52: Beneath the Bloodshot Eyes
Sep 03, 2024
Show notes
A message from Beavis and Butthead, texting sucks, my dad holding court on the phone, my mom and her mysterious machine, horoscoping, don't say sui generis, the legendary Colonel Sanders, a funny James Franco skit, carpets and more, my life as Jack Nicholson, a rumination situation, dogs versus cats, this world can be harsh, a touching moment at work, alcohol is verboten in the movie theater, a great new thriller, the genius of Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, the great Ella Fitzgerald, and a song I came up with around midnight. Stuff mentioned: Colonel Sanders Voiceover (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c7k2zyLn6I), James Franco: Gucci Commercial Outtakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtkQ1lp_Yo), Rush (1991), Strange Darling (2023), Z Berg "Better the Devil" (2023), Thelonious Monk "'Round Midnight" (1943), Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988), Round Midnight (1986), Bird (1988), Heat (1995), Ella Fitzgerald "'Round Midnight" (1962), Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Shore "Memphis Blues" (1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skth17Ky-HA), and Ella Fitzgerald "You'll Have to Swing It/Mr. Paganini" (1936).
51: Tangential Speech
Aug 27, 2024
Show notes
An update on the Matthew Perry story, doing the right thing, some savoir-faire, drinking a big soda, the magical Gena Rowlands, some drinking quotes, the great Benjamin Franklin's weirdness, some falling down references, the totally cool band NOFX, Count fucking Basie, F/X, more Kim Shattuck, some thoughts on porn and normalcy, the passing of a French legend/louche, a perfectly French question, another psych hospital story, perhaps the worst phrase to ever say at a girl at a bar, a couple of Los Angeles movies, showcasing a showcase, eat your broccoli rabe, a beautiful streamer, and a promise. Stuff mentioned: A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Falling Down (1993), NOFX "Linoleum" (1994), NOFX "Punk in Drublic" (1994), NOFX "Linoleum" Live (1998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kKod2qay94), Frank Sinatra "Sinatra at the Sands" (1966), F/X (1986), NOFX "Lori Meyers" (1994), Alain Delon, Marianne Faithful, and Mick Jagger Photo (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dollerosa/51285282253), Rain Man (1988), Skincare (2024), Crossroads of the World (6671 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028), Hollywood Homicide (2003), Boardner's (1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028), David Rabe Hurlyburly (1985), Hurlyburly (1998), Hurlyburly (June 21-July 29, 1984 Promenade Theatre), William Shakespeare The Tragedie of Macbeth (1623), David Rabe Streamers (1975), Streamers (April 21, 1976-June 5, 1977 Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre), and Stephen Foster "Beautiful Dreamer" (1864).
50: Fifty is Nifty
Aug 19, 2024
Show notes
We made it to fifty, feeling for the Flying Dutchman, birthday greetings to Mr. Keach, a demonic fridge, an alcoholic couch, happy endings, a listeners question, Tom Cruise needs to stop it, my so-called breakdancing life, a real-life Tron, video arcade memories, a bad purchase at The Sharper Image, a somewhat shattering experience outside the grocery store, waiting for DoorDash, the tiresome trifecta of Mark Zuckerberg/Joe Rogan/Elon Musk, more psych hospital stories, idiotic injuries, a bad Swiss accent, the damaged and awesome Russell Crowe, and my affair with Alanis Morissette. Stuff mentioned: Risky Business (1983), Losin' It (1983), Tron (1982), Discs of Tron (1983), Dragon's Lair (1983), Space Ace (1983), Breakin' (1984), Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984), Saturday Night Live "The French Chef" (December 9, 1978), The Exorcism (2024), Frasier (1993-2004), Alanis Morissette "Head Over Feet" (1995), Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995), and Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know" (1995).
49: Complicated Guise
Aug 13, 2024
Show notes
A song about walking that I missed, more bullshit from Silicon Valley, the tragedy of Buca di Beppo, a cross eyed waiter, dreaming with Ryan Reynolds, getting trapped with M. Night Shyamalan, post-vacation depression, a couple of Starmen, the perils of driving a stick shift in San Francisco, changing gears in real life, a made up movie about pinball and love, a couple devastatingly great songs, a satanic seventy-six trombones, and my attempt at an Italian giallo song. Stuff mentioned: Missing Persons "Walking in L.A." (1982), Missing Persons Spring Session M (1982), F. Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby" (1925), Just Friends (2005), Trap (2024), The Man with Two Brains (1983), The Godfather Part III (1990), Starman (1984), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), David Bowie "Starman" (1972), American Graffiti (1973), David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Jack Nitzsche "Starman" (1984), Jack Nitsche Starman (1984), Liza Minnelli "Bye Bye Blackbird" (1972), Liza with a Z (1972), Meredith Wilson "Till There Was You" (1957), Meredith Wilson "The Music Man" (1957), The Music Man (1962), The Music Man "Seventy-Six Trombones" (1962), and The Beatles "Till There Was You" (1963).
48: A Prince in Los Angeles
Aug 06, 2024
Show notes
Birthday songs at the gym, more messed up lyrics, walking and reading in Los Angeles, an Uber ride from hell, decompressing, a pretty lousy restaurant experience, more decompressing, a great performance by Quasi, sake can be rocky, a great old school bar and another Chinatown connection, trying to keep my cool at a dinner, and everything reminds me of something. Stuff mentioned: Ace Hood "Bugatti" (2013), System of a Down "Chop Suey" (2001), System of a Down Toxicity (2001), System of a Down "Toxicity" (2001), Green Day "Brain Stew" (1995), Green Day Insomniac (1995), The Troubadour (9081 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069), The Godfather (1972), Cleopatra (1963), Dan Tana's (9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069), Quasi Featuring Birds (1998), Donner Party Complete Recordings (1987-1989 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP9vwg7qx3s), Ellliott Smith "From a Basement on the Hill" (2004), The Prince (3198 1/2 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005), Chinatown (1974), The Two Jakes (1990), Frank n' Hank (518 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020), and Naked Eyes "Always Something There to Remind Me" (1983).
47: A Feast of Friends
Jul 30, 2024
Show notes
The passing of Shannen Doherty, you'll never understand Sunnyvale, balloons are useless, another great steakhouse, eating with Jake Gittes, playing pool with Weezer, dear daddy, lost in San Mateo, listening to Bad Religion on the way home, some tips for when you come across a bear, the power of Ironside, the power of infomercials, the power of Billy Mays, the dumbest product ever, the tangled web we are stuck in, and a heavy song. Stuff mentioned: Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000), Heathers (1988), Charmed (1998-2006), "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty" (2023-2024), Commando (1985), Dreamscape (1984), The Stepfather (1987), Chinatown (1974), Soundgarden "The Day I Tried to Live" (1984), Superchunk "Detroit Has a Skyline" (1995), Weezer "Say It Ain't So" (1994), Weezer Weezer aka The Blue Album (1994), Weezer "Say It Ain't So" live on David Letterman (1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqG6oR_o7Q), Pet Shop Boys "Always on My Mind" (1987), The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad" (1988), James Hervey "Since all the downward tracts of time" (1746), Bad Religion "Generator" (1991, released in 1992), Bad Religion Generator (1991, released in 1992), Visiting Hours (1982), Scanners (1981), Tool Band-it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyYTYqIB3-Q), The Beatles "I Want You/She's So Heavy" (1969), Abbey Road (1969), Paul McCartney isolated bass "I Want You/She's So Heavy" (1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNN48VIh-0Y&t=292s).
46: High Strung
Jul 23, 2024
Show notes
A mea culpa to Gary Gnu, a truly amazing song, Kurt Russell got back to me, a bad parking spot, a listeners request, the classy split diopter, a couple band names, Long Legs has legs, a visit to Blumhouse, some annoying people, a slow simmer, Superman with a hemorrhoid, the great Alicia Witt, Houston we have a supplement problem, the stupidity of the VIP, going downhill, and a great new song. Stuff mentioned: Brewster McCloud (1970), James Weldon Johnson "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (1900), Ray Charles "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (1972 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW_pZEFMh8c), Frantic (1988), Ennio Morricone "Frantic" (1988), Hardcore (1980), City of the Living Dead aka Gates of Hell (1983), Graduation Day (1981), Pieces (1982), Long Legs (2024), Psycho (1960), Psycho II (1983), Cy Twombly "Synopsis of a Battle/Primary Title" (1968 https://vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-8151173), Cecil B. Demented (2000), and Pom Pom Squad "Downhill" (2024).
45: Get Me Rewrite!
Jul 16, 2024
Show notes
Breaking some eggs, it's time to start smoking, another nugget from the psych hospital, some of the latest gnews, the undeniably awesome Shelley Duvall, suicide isn't painless, a screenwriting master, Alice doesn't live here anymore, screw the Kennedys, Charles Darwin and his natural selection of mail, three second acts and hoping for a third act, the mind-blowing Rubik's cube, the masterful Brian Eno, a forgotten horror movie, and long walks with the dearly missed Chris Cornell. Stuff mentioned: Billy Joel "I Go to Extremes" (1989), Billy Joel Storm Front (1989), Happy Days "Hollywood: Part 3" (Season 5/Episode 3, September 20, 1977 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO0D0jF83lc), Detour (1945), The Great Space Coaster (1981-1986), Brewster McCloud (1970), M*A*S*H (1970), Johnny Mandel (music) and Michael Altman (lyrics) "Suicide is Painless/Theme from M*A*S*H" (1970), Popeye (1980), Popeye Village Malta (https://popeyemalta.com), The Shining (1980), Chinatown (1974), Shampoo (1975), The Two Jakes (1990), Sam Wasson The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood (2020), Maureen Callahan Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed (2024), Elizabeth Beller Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (2024), Brian Eno Here Come the Warm Jets (1974), Eno (2024), Alcatraz East Crime Museum (https://www.alcatrazeast.com), Bad Dreams (1988), The Chambers Brothers "Time Has Come Today" (1967), The Electric Prunes "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" (1966), Sid Vicious "My Way" (1978), Andrew Wyeth "Christina's World" (1948 https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78455), Chris Cornell "Follow My Way" (1999), Chris Cornell Euphoria Morning (1999), Soundgarden "The Day I Tried To Live" (1994), and Soundgarden Superunknown (1994).
44: Mind the Gap
Jul 09, 2024
Show notes
Losing my mom and my mind in the grocery store, some phrases I hate, Zsa Zsa had a point, the tragedy of the Wonder Twins powers, never turn down Kusshi oysters, a major political sighting in Palo Alto, psychiatric nurses are kind of cool, a couple of political movies, a bad picture, no one knows shit, a pretty good psychiatric nurse joke, a Gap in Darien, a great boxer, a batshit baseball fight involving a bat, a possibly great game for a group of people, being on Team Dylan McKay, internal versus external, somebody wanting to fuck my brain, cultivating a sex appeal, and listening to you. Stuff mentioned: Quest for Fire (1982), Up in Smoke (1978), Prince "Kiss" (1986), The Wonder Twins (1977-1984), Twins (1988), Sundance the Steakhouse (1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother "Kangaroo Hop" (1975 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOx4i1OYVo8), The Candidate (1972), A Face in the Crowd (1957), Simon and Garfunkel "The Sound of Silence" (1966), Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (June 29, 2024), Escape from New York (1981), Scanners (1981), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000), Bob Dylan "Who Killed Davey Moore?" (1963), You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020), Scream w/David Arquette at least (1996-2022), The Who "See Me, Feel Me" (1969), The Who Tommy (1969), and Woodstock (1970).
43: Weinerschnitzel
Jul 02, 2024
Show notes
A couple of Orsons, the electricity that was Robin Williams, following your obsessions, slowly weathering, a great joke and a bad joke, a real dick, a couple of Bermans, a list for Monsieur Hornbeck, a future Colombo episode, one bad night in Los Angeles with a soundtrack by Elvis Costello, something to blow your mind (or head), a couple quotes once again, and another Elvis Costello song to close it out. Stuff mentioned: Mork and Mindy (1978-1982), Happy Days (1974-1982), Orson Welles Paul Masson outtakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvxwf1jxdaM), The Fisher King (1991), Frankenpenis (1996), The Silver Jews "The Frontier Index" (1996), The Strokes "Ode to the Mets" (2020), Paris, Texas (1984), The Lovers on the Bridge (1991), Three Colors: Blue (1993), Three Colors: White (1994), Three Colors: Red (1994), Dekalog (1989-1990), The Daily Pint (2310 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405), Sade "The Sweetest Taboo" (1985), Seven (1995), Elvis Costello "Alison" (1977), Scanners (1981), Jesse Green "A Ulysses That Squeezes Bloomsday Into 2 Hours, 40 Minutes" (The New York Times, June 25, 2024), James Joyce Ulysses (1920), Elvis Costello "The Other Side of Summer" (1991), and Elvis Costello Mighty Like a Rose (1991).