And Almost Starring

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On this week’s listener request episode (and our final ep of the year), we’re looking at everyone who almost starred in the delightful Bridget Jones’s Diary! Which Oscar-winning actor/writer was considered for Bridget? Which co-star originally auditioned for a completely different role? And how much better is this friend group than the one in Devil Wears Prada? Also – Happy Holi...

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With Christmas just a few days away, we’re breaking down all the actors who almost starred in the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life! Which horror icon was considered for Mr. Potter? Who was Frank Capra’s first choice for the role of Mary? And how obvious is it that George can’t stand any of his kids except Zuzu? Also – we pitch a Truman Show-style conspiracy theory and fall ...

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As the new Netflix movie musical adaptation nears, we’re revisiting the 1996 adaptation of the classic children’s book Matilda! Which famous child stars were considered for the title role? Which Oscar-winner was sought to play Trunchbull? And how wild is that kid getting chucked over a fence by the pigtails? Also – Celine Dion brings her ‘cuckoo crazy’ vibe to the world of Roald...

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On this week’s listener request episode, we’re looking at who almost starred in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights! Which movie superhero was considered for Dirk Diggler? Which Oscar-winning director turned down Jack? And did anyone else forget how funny the first half of this film is? Also – we pitch the high-concept rom-com I Love the 90s starring Drew Barrymore as – The 90s...

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On this month’s Patreon exclusive episode, we’re breaking down all the actors (and Muppets) who were almost cast in The Muppet Christmas Carol in a full-length commentary! Which stand-up comic was considered for Scrooge? Which classic Muppets were originally meant to play the three Christmas spirits? Also – we pitch more Muppet literary adaptations and ponder the lives of Muppet...

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This week, for its 30-year anniversary, we’re looking who almost starred in the box office smash The Bodyguard! Which pair was set to play the leads when the film was originally developed in the 70s? Which pop singer was denied an audition because she made a joke about Costner? And how hilarious fake-sounding are these best song nominees? Also – we pitch two surefire hits: Beeth...

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On this week’s listener request episode, we’re celebrating Hanksgiving by breaking down who almost starred in the movie Splash! Which 70s sex symbol turned down the Hanks role? Which rock singer was the role of Madison written for? And is there really a coral reef AND an underwater kingdom in the Hudson?

Splash stars Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Eugene Levy, Dody Goodman, and John...

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This week, we’re looking at all the actors who almost starred in the 1971 musical/fantasy Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! Which member of the Rat Pack pursued a role? Which rock legend wanted to play Wonka? And which iconic scene in the film was actually Gene Wilder’s idea? Also – Jeff pitches a dark theory about the Bucket family and goes knocking on the door of the CIA ...

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On this week’s listener request episode, we’re breaking down all the actors who were almost in the action-packed franchise starter John Wick! Which classic Hollywood star did the screenwriter have in mind when writing the titular role? Which Harry Potter actor was cast as Winston but had to drop out? And would the movie have been anywhere near as successful with its original tit...

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On this month’s Patreon-exclusive episode, we’re tackling our first TV show as we break down all the actors who were up for The Office! Which Oscar-winner turned down Michael? Which MCU standout auditioned for Pam? And which actor started their audition by insulting the creator to his face? Also – we drop an Only Murders in the Building exclusive and try our darndest to not succum...

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On this week’s show, we’re breaking down everyone who almost starred in Cameron Crowe’s excellent Almost Famous! Which Oscar-winning A-lister was set to play Russell but dropped out? Which celebrated director turned down the chance to play Penny Lane? And how was Philip Seymour Hoffman this good as Lester when he had the flu the entire shoot? Also – Jeff’s coworker claims to be ...

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For our 100th episode(!) and our final film of October, we’re breaking down one of the most iconic horror films of all time: The Shining! Which beloved comedian did Kubrick think was too psychotic to play Jack? Who did Jack Nicholson think should play Wendy? And to get Nicholson in the proper foul mood for shooting, they fed him WHAT for two weeks?? Also – we pitch a Don’t Wake ...

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For our third week of October, we’re breaking down everyone who almost starred in Tim Burton’s suburban fantasy Edward Scissorhands! Which celebrated comedian auditioned multiple times for the title role? Which John Hughes regular was up for Kim? And why didn’t anyone think to cover those scissor hands with some wood knife blocks? Also – we ponder how Edward would fare against v...

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On our second week of October, we’re looking at everyone who could’ve starred in the satirical horror film American Psycho! Which Star Wars actor was up for Patrick Bateman? Which former costar did Christian Bale try to convince to play Evelyn? And what would Oliver Stone’s cast have looked like if he’d stayed on to direct? Also – we pitch the Mad Men/American Psycho mashup you ...

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On the first week of our Spooky Scary Movies Month, we’re breaking down who almost starred in the interminable gothic drama Interview with the Vampire! Which method actor was cast as Lestat but dropped out just weeks before shooting? Who was supposed to play the interviewer but passed away before filming began? And what did Louis think of the Before Sunrise movies? Also – Columb...

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Start snappin’ your fingers because for this October’s Patreon-exclusive episode we’re looking at everyone who almost starred in the absolutely delightful sequel Addams Family Values! Which Oscar-winning pair were set to play Gomez and Morticia for Ivan Reitman in the late 80s? Which horror icon turned down Fester? And break out the Cusack Cannon as we rave about the one-and-onl...

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On this week’s listener request episode, we’re looking at all the actors who almost starred in Dead Poets Society. Which double Oscar-winner was set to direct and star as Keating? Which future Marvel villain auditioned for a role? And how is Knox Overstreet the name of Josh Charles’ character in this movie and not his character in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp? Also...

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On this week’s listener request episode, we’re joined by AJ Ditty (The Worst of all Possible Worlds, Puffs) to break down who almost starred in Scott Pilgrim vs the World! Which Judd Apatow regular was considered for Scott? Which Marvel hero was up for Lucas Lee and Stephen Stills? And would the movie have worked with its original ending? Also – Scott Pilgrim gets a full Mario r...

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On this week’s show, we’re looking at everyone who almost starred in the film adaptation of Sondheim’s classic musical Into the Woods! How amazing is the cast for the early-90s version Rob Reiner was set to direct? Which Lord of the Rings actor was set to play a role? And why couldn’t we get Debbie Jellinsky as a murderous giantess? Also – Amy Jo tells the tale of the disastro...