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.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #PaulFeig #FreaksAndGeeks #TheHousemaidFilm #CocktailTimeBook #ComedyAndThrillers #HollywoodDirectors #PalmSpringsLife #CoachellaValleyPodcast #MovieMakingStories #StandUpComedyRoots #GinMartiniLovers #ClassicTVAndFilm

This week at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, Patrick Evans & Randy Florence welcome acclaimed entertainer Lucie Arnaz for a deeply personal, lively, and often hilarious conversation. Lucie opens up about her new book, Lucy and Desi: The Love Letters, a poignant collection of her parents’ intimate wartime correspondence, digitized and preserved over decades. She shares candid stories about family life behind the scenes, including the joys and heartbreaks of growing up in a legendary household. From early Hollywood history to the creation of the documentary Lucy and Desi, Lucie describes what it means to safeguard her parents’ legacy while forging her own remarkable career. She also reflects on marriage, motherhood, performing in top venues, near-misses like Grease, unforgettable moments on the Oscars stage, and her upcoming performances in Palm Springs. Heartfelt, funny, and full of rich storytelling, this episode is a must-hear for fans of theatre, TV history, and genuine human connection.

Takeaways:

• How Lucie discovered, preserved, and curated 47 intimate letters between her parents
• The surprising emotional tone and “love language” within Lucy and Desi’s early relationship
• Never-before-heard insights about their marriage, divorce, and co-parenting
• The multi-decade journey that led to creating Lucy and Desi: The Love Letters
• The myths and misinformation fans often spread online—plus Lucie’s humorous reactions
• Career stories from Broadway to game shows, including near-casting in Grease
• Personal reflections on marriage, parenting, and balancing a creative life
• Details about Lucie’s upcoming concerts, book events, and her ties to Palm Springs

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #LucieArnaz #LucilleBall #DesiArnaz #LucyAndDesiLoveLetters #PalmSpringsArts #ClassicHollywood #CelebrityInterviews #PurpleRoomPalmSprings #PlazaTheatrePalmSprings #BroadwayStories #DocumentaryFilm #EntertainmentPodcast

Big Conversations, Little Bar goes into Thanksgiving week 2025 with an extraordinary episode recorded at Skip Paige’s Little Bar. This week, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome beloved actress Kathy Garver, known worldwide as “Cissy” from A Family Affair, along with her brother Lance Garver, whose own career spans acting, commercial real estate, and decades of global adventures. Kathy shares unforgettable memories from The Ten Commandments, Family Affair, and her successful voiceover and audiobook career—including her current Grammy nomination. Lance brings lively, often hilarious stories from his acting days, international travels, and work revitalizing California’s motel and hotel landscape. Together, the Garvers offer a heartwarming and wildly entertaining blend of Hollywood history, family anecdotes, creative journeys, and desert-life connections—along with a preview of their upcoming projects. This episode is rich with nostalgia, laughter, and remarkable storytelling.

Takeaways:

• How Kathy Garver rose from child actress to Grammy-nominated narrator
• What made A Family Affair a beloved, enduring TV classic
• The surprising way Cecil B. DeMille expanded Kathy’s role in The Ten Commandments
• Lance’s adventures in acting, real estate, and international travel—including brushes with Cold War danger
• How both siblings built lifelong connections to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
• Kathy’s upcoming projects, including films in Australia, a new podcast, and her book Romancing with the Stars
• Lance’s forthcoming memoir The Adventures of Lance Romance
• The duo’s humorous and heartfelt sibling dynamic that shines throughout the episode

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #KathyGarver #LanceGarver #AFamilyAffair #PalmSprings #ChildStars #ClassicTV #HollywoodLegends #PalmDesert #PodcastInterview #DesertLife #CelebrityStories #EntertainmentPodcast