National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
1989 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Van Lathan
Aired December 19, 2023
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Animal House
Ghostbusters
This Is the End
Trading Places
American Gigolo
The Player
Film credit
Chevy Chase
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 5
- Movies in this archive
- 5
Rewatchables episodes featuring Chevy Chase’s films
Displaying all 5 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
Ned; Steve Christie (as transcribed); Alice
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:23Read transcript
- Ned is the first pick, and another participant agrees that Ned gets on their nerves and is a tough hang.
- Steve Christie (as transcribed), who runs the camp, is called a piece of shit: he puts the kids to work on a tree stump, hits on Alice shirtless, leaves, and sobers up at the diner, maybe taking a run at the waitress.
- Ned is the one in the Native American headdress who keeps culturally appropriating, the planned subject of an award for the guy you can't wait to die, and they only find him on the bed above, which is not enough.
- The cop telling him to settle down, Tonto, is in a completely different movie, cops in the first three movies always get called away to a car accident, and Ned acts like he is Chevy Chase.
- Across the franchise, the worst hang is the guy from Last American Virgin in part four who watches old movies on the projector.
- Another weak link pick is Alice: Annie should have been the hero and Alice killed off first, since Alice is a rough hang with bad hair.
- Adrian King (as transcribed), who plays Alice, got a stalker afterward and wanted to be killed in two as fast as possible; she could have been the Laurie Strode of the series, while Annie, Karen Allen 2.0, is gone in the first 10 minutes.
Casting What-Ifs
The original SNL-heavy casting wish list and alternate directors
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:23Read transcript
- The reported initial wish list included Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and John Belushi — Bill Simmons
- Harold Ramis reportedly wrote Boone for himself but was judged too old — Bill Simmons
- Jack Webb and Kim Novak were reportedly sought as the Wormers — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Michael Keaton as Venkman; Jeff Goldblum as Egon; other reported candidates (credibility questioned)
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:36Read transcript
- Chevy Chase's claim that he declined Venkman is treated skeptically, though a preliminary conversation is considered possible. — Chris Ryan
- Michael Keaton is the favored Venkman alternative because he had already played comparable fast-talking comic leads. — Chris Ryan
- Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Steve Gutenberg, and Richard Pryor are listed as other reported Venkman possibilities with varying credibility. — Chris Ryan
- Christopher Walken, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, and Jeff Goldblum are discussed as reported Egon candidates; Goldblum draws the most interest. — Bill Simmons
- Daryl Hannah, Denise Crosby, Julia Roberts, and Kelly LeBrock are reported as Dana audition possibilities, though the panel doubts some claims. — Bill Simmons
- John Candy is reported to have declined Louis Tully after proposing a German accent; Sandra Bernhard reportedly declined Janine. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Rubens is mentioned as an alleged Gozer possibility, but the claim is explicitly doubted. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:19Read transcript
- Chevy is the unanimous winner, explicitly summarized as across the board. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:03Read transcript
- Chevy is chosen; Quaid gets a supporting nomination case but beating Washington’s Glory performance would be absurd. The 1989 Oscar field and Pfeiffer’s loss prompt a broader tangent.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:42Read transcript
- Chevy Chase and Garry Shandling are discussed as earlier possibilities, with Chase considered a good fit; Woody Allen is considered too old. — Bill Simmons
- Stone reportedly wanted both Harriet and Rose and left when refused; the dual-role idea is admired. — Bill Simmons
- Myers reportedly wanted Dan Aykroyd as his friend, but Coneheads conflicted.
- John Candy reportedly could not play the captain, and Gary Busey left Vicky for Rookie of the Year. — Bill Simmons
- Reported approaches to Sean Connery and Michael Caine for Stuart are treated uncertainly, with relief that Myers played him. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:44Read transcript
- Chevy Chase is the explicit winner. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:52Read transcript
- Chevy Chase is the clear single-Oscar choice.
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Danny McBride is the funniest person of his generation
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:58Read transcript
- Danny McBride is declared the funniest performer of the prior fifteen years and the successor to Will Ferrell.
- His recurring overconfident persona is compared with Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Will Ferrell.
- His entrances, breakfast, ration argument, insults, and laughter at Michael Cera’s death are cited as examples. — Bill Simmons
- The limited-film-role, heat-check shape of his career is praised rather than treated as a weakness. — Bill Simmons
- Pineapple Express 2: Blood Red is identified as an apocalypse project within the film and as the prospective real sequel plot. — Bill Simmons
Recasting Couch
Chevy Chase as Louis
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:53Read transcript
- The earlier Chase-for-Aykroyd idea is the only change proposed.
Casting What-Ifs
Travolta; Reeve; disputed Chevy Chase; Christie; Farrow; uncertain Streep and Lange
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:50Read transcript
- Travolta was announced in 1978 and photographed in Armani, then withdrew shortly before filming; the official explanation involved his mother’s death and father’s illness. — Bill Simmons
- Schrader’s alternative explanations invoke Scientology, discomfort with gay themes and a final-cut demand; the discussion explicitly calls these unverified speculation and notes his tendency to provoke. — Bill Simmons
- Gere reportedly became the fourth choice two weeks before filming; his earlier Looking for Mr. Goodbar role had put him on the map before this breakthrough. — Bill Simmons
- Travolta’s sexual charisma could work, but Gere is preferred for attractiveness and a convincing unknown past; ambiguity about the character’s sexuality is discussed as part of both actors’ potential appeal. — Mallory Rubin
- Christopher Reeve reportedly declined a million dollars; Diller wanted him but Schrader opposed his all-American quality and undermined the choice. Suitability remains disputed, largely negative.
- The internet claim that Chevy Chase declined is disbelieved, and a serious Chase performance is rejected despite Schrader’s later unconventional Harrelson casting in The Walker. — Sean Fennessey
- Julie Christie was initially cast opposite Travolta and is strongly preferred by one voice, though another refuses to choose between her and Hutton. — Bill Simmons
- Mia Farrow reportedly gave the best audition but overpowered Travolta; Sue Mengers arranged a Hutton test that suited him, and Schrader avoided another risky change after replacing the lead with Gere. — Bill Simmons
- Farrow is defended as an underrated actor who could have played an unusually sexy role outside her familiar Allen-film image. — Bill Simmons
- Reports that Streep and Lange declined remain unconfirmed or ambiguous about whether a firm offer existed; both are considered appealing alternatives. — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Chevy Chase and John Travolta were considered for Griffin, and several cut cameos and cast relationships are discussed.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:17Read transcript
- Chevy Chase wanted to play Griffin, but Warner Bros. rejected the idea. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Altman reportedly considered John Travolta for Griffin. — Bill Simmons
- The panel prefers Robbins and notes his early-1990s career run. — Wesley Morris
- Jeff Daniels golfing in surgical clothes and Patrick Swayze doing karate were filmed and cut. — Bill Simmons
- Greta Scacchi and Vincent D’Onofrio were in a relationship and had a daughter. — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 of 29 in total
Films in the archive
Caddyshack
1980
Dirty Work
1998
Fletch
1985
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
1989
National Lampoon’s Vacation
1983