Production note Kurt Russell came to Bill’s podcast alone, wearing a leather jacket and smelling of Marlboro Reds.
Production note Russell said Miracle had a mediocre script but was not a mediocre movie.
Production note The film used real hockey players rather than actors for most of the cast.
Production note Michael Mantenuto later served in the U.S. Army and died by suicide.
Production note The Russians’ coach benching Tretiak is treated as one of hockey’s worst coaching decisions.
Production note Bill says Jim Craig stopped 39 shots in the real game.
Production note The game was filmed in Vancouver at the PNE Agrodome.
Production note Gavin O'Connor has a cameo draping the American flag on Jim Craig after the win.
Production note The production used 800 to 1,000 extras, and Russell’s pay cut helped them eat better on set.
Production note Bill once bought unripped Lake Placid U.S.-Russia game tickets as memorabilia.
Al Michaels His famous call and recreated audio become a major discussion point.
Jim McKay Bill compares his trustworthiness to Walter Cronkite’s in childhood TV memory.
Walter Cronkite Referenced as another trusted broadcaster from Bill’s childhood.
Slap Shot Used as the benchmark hockey movie and for its rough authenticity.
Rocky IV Mentioned as part of Cold War sports-movie mythology.
The Cold War The movie’s political backdrop and the emotional meaning of beating the Soviet Union.
The Thing Referenced in ranking Kurt Russell performances.
Escape from New York Referenced in ranking Kurt Russell performances.
Tombstone Referenced in ranking Kurt Russell performances.
Anyting? no The team’s Lake Placid win is contrasted with later live-sports social media spoilage.
Moneyball Mentioned as part of a newer wave of sports films.
Friday Night Lights Used when discussing great sports speeches.
Any Given Sunday Used as the benchmark for great sports-movie speeches.
Hoosiers Used as a comparison for a coach’s contradictory motivational style.
The Americans Used in the discussion of Noah Emmerich’s career.
