Best Martini Shot Podcasts (2024)

1
Parking on the Top Floor 11:07

10d ago11:07

11:07

During Rob Long’s first job at Paramount, he would see a dusty, silver DeLorean on level two every day in the parking structure as he rolled in late for his gig on a hit show. Despite all the 1986 flash it signaled, its license plate gave the game away: That person had been on a popular show and now wasn’t. Everyone in Hollywood thinks they’ll alwa…

1
Ep. 87: Good Will Hunting & Angry Orchards 59:54

15d ago59:54

59:54

This episode we discuss one of our favorite 90's dramas, Good Will Hunting (1997). We talk about if we'd rather have a Boston or New York accent, the range of Robin Williams' acting talent, and if we were good at math in school. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of c…

1
How Magical Is A Unicorn's Drink? 55:40

16d ago55:40

55:40

I am taking it way back with the two Unico movies and the conflicting Unicorn Jizz drink! Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. Stories Be sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstories https://discord.gg/x78UXV22XD https://www.instagram.com/the_ac_stories/ https://www.threads.net/@t…

1
Forgiving and Forgetting 11:03

19d ago11:03

11:03

Grudges and feuds make Hollywood go ‘round. But sometimes, they are so longstanding that, as Rob Long learned, the aggrieved sometimes forget why they’re even mad. Which is why Rob is an advocate for, if not forgiveness, at least forgetfulness. Because without it, we wouldn’t be repeating the constant storytelling themes of friendship, money and fa…

1
The Showrunner & the FedEx 12:26

26d ago12:26

12:26

In this age of contraction, Hollywood is full of unemployed showrunners grinding out half fleshed-out pilot ideas. But a great sense of story isn’t the only attribute needed to be a showrunner. It also requires decisiveness, self-awareness and preparedness. And that last trait applies to more than just running a show. Just ask the medical professio…

1
Japanese Whisky from BARTENDER Glass of God: The First Drop 4:11

30d ago4:11

4:11

The main focus in BARTENDER Glass of God episode five is about really appreciating the taste of Japanese whisky with a drop of water. Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Be sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstories https://discord.gg/x78UXV22XD https://www.instagram.com/the_ac_stories/ https://www.threa…

1
No Place for Thinkers 12:45

1M ago12:45

12:45

As a child, Rob watched old sitcoms like Gilligan’s Island and Bewitched while pretending to do homework. He likes to say that his slacking off prepared him for the writing career he has now. Sure, he learned sitcom structure, but more important, by neglecting his schoolwork, he became less of a thinker. And in show business, thinkers just mess thi…

1
Money, Real Estate & Secrets 13:21

1M ago13:21

13:21

When Rob Long sold his house in Venice Beach for his move to New York, the question from neighbors was universal: “When did you buy your house?” In other words, it wasn’t about where he was going, but how much money he was making. Selling high, of course, requires also believing things will get worse. Not hard in showbiz these days. Which explains …

1
What Is The Most Laid Back Camping Drink? 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

The third season of Laid-Back Camp is here, so there no better time to kick back with a giant drink and watch the Laid-Back Camp Movie for this Alcohol & Anime!Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez!Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. StoriesBe sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstorieshttps://discord.gg/x78UXV22XDht…

1
Are You a Showbiz Clown or Monkey? 17:31

2M ago17:31

17:31

Show business largely operates on what Rob Long calls the “Monkey-Clown Relationship.” Sometimes you’re the monkey who loses it and attacks the clown. Sometimes you’re the clown, waiting in fear of the monkey ripping your face off. Increasingly, though, as the industry gets tougher, Rob’s friends aren’t waiting for the monkey to snap, they’re wonde…

1
Lessons of 'Lenny & Squiggy' 13:15

2M ago13:15

13:15

Rob Long worked on the Paramount lot 15 years, and the pilot of Lenny & Squiggy — a spinoff of Laverne & Shirley — was a ghost that haunted the grounds, so mercilessly rejected by a focus group that the tape disappeared. Forever. Which makes Rob wonder: How can one hack a hackneyed system where random people are selected to give an opinion on your …

1
Gaslit in TV Land 13:27

2M ago13:27

13:27

Everybody knows that one William Goldman quote: “Nobody knows anything.” But, Rob Long asserts, sometimes, people know something you don’t. And that’s where the mystery of the industry lies. Because as much shakra and selenite crystal as you can harness, your fate lies in the hands of others, and that can require going to desperate measures to main…

1
Famous vs. Unfamous 10:14

2M ago10:14

10:14

Movie stars and aristocrats are just like you and me: They put their trousers on one leg at a time. We don’t really have a proper aristocracy anymore, so there goes half that saying. But do we even have stars? Rob Long considers what a star was, what a star is, and what it means for the industry. Also, if you should wear a t-shirt with your name on…

1
Paramount: Buy, Sell, Fight 12:10

2M ago12:10

12:10

Rob knows a quote . . . from which Chinese philosopher, he’s not sure. It goes, “If you sit by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by.” Showbiz translation: If you stay in Hollywood long enough, you’ll see Paramount bought and sold many times over. Transcript here. Subscribe here for more showbiz news from The Ankler. L…

1
Martini of BARTENDER Glass of God: A Bar's Secret Ingredient/The Face of a Martini 6:42

3M ago6:42

6:42

Episode four of BARTENDER Glass of God is another two-parter, and the featured drink is the classic martini in a non-classical way.Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez!Music: BARTENDER Alcohol & Anime Opening by The A.C. StoriesSome Nice A's by The A.C. StoriesBe sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstoriesh…

1
Ep. 86: Spy Kids & Thumb Thumb Cocktails 42:45

3M ago42:45

42:45

This episode we discuss a childhood favorite, Spy Kids (2001). We talk about our favorite gadgets, whether we would've believed if our parents were secret agents, and our thoughts on the sequels and spinoff movies. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choice as well …

1
Can You Complete The Code Drink Mission? 57:43

3M ago57:43

57:43

My mission was to watch Spy × Family Code: White in theaters, and I completed it! Now I talk about it with a brand new drink in this episode of Alcohol & Anime!Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez!Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. StoriesBe sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstorieshttps://discord.gg/x78UXV22XDht…

1
Dumpster Diving on the Studio Lot 12:30

3M ago12:30

12:30

No doubt, the internet and technology vastly improved the tedious labor of writing scripts and making revisions. But Rob Long believes something was lost in the disappearance of an actual paper trail: Archaeological artifacts that reveal the process of jokes moving, characters losing lines, and test audiences wanting (and getting) a happy ending. A…

1
B&B from BARTENDER Glass of God: The Perfect Taste 6:01

3M ago6:01

6:01

The third episode of BARTENDER Glass of God focuses more on story but still features a few drinks! The drink that stood out the most, and therefore the I prepare for you, is the B&B.Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez!Music: BARTENDER Alcohol & Anime Opening by The A.C. StoriesSome Nice A's by The A.C. StoriesBe sure to follow me on all my …

1
Burger King Kids Club 11:34

3M ago11:34

11:34

Remember the Burger King Kids Club, the chain’s ad campaign targeted to “the kids?” There was Kid Vid, the white, video game-playing leader; Jaws, the Black kid who loved to eat; and a boy in a wheelchair named (seriously) Wheels. The idea, Rob Long speculates, must have been devised at one of those offsite retreats, the kind TV execs love to do in…

1
Bull Shot from BARTENDER Glass of God: Old Pal/One for the Road 5:38

3M ago5:38

5:38

This episode of BARTENDER Glass of God featured two drinks, but I will be warming you up with a very atypical drink called the Bull Shot!Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez!Music: BARTENDER Alcohol & Anime Opening by The A.C. StoriesSome Nice A's by The A.C. StoriesBe sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacst…

1
Gossipy, Critical, Snippy 13:39

3M ago13:39

13:39

Legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once complained about the way a room was decorated: “It was a lot of Louis Quinze mixed with Louis Seize,” he said. And then added: “Ugh!” The entertainment business runs on this sort of Lagerfeldian Ugh, a sort of lingua franca of Hollywood. But what if we tried, just for a while, to not slag others as con…

1
Highball from BARTENDER Glass Of God: A Gentle Perch 4:28

3M ago4:28

4:28

A brand new Alcohol & Anime series for the new BARTENDER Glass of God anime on Crunchyroll! Join me every week as I attempt to recreate drinks from the anime but cheaper and more doable. This week is a simple highball! Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Bartender Alcohol & Anime Opening by The A.C. Stories Some Nice A's by The A.C.…

1
'It Only Made, Like, $50 Million' 14:07

3M ago14:07

14:07

Howard the Duck might not have won Best Picture, but if you’re a sandwich shop worker, or a young Rob Long at lunch with high-up producers, it’s probably best not to espouse how big a flop you thought it was. See, failure in Hollywood is a relative term. Movies fail, pilots fail, but after a failure of your own, it’s tough to see anything that make…

1
What Drink Is A Truly Great Pretender? 53:43

4M ago53:43

53:43

No need to play pretend with my drinks while watching Great Pretender: Razbliuto for this Alcohol & Anime! Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. Stories Be sure to follow me on all my social medias, too:https://ko-fi.com/theacstories https://discord.gg/x78UXV22XD https://www.instagram.com/the_ac_stories/ https://ww…

1
The '10 Pages in One Night' Trick 12:45

4M ago12:45

12:45

When Orson Welles found an investor for a cheap little noir thriller, legend has it he devised a scheme. His opening sequence took up almost 10 pages of script, with descriptions and action all spread out. Except when he actually filmed it, he used only a high-tension, 12-minute “virtuoso” single tracking shot that became signature to Touch of Evil…

1
The Scariest Word in Hollywood 12:38

4M ago12:38

12:38

Sixty percent of Americans say they read the Bible regularly. But in Hollywood, where Jesus and religion can feel — how do you say it — downmarket, people rely instead on the series bible, where writers flesh out their TV series’ characters, situations and possible future episodes. But Rob Long suggests Hollywood, much like he has, take a fresh loo…

1
Ep. 85: Despicable Me & Minion Shots 54:21

4M ago54:21

54:21

This episode we discuss the original film of a major animated franchise, Despicable Me (2010). We talk about the major impact that minions had in the 2010s, what we would steal to beat the moon, and our past trauma from playing carnival games. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for…

1
Shut Up and Pitch 10:09

4M ago10:09

10:09

When Rob Long pitches anything these days, he knows that he’s not going to sell that idea in the room. That’s over. But he wouldn’t be upset if he didn’t hear, “Fun stuff. We’ll talk internally and get back to you.” What’s fun about that? If we can identify fun — rather than fun stuff — the entertainment industry can get back to being like that big…

1
How Much Brewing Training Is Needed? 1:00:04

5M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Special guest Blue and I went to the theaters to rewatch some Demon Slayer, so you don't have to, yet. But, we still had plenty to say about Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training in this episode of Alcohol & Anime! Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. Stories Be sure to follow me on all my socia…

1
We Cannot Be Boring 12:39

5M ago12:39

12:39

Rob Long loved his tailor — a man who ran his shop with unpredictable, cigarette-stained weirdness. But when he died, the business became faster, and it was easier to communicate with the staff. It was even open into the evenings. The new and improved shop certainly made for a better business. But the old tailor, for all his idiosyncrasies, was hig…

1
I Don’t Get Any Important Phone Calls 13:28

5M ago13:28

13:28

Rob Long’s friend once wrote a line for a TV show where a character reveals he doesn’t have voicemail. You see, the character, explains, “I don’t get important phone calls.” The network executive in charge, however, was not having it, bellowing that no one would care about someone not important enough to not get important calls. And that was that. …

1
Ep. 84: Insidious & Red Door Shots 58:13

5M ago58:13

58:13

This episode we discuss another classic horror film, Insidious (2010). We talk about who the scariest demon is, the insane catalogue of James Wan, and we discuss how to lucid dream. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choice as well as our social media handle and we…

1
The Imaginary List of Approved Writers 11:53

5M ago11:53

11:53

Liza Minelli, Private Detective. Sounds pretty good, right? Unfortunately, the series — Rob Long’s brainchild — will never see the light of day. Rob was told Minelli was “not available,” and in show business, when someone’s unavailable, you move on. It’s one of those unwritten rules, or mysterious studio lists, that we all believe in. But are any o…

1
If Lucy Ran a TV Network 10:15

5M ago10:15

10:15

Whether trekking to the cable store or preparing for the TSA line, Rob Long expects disappointment. Not because he’s inherently negative, you see. Show business, and all its grinding rejection, has molded him into a pessimist. So, Rob questions whether we are all too invested in our work here (the answer: yes). And how we can be prepared — and read…

1
Ep. 83: Kingsman & Gentlemen Martinis 59:21

5M ago59:21

59:21

This episode we discuss a fun satire of the traditional spy movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014). We talk about the amazing soundtrack, whether we would rather be a Kingsman or a 007 agent, and how to do a Michael Caine impression. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the d…

1
What Would It Be Like To Drink A Slime? 51:03

6M ago51:03

51:03

In a scramble to create something to drink for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Visions of Coleus, I ended up with something blue. Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. Stories Be sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstories https://discord.gg/x78UXV22XD https://www.instagr…

1
Ep. 82: A Star Is Born & Tequila on the Rocks 57:55

6M ago57:55

57:55

This episode we discuss an amazing drama, A Star Is Born (2017). We talk about the insane soundtrack, Bradley Cooper's transformation, and Jack shares a very hot take. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choice as well as our social media handle and website. Leave a…

1
Fragile Egos Don't Take Fountain 12:29

6M ago12:29

12:29

Bette Davis famously answered “take Fountain” — an L.A. street with fewer lights — when asked her advice for actors starting out. Thing is, the questioner didn’t actually want practical advice. In fact, most of us say we want the truth when we actually prefer our feelings to be protected. Which is why executives wind up delivering notes with fluffy…

1
Cover Charge and a Minimum 10:42

6M ago10:42

10:42

Every question that comes up in Hollywood these days is really a variation on money, and the big one on everyone’s minds is: how are we going to make buckets of money in the TV business again? By reinventing an already reinvented model, says Rob Long. Hate the ad model coming for streaming? Well, Rob says consider it akin to the cover charge and dr…

1
Ep. 81: Animal House & Cheap Beer 52:21

6M ago52:21

52:21

This episode we discuss an essential college fraternity classic, Animal House (1978). We talk about if this movie set our college expectations, our favorite college parties, and the worst house experiences we've had. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choice as wel…

1
Hey, That's My Joke! 12:56

6M ago12:56

12:56

Ever hear of iPartment? It was a Chinese knockoff of Friends, with some Big Bang Theory rolled in, that received complaints from viewers over lines and scenes ripped directly from these American shows. Outright joke stealing is, of course, wrong, but Rob Long can’t help but also ponder the full spectrum of today's content “borrowing” — whether it’s…

1
Hollywood's 2024 To-Don't List 15:11

6M ago15:11

15:11

An entertainment CEO’s to-do list for the year could include, among other boring and depressing things: layoffs, a merger with Paramount, a sell-off of local TV stations, an acquisition of Lionsgate, and the making of one’s quarterly debt payment. Long to-do lists are, however, as a psychiatrist once told Rob Long, self-sabotage. So instead, he sug…

1
Who Are The Boy And The Heron And The Ole Smoky? 58:31

7M ago58:31

58:31

The "last" Miyazaki film is here! Through recording this episode, I decided I have mixed feeling on if (or how much?) I liked it...just like my drink. Thank you to my Ko-fi member: Julio Vasquez! Music: Aa Rift by The A.C. Stories Be sure to follow me on all my social medias, too: https://ko-fi.com/theacstories https://discord.gg/x78UXV22XD https:/…

1
My Holiday Cure for Greed 12:41

7M ago12:41

12:41

Rob Long loves Christmas presents — expensive ones, preferably — and money. Lots of money. It’s an affliction that impacts everyone in entertainment, he argues, where enough is never enough. Even during a particularly confusing and hard year, we’re lucky to be able to complain about the work most of us do, which Rob realized at the paint store. And…

1
Ep. 80: Molly's Game & Royal Flushes 50:03

7M ago50:03

50:03

This episode we discuss an insane true story and deep dive into the poker underworld, Molly's Game (2017). We talk about the minds of degenerate gamblers, our lack of poker skills, and our thoughts on Aaron Sorkin's writing. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choic…

1
Ep. 79: Elf & Coffees with "Syrup" 47:54

7M ago47:54

47:54

This episode we discuss maybe the most beloved Christmas movie of all time, Elf (2003). We talk about why this is such a timeless classic, we share some hot takes, and we give our opinions on a potential sequel. We also share some hot takes as well as some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the d…

1
Get Paid for Doing Nothing 9:32

7M ago9:32

9:32

This week, Rob Long reminds us that nobody likes to work for free — which is why, more often than not, writers find themselves in a tricky predicament. In an ideal world, a writer gets hired off a pitch. But other times, the writer ends up drafting a script on spec, a.k.a for free. And even when a writer does sell a pitch, the executives who buy it…

1
Murder, But Make it Funny 12:20

7M ago12:20

12:20

According to Karl Marx, “history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.” And in the eyes of Rob Long, so, too, does material in the entertainment industry. When something works as a drama, for example, people will try to find a way to jigger it into a comedy (cue the side-splitting version of Breaking Bad). Most films and shows these days…

1
Ep. 78: The Benchwarmers & Beer and Tequila 55:50

8M ago55:50

55:50

This episode we discuss one of our favorite smooth brain comedies, The Benchwarmers (2006). We talk about if we were ever benchwarmers in our childhood, our favorite lines, and Dono has an extremely hot take. We also share some interesting Pub Facts that we hadn't known before this episode. Below is the recipe for the drink of choice as well as our…

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