DISQUS

gray wolf · 1 year ago

question would be:who's Snow White?

HoBoSkillet · 1 year ago

Rod - Adam Sandler
Emil - Danny Glover
Mike - Christopher Walken
Tom - Jeff Daniels
Frank - Dr. Phil
Tony - Michael McDonald (from MadTV)

Bill Baar · 1 year ago

maybe off topic...but no women?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

whom would you suggest?

Bill Baar · 1 year ago

I mean Carol Ronen at least....

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

That might get rough.

Bill Baar · 1 year ago

Halvorsen?? sorry to start a tangent... I'm off

Anonymous · 1 year ago

Blago - Sanjaya, or anybody that looks good in orange

Emil - Redd Foxx, or maybe John Cullerton

Madigan - James Cagney

Cross - Ron Howard

Watson - A clean shorn George Hamilton

Daley - Sam Kinison

Rezko - Danny DeVito

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

I added Abby

can't imagine · 1 year ago

the question might be who would want to play the role?

dupage progressive · 1 year ago

Rod - John Travolta (with lotsa hair)
Emil - we missed our chance - should have been Richard Pryor
MJM - Michael Moriarty (think Law & Order D.A.)
Cross - Neil Patrick Harris
Watson - Dan Florek (Law & Order - polic captain - sorry just watched a few episodes!!)
Daley - Jack Nicholson
Rezko - Ron Jeremy

let's add a few ladies just for fun...

Barbara Flynn Currie - Carol Channing
Debbie Halvorson -- Amanda Bearse (married with children neighbor - that voice is dead on!!)

HoBoSkillet · 1 year ago

Abby - Molly Shannon
Rich - Bob Hoskins

Carol Ronen - Kathy Bates until I can think of someone better.

A Citizen · 1 year ago

Rich Miller - Harrison Ford

MG · 1 year ago

(I realize some of these actors have passed away, still, they would have been well cast...)

Rod Blagojevich --> Robert Reed
Emil Jones --> Ossie Davis
Michael Madigan --> James Caan
Tom Cross --> Owen Wilson
Frank Watson --> Lee Marvin
Rich Daley --> Broderick Crawford
Tony Rezko --> Peter Lorre

Don't Worry, Be Happy · 1 year ago

Didn't you ask this question a couple of years ago? It was more fun then with Brad Tusk on the list. Can you post the link to that post? I seem to recall that I wrote something really funny back then.

He Makes Ryan Look Like a Sain · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich--Neil Patrick Harris

* Emil Jones--Muddy Waters

* Mike Madigan--Matt Damon

* Tom Cross--John Bulusi

* Frank Watson--Al Pacino

* Rich Daley--Jack Nickelson

* Tony Rezko-Vin Diesel

* Abby Ottenhof--Julia Roberts

Pickles!! · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich- George Clooney

* Emil Jones- Ving Rames or Mr. T

* Mike Madigan - Harvey Kietel

* Tom Cross- Clint Eastwood

* Frank Watson- Jim Carey

* Rich Daley- Jack Nicholson, of course

* Tony Rezko - Sasha Baron Cohen

* Abby Ottenhof - Hilary Swank

Anonymous · 1 year ago

Abby - any one of the Stepford Wives

Upon further review · 1 year ago

Madigan would have to be played by Christopher Walken

ivoted4judy · 1 year ago

G Rod Adam Sandler
Abbey Angie Harmon
Cross a young Ron Howard
Madigan Ed Burns
Emil Yaffet Koto
Frank stanley Tucci
Da Mayor Jack Nicholson
Rezko a bald arnold schwarzenegger

BigDog · 1 year ago

Since Saturday Night Live does political skits so well on a national level, it would be fun to see them have a shot at the Illinois crew:

Rod - Bill Hader
Patti - Kristen Wiig
Emil - Keenan Thompson
Michael - Darrell Hammond
Tom - Seth Meyers
Frank - Will Forte
Daley - Jason Sudeikis (heavily made up)
Tony - Fred Armisen
Abby - Amy Poehler
John Fritchey - Guest host Jerry Seinfeld

Don't Worry, Be Happy · 1 year ago

Blagojevich - Ray Liotta
Jones - Jim Brown
Madigan - Christopher Walken
Cross - Ben Affleck
Watson - Kelsey Grammer
Daley - Joe Pesci
Rezko - The Soup Nazi from Seinfeld
Ottenhoff - Anne Hathaway

problem · 1 year ago

For Abby, I think it is a toss up.

Maybe Jessica Alba?

Or Julia Roberts?

Could even see Gwyneth Paltrow, hair dyed brown...

But could also see Hillary Swank doing a good job.

Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich - Elvis Presley

* Emil Jones - 50Cent

* Mike Madigan - Neal Diamond

* Tom Cross - Kevin Cronin

* Frank Watson - Tommy Shaw

* Rich Daley - John Bulushi

* Tony Rezko - Himself

* Abby Ottenhof - Stevie Nicks
I took a musical approach.

problem · 1 year ago

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" wins it by a mile.

Those are some good picks!

piper · 1 year ago

Rod = Treat Willliams as in "Prince of the City"

Illinois politics....kind of l · 1 year ago

I think the characters and cast of the Office would be perfect!

Rod Blagojevich - Michael (Steve Carell)

Emil Jones - Michael's sidekick Dwight (Raine Wilson)

Mike Madigan - Jim - the one who seems to know what's going on (John Krasinski)

Tom Cross - Toby (Paul Lieberstein)

Frank Watson - Kevin from the Office and also from Office Space (Brian Baumgartner)

Rich Daley - Ryan (BJ Novak)

Tony Rezko - Andy (Ed Helms)

Abby Ottenhof - Angela (Angela Kinsey)

so-called "Austin Mayor" · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich - Mel Brooks has experience playing such governors.

* Emil Jones - Tone-Lōc can bring the attitude and the voice.

* Mike Madigan - The late Peter Cushing was clearly Mr. Madigan's role model.

* Tom Cross - John Krasinski need not be explained.

* Frank Watson - Shaun Dingwall is a dead-ringer.

* Rich Daley - Ricky Gervais can play the crooked bumbler who lands on his feet like no one else.

* Tony Rezko - Wilmer Valderrama has experience being Punk'd by a Midwestern doofus.

Bonus: Rich Miller - Warwick Davis

The Doc · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich - Paul Reiser

* Emil Jones - Eddie Murphy

* Mike Madigan - Nick Nolte

* Tom Cross - Harvey Keitel

* Frank Watson - Wallace Shawn

* Rich Daley - Gilbert Gottfried

* Tony Rezko - Bob Hoskins

* Abby Ottenhoff - Sarah Silverman

Napoleon has left the building · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich – Jay Leno
Emil Jones – Kevin Eubanks
Michael Madigan – Robert DiNiro
Tom Cross – Ron Howard
Frank Watson – Boatman's Bank TV Commercial Guy (he's a known actor, but I couldn't find his name)
Rich Daley – Will Ferrall
Tony Rezko – Dave Attell
Abby - Mary McCormick

North of I-80 · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich - Paul Reubens [Pee Wee] w/Miss Yvonne wig
Patti Blagojevich - Miss Yvonne
Daley - Mel Brooks [too bad John Belushi is MIA]
Rezko - De Niro
Jones - Ice T
Madigan - John Malkovich
Abby O - Johnny Depp [yeah, he could do it]

Napoleon has left the building · 1 year ago

I would to congratulate Upon Further Review, Christopher Walken for MJM is dead on.

Upon further review · 1 year ago

thank you, once it dawned on me, it just seemed obvious.

come to think of it, have walken and madigan ever been seen together? hmmm.

problem · 1 year ago

"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more taxes!"

so-called "Austin Mayor" · 1 year ago

Addendum:

* Abby Ottenhoff - A hardworking, loyal subordinate of a hyper-ambitious, megalomaniac who longs to be president? Who's a (unintentional) comedy writer to boot? I gotta go with 30 Rock's Tina Fey.

Wumpus · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich-Ted McGinley Married w/ Children

* Emil Jones-John Witherspoon

* Mike Madigan-Chris Noth or Ray Liota

* Tom Cross-

* Frank Watson

* Rich Daley-John Lovitz

* Tony Rezko-

* Abby Ottenhof-Tammy Wynette -Stand by your man

Belle · 1 year ago

Rod - Larry
Emil - Curly
Mike - Moe

Learning the Ropes · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich : Bruce Campbell (infamous B-Movie actor)
Emil Jones : James Earl Jones (Last name & Voice are spot on)
Mike Madigan : Alan Rickman (Snape in Harry Potter)
Tom Cross : Nicholas Cage (heh...)
Frank Watson : Anthony Hopkins (If he can pull off Hannibal...)
Rich Daley : Jack Nicholson
Tony Rezko : Christopher Walken (makes everything better)
Abby Ottenhof : Jessica Alba (its my movie and I can do what I want)

Mongo · 1 year ago

The Doc has it right...Nick Nolte as Mike Madigan...

Captain America · 1 year ago

Madigan - Walken
Daley - Nicholson
Rezco - Robert Duval
Fitzgerald - John Mahlkovich
Blago - Jim Carrey (Sp?)
Emil - Cedric the Entertainer
Cross - Ron Howard
Levine - Nicholas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas)
William Cellini - Darth Vader

I don't watch much TV so I'm not that familiar with Senator Watson and Abbie.

I thought the previous suggestions of Walken for Madigan and Nicholson for Daley were tremendous so I seconded those nominations.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

Rod - Irwin Corey
Emil - Reginald Farmer
Michael - Ivan Dixon
Tom -Ray Vitte
Frank - Pepe Serna
Tony - Bill Duke
Abby - Tracy Reed
Patrick Fitzgerald - Ed Metzger

Furter · 1 year ago

Rod would be a tossup between Bob Bell and Rich Koz. The hair works either way.

Tony @ -30- · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich - John Travolta
Emil Jones - John Witherspoon (character actor - played the dad in "Friday")
Mike Madigan - William H. Macy
Tom Cross - Tom Hanks
Frank Watson - Stephen Tobolowsky (another charactor actor - played Ned Ryerson in "Groundhog Day")
Rich Daley - Joe Pesci
Tony Rezko - Dennis Farina
Abby Ottenhoff- Jenna Fischer

Capitol View · 1 year ago

Blago -- Adam Sandler

Madigan - Al Pachino

Rezko - Ben Kinglsey

Emil - himself

Watson - Dustin Hoffman

Cross - Matt Damon

Da Mayor - Jack Nickelson

Jim Thompson - Jeff Goldbloom

Speaking At Will · 1 year ago

Eddie Murphy as all of them.

Ghost · 1 year ago

it would be more fun to cast them as playing each other :)

Rod Blagojevich - Played by Madigan
Emil Jones - Played by Cross
Mike Madigan - Played by Fitzgerald
Tom Cross - Played by Ottenhoff
Frank Watson - Played by Jones
Rich Daley - Played by Blagojevich
Tony Rezko - Played by Daley
Abby Ottenhoff - Played by Madigan

Little Egypt · 1 year ago

Since Blago was first elected in '02, no one in Hollywood had Illinois on their radar, except to get some tax breaks occasionally to come here and do a film. So why even consider any big Hollywood stars to play our small time politicians? The only one really making headlines now is Blago himself and since he's politicaly dead, I suggest Elvis. But all other names could best be represented by just pulling names out of a hat.

Garp · 1 year ago

I would like to suggest the Looney Tunes characters should play the roles,

Blogo-Sylvester
Emil-Elmer Fudd
Madigan-Bugs Bunny
Daley-Daffy Duck
Rezco-Porky Pig
Abby-Penelope

I am not qualified to assign Looney Tune names to Repubs-Maybe someone else can finish my list.

Garp · 1 year ago

Bye the way, the movie would be called, Capital Jam

Cranky Old Man · 1 year ago

The only one that immediately comes to mind is John Lovitz (the pathological liar character) playing the gov.

HoBoSkillet · 1 year ago

I was thinking about assigning characters from the Muppets but the only one I can come up with that's a good fit is Emil Jones played by Fozzie Bear - Wocka! Wocka! Wocka!

anon · 1 year ago

RB...Eric Stoltz
EJ...Ossie Davis
MM...Harrison Ford
TC...Mark Wahlberg
FW...Nicolas Cage
RD...Robert Duvall
TR...James Gandolfini
AO...Jennifer Connelly
BFC..Helen Mirren

We're going to Hollywood! · 1 year ago

No one could play these roles better than the original cast of characters! Wouldn't this be the most heralded movie of the year! Talk about a DRAMA! And then the obvious comedic side...ohhh too much to think about. Call in the movie crews and let's get rollin'! (All profits to be directed to paying off Illinois' growing debt.)

DumberThanUThink · 1 year ago

Blago — Keith Urban (pre rehab)
Madigan - Alan Jackson
Rezko - Weird Al
Emil - Charley Pride
Watson - Gary Forby
Cross - Jim Nabors
Da Mayor - Toby Kieth
Jim Thompson - Porter Wagoner
Abby -Minnie Pearl

semi-Country theme

Carl Nyberg · 1 year ago

I like Brad Pitt in a wig for Blago.

KiR · 1 year ago

* Rod Blagojevich- Elvis Himselvis

* Emil Jones- Forrest Whitaker

* Mike Madigan- David Rasche (Sledge Hammer- 1986 TV Series)

* Tom Cross- Rodney Dangerfield (don't get no respect)

* Frank Watson-Stephen Tobolowsky (that first step's a doozy- Groundhog Day)

* Rich Daley- Tony Lo Bianco (Hizzoner- 1984 TV series)

* Tony Rezko- Dr. Phil

* Abby Ottenhoff- Jennifer Anniston

The Guild of Calamitous Intent · 1 year ago

Clearly, Tony Rezko should be played by Vladimir Putin.

That is all.

Cheswick · 1 year ago

Blagojevich - Robby Benson

That's who I see every time I see the governor, except less long-haired, less bearded, than what's on his web site. Turn down your speakers if you're at work. OMG!

http://www.robbybenson.net/

Okay. This here's a photo of Benson I was thinking of (it says popup, but it's not really):

http://www.robbybenson.net/photoGallery/popup11...

unclesam · 1 year ago

I agree that Christopher Walken should play MJM, but with the condition that the writers, somehow, manage to put in the phrase "needs more cowbell" or just the word "cowbell" as a running gag thoughout the movie.

For example, have a scene in which one of the Assistant HDem leaders is pushing legislation to ban the use of a "cowbell" at high school football games (highly controversial, and huge comedic topic if movie done right). There are just so many ways "cowbell" enters the scene. This must be done.

Cheswick · 1 year ago

I can't believe I said "this here's." LOL! I never talk like that. Really.

Also, Robby Benson has the same voice as the gov.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

That's my new assignment. Somehow convince MJM to say on mic: "What this bill needs is more cowbell!!!" I won't rest until this is done.

Innocent Bystander · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich - Corey Haim
Emil Jones - Delroy Lindo
Mike Madigan - Willem Dafoe
Tom Cross - Crispin Glover
Frank Watson - Brian Baumgartner (The Office - Kevin)
Rich Daley - Danny Devito
Tony Rezko - Craig T. Nelson
Abby Ottenhoff - Helen Hunt

montrose · 1 year ago

~~ That’s my new assignment. Somehow convince MJM to say on mic: “What this bill needs is more cowbell!!!” I won’t rest until this is done. ~~

I will pay you millions and millions of dollars if you accomplish this task.

unclesam · 1 year ago

Rich,

To help you on this assignment, how about we manufacture a reason to pass a House resolution honoring Christopher Walken. We must also convince "his people" that it is in the best interest of Mr. Walken to be in Springfield that day so that he can properly be honored.

Further, have one of MJM's staffers prepare some brief remarks on the floor, and at the conclusion of those remarks he pays a small tribute to Mr. Walken's "cult status" by saying: "what Illinois needs right now is more COWBELL!"

Can you get this done?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

And what would be the reason for the tribute? Does Walken have an Illinois connection? All I can find is this, and it ain't much. lol

I doubt that Brown would be any help, either. Perhaps stealth and trickery are our options.

Upon further review · 1 year ago

I think i'm going to be sorry that i started this :)

problem · 1 year ago

"Can you get this done?"

That and a capital bill. Thanks.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

problem, getting MJM to imitate Chris Walken would be much easier than getting him to pass a capital plan. So, please, don't ask the impossible.

Upon further review · 1 year ago

Rich,

You have it backwards. Walken has clearly been imitating Madigan this whole time.

Word is that as a young man, he went to the 13th Ward Actors Studio.

unclesam · 1 year ago

Now you understand why I stated that we must "manufacture" a reason.

Huh? · 1 year ago

ben stiller for blago - A bad actor for a bad actor

montrose · 1 year ago

RB - Joe Peschi or Gary Busey
EJ - Will Smith (he is so versitile)
MJM - Bela Lugosi
TW - Fred Thompson
TC - Philip Seymore Hoffman (see Will Smith)
RD - Robert De Niro (he would say "silly" with just the right inflection)
TR - David Cross
AO - Tina Fey

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

===Now you understand why I stated that we must “manufacture” a reason.===

OK, so manufacture one. One thing at a time.

archpundit · 1 year ago

Madigan--Tim Daly looking a bit older or Zeljko Ivanek from Damages and Homicide
Emil--Delroy Lindo above is perfect or Frankie Faison from the Wire
Tom Cross--Harrison Ford from Presumed Innocent or Reed Diamond
David Axelrod--Dr. Phil
Blagojevich--Ted McGinley
Rezko--Larry Thomas, the Soup Nazi
Watson--Pernell Roberts (think beard) or Jon Polito from Homicide
Obama---Harry J. Lennix from Commander and Chief

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

===David Axelrod–Dr. Phil===

Notice you've never seen them together?

Amy · 1 year ago

movie about Illinois politics, and whether women are on
the list is off topic?

how about the Attorney General of Ilinois is Lisa Madigan,
a woman. she's kinda factored into some of the Blago
drama, wouldn't you say?

or Carol M. Braun, whose fall from grace was dramatic.

ok, wait, maybe you're right....cause there are not enough
women in positions of leadership in this state. time to
add come next election.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

amy, nobody said it was off topic. Your hair trigger is at it again.

Anon · 1 year ago

Rod - Clyde (the orangutan from "Every Which Way But Loose")
Emil - Morgan Freeman or Forest Whitaker
Madigan - Clint Eastwood or Willem Dafoe
Watson - Jeffrey Tambor (from "Arrested Development")
Cross - Gary Busey
Daley - Jack Nicholson
Rezko - Joe Pantoliano
Abby O - Laura Linney

Cheswick · 1 year ago

Judy Barr Topinka - Shirley MacLaine

Cheswick · 1 year ago

Jane Byrne in a cameo appearance as herself.

Helm · 1 year ago

Carol Ronen can play Rod and Rod can play Carol Ronen. Did you ever notice with the hair and all, they bear a very strange resemblance to each other ???

DumberThanUThink · 1 year ago

Does Carol Ronen count as a retired SpinSister? There is a lot to rotate, but that WTTW appearence is already in the International PR Don'ts HOF

archpundit · 1 year ago

==Notice you’ve never seen them together?

Neither has anyone at AKP--I keep asking them...

Rhino · 1 year ago

Nobody suggested that Steve Buscemi should play Rod?

Patriot · 1 year ago

Alec Baldwin should play all of the roles as it may bring back life to his acting career.

Levois · 1 year ago

How about Denzel Washington as Emil Jones? We might have to use makeup magic to make him look older but at least he'd be more handsome. lol!

Dirt Guy · 1 year ago

Rod - Don Knotts with a wig, or Fredo from the "Godfather"

Emil - Cleveland - "Family Guy"

Madigan - Charles Bronson

Daley - Otis From Mayberry - Appearance only, well... sometimes they do sound alike.

Rezko - Ned Beatty playing Bobby in "Deliverance"

wordslinger · 1 year ago

Jack Nicholson as Daley is perfect. Jack would love that role.

Ray Liotta, as Henry Hill, is good for Rod. Not very smart or tough.

Al Pacino, as Michael Corleone in I, works for Madigan. Smarter, more ruthless than anyone.

The Haggar Twins from Hee-Haw for Watson and Cross. Really -- I'm a born-and-bred downstater, but what do these guys bring to the party?

Ving Rhames as Marcellus Wallace from Pulp Fiction for Emil. Tough, strong, but we all know what happened in the end (no pun intended).

Establishment Republican · 1 year ago

Rod Blagojevich- Steve Carrell
Emil Jones- Bernie Mac
Richard M. Daley- Danny DeVito
Tony Rezko- Dr. Phil
Frank Watson- Fred Thompson
Tom Cross- Christopher Walken

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (Blago's sidekick)- Horatio Sanz

Bill (Blago's blogger buddy)- Hal Holbrook

Rich Miller- Robbie Rist

Lisa Madigan- Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi

jorod · 1 year ago

Rod - Charlie Sheen
Emil - Gary Coleman
Madigan - Michael J. Fox
Cross - Chevy Chase
Daley - Rodney Dangerfield
Rezko - Chaz Palminterri
Obama - The guy from 40 year old virgin

Diane · 1 year ago

Rod B: John Travolta
Emil J: Morgan Freeman
Frank W: Kelsey Grammer
Tom C: Ron Howard
Mayor D:Danny DeVito or Joe Peschi
Madigan: Johnny Rotten

Diane · 1 year ago

Abby: Holly Hunter