Production note The movie is said to have been written in a climate where comedy could still be judged mostly on whether it was funny.
Production note The film had a large fake-marketing push, including websites and character marketing.
Production note There were protests at the premiere and criticism from the black community and disability organizations.
Production note Downey's performance reportedly required long makeup sessions.
Production note The film was nominated for an Oscar despite being a comedy, which the hosts treat as unusual.
Production note The episode discusses fictional movie Scorcher as an in-universe franchise with multiple sequels.
Production note TiVo, Blu-ray versus HD DVD, YouTube, BlackBerry-era tech, and the original iPod are treated as period markers.
Production note The hosts mention a legal cable box and pirated pay-per-view access as part of their movie-watching history.
Soul Man Used as the closest comparison point for blackface controversy and the possibility of a satirical defense.
Platoon Referenced as a Vietnam-war touchstone and as the basis for one of the movie's visual homages.
Apocalypse Now Cited as another key Vietnam film that Tropic Thunder riffs on.
The Deer Hunter Used as a prestige-war-film reference point in the satire discussion.
Forrest Gump Used in the discussion of prestige roles and awards bait mimicking disability and hardship narratives.
What Dreams May Come An example of a serious, Oscar-friendly movie the hosts mock.
Patch Adams Used as a shorthand for bad or over-serious studio prestige drama.
I Am Sam Held up as a bad awards-bait drama that Tropic Thunder is mocking.
The Player Named as a major Hollywood parody predecessor.
Network Mentioned as a classic Hollywood/media satire comparator.
The Island of Dr. Moreau Used as inspiration for the behind-the-scenes insanity and director character.
True Romance Referenced for the fictional 'Coming Home in a Body Bag' joke.
The Help Mentioned as an example of awards-season bait that the Oscars sometimes reward or troll with.
The Blind Side Cited alongside The Help as a kind of Oscar conversation marker.
The Dark Knight Referenced as the 2008 awards-year context that kept Downey from winning.
