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The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing
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Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 5
- Movies in this archive
- 6
Rewatchables episodes featuring John Cusack’s films
High Fidelity
2000 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Joanna Robinson · Rob Mahoney
Aired December 16, 2025
Displaying all 5 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:34Read transcript
- John Cusack is acknowledged as the likely conventional winner, but Rob Reiner receives the episode's final choice. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
Apex Mountain
Shotgunning beers
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:07Read transcript
- Shotgunning beers is the affirmative Apex choice because it becomes a recurring story device. — Bill Simmons
- John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, road-trip movies, hitchhiking, and the roommate's contorted position are discussed without an affirmative consensus. — Bill Simmons
Half-Assed Internet Research
Shared role and shotgun-beer anecdote
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:57Read transcript
- Robert Bauer is said to have played a character named Moek here and in This Is Spinal Tap. — Bill Simmons
- The shotgun-beer scene is reported as an addition based on John Cusack telling Rob Reiner that it was one of his talents. — Bill Simmons
- Gibb's jersey is identified as a Kangaroos rugby-league shirt chosen for its appearance. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:06Read transcript
- John Cusack's heightened hitchhiker performance is the choice and is considered necessary to the scene. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
Soundtrack and college life
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:43Read transcript
- The soundtrack is praised as having aged well, with several featured songs named. — Bill Simmons
- The film's vision of 1980s college life, including classes, parties, schedules, and Southern California campuses, is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Young Cusack and the prospect of spending the next 40 years watching him are offered as having aged well. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:04:32Read transcript
- Two participants select Jack Black, citing the career launched by the role.
- One participant selects John Cusack for carrying the film and nearly extending a run of generational roles. — Chris Ryan
Podcast choices
- Speaker not identified
- Jack Black
- Speaker not identified
- Jack Black
Half-Assed Internet Research
Marie DeSalle’s cover album, Tim Robbins’s wig deal, the original finale song, the Cusack siblings, and Rob’s visible records
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:56Read transcript
- Marie DeSalle’s album is reported to include “Ghostbusters,” “Beat It,” “Mbop,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” — Bill Simmons
- Tim Robbins reportedly took small roles partly so he could keep the custom wigs. — Bill Simmons
- “Got to Give It Up” was reportedly the original Jack Black finale song before the chosen replacement. — Bill Simmons
- Joan and John Cusack are said to have appeared together in ten films.
- Five visible albums are proposed as Rob’s implied top five, including Funkadelic, Neil Young, the Beach Boys, Sonic Youth, and the Minutemen.
Recasting Couch
James Spader or John Cusack as Lloyd; alternate songs for action scenes.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:58Read transcript
- Young James Spader is proposed for Lloyd while retaining Texas; Lloyd’s lack of accent is rationalized with private school. — Bill Simmons
- Young John Cusack is proposed for Lloyd and warmly endorsed. — Bill Simmons
- R.E.M.’s Pretty Persuasion would replace the golf-course chase song for more energy. — Bill Simmons
- Til Tuesday’s Voices Carry is proposed for the escape sequence with Billie Jean lookalikes, emphasizing a female artist and empowerment. — Chris Ryan
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:32Read transcript
- Timothy Hutton reportedly declined Joel for Daniel; Rob Lowe claimed he declined it, and Sean Penn, John Cusack, Kevin Bacon and Tom Hanks are among reported auditioners. One additional name is unclear in the transcript. — Bill Simmons
- Michelle Pfeiffer reportedly declined Lana; Sharon Stone, Kim Basinger and Brooke Shields are named as alternatives, but the Basinger claim is treated skeptically. — Bill Simmons
- The Michael J. Fox rumor is strongly rejected as a poor fit; Pfeiffer's fame and different sensuality would also change the film. — Bill Simmons
- Frank Sinatra was allegedly considered for Guido, with age and physical demands cited against him; the host does not believe the story. — Bill Simmons
Recasting Couch
Reporter: Wheeler-Nicholson, Paymer, Buscemi, Pollak, Cusack or Scott; Britton for Tierney, disputed
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:27Read transcript
- Dana Wheeler-Nicholson is suggested as a more distinctive reporter, with more diverse casting also proposed. — Bill Simmons
- David Paymer is proposed as a more memorable reporter.
- Buscemi is proposed as a more memorable reporter.
- Kevin Pollak is proposed after an initially mistaken surname.
- John Cusack is proposed for the reporter, then challenged as oversized casting for a small role. — Bill Simmons
- Campbell Scott is another reporter alternative.
- Connie Britton is considered for Tierney’s small role, though Tierney is also defended. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:00Read transcript
- Charles Rocket is nominated as the kidnapping organizer and discussed through his Saturday Night Live history — Bill Simmons
- Harland Williams is nominated as the motorcycle officer — Bill Simmons
- One participant reveals a lifelong mistaken belief that the officer was John Cusack and is corrected — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
Early-1990s Los Angeles, the no-stars pitch, cameos, Randall Batinkoff, anonymous threats, and Hollywood-insider jokes
In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:37Read transcript
- The pre-internet early-1990s Los Angeles movie world is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Executives recoiling from a movie with no stars is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Jeremy Piven’s pre-hairpiece appearance is highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- Anjelica Huston and John Cusack visibly disliking Griffin is a favorite cameo moment.
- Randall Batinkoff’s funny supporting role and failed star trajectory are highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- The mystery-person postcard device is praised as reliably effective. — Bill Simmons
- Brion James’s studio-chief presence is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Larry Levy attending AA meetings to make deals despite not drinking is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Malcolm McDowell’s cameo is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The movie marks Sidney Pollack’s return to acting before a later run.
- The running assumption that Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis fit every movie is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The Pasadena insult is highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- Griffin being served a different bottled-water brand in each venue is highlighted. — Bill Simmons
- The movie’s insider view of powerful institutions is connected to later storytelling. — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 of 32 in total
Films in the archive
Being John Malkovich
1999
Con Air
1997
High Fidelity
2000
Say Anything...
1989
Stand by Me
1986
The Sure Thing
1985