History Trivia / AsGoodAsItGets

** Carol arguably combines all of Creator/HelenHunt’s typecastings into one character: a down-to-earth GirlNextDoor turned StrugglingSingleMother who serves as a LivingEmotionalCrutch for a man with a [[DisabledLoveInterest disability/disorder]]. (Downplayed in that some of these only really became typecastings for her as a result of this movie.)

* UnderageCasting: Carol was originally supposed to be in her forties, a decade older than Helen Hunt was when she made the film. Hunt has said that initially, director James L. Brooks really didn’t want her for the role, but ExecutiveMeddling forced him to consider her (at the time, Hunt was one of the most popular actresses in the United States via the likes of ‘’Series/MadAboutYou’’ and ‘’Film/{{Twister}}’’). After seeing her audition, though, Brooks wound up changing his mind.

** Carol arguably combines all of Helen Hunt’s typecastings into one character: a down-to-earth GirlNextDoor turned StrugglingSingleMother who serves as a LivingEmotionalCrutch for a man with a [[DisabledLoveInterest disability/disorder]]. (Downplayed in that some of these only really became typecastings for her as a result of this movie.)
* UnderageCasting: Carol was originally supposed to be in her forties, a decade older than Creator/HelenHunt was when she made the film. Hunt has said that initially, director James L. Brooks really didn’t want her for the role, but ExecutiveMeddling forced him to consider her (at the time, Hunt was one of the most popular actresses in the United States via the likes of ‘’Series/MadAboutYou’’ and ‘’Film/{{Twister}}’’). After seeing her audition, though, Brooks wound up changing his mind.

* UnderageCasting: Carol was originally supposed to be forty-four-years-old. Creator/HelenHunt was thirty-four.

** Creator/JohnCusack considered the role of Simon Bishop, but pulled out due to conflicts with writing, filming, and producing ''Film/GrossePointeBlank''. Creator/WoodyHarrelson read for the part. According to Harrelson, he "went too femme on it". The audition took place at Nicholson's house and Harrelson admits that he was nervous meeting him.

** Creator/UmaThurman was considered for Carol, but the producers turned her down because she was too young. Creator/MelanieGriffith was offered the role, but had to turn it down due to pregnancy. Music/CourtneyLove turned down the role of Carol, as she was recording the "Celebrity Skin" album with Music/{{Hole}}. She also felt she was too young for the part at the time.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The producers had Creator/BettyWhite in mind for the elderly neighbor, but being an animal rights activist, she was quite appalled at how the dog was treated in the story and passed.

* HeyItsThatGuy: Early in the film Melvin yells "I've got ''Jews'' at my table!" Turns out they're [[Series/{{House}} Taub and Cuddy]].
** Creator/HaroldRamis plays Dr. Bettes.
** Yeardley Smith ([[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Lisa Simpson]]) plays Simon's friend, Jackie (her last name in-story is [[CastingGag Simpson]]).
** [[Series/{{Dexter}} Rita Morgan]] asks Melvin how he writes women so well. She regrets it.
** The receptionist at the publisher's office is Creator/JulieBenz (Darla from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'').

** The [[JulieBenz receptionist]] at the publisher's office is Creator/JulieBenz (Darla from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'').

** Dr Bettes is [[Film/{{Ghostbusters}} Egon Spengler]].
** [[TheSimpsons Yeardley Smith]] is Simon's friend, Jackie (her last name in-story is [[CastingGag Simpson]]).

** The [[JulieBenz receptionist]] at the publisher's office is [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Darla.]]
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The producers had Creator/BettyWhite in mind for the elderly neighbor, but being an animal rights activist, she was quite appalled at how the dog was treated in the story and passed.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Jamie Kennedy plays one of the kids [[spoiler: who robs and beats Simon]].
** Before she joined ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', MayaRudolph was a policewoman.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The producers had BettyWhite in mind for the elderly neighbor, but being an animal rights activist, she was quite appalled at how the dog was treated in the story and passed.

** Before she joined ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', MayaRudolph was a policewoman.

** [[Series/{{Dexter}} Rita Morgan]] asks Melvin how he writes women so well. She regrets it.

** Dr Bettes is [[{{Ghostbusters}} Egon Spengler]].

** [[{{Dexter}} Rita Morgan]] asks Melvin how he writes women so well. She regrets it.

* HeyItsThatGuy: Early in the film Melvin yells "I've got ''Jews'' at my table!" Turns out they're [[{{House}} Taub and Cuddy]].