KCRW's Martini Shot

The Brass Teapot

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:13:51 EDT

The three things that make a great movie producer: lots of money, an impulsive nature, and an irrational mind. Those last two tend to be a drain on the first.

Good Webster

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:25:21 EDT

What happens when the world wide web meets the old television business, or what Rob Long calls, the world wide Webster.

A Sudden and Calamitous Event

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:33:17 EDT

We take two million dollars and we give it to forty eight people we find on Hollywood Boulevard. Or, as some call it, we focus group a pilot.

Paint the Set

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31:53 EDT

We repaint a set instead of doing what we need to do, which is rewrite the scene. But repainting is easier because somebody else has to do it.

What We Need

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:09:14 EDT

On today?s Martini Shot, I sell a series without a script starring an actor who doesn?t even know the project exists. In other words, it?s pilot season.

Here's a Test

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:52:02 EDT

Rob Long makes demographically undesirable references and attempt to appeal to the young people on the Facebook website.

Sweat Act

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:28:22 EDT

Rob complains about other writers who complain about other writers, and decries the pettiness of his colleagues in a really petty way.

Close Call

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:37:00 EDT

An actor throws a big party to watch his television debut. What he doesn't know is, he's been cut from the show. Humiliation, as always, makes the best comedy.

So Great to See You

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:41:03 EDT

I handle my powerful enemies in the best Hollywood way: I wait like a coward until they?re fired, and then I pounce.

Better Looking

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:37:21 EDT

An actor fires his agent for telling the truth, and another fires his agent for lying. In other words, we do the impossible: we sympathize with agents.

My Numbers

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:07:24 EDT

Rob Long wears a thing on his wrist that tells him how much exercise he's gotten and how long his career might last. It syncs to his phone.

The Upside

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:28:49 EDT

Everyone in Hollywood hires lawyers to protect against the disaster that happens when something is successful. It's perverse, which is why only the lawyers understand it.

Yes And

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:12:59 EDT

Rob Long loves improvisational comedy -- especially when they write it down and rehearse it first.

What to Wear

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:31:23 EDT

Fashion and style tips for the working writer. Tip One: remove the tag before the meeting.

Five Deadly Rings

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:04:26 EDT

Rob Longs talks about a writer who discovered that being accurate and truthful is a fast trip to the remainder bin. The only way to get rich is to make it all up.

Five Deadly Rings

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:04:26 EDT

Rob Longs talks about a writer who discovered that being accurate and truthful is a fast trip to the remainder bin. The only way to get rich is to make it all up.

Five Deadly Rings

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:04:26 EDT

Rob Longs talks about a writer who discovered that being accurate and truthful is a fast trip to the remainder bin. The only way to get rich is to make it all up.

The Signs

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:19:25 EDT

Rob Long talks about the most famous maxim of show business ? Nobody knows anything ? and why it's true and why the opposite ? Everybody knows everything ? is also true.

Spoiler Alert

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:24:10 EDT

On today?s Martini Shot, I start with Game of Thrones. Spoiler Alert: I like it. But by episode 7, I was ready to start with the zombie show.

Sunday Afternoon

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:59:31 EDT

On today?s Martini Shot I go public with my New Year?s resolution, which is to be a little bit smarter than a tiny baby.

Fat Pants

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:42:00 EDT

Rob gains weight and then lies about it. It?s a nice way to start 2013.

Notes Call

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:06:10 EDT

Rob give some cheap advice to network and studio executives. Tell him how much you love the script and give him as many notes as you like?but in that order.

Secret Santa

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:37:38 EDT

Rob demands Christmas presents, cheats at Secret Santa, and asks you for money in this holiday "Martini Shot."

Wisp of Smoke

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:52:12 EDT

Rob hangs out at an old Hollywood restaurant, watches an anchorman smoke, and identifies a promising young network executive...

Customer of the Week

webmaster@kcrw.org (Rob Long) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:53:57 EDT

I used to live near a coffee place that had a fun tradition of choosing someone from their long line of customers and dubbing that person, Customer of the Week. They?d take your picture and post it next to the register and you?d get free coffee for that week and you?d bask in the approval of the pierced young people behind the counter, and pretend not to notice the other patrons noticing you, your celebrity, and the modest way you carried yourself during your special week.