American Graffiti: One Song at a Time

You want more? We’ve got more… More American Graffiti, that is! Doris, Rachel, and Tierney crowd into the booth to talk about four storylines spread across four New Year’s Eves in the mid ‘60s. This episode covers A LOT: melting ice sculptures, Carol calling herself Rainbow, Apocalypse Lite, and a trip down memory lane courtesy of Hawaiian Punch. We also address the creeps galore in the film, how amazing Candy Clark is, Terry Le Tigre, and that no one cares about Andy (aka Not Curt).

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Sankta Eugenia Vokalensemble

“All Summer Long” by The Beach Boys plays as the credits roll. Doris saves the day by coming up with a good reason to use a song from 1964 here, Tierney has a lot of feelings about California, and Rachel wonders if “More American Graffiti” will just blow this film out of the water. (Probably not.) Grab your marimba mallets and play along! Sittin’ in my car outside your house/(Sittin’ in my car outside your house)…

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

No music but plenty of feelings as George Lucas punches us all in the gut with the coda to this movie. Doris, Rachel, and Tierney are back to talk about the future of John and Carol’s friendship, to debate why Terry joined the army and if Steve is happy being an insurance agent, and to learn about amnesty later offered to draft dodgers living in Canada.

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight” by The Spaniels plays as Curt says goodbye, boards his plane, and flies off into the future. All 3 DJs reunite to talk about the Happy Days parents, Steve’s college plans, aspirational book packing, Magic Carpet Airlines, and Curt annoying the other passengers with his radio. Also one last chance to objectify Milner in his black Levis.

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Only You” by The Platters plays as Milner hands Falfa his hat before he and Toad drive off into the sunrise. Meanwhile, Curt gets the call from his dream girl and the Wolfman closes out his radio show. Chris Callaghan and Chris Gore of Notes from the Underground join Tierney to talk about coming of age stories, Ringo Starr, the best songs to play when you need a break during your overnight radio show, class rings, and Dreyfuss’s acting throughout the phone call.

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Green Onions” by Booker T & the MGs plays as Milner and Falfa race. Falfa’s car rolls, almost killing him and Laurie. Steve arrives on the scene just in time to pledge to a hysterical Laurie that he’ll never leave her. Pete Mummert of Indiana Jones Minute joins Tierney to talk about uncooperative stunt cars, Indiana University’s own Booker T. Jones, flashlights, what happens to Falfa after his car explodes, and why Steve chooses to stay.

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Heart and Soul” by The Cleftones plays as Falfa and Milner agree where to race and everyone in town drives out to watch—everyone, that is, except Curt who heads to Mel’s to listen to his dedication and wait for his dream girl. Travis Bow of Reel Comic Heroes joins Tierney to talk about Harrison Ford channeling Han Solo in this movie, his introduction to the film via PTR singing, the actual Paradise Road, and Travis’s years as a real-life John Milner.

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“A Thousand Miles Away” by The Heartbeats plays as Curt is told that the real Wolfman Jack just drops off tapes and won’t be able to play his dedication asap. When he tells the dj why he needs it to air tonight, they end up having a heart-to-heart. Eric Nash of Feels Like Weezer joins Tierney to talk about George Lucas’s USC student film The Emperor, Laura Sterritt’s curation of metal music (here), Richard Dreyfuss’s amazing disappointed face, and how Eric fell in love with radio. (Also, how to choose your DJ name.)

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Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Crying in the Chapel” by The Orioles plays as Debbie gives Terry a second chance by making a date for tomorrow night, then Curt goes to KRE in Berkeley to find Wolfman Jack. Heidi Bennett of Vibrant Visionaries joins Tierney to talk about the movie’s Nighthawks at the Diner moment, Terry’s Indiana Jones moment, that Orioles magic, how Robert Weston Smith became Wolfman Jack, and on-air personas. We also give a ton of recommendations:

Streetlight Harmonies documentary

Vibrant Visionaries: Streetlight Harmonies: A Doo-Wop Doc podcast episode interviewing director Brent Wilson

Always Magic in the Air book

California Historical Radio Society

Charlatan book

Sawbones: The Goat Testicle Solution podcast episode

Have Mercy book

Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk book

Who Charted podcast

Clint Howard as a dj in That Thing You Do!

Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram

Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain

“Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning plays as Steve finds out Laurie is driving around with Bob Falfa and takes his car back from Terry to go after her. Terry gives up and finally tells Debbie the truth. Bryon Lockhart of The Marine Corps Movie Minute joins Rachel to talk about depressing teen tragedy songs, symbolic salt, these two original mean girls, Terry’s order, and Bob Falfa’s family.

Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram

Artwork by Alex Robinson

Music by Chris Frain