Rewatchables Reference

• Winner (unanimous): The food poisoning/bridal salon scene – 'one of the funniest scenes of all time.' Wasn't in the original script.
• Also discussed: Dueling speeches at the engagement party (improvised fake Thai), the plane trip to Vegas, Jon Hamm scenes ('What's up, fuck buddy?'), Annie getting fired / fight with the 15-year-old ('You're a little c**t'), bridal shower meltdown, Megan's pep talk, Annie driving past the cop.

• Jon Hamm's performance as the ultimate douchebag – important for his career beyond Don Draper.
• Rose Byrne's comedic ability – they had no idea she could be funny.
• Wendy McLendon-Covey as the over-sexed wife ('He's nine').
• The class/money themes – the film is really about how money changes friendship.
• Baking culture generally – in the Great British Bake-Off era.
• Wilson Phillips at the ending.

• The cop character (Officer Rhodes) – all three agree this is the weak spot. 'I never totally understand why he likes her.' A friendly cop joking about shooting people wouldn't play the same now. The unexplained Irish accent in Milwaukee.
• The Apatow formula – fucked up character hits rock bottom with ~27 minutes left, then rallies. Feels familiar from 5+ other Apatow movies.
• The runtime – 'definitely too long,' especially the final third.
• Puppies as party favors – ethical concerns.

• Rebel Wilson and Busy Philipps auditioned for Megan's role; McCarthy crushed it.
• Maya Rudolph beat out Mindy Kaling for Lillian.
• Greta Gerwig and Judy Greer auditioned for roles but didn't make it.
• Paul Rudd filmed an entire blind date scene that was cut.

• Mallory: Ben Falcone as the Air Marshal (McCarthy's real-life husband).
• Mina: Tim Heidecker as Doug (barely does anything in the movie).
• Also discussed: Andy Buckley (David Wallace from The Office) as Perry.

• Jon Hamm – Mallory's pick: 'by design, supposed to be completely over the top.'
• Rebel Wilson – 'if her character had like 25% more dialogue, it would be too much. It's the perfect dose.'

Jon Hamm – 'He's in three scenes. He's throwing a hundred miles an hour.' Also wins overacting.

• Officer Rhodes: Paul Rudd (Bill's top pick – 'this is such a clearly Paul Rudd part'), Jason Sudeikis (Mina's suggestion), Bill Hader, Michael Pena.
• Jon Hamm's role: Mallory suggests Tom Cruise as the douchebag boyfriend, but acknowledges only Hamm works because of peak Mad Men timing.

• The food poisoning scene was not in the original script – added at Apatow/Feig's urging.
• Maya Rudolph was pregnant with her third child during filming.
• Hamm chose to go uncredited.
• Ted's house is the same house as Kelly Taylor's from Beverly Hills 90210.
• The original plan was for the women to actually get to Vegas, but 'The Hangover' came out and they rewrote it.
• Rose Byrne's fake Thai was dubbed over with a real Thai sentence later.
• Melissa McCarthy modeled Megan after Guy Fieri.

• Kristen Wiig – yes (still on SNL at the time too).
• Jon Hamm – yes (Mad Men + 'The Town' + this).
• Melissa McCarthy – yes, became a mainstream sensation. Best performance of her career.
• Paul Feig – yes, his biggest critical/commercial hit.
• Wilson Phillips – a second apex mountain (originally peaked in early 90s, then this gave them a whole second life).
• Defecation in movies – yes, this is the peak.
• Maya Rudolph – no (The Good Place might be it).
• Rose Byrne – no (probably 'Neighbors').

• Lillian dumping Annie as maid of honor was harsh.
• They could have still gotten to Vegas after the plane was diverted – Helen is rich.
• Helen pushing for Vegas doesn't fit her character – she'd want somewhere classier.
• Helen putting the giant cookie and chocolate fountain OUTSIDE for the bridal shower.
• Doug and Megan don't look like siblings at all.

• How did an Irish cop end up in Milwaukee?
• Should Annie have been briefly hospitalized after the bridal shower meltdown?
• How long does Lillian and Doug's marriage last?
• What is the source of Ted's wealth?
• If Annie was number three, who's number one and number two?

• Bill: The sink from the bridal salon – 'put it in a small bathroom, hey, little story about the sink.'
• Mallory: The portrait of Willie Nelson from Annie's mom's home.
• Mina: A radar gun from the cop scenes.

Melissa McCarthy – unanimous. 'Became an icon because of this role.' Rose Byrne is the Sammy Watkins – great performance overshadowed by others.