Toasting the Classics
Dave and Clint discuss classic books, movies, and other works while sampling adult beverages inspired by those works.
Episodes
Neuromancer- William Gibson
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick winning novel Neuromancer by William Gibson, the opening book of the Sprawl Trilogy, where readers are introduced to cyberpunk concepts like the matrix, hackers, and artificial intelligence.
The Travels- Ibn Battuta
Dave McArthur goes it alone in this wild world of podcasting to discuss the far-ranging travels of a kindred soul, Ibn Battuta, who explored the better part of the Old World in the 13th Century.
The Motorcycle Diaries- Ernesto Che Guevara
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Bill Hodges to discuss the South American travel narrative The Motorcycle Diaries while drinking pisco.
A Fish Called Wanda- 1988, John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Bill Hodges to not drink anything and talk about the 1988 comedy Oscar winner A Fish Called Wanda.
Brazil- Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Pryce, Orwellian, Steampunk, Dystopia
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Jay Schweig and Steve Kattula to discuss the Dystopian 1985 film Brazil will drinking ersatz caipirinhas.
Obsession- Curry Barker, One Wish Willow, Inde Navarrette
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg, Joe Iglesias, and Andrew Park to drink Pina Coladas and talk about the blockbuster horror film Obsession starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette and directed by Curry Barker.
Murder on the Orient Express- Agatha Christie
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the Agatha Christie murder mystery Murder on the Orient Express while drinking creme de menthe.
Raiders of the Lost Ark- Indiana Jones, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Nazis!
Clint Lanier and David McArthur discuss the blockbuster adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark while drinking whiskey.
Beowulf- Old English, Grendel, Mead, and Halls
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink mead around the halls of podcasting and discuss the Old English epic Beowulf.
To Catch a Thief- Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Jay Schweig to discuss the Alfred Hitchcock caper To Catch a Thief.
The Virginian- Owen Wister
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the groundbreaking western novel The Virginian while drinking, shock here, whiskey!
Desert Solitaire- Edward Abbey
Bill Hodges and Dave McArthur discuss the outdoor travelogue Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey.
At the Mountains of Madness- H.P. Lovecraft
Dave McArthur invites guest hosts Chris Gragg and Joe Iglesias to discuss the science fiction adventure story At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft.
Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur celebrate the 250th Anniversary by discussing a supposedly patriotic album with troubling undertones.
Dog Day Afternoon- Al Pacino and John Casale
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1975 bank robbery, hostage drama Dog Day Afternoon while drinking eponymous Dog Day Afternoon cocktails.
Three works by Dr. Seuss- banned books for you to peroos
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the life and work of Dr. Seuss and whether these three books are classics that should never be banned.
Grace- Jeff Buckley
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Nate Wolf to drink Last Goodbye cocktails and discuss whether the 1994 album Grace by Jeff Buckley is a classic. And whether Jeff Buckley is only famous because he died.
Spartacus
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the Stanley Kubrick joint Spartacus and find out they really do like movies about gladiators.
The Hobbit- 1974 Audio Version with Nicol Williamson
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Chris Gragg and Kevin Doyle to discuss the 1974 audiobook version of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.
The Old Man and the Sea- Ernest Hemingway
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the Ernest Hemingway novella The Old Man and the Sea.
To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With- Bill Cosby
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the most acclaimed comedy album of Bill Cosby's massive and ultimately troubled career.
Dungeon Crawler Carl- Matt Dinniman
The Sting- Let's get the gang together and pull off a podcast!
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges discuss whether the 1973 blockbuster heist film The Sting deserves to be called a classic under the Toasting the Classics name.
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band- The Beatles "England's Answer to Pet Sounds"
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the blockbuster album Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Project Hail Mary- Andy Weir
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Bill Hodges to discuss the 2022 novel Project Hail Mary and decide whether it merits the status of a Toasting the Classics classic. Don't worry, there will be some discussion of the 2026 film starring Ryan Gosling.
Burr- Gore Vidal (the other side of the story)
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Nate Wolf to drink Madeira and discuss the historical fiction novel Burr by Gore Vidal
Do the Right Thing- Spike Lee 1989
Finally, the world gets the opinion of two middle-aged white guys on race relations and the 1989 powerhouse Spike Lee joint Do the Right Thing.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep- Philip K. Dick
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Jay Schweig to discuss the Philip K. Dick novella and source of the film Bladerunner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, while drinking imitation beer and real Chablis.
The Battle of Algiers
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
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1962 children's science fiction novel A Wrinkle in Time.
Rebel Without a Cause
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
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 2001 David Lynch mindbender Mulholland Drive while drinking coffee cocktails that would make a mobster spit in a napkin.
The Time Machine- H.G. Wells
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the H.G. Wells novel The Time Machine
Waiting for Godot- Samuel Beckett via Bill and Ted
Dave McArthur discusses the modern Bill and Ted adaptation of the 1952 play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
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
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
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
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
Dave McArthur welcomes guest host Chris Gragg to discuss the Discworld novel Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. There may have been some beer involved as well.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance- Robert M. Pirsig
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1974 philosophical novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while drinking Split Personality cocktails.
Blazing Saddles
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur were just fledgling podcasters when they sat down to discuss the 1974 Mel Brooks picture Blazing Saddles.
The Towering Inferno
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.
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
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the Steve Martin and John Candy holiday film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
The Stranger- Billy Joel
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)
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
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges pass judgment on the 1985 comedy thriller Fletch.
Sinners- Vampires in the Deep South 2025
Dave McArthur welcomes a recording breaking number of guest hosts and discusses the 2025 vampire movie Sinners with Joe Iglesias, Chris Gragg, Bill Hodges, and Andrew Park while drinking Irish beer.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy- Douglas Adams
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
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
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!
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the 1979 action film The Warriors while drinking clinky bottles of Coors Banquet beer.
Moneyball- Michael Lewis
Dave McArthur stays sober to discuss the 2003 Nonfiction book Moneyball.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy- John le Carre
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1974 spy thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy while drinking sherry.
Walden- Henry David Thoreau
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
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
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier discuss the 1943 novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
The Legend of Zelda
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the NES adventure game The Legend of Zelda.
Akira
Clint Lanier and Dave McArthur discuss the cult classic anime film Akira.
Jurassic Park- the original Mesozoic Mess
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
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
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
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)
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 Classics Hall of Fame.
Toasting the Classics Classic- The Good the Bad and the Ugly
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 the "O" in oxford comma be capitalized? Help! And enjoy the summer!
Toasting the Classics Classic- The Beach Boys Pet Sounds
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
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges pass judgment on the Jack London novella The Call of the Wild.
Paris Texas
Dave McArthur discusses the 1984 Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas
The Invention of Nature- Andrea Wulf
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 it.
A Walk in the Woods- Bill Bryson
Bill Hodges and Dave McArthur discuss the 1998 A Walk in the Woods while drinking moonshine and taking slight digressions into their own wilderness experiences
Toasting the Classics Classic- Enter the Dragon
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!
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
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 discuss Dr. Dre's rap smash The Chronic while drinking forties of King Cobra.
The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde
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
Dave McArthur welcomes guest hosts Bill Hodges and Kevin Doyle to discuss the David Lynch 1984 debacle Dune while drinking various permutations of the the water of life.
Toasting the Classics Classic- MacBeth- Shakespeare's Scottish Play
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 Broadway show, Smash, coming soon.
Rebecca- Last Night I Dreamt I Went Podcasting Again
Dave McArthur and Bill Hodges stay sober and short while discussing the 1940 Best Picture Winner Rebecca, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier.
Richard Pryor's Live on the Sunset Strip
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
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
Dave McArthur and Clint Lanier drink whiskey and talk about the highly acclaimed 1956 western The Searchers, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood.
Recommended
Take Back Your Health®
CBS Radio Mystery Theater | Old Time Radio
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Busted Open
Deadline: White House
Crickets Corner
History of the Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco
Fox news
