Toasting the Classics
Episodes
The Battle of Algiers
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg, Joe Iglesias, and Andrew Park to discuss the 1966 film The Battle of Algiers while drinking martinis.
A Wrinkle in Time- Madeleine L'Engle
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1962 children's science fiction novel A Wrinkle in Time.
Rebel Without a Cause
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges sip California IPA's while discussing the 1955 James Dean and Natalie Wood film Rebel Without a Cause.
Mulholland Drive
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 2001 David Lynch mindbender Mulholland Drive while drinking coffee cocktails that would make a mobster spit...
The Time Machine- H.G. Wells
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the H.G. Wells novel The Time Machine
Waiting for Godot- Samuel Beckett via Bill and Ted
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur discusses the modern Bill and Ted adaptation of the 1952 play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink Flaming Dr. Pepper while discussing the 1953 dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest- Ken Kesey Part 2 of 2
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges drink J and B scotch and conclude their discussion of both the 1962 novel and 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest....
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest- Ken Kesey Part 1 of 2
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges discuss the Ken Kesey novel (and the 1975 film) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest while drinking J and B scotch.
RRR- the Indian Epic Extravaganza
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg, Bill Hodges, and Andrew Park to discuss the Indian epic movie RRR while drinking Kingfisher beer.
Guards! Guards!- Terry Pratchett
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Chris Gragg to discuss the Discworld novel Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. There may have been some beer involve...
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance- Robert M. Pirsig
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1974 philosophical novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while drinking Split Personality cocktai...
Blazing Saddles
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur were just fledgling podcasters when they sat down to discuss the 1974 Mel Brooks picture Blazing Saddles.Â
The Towering Inferno
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges drink Fireball (whiskey or non) and discuss the 1974 disaster epic The Towering Inferno.
Scrooged- 1988 A Toasting the Classics style Christmas story.
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes Joe Iglesias and Chris Gragg to drink vodka and Coke and discuss the 1988 black comedy Christmas movie Scrooged.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the Steve Martin and John Candy holiday film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
The Stranger- Billy Joel
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Andrew Park skip the bottle of red or white and discuss the 1977 Billy Joel album The Stranger.
Ed Wood- Tim Burton's weirdest project (and that's saying something)
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes Chris Gragg, Joe Iglesias, and Andrew Park to drink rum and coke and discuss the 1994 Tim Burton film Ed Wood.
Fletch- Chevy Chase Tries to Charm Us Into Laughing
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges pass judgment on the 1985 comedy thriller Fletch.
Sinners- Vampires in the Deep South 2025
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes a recording breaking number of guest hosts and discusses the 2025 vampire movie Sinners with Joe Iglesias, Chris Gragg, Bill Ho...
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy- Douglas Adams
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1979 science fiction comedy The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy while drinking Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters...
Network- 1976
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Hodges and Dave McArthur discuss the 1976 film Network, because they're mad as heck and they're not gonna take it anymore.
The Bill Hodges Trilogy- Stephen King
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and amazingly enough, Bill Hodges, sit down to discuss the Bill Hodges trilogy by Stephen King while drinking Green Spot Irish whiskey.
The Warriors- Come out and Podcast!
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1979 action film The Warriors while drinking clinky bottles of Coors Banquet beer.
Moneyball- Michael Lewis
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur stays sober to discuss the 2003 Nonfiction book Moneyball.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy- John le Carre
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1974 spy thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy while drinking sherry.
Walden- Henry David Thoreau
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Bill Hodges to do a not quite entirely sober short on Henry David Thoreau's 1854 work Walden.
Led Zeppelin IV
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drinks Blackberry Black Dog cocktails while discussing the 1971 rock album Led Zeppelin IV.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- Betty Smith
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1943 novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
The Legend of Zelda
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the NES adventure game The Legend of Zelda.
Akira
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the cult classic anime film Akira.
Jurassic Park- the original Mesozoic Mess
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the original Jurassic Park film. Listen to this one before you go see the Seventh installment this summer!
The Chronic- Dr. Dre
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur travel back in time to the 1990s and revisit the gangster rap breakthrough the Chronic while drinking forties.
Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the coming of age novel Catcher in the Rye back in 2021 when the world was fresh and new.
Toasting the Classics Classic- George Carlin
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a blast from the past, Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink Miller High Life and discuss two of George Carlin's most popular comedy albums.
Alfred Hitchcock- The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges stay sober and discuss whether the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much will enter the Toasting the...
Toasting the Classics Classic- The Good the Bad and the Ugly
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the Clint Eastwood shoot 'em up, The Good the Bad and The Ugly. Are there oxford commas in that title? Should t...
Toasting the Classics Classic- The Beach Boys Pet Sounds
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and David McArthur discuss the phenomenal album Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, re-released in honor of the passing of Brian Wilson.
The Call of the Wild- Jack London
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges pass judgment on the Jack London novella The Call of the Wild.
Paris Texas
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur discusses the 1984 Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas
The Invention of Nature- Andrea Wulf
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and guest host Bill Hodges discuss the 2015 biography of Alexander von Humboldt The Invention of Nature, and they stay sober while doing...
A Walk in the Woods- Bill Bryson
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Hodges and Dave McArthur discuss the 1998 A Walk in the Woods while drinking moonshine and taking slight digressions into their own wilderness ex...
Toasting the Classics Classic- Enter the Dragon
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In what was probably one of our tipsiest episodes, Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the blockbuster martial arts film Enter the Dragon.
The Jerk- Steve Martin begins his movie career with a bang!
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink cheap chardonnay and discuss the 1979 film debut of Steven Martin.
Toasting the Classics Classic- Dr Dre and The Chronic
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A blast from the Toasting the Classics past and a time before things went awry in America. Also after, but also before. Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier...
The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur discusses Oscar Wilde's only novel and most famous work, sadly without a drink in hand, because this is Sober Shorts.
Dune- David Lynch 1984
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Bill Hodges and Kevin Doyle to discuss the David Lynch 1984 debacle Dune while drinking various permutations of the...
Toasting the Classics Classic- MacBeth- Shakespeare's Scottish Play
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the bard's bloody masterpiece. Look out for new episodes on The Alchemist, David Lynch's Dune, and our first Br...
Rebecca- Last Night I Dreamt I Went Podcasting Again
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges stay sober and short while discussing the 1940 Best Picture Winner Rebecca, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Jo...
Richard Pryor's Live on the Sunset Strip
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1982 comedy album Live on the Sunset Strip while drinking Rum and Pepsi.
Wild at Heart- 1990 David Lynch, Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur stays sober and discusses his thoughts on the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart. Buckle your seatbelts for a weird ride.
The Searchers- 1956 A Beautiful Western with an Ugly Hero
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink whiskey and talk about the highly acclaimed 1956 western The Searchers, directed by John Ford and starring John W...
Rendezvous with Rama- Arthur C. Clarke
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Bill Hodges for a discussion of the the 1973 science fiction novel Rendezvous with Rama.
Le Petit Prince- Antoine de Saint Exupery
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1943 wartime children's book Le Petit Prince while drinking imported beer. We didn't say where it was impor...
Commando (1985) Arnold Schwarzenegger
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur invites guest hosts Kevin Doyle and Bill Hodges to discuss the 1985 action blockbuster Commando starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ordinary People- 1981 Best Picture and What We Almost Called This Podcast
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1981 Best Picture winner Ordinary People and the technical aspects of Robert Redford's direction thereof wh...
Caspar David Friedrich- The Soul of Nature
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur braves the podcasting ether alone to discuss the new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Soul of Nature and th...
Apocalypse Now- 1979 Francis Ford Coppola hooks a 300-pound Marlon
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1979 Francis Ford Coppola opus Apocalypse Now while drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.Â
Blue Velvet- David Lynch 1986
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and guest hosts Bill Hodges and Kevin Doyle discuss the 1986 David Lynch film Blue Velvet on the day of the director's passing.
The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the purported great American novel, The Great Gatsby while time traveling to jazz age DC with gin rickeys.
Sober Shorts: Inherent Vice 2014
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Kevin Doyle to soberly discuss the 2014 Paul Thomas Anderson film Inherent Vice starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese With...
The Gulag Archipelago- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur go back to where it all began and drink vodka while discussing The Gulag Archipelago, the epic tome that brought down t...
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols!
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink cans of Guinness beer while discussing the merits of the somewhat eponymous 1977 album Never Mind the Bollocks, H...
Close Encounters of the Third Kind- Steven Spielberg's First Try at Aliens
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drinks Elysian Space Dust IPA while discussing the 1978 blockbuster Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Van Halen- a 79-minute "Eruption" of podcasting
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur is joined by guest hosts Jay Schweig and Steve Kattula to discuss the eponymous 1978 album Van Halen while drinking whiskey.
Election Day Special! The Candidate
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
1984- George Orwell and Victory Gin
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink gin cocktails crafted to taste like Oceania Victory gin while discussing the 1949 novel 1984 by George Orwell.
Children of Men- Come on He's Clive Owen, That's Mental!
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Joe Iglesias and Chris Gragg to discuss the 2006 dystopian thriller Children of Men while drinking hot toddies.
Tommy- The Who
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink Tom Collins cocktails and discuss The Who's 1969 rock opera Tommy.
Pulp Fiction- Bad Dudes, Bad Language, Good Movie?
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink five-dollar milkshakes with bourbon and discuss the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction.
The Three Body Problem- Liu Cixin 2008
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges discuss the 2008 novel The Three Body Problem while sipping baiju.
The Sands of Iwo Jima- John Wayne and Flamethrowers
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1949 war epic The Sands of Iwo Jima while drinking bourbon.
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test- Tom Wolfe
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur get back into the live podcasting studio to record a discussion of Tom Wolfe's book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test whi...
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1968 album At Folsom Prison while sipping beer in brown bottles. There might also be some discussion of Liv...
Monty Python and the Holy Grail- It's only a Podcast!
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Kevin Doyle, Bill Hodges, and Chris Gragg for a lively discussion of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Once Upon a Time in the West- Quit Dawdling and Shoot the Guy Already
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink bourbon and discuss the 1968 critical darling western Once Upon a Time in the West.
T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland"- Ezra Pound, Dante, and Shakespeare Walk Into a Poem
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink gin martini cocktails while discussing the epic modernist poem "The Wasteland".
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- Kanye West "One of the Best Podcasts of All Time, Of All Time!"
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy while drinking Hennessey.
Rosemary’s Baby- Happy New Year, Year One That Is!
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Kevin Doyle and Chris Gragg to drink vodka blush cocktails and discuss the 1968 film Rosemary's Baby.
The Endless Summer- With Thanks to Great King Neptune
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink Surfer on Acid cocktails while discussing the 1964 blockbuster documentary The Endless Summer.
Beverly Hills Cop- Super Cops, Scotch, and Soda
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Bill Hodges and Chris Gragg to discuss the 1984 blockbuster Beverly Hills Cop while drinking Axel Foley's favorite ...
The Seventh Seal
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Joe Iglesias and Chris Gragg to drink akvavit and discuss the 1958 film The Seventh Seal.
On the Road- Jack Kerouac Part Two
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier conclude their discussion of Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road while finishing their Rusty Nail cocktails.
On the Road- Jack Kerouac Part One
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1957 novel On the Road while drinking rusty nail cocktails.
The Big Lebowski- the Podcast Abides
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guests Chris Gragg and Bill Hodges to discuss the 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski while drinking White Russians.
U2- The Joshua Tree
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1987 album The Joshua Tree while drinking Irish whiskey.
The Three Musketeers- Alexandre Dumas
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Bill Hodges and Chris Gragg to discuss the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas while drinking Anjou wine....
Dr. No (1962) The Film This Time
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink vodka martinis and discuss the original James Bond Film, Dr. No.
Dr. No- Ian Fleming Podcast Ineffective Against Flamethrower
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss Ian Fleming's novel Dr. No while drinking gin and tonic cocktails.
Disintegration-The Cure (1989) Definitely their best album
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink Cure cocktails (triple sec, vodka, and lime juice) while discussing the 1989 Cure album Disintegration.
Annie Hall- a comedy masterpiece from the problematic Woody Allen
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1977 Best Picture Winner Annie Hall while drinking chilled white wine from plastic cups.
48 Hours- Buddy Cop Movie with no Buddy Cops
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg and Bill Hodges to drink Black Russians and discuss the 1982 action/comedy film 48 Hours starring Eddie...
Neuromancer- William Gibson (1984)
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss William Gibson's 1984 novel Neuromancer while drinking Kirin Ichiban lager.
Even Worse- Weird Al Yankovic
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink blueberry daiquiris and discuss the album Even Worse and the broader career of Weird Al Yankovic.
Terminator- the1984 original
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and David McArthur drink Arnold Schwarzenegger cocktails while discussing the 1984 original Terminator film.
The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink Outsiders cocktails and discuss the 1967 novel of the same name by S.E. Hinton.
Ok Computer- Radiohead
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1997 Radiohead album OK Computer while drinking cheap wine.
Batman- 1989
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink champagne like millionaire playboys while discussing the 1989 blockbuster Batman.
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McArthur and guest host Bill Hodges discuss the 1992 Nonfiction bestseller Into the Wild while sipping bourbon.
Tortilla Flat- John Steinbeck: Serious and Concentrated Conversation
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur drink either cheap red wine or grappa while discussing the 1935 John Steinbeck novel Tortilla Flat.