walk is nominated as part of their consistently successful father–son exchanges.
Discovering Aunt Edna’s death is nominated, including the child’s alarm about a dead person breathing on them.
Clark’s furious refusal to abandon the journey is nominated.
Clark’s quest-for-fun rant is compared with the Christmas Vacation outburst and judged equally excellent rather than given a clear winner.
Kidnapping the John Candy character is nominated, including Ellen warning the children their father may go away and Clark denying proof that he killed Edna. — Bill Simmons
Meeting Cousin Eddie is an explicit final preference, with the dog scene a tempting alternative. — Chris Ryan
Dodge City receives another final choice, praising Chase’s pratfall and polite recovery after being shot.
Clark cruising the hotel bar and approaching Brinkley is added, including the claim that he used to work for the CIA.
Clark’s improvised funeral prayer is belatedly praised for its confused religious references and admission that he is not a minister.
