Episode 72 - Rocky

In 1976, a former porn star made a low-budget movie called
"Rocky" about an underdog boxer who randomly gets a shot at the
heavyweight championship. The film went on to become the
highest-grossing movie of the year, win three Oscars (including
Best Picture) and, at last count, has spawned seven sequels.


Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky Balboa, a punch-drunk 30-year-old
who considers himself as a pro boxer because he takes the
occasional fight at a local church athletic club. We're supposed
to think that Rocky is this total sweetheart, but his main source
of income is from roughing up pathetic losers who are behind on
their payments to his loan shark boss. Then, after his name gets
picked out of hat to fight the reigning heavyweight champion,
Rocky jogs around Philadelphia for five weeks and almost manages
to win the title.


Talia Shire plays Adrian, a painfully-shy pet shop clerk who
Rocky incessantly hounds for a date until she finally relents
after her brother has a violent episode and destroys
Thanksgiving. Then, Adrian loses her virginity at the conclusion
of their awkward first date and she instantly transforms into
Jackie Kennedy (wardrobe and all) for the rest of the movie.


Burgess Meredith plays Mickey, a cantankerous old boxing trainer
who treats Rocky like garbage until he sees the chance to take
advantage of his shot at the heavyweight title. Somehow, every
stupid little phrase that comes out of Mickey's mouth in this
movie is still parroted back by idiots across the world.


Burt Young plays Paulie, a drunken dimwit with a violent streak
whose highest aspiration in life is to become a leg breaker for
the local loan shark. Somehow we are supposed feel sorry for this
guy and kinda like him despite the fact that he is entirely
despicable and the world would be a far better place if he had
never been born.


Carl Weathers plays Apollo Creed, a smooth-talking heavyweight
champion who has become so preoccupied with the business of
boxing that he has lost focus on maintaining his abilities. His
character is a combination of Muhammed Ali and the hare from
Aesop's famous fable "The Tortoise and the Hare."


Join us as we discuss this movie's similarities to "Willy Wonka,"
why exactly Rocky lectures a little girl about being a *****, and
how "Gonna Fly Now" is one of the worst songs ever.


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This episode is sponsored by Ocean Rape Incorporated.


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