Cameron H.

I 100% agree. Also, it would have been nice to give her an actually reason to stay in LA aside from "watch Guy play music and kiss on him and stuff."

And she doesn't even come to that realization until after she and Jimmy break up. Maybe it's just a product of its time. I don't think Faye has any real dialog with either Lenny or TB Player, she isn't going to end up with Mr. White, and Jimmy is a jerk, so that kind of makes Guy the de facto love interest. I think if this movie were released today (as is) people would have more of an issue with them ending up together. They honestly seem more like really good friends than lovers.

Everyone is welcome If you tell me you want to be added, I'll be happy to do so.

I think the problem is that Guy is written to be almost *too* nice. I don't really want to call him a "Mary Sue" (or whatever the male equivalent is), but he kind of is. He's the coolest. The most together. The most talented. The sole reason for their success. And he's clearly meant to be Tom Hanks' surrogate. The problem is that he's also written to be the kindest and most empathetic. So moments that might otherwise point to some kind of interest in Faye kind of come off as him just being a nice guy. For example, when he goes back to rescue Faye it doesn't exactly come off as a romantic gesture because he would have literally done that for anyone. And while it's awesome that he's such a great person, as far as establishing a romance, it sort of muddies the water. We really just accept their relationship because the movie asks us to.

Maybe "Lenny" and "Jimmy" could be too easily confused? ETA: I also watch just about everything with CC on and I love shit like that "Eerie Music Playing"

I loved their chemistry, but I don't really think they were "there" yet. She was just crying about how badly Jimmy had hurt her and how much his kisses meant, and literally the NEXT DAY she's like, "I haven't been kissed well since before I was with Jimmy and I'm ready to move to LA to be with you." Shit, girl, let's not jump into anything too quickly. It's not healthy.

I thought they should have replaced TB Player with Carol Kaye.

What's everyone's favorite song in the movie that isn't "That Thing You Do?" I think mine is... I really wish there had been more time devoted to Lenny solo songs.

"Um...hey, Paul. I've been a fan of you guys for years. I've listened to every episode (even the banned ones). Yeah. Anyway. I was watching Con Air the other night. It was a pretty fun movie. What amazed me was my complete lack of jerking it. I was as surprised as anyone. When is Aziz going to be on the show?" *click*

"Hey, Paul, I've been a fan since Human Giant. I just wanted to say that I never knew that I could touch myself less, but Deep Blue Sea proved me wrong! Put'r in a brar!" *click*

"Last night I watched All About Steve and didn't feel the urge to touch myself even once. So, um..yeah. Love the show." *click*

According to IMDb Trivia, TES was almost not hired because Hanks felt they looked too much alike. I'm not sure about who would play an older Lenny though...I think it would have been kind of cool if they did a sequel that takes place in the Eighties with The Wonders getting back together and writing another hit song. You wouldn't even need to recast at this point. A lot of Sixties bands were having renewed (if limited) success at that time. ETA: I guess you just can't compete w/ Tom's "Hanks Facts"

Finally had a chance to listen to the mini episode and it got me wondering. Maybe the best way to avoid future calls from gross-o men in their forties recalling their first time jerking off we should all call into the hot line and fill it with stories about times we watched a movie and didn't masturbate.

Another person I kind of feel bad for is Chad. Fortunately, he doesn't seem like a very bright fellow, but personally, I would feel like shit thinking that it was my drumming that had been the thing holding the band back. I'm glad he gets hired on at Guy's father's store. And while I know we all just LOVE Guy, I thought his laughter at hearing Chad broke his arm was a bit inappropriate and kind of psychotic. Lenny never tells him, and Guy never asks, exactly how Chad broke his arm, but Guy thinks it's like the funniest thing he's ever heard. Hey, man, how about at least asking how it happened before busting a gut? For all you know, he could have been rescuing children from a burning orphanage...

Jesus! I'm not saying he's a nice guy! ETA: Apologies. Personal life frustrations are bleeding onto the board. I'll step away for a bit

The thing is, back in those days, it was important that the band members appeared "available." I think Jimmy was worried that Mr. White would dump them if he knew he was in a serious relationship. Jimmy is also based a lot on John Lennon and this happened to Lennon during The Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show: Lennon also didn't know this was going to happen and was reportedly pretty pissed off about it. Bottom line: Jimmy isn't going to be winning any Boyfriend of the Year awards, but I still feel bad for him.

To be fair, I'm not saying he's a "good" boyfriend either. They're definitely not good for each other. As far as the blame thing, imagine if you were given the opportunity to have a high profile exhibit of your Art. You're protective of your Art, and you're suspicious of your "benefactor," but all your dumbass friends (who have no emotional connection to your work) convince you it's a good idea. Under the impression that the exhibit will showcase ALL of your work, you relent. But later, you come to find out, they are only interested in one photograph that has been so heavily edited that it no longer represents your vision. You try to explain how you're feeling, but no one is listening, least of all your SO who's busy canoodling with the same guy responsible for re-editing your work into something unrecognizable - and also happens to be the same guy everyone talks to regarding YOUR Art! So anyway, here you are opening night - a moment you've waited your whole life for - and you get deathly ill with a sickness your SO gave you. Now, it's not like they gave it to you on purpose, but you did get it from them. I'm sure you'd be pretty pissed about that, too. Anyway, courageously, you fight through your nerves and sickness (while your friends all make fun of you), the gallery opens and soon people start congratulating you. Not for your work, but for your upcoming nuptials! First of all, what the Hell are you talking about?!? And secondly, just as you've finally reached your goal and everyone is going to finally recognize your genius, the focus is taken off you and your work! I'd be pissed. So while I don't think he's right to blame her, I totally get why he's angry. I think deep down he knows it wasn't her, but in that moment when everything has gone to shit, I think she just happened to be the one he lashed out at. Which, again, isn't great, but a totally human reaction. And, really, Mr. White really should have told him they were planning on doing that. it was super fucked up not to say something first.

I'm not sure I agree with you. I think Jimmy communicates very well what he wants throughout the movie. And every time he does, either Mr White or the other band members brush away what he's saying. As far as his relationship with Faye, I can only think of two times he really blames her for anything. The first time is when he gets sick (which is probably true and would really suck) and the second time is with the "engaged" thing - which I think was really the culmination of a lot of things being out of his control. Now I don't think they're a good couple - their priorities aren't aligned- but I don't think he was a "bad" boyfriend so much as inattentive.

It's not that I find him likable, but I do sympathize. When Faye lays into him at the end, there's even some indication that he used to be a lot more easy going. She says that it was never the "real" him, but I don't know that I believe that entirely. He's a smart and talented guy surrounded by morons. These same morons force him to sign away his music so they can go be goofballs at state fairs. And while he's working hard to make sure they aren't a flash in the pan or taken advantage of, that's when his girlfriend of two years and his brand new drummer start cozying up to each other. So I don't blame him for being a bit...acerbic. As far as negotiations are concerned, considering he's "alone in his principles" he probably would be hard to negotiate with

My favorite small moment was when Mr. White gives them all their first (official) record, and while everyone else is freaking out, there's a POV shot from Jimmy's perspective looking at the B-Side ("All My Only Dreams"). So sad.

Personally, I'm pretty sympathetic to Jimmy and I'm glad things worked out for him in the end. It's obvious that this is his dream, but as soon as Guy enters the picture, everything is immediately taken out of his control. I mean, it's definitely Jimmy's band and they are playing the songs he wrote, but when it's time to sign, everyone keeps going to this drummer who has only been with the band for a couple of weeks. WTF? It's also clear, at least after Guy changes the tempo of it, that "That Thing You Do" isn't even a song Jimmy particularly likes. Everyone keeps shitting on everything else he's written, and when he complains or feels like no one else is taking this seriously, he's told to shut up and just enjoy the ride. Well that's fine for Lenny (because he's just a dork), TB Player (who's joining the Marines), and Guy (who's just going along for the ride), but Jimmy is laser focused on being something more. And while Guy certainly contributed to their success, all he really did (without consulting the songwriters beforehand) is speed up the tempo of the song. Jimmy is the one who wrote the words and the melody. I just didn't like how he was painted as this jerk for having drive and showing initiative.

Who knew Pizza Rat's ancestors had such fine singing voices? We saw...

I'm looking forward to hearing what you have for us!

You're right. I can no longer claim to be "Ted Neeley Handsome." I will now forever be known as "That Fucking Guy." Now to rejoin my brethren in damnation- Judas, Cassius, and Brutus - in the frozen depths of the 9th Circle. Never shall I sully this divine place with my maleficent presence ever again.

You're right, though. Maybe the book teaches you how to be an erotic thriller. Correction withdrawn (But seriously, I really hate being "that guy." Lord knows my writing is littered with typos. I wouldn't have even said anything if it wasn't being used for promotional purposes. I cannot apologize enough.)