It’s another fantastic episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar in the corner booth as Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome acclaimed director, writer, producer and gin-maker Paul Feig to Skip Paige’s Little Bar. From his Michigan childhood, standup gigs in Detroit biker bars and early TV roles to creating Freaks and Geeks and directing hits like Bridesmaids, Spy and Ghostbusters, Feig traces the winding path of a career built on smart, character-driven comedy. He teases his twisty new thriller The Housemaid, explains why he loves blending scares with laughs, and reflects on fan backlash, streaming-era shakeups and the future of movies and TV storytelling. Plus: stories of George Carlin, Bob Hope and Gary Shandling, behind-the-scenes TV memories, his obsession with impeccably made gin martinis, the origin of Artingstall’s Gin, his burgeoning Palm Springs icon status, and why he and his wife fell hard for life in the Coachella Valley—Scotty dog Kevin included.

Takeaways:

• How a Michigan kid with comedy-loving parents found his way from magic acts and Detroit biker-bar standup to Hollywood.
• The real-life inspirations behind “Freaks and Geeks” and why it still resonates 25 years later despite its short network run.
• Why thrillers and horror-comedy now excite him more than traditional straight-ahead comedy.
• The fast, budget-conscious whirlwind production of “The Housemaid” and adapting a beloved Frieda McFadden bestseller.
• What he learned from legends like George Carlin, Bob Hope and Gary Shandling about structure, timing and audience connection.
• The story behind Artingstall’s Gin, his love affair with classic martinis and how a childhood Vegas trip sparked it.
• Honest thoughts on Ghostbusters backlash, toxic fandoms, and how streaming has upended TV and film economics.
• Why he and his wife chose the Coachella Valley as home, complete with Scottish Terrier Kevin and a deepening local connection.

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