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

Music industry veteran Eddie Gilreath pulls up to the Corner Booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to trace an extraordinary journey from Philadelphia’s sound to global stages. With hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, he recalls faking his first bass gig at 14, serving in Panama during tense Cold War days, then rising through Motown and Warner Bros. to help break artists like the Spinners and George Benson. Eddie shares inside stories about working with icons including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Curtis Mayfield, and more—plus why some of the most memorable moments happened offstage. He talks about smashing industry barriers as a pioneering Black executive, his “Black Music Is Green” initiative, and how streaming has rewritten the rules for new artists. It’s a masterclass in music, marketing, and humanity from a man who quietly shaped the soundtrack of our lives. From basement rehearsals to boardrooms, Eddie’s story is funny, candid, and deeply inspiring.

Takeaways:

• How a missing bass player at a Philly cabaret accidentally launched Eddie’s music career at 14.
• Serving in Panama during a volatile Cold War era and keeping music alive even in a combat zone.
• Moving from musician to executive, rising through Motown and Warner Bros. during the heyday of soul and pop.
• The strategy behind breaking acts like the Spinners and George Benson, including the massive success of Breezin’.
• Becoming the first African American national sales director and vice president at Warner, and refusing to be pigeonholed into “just” Black music.
• Intimate, often funny stories about working with legends: Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Cher, George Clinton, and more.
• Creating the “Black Music Is Green” initiative and using hard data and retail relationships to open doors for more Black professionals in the business.
• Reflections on Broadway cast albums, the streaming-era music economy, and why Eddie hopes his legacy is simply that he “did the right things.”

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #EddieGilreath #MotownRecords #WarnerBrothersRecords #MusicIndustryLegends #GeorgeBenson #RayCharles #CurtisMayfield #MichaelJackson #RecordBusinessHistory #BlackMusicIsGreen #PhiladelphiaSound #PanamaVeteran

From a Philadelphia classroom to Malibu boardrooms, trailblazer Dolores Robinson unspools a life of firsts, grit, and sly humor on this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence. The first Black female talent manager in film and television recounts launching LaVar Burton after Roots, guiding Martin Sheen post–Apocalypse Now, and negotiating a game-changing million-dollar payday for Michael Clarke Duncan. She shares candid memories of Al Pacino as a surprise “date,” insights on the Will Smith–Chris Rock fallout, and why football isn’t as important as baseball, as she cheers the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers for whom her grandson is employed in their clubhouse. Delores reflects on breaking color and gender barriers, building relationships across Hollywood’s power circles, and reinventing herself after setbacks, from single motherhood to starting at a receptionist’s desk. There are tender turns, too: a cross-country escape, a glass-ceiling award, and a family discovery through ancestry that reshaped her story. It’s a funny, human masterclass in resilience, representation, and saying yes to opportunity.

Takeaways:

• Delores Robinson broke barriers as Hollywood’s first Black female talent manager.
• She helped launch LaVar Burton’s career post-Roots and sparked Reading Rainbow.
• Managed Martin Sheen and advocated fiercely for proper billing and opportunities.
• Negotiated a million-dollar deal for Michael Clarke Duncan on The Scorpion King.
• Shared insider perspective on the Will Smith–Chris Rock incident and its fallout.
• Personal journey from Philly teacher to Malibu, starting as a receptionist and rising fast.
• Family and community matter: Dodgers loyalty through her grandson’s clubhouse job; deep ties across Hollywood.
• Life lesson: seize opportunities, reject pity, and build relationships that open doors.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #DoloresRobinson #HollywoodHistory #TalentManager #LaVarBurton #MartinSheen #ReadingRainbow #LADodgers #WillSmith #ChrisRock #PalmDesert #Inspiration #StarTrek

This Big Conversations, Little Bar episode spotlights a life steeped in swing, storytelling, and the American Songbook. Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome guest Billy Stritch who shares how a Houston kid with a portable cassette recorder became a New York mainstay—shaping shows, accompanying legends, and commanding intimate rooms like the Purple Room and Birdland. He recalls opening for Mel Tormé at Carnegie Hall, meeting Princess Diana after a Royal Albert Hall performance, and the serendipitous piano-bar moment that led to decades of collaboration with Liza Minnelli. We hear about London’s Crazy Coqs, the curated Cast Party at the McCallum Theatre, and the electric connection only a small cabaret can deliver. His pandemic livestreams—65 consecutive weeks—kept creativity alive and a community together, proving music’s power to sustain and unite. From early influences (Gershwin, Ella, Nat King Cole) to arranging, Brazilian flavors, and unforgettable stages, this conversation celebrates craft, friendship, and the joy of bringing a room to hush with a single chord.

Takeaways:

• The magic of small rooms: intimacy, faces, and instant connection
• Serendipity at a piano bar sparked a 25-year creative partnership
• Pandemic livestreams built community and kept the music—and rent—going
• Cast Party thrives in New York and a curated McCallum Theatre series
• Career highlights include Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Hollywood Bowl
• Influences span Gershwin, Ella, Nat King Cole, bossa nova, and more
• Stories of working with icons like Liza Minnelli and Tony Bennett
• Music as a unifier in divisive times—and a lifelong calling

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #BillyStritch #LizaMinnelli #PurpleRoom #Birdland #CastParty #TonyBennett #LindaLavin #CrazyCoqs #RoyalAlbertHall #AmericanSongbook #PalmSprings #JazzPiano

Season 9 of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence debuts with actress Stephanie Czajkowski, whose turn as a Vulcan on Star Trek: Picard sparked a fandom embrace as fierce as her resilience. She opens up about discovering multiple cancers, the grit, humor, and partnership that carried her through surgery, chemo, radiation, and life after. We talk Coachella Valley roots, a lip-sync win that brought her into the community, and why being present beats chasing perfection. Stephanie also previews “Best Intentions,” her darkly funny short about navigating everyone’s “helpful” reactions at work, plus a larger vision for stories about living with illness—not just fighting it. From early theater dreams in the Midwest to building a career on shows like Doom Patrol and MacGruber, she shares how shaving her head, letting go of fear, and doing the job opened surprising doors. A candid, compassionate Season 9 opener about creativity, advocacy, and finding light in tough places. along the way.

Takeaways:

• Season 9 launches with a raw, funny, and fearless conversation.
• Stephanie’s Star Trek: Picard role (a partly Delton Vulcan) became a fan-favorite moment.
• Multiple cancer diagnoses reshaped her outlook without dimming her drive.
• Advocacy tip: track your labs, ask questions, and trust body signals.
• Community matters—Palm Desert roots and a lip-sync win deepened local ties.
• Creative pivot: writing/directing the dark comedy short “Best Intentions.”
• Career insight: drop perfection, do the work, and opportunities follow.
• Living with illness isn’t only tragedy—there’s humor, humanity, and hope.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #StephanieCzajkowski #StarTrekPicard #Season9Debut #PalmDesert #PodcastInterview #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerAwareness #ActorLife #DoomPatrol #MacGruber #Vulcan #BestIntentions

Legendary maître d’ Brian Ellis pulls back the velvet rope on five decades at Melvyn’s and the Ingleside Inn, where stars, moguls, and locals mixed like martinis as he opens up on this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence from the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert.. From overbooked New Year’s Eves to Sinatra’s rehearsal dinner, Ellis recounts how front-of-house finesse, unflappable charm, and a well-timed “wave” could turn chaos into magic. He remembers iconic entertainers like Nino Fontana, explains why the Sunday Jam became a civic ritual, and shares why Mel Haber’s old-school rules kept the lights glowing and the legends returning. Ellis also reveals the craft behind saying yes to special requests, the rare moments that warranted an 86, and the human kindness that happened off the record. Finally, he updates us on life at Hotel Paseo and his forthcoming memoir packed with signatures, photos, and jaw-dropping tales. It’s a sparkling masterclass in hospitality, Palm Springs history, and the art of making every guest feel like a headliner.

Takeaways:

• Five decades at Melvyn’s made Ellis the ultimate Palm Springs gatekeeper.
• Sinatra’s rehearsal dinner at Melvyn’s put the venue on the map.
• Sunday Jam crowds became a valley ritual requiring deft crowd management.
• Mel Haber’s “say yes” ethos—and selective 86ing—shaped service culture.
• Nino Fontana’s showmanship (and breaks!) inspired unforgettable lounge lore.
• Quiet philanthropy surfaced in stories of kindness from famous patrons.
• Classic tableside dishes and upselling sustained quality and profitability.
• Ellis now brings that front-of-house magic to Hotel Paseo—and to his memoir.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #BrianEllis #MelvynsPalmSprings #InglesideInn #PalmSprings #MelHaber #FrankSinatra #NinoFontana #SundayJam #HotelPaseo #McCallumTheatre #CelebrityStories #RestaurantLife #MaitreD