Home/Episodes/Sleepless in Seattle
‘Sleepless in Seattle’ With Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, and Amanda Dobbins
February 14, 2023 · Sleepless in Seattle (1993) · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 1:58:23
Categories
Picking Nits
Amanda DobbinsBill Pullman's character being mature and adult-like in calling off the wedding when he sensed her heart wasn't in it▶ 9:08
Bill SimmonsThe character had an IQ of 74 and didn't understand what was happening, still thought they were getting married▶ 9:15
Juliet LitmanHe doesn't understand joy because he can't eat good food, so he's used to settling in life and willing to settle for a bad relationship▶ 9:21
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Bill SimmonsTom Hanks and Meg Ryan are the GOATs of rom-coms and the movie works because they're so good they don't even need to be in scenes together▶ 9:39
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsMentions his wife's favorite scene (Meg Ryan trying on wedding dress in attic), discusses the radio call scene with Tom Hanks and Jonah, and mentions the tiramisu scene, but doesn't give one definitive personal pick▶ 27:24
What's Aged the Worst
Amanda DobbinsThe clothes - while many 90s things have come back in style, these specific clothes have not▶ 40:55
Bill SimmonsThe clothes reflecting the height of AIDS fear era when everyone tried to hide behind their clothes and not look sexy▶ 41:21
Juliet LitmanThe fashion choices, particularly the drop waist dresses and excessive use of trench coats as an Annie Hall callback▶ 41:00
What's Aged the Best
Amanda DobbinsPeople talking as a format of content and parasocial relationships - you can tell a lot from someone's voice▶ 44:10
Amanda DobbinsThe drinks, not dinner strategy for first dates - it's reliable and you can get out fast▶ 44:21
Juliet LitmanSeattle and houseboats - the way they positioned Seattle with Pike Place Market and the water looks great and would be done the same way again▶ 41:41
Juliet LitmanInternet stalking - it's never been more true and foreshadows the next 30 years of wanting to know as much as possible about someone you meet▶ 42:45
Juliet LitmanMovie references like Fatal Attraction and Pride of the Yankees - the cultural references didn't age badly which is hard to pull off in a 1993 rom-com▶ 44:40
Big Kahuna Burger Award
Bill Simmonsthe lettuce and tomato sandwich scene when Annie Reed explains to her mom how they met▶ 48:26
Juliet Litmanthe sandwiches scene when Annie Reed's explaining to her mom how they met, because of the weird sandwich, lettuce and tomato▶ 48:01
Great Shot Gordo Award
Amanda Dobbinsthe helicopter shot where you see Jonah and then get all of New York when the camera goes backwards▶ 50:03
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Amanda DobbinsDiscusses Walter's deranged monologue while shopping for dishes at Tiffany and Gabby Hoffman's father but doesn't give a clear definitive pick▶ 50:52
Bill SimmonsWalter just takes the broken engagement - when she canceled lunch with him on Wednesday and he doesn't understand he's not engaged anymore▶ 50:18
Juliet LitmanGabby Hoffman's parents, specifically her father who seems like a Seinfeld character▶ 51:54
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Amanda DobbinsNo adult at any point asks the kid if he needs help or questions who he's meeting - like the taxi driver just accepts dropping off an 8-year-old alone▶ 57:29
Bill SimmonsHow can an 8-year-old kid order flights, land a plane, figure out taxi logistics, and navigate to the Empire State Building without any adult questioning where his parents are▶ 55:43
Juliet LitmanThe taxi logistics are outrageous, though she defends the flight booking since the girl is using travel agent equipment, not just calling airlines directly▶ 56:12
Ron Burgundy Flute Award
Juliet LitmanWhen they call Dr. Marsha a second time, when Victoria comes over for dinner and Jonah calls again▶ 1:00:15
Apex Mountain
Juliet LitmanRosie O'Donnell — Not Apex Mountain for Rosie O'Donnell, but acknowledges she's great in the movie▶ 1:02:31
Casting What-Ifs
Amanda DobbinsMeg Ryan — Notes Julia Roberts had personal issues during that period; emphasizes Meg Ryan's 'daffy' quality that Demi Moore and Robin Wright lack; stresses Meg Ryan's relatability is crucial for the role▶ 1:12:31
Bill SimmonsJulia Roberts — Julia Roberts was offered Annie's role but turned it down; believes Demi Moore could have been interesting but Meg Ryan is perfect; Dennis Quaid was pushed by Meg Ryan for Hanks' role but overruled by Ephron▶ 1:10:35
Juliet LitmanJulia Roberts — Agrees Julia Roberts was offered the role; thinks Demi Moore was too feisty/bad girl for Annie's character; notes Robin Wright and Demi Moore have different sex appeal than Meg Ryan's attainable quality▶ 1:11:51
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsSeveral studios rejected the script, Efron was particular about his lines, the coward disappointed in Denver was voiced by Nora Ephron, Parker Posey was cut but ended up in You've Got Mail, and questioned whether Seinfeld ripped off the Soup Nazi from this movie▶ 1:30:22
Juliet LitmanParker Posey was cut out of the movie, the other story being pitched when Annie pitches hers is about the Soup Nazi that later shows up in Seinfeld, but thinks Seinfeld didn't rip it off - probably both encountered the same New York thing▶ 1:30:54
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsKathryn Hahn — Catherine Hahn in the Rita Wilson role for 2013 version, Sam Jackson as Hank's buddy instead of Rob Reiner▶ 1:41:50
Juliet LitmanZoë Chao — Zoe Chow in the Rosie role for 2023 version, likes Sam Jackson as buddy idea similar to Dave Chappelle in You've Got Mail▶ 1:41:56
Best Double Feature
Amanda DobbinsYou've Got Mail — You've Got Mail as primary pick, with An Affair to Remember for a triple feature option▶ 1:46:51
Coach Finstock Life Lesson
Amanda DobbinsDiscusses acceptable boundaries for pursuing someone - traveling across country is okay but don't stand outside someone's door; suggests staying within a certain radius▶ 1:53:28
Bill SimmonsStalking your future husband is okay if you're positive it's your future husband▶ 1:53:03
Juliet LitmanAgrees with Bill's lesson but adds boundaries - going to great lengths to date someone is okay, but actual stalking is not▶ 1:53:17
Who Won the Movie
Amanda DobbinsNora Ephron — Tom Hanks or Nora Ephron, leaning toward Nora Ephron for establishing her persona and getting credit for reinvigorating the rom-com genre▶ 1:55:09
Movies Referenced (56)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You've Got Mail (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 23 | Amanda Dobbins, Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman | ▶ 3:11 |
| Carrie (1976) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 10:14 |
| While You Were Sleeping (1995) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman, Bill Simmons | ▶ 20:23 |
| Forrest Gump (1994) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 8:11 |
| Project X (2012) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 31:34 |
| The Meg (2018) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | ▶ 17:06 |
| Valentine's Day (2010) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 1:20:04 |
| A League of Their Own (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Amanda Dobbins, Bill Simmons | ▶ 20:27 |
| Fatal Attraction (1987) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 2:46 |
| Independence Day (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 20:20 |
| Lights Out (2016) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 10:16 |
| Philadelphia (1993) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 16:08 |
Directors Referenced (8)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Amanda Dobbins, Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman | Argo, Gone Girl, The Town | ▶ 50:11 |
| Rob Reiner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | This Is Spinal Tap, The Wolf of Wall Street | ▶ 14:06 |
| Bob Vila | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 18:53 | |
| Walt Frasier | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 19:02 | |
| Esther Perel | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 30:53 | |
| George Clooney | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Ides of March, Michael Clayton | ▶ 10:52 |
| Penny Marshall | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Big, A League of Their Own | ▶ 1:34:43 |
| Steve Nash | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Juliet Litman | ▶ 1:30:15 |
Actors Referenced (84)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Ryan | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 41 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail | ▶ 3:48 |
| Tom Hanks | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 39 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | Cast Away, Big, Forrest Gump | ▶ 5:01 |
| Bill Pullman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 22 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | Independence Day, Spaceballs | ▶ 5:01 |
| Rosie O'Donnell | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 19 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, Tarzan | ▶ 13:50 |
| Harry Connick Jr. | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | ▶ 3:22 | |
| Elando Baltimore | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 13 | Juliet Litman, Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 43:20 | |
| Empire of the Sun | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | Sex Tape, Hall Pass | ▶ 48:59 |
| Julia Roberts | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding | ▶ 10:49 |
| Miles Teller | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | Whiplash | ▶ 1:21:16 |
| Rita Wilson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | Jingle All the Way, Sleepless in Seattle, Runaway Bride | ▶ 14:19 |
| Jennifer Lopez | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Amanda Dobbins, Juliet Litman | Out of Sight | ▶ 1:17:31 |
| Sandra Bullock | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman | The Proposal, Miss Congeniality, Speed | ▶ 51:51 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Ephron | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 31 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | Julie & Julia, When Harry Met Sally... | ▶ 10:54 |
| Jeff Arch | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 20 | Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins | Sleepless in Seattle | ▶ 23:34 |
| Nick Castle | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins | The Last Starfighter | ▶ 15:42 |
Cinematographers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Willis | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Godfather Part II | ▶ 49:40 |
| Jamie Legge | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Amanda Dobbins | ▶ 15:42 |