Unwrapping Comedy and Tiki Tidbits (Hour 3)

Transcript

Unwrapping Comedy and Tiki Tidbits (Hour 3)

Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach · Tue Dec 16, 2025

Kathryn Lake

You're listening to Civic Media.

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Broadcasting live statewide from the Civic Media studios in Green Bay.

This is Nightlight with Pete Schwabba, your inside source on everything entertainment from Wisconsin to Hollywood.

And now, a guy who gives edible undies as gifts just because they taste good, Pete Schwabba.

That was like...

Pete Schwaba

It was right along the lines of me giving a bra as a gift.

Yeah, that's true.

Is that why you pulled that?

Yeah.

Okay.

Pete Schwaba

Hey, welcome back, folks.

So we are kicking off hour number three here.

Been a fun night here at Nightlight.

Rob... Rob Gamal.

Yep.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Why am I... I got Scott.

Roa Matt here, Scott Rumat, and my name gets tortured more than anybody's.

Mike Gamal was here first hour, and then we've got Comedy City in the house right now, folks.

We'll be back to Erika and Scott in just a moment, and then Boris Hamilton will join me at 7.20 to talk Christmas movies and about a really cool documentary he is in about the birth of the Tiki Bar, which sounds very exciting.

Our question of the night is, what is a hard gift to wrap?

We're all going to be wrapping presents unless we boycott gift giving.

But what is a hard gift to wrap?

We've had some great answers on social media.

And on the text line, Bridget from the 818 says, mugs and cups.

That's a good one.

I tried last night, had to redo a few times.

Just do your best, Bridget.

Or get one of Conrad's gift bags.

It's going to be a new line.

Yes.

Quick trip right next to the clunkers or dunkers or whatever they're called.

So there you go, folks.

You're caught up.

And please be part of the show and text in a gift that's hard to wrap.

We've got Scott and Erica here in the studio from Comedy City.

They've got a lot of cool things going on over at Comedy City.

They've got a great New Year's Eve show.

Are there still tickets available for New Year's Eve?

Yeah, all

three shows still have tickets.

Pete Schwaba

If you want to

bring the kids to that early one, what time is that?

6.30?

5.30.

Yeah, still plenty of tickets to that and plenty of time to get them home in bed before nine o'clock and

Pete Schwaba

then... Or...

Do you have like a little area like a church where you can just pawn the kids off on someone who can keep an

eye on the kids

Pete Schwaba

crying crying room Kids go out be

careful Or just tell them they have a couple extra Christmas presents hidden around the house

and have it hidden behind like brooms and vacuums and then kids clean the house looking for it.

And then by the time you get home, you have a clean house.

Pete Schwaba

Ta-da.

All set.

And that's what they do, folks.

They improv.

And do you ever do sketches?

I think I asked you this last time you were here.

Is it all improv at Comedy City?

We've done a few plays.

some like one acts plays and some like some plays through Comedy City but most of our stuff during during I'm all over the place I'm sorry

during

August we have a thing called Rogue Comedy Month where we try different shows and different ideas so there may be sketches in there but a lot of times there's either game shows or different types of versions of

of show ideas and stuff like that.

But yeah, pretty much, I'd say like 95% of the stuff is made up on the spot.

Pete Schwaba

Nice.

Oh, that's so cool.

Comedy City, if I could just give a plug here, offers improv shows every Friday and Saturday evening in their Depeer Theater, along with traveling shows, private parties, and workplace team building exercises, virtually any day throughout Wisconsin and into Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Where do you travel?

How far will you guys go?

Anywhere that pays.

Yeah.

Pete Schwaba

I think

you and I have both been to Tustin, California.

Yeah.

Oh, wow.

I did a improv festival in, what was it?

It's in Tennessee, right around the Pigeon Forge area.

I can't remember the name of the town now.

It's gone.

Nope.

No, it's on the other

side of Tennessee.

Who sang the Elvira song?

We don't know.

Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge.

That's what it was.

Yep, so we did it in prop festival there.

We

probably the furthest California down the rally kill North Carolina.

Oh, that's kind of down to Texas.

Nope.

That was a different thing.

Yeah, we did a comedy festival up in Marquette, Michigan.

I mean, we'll go.

Yeah, anywhere and everywhere.

Pete Schwaba

So would you guys do?

Do you have something you could do here?

Something you want to

Well, sure.

We can have, there's a few friends we have hidden right here.

And if you have any questions, we can just toss out some questions for you because we have Barry right here.

I can answer some questions for you.

And who do you have next to

you?

I'm Liam.

Liam

O'Driscoll.

I'm in sixth grade and I like Dragon Ball Z.

Pete Schwaba

Like what?

Dragon Ball Z to anime.

Pete Schwaba

So what

kind of questions should we ask you guys?

I mean like, I mean Christmas questions.

If you have anything like, what should I get my grandma who has everything or yeah,

Pete Schwaba

whatever.

So Barry, get ready.

Okay.

I'm here.

Yeah.

Barry, what is your least favorite Christmas movie?

My least favorite Christmas movie is Ernest saves Christmas because I had a cousin who did the same thing and he didn't end up saving Christmas either He got Santa's bag and he just he he kept it all for himself.

He did he wasn't a good person

Pete Schwaba

What about a question for Leon con

Leon who what kind of

I have a cousin that really likes anime.

What kind of gift should I give them

for Christmas?

Oh, I'm so happy you asked!

Well, you see, every time my grandma asks me what I want for Christmas, I tell her I want one of those statues, one of those scantily-quad statues.

Okay, okay.

I get a catawag at my house.

My grandma does not appreciate it.

Pete Schwaba

All right, thanks for the answer.

What's a good cologne I can get for my grandpa for Christmas?

Grandpa still lives cologne, huh?

Oh, grandpa's a ladies man.

Indeed.

Okay.

Pete Schwaba

Not as much.

That's why he wants the cologne.

I'm hoping to pick things up a little

bit.

You know, I got the Target SoCo code or whatever.

Whatever you can get at the Target.

I like to use a little...

We,

um, hint

for the other ladies men out there.

You go down to laundry detergent section and you get a can of Febreze.

Smell fresh and clean for a fraction of the price.

Pete Schwaba

Uh, Barry, what are your, what are your plans?

Uh, you have people coming over Christmas Eve?

Yeah, I got my brother and his wife and her brother and his wife and my brother's wife, who is not the one I mentioned before.

We got a big family.

We have Christmas ham.

Mostly it's Oscar Meyer, but it's still a ham on Christmas.

That's great.

What is your favorite like Christmas desserts?

Do you have any favorites?

Oh, boy, I made this eggnog pie once.

You just take it.

Eggnog and you just put it in a pie crust and freeze it till it's solid and then you just eat it It's it's like you're drinking eggnog, but it's just melting down your face

Pete Schwaba

Wow, that sounds really good.

We have one of our listeners a Sydney politics who asks what is the cheapest I could buy somebody without getting in trouble

cheapest

Pete Schwaba

What is the cheapest I could buy somebody?

I think there should be an article in there.

What season?

I don't know, but I think he means like a cheap gift that's a sensible price.

Have you ever rented a Home Depot or the Minutes?

Well, you go to the paint section and you'll find that wall of paint samples.

You can get all of those.

They don't even stop you.

You can take all the paint samples.

And you just, you can have all the colors, you have five of them, and you can arrange them in a pleasing, aesthetically vibrant, modern art feature.

And it's on Home Depot's dime.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, I like the way that's like, you walk out of there making money.

That's not too bad.

What about you,

Barry?

I usually just take 75 cents and go into the local gas station bathroom.

Just buy whatever machines on the wall.

It's, it's pre-wrapped and it's usually a surprise.

There you go, honey.

Pete Schwaba

Here's a ribbed condom.

Well, Barry and Leon, that was very fun.

Thank you guys very much for stopping by.

I

didn't even know they were here.

I've got to go find out where my car sparked.

Pete Schwaba

Was that voice hard to do because you burned your tongue with the pizza?

I don't think I've ever done that voice sitting down.

I

Pete Schwaba

think that was

the hardest part.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, that's interesting.

Do you guys have a favorite improv game you like to play?

I know Freeze Tag is a big one, and I know there's all kinds of different games.

But is there one that you prefer?

We have a game called New Choice that I'm fond of because it's we'll be doing a scene.

And if we say something that.

The host doesn't care for he'll blow the whistle or she'll blow the whistle and say new choice.

And we have to change exactly what we're saying.

So then if I'm like, oh, boy, I sure love to get some coffee today.

New choice.

I want five dollars for bagel new choice.

And then like you just you just it makes my brain just fall apart.

And it's the best feeling in a good way.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sure.

Sure.

It makes like it's the creative parts just cracking.

Yeah.

And breaking off.

Pete Schwaba

What about you, Erica?

We don't play it very often, but I really like the game Town Hall.

Town Hall is a lot of fun.

It's kind of a spoof on small town, well, I guess, Green Bay-sized city politics, like go to a city council meeting or the show Parks and Rec, where they always feature what those open forum council meetings are.

just anybody is welcome to take the mic and address their concerns.

So we'll get some kind of fake disagreement that this town is having, right?

And the audience

is an unwilling participant sometimes, depending on who's playing.

So you'll have four or five players who run around in the audience and sit down next to a family or next to a group of friends or coworkers or a bachelorette party.

And now all of a sudden that bachelorette party that's there trying to watch the show, now all of a sudden that's your family.

or that's

your

harem of Mormon wives or something.

And you stand up and say, I'm Jimmy, whatever, whatever.

And this is my grandma and my cousin and you yank this unsuspecting audience member up off the chair.

Pete Schwaba

And this is my

Uncle Dave and blah, blah, blah.

Say hi, Uncle Dave.

So that's a lot of fun.

Pete Schwaba

That is fun.

What are your, who are your influences like when it comes to doing this?

Do you have?

people that you grew up watching or that you like now that you find really funny, where you either kinda wanna emulate them or they've provided some kind of inspiration?

Carol Burnett.

Pete Schwaba

Oh,

she's so funny.

Yeah, yeah, she, I used to, and, never mind, Laverne and Shirley.

I grew

up watching a lot of TV land with my neighbors

and

my mom, but Carol Burnett sticks out for sure.

Okay.

She is.

I don't know.

She

was

hilarious, so funny,

so witty, and she didn't really care at a time when women were on stage to be a accessory to the guy.

You know what I mean?

Women were on TV to be an accessory to the leading man.

Carol Burnett had her show.

Right, and she wasn't the glamorous sex symbol.

She was, I'm gonna be here, I'm gonna be smart and I'm gonna be funny, just like these other guys on stage.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, great.

That's great.

That's really inspirational to me.

Yeah, for sure.

I

grew up watching News Radio.

I was a huge fan of David Foley and then also then Phil Hartman because of it and knowing he did improv was.

Kind of cool too.

Pete Schwaba

Very cool.

And the kids in the hall.

Yeah.

So that's, wow, great

Pete Schwaba

answers, you guys.

This was fun.

I know it's hard to do improv when you're not on a stage, but you guys crushed it.

Thank you so much

for being here.

Pete Schwaba

Always fun to have the peeps from Comedy City have great shows through the holidays, you guys.

Thanks.

Pete Schwaba

Come and

see

Pete Schwaba

us.

I will.

I need friends.

No business this weekend.

Oh, you're sold out, aren't you?

That's the radio show, Snowy Mittens.

Still plenty of tickets

available for Snowy Mittens.

Pete Schwaba

Snowy Mountains or Snowy Mittens?

Snowy Mittens,

okay.

All

Pete Schwaba

right, we're coming back, folks.

Boris Hamilton will be here.

My thanks to Erica and Scott from Comedy City.

Break a leg, you guys.

Thank you.

And we will

Pete Schwaba

be right back with more Nightlight.

After this, I'm Pete Schwabba on the Civic Media Radio

Network.

Kathryn Lake

You're listening to Civic Media.

Stay up to date on the latest news and information for your local community and Wisconsin by signing up for our free email newsletter.

Visit civicmedia.us slash email to get started.

Pete Schwaba

I'm Pete Schwab, but this is Nightlake.

Great to have you with me, folks.

It is a gorgeous Tuesday night here in downtown Green Bay, capturing the spirit of the season here tonight with Comedy City.

That was fun having those guys here.

And Sydney Politics on the stream line, or on the stream, did say he meant, he texted in a question for our improvisers and he said, what is the cheapest I could buy somebody without getting trouble?

Boy, he's missing a couple words there.

Yeah,

Pete Schwaba

that

doesn't sound good.

Pete Schwaba

I met Sidney a week ago.

He's a very loose.

You know, he's a good guy and I don't know was going out with this grammar tonight But Sidney said he did correct himself and he said yes thing that something you could buy that's cheap.

Sorry, no problem Sidney We know you're good people and would never involve yourself in human trafficking of any way So, uh, all right, so tomorrow night.

Well, let's not do what time is it?

How we doing?

It's 7 23

Not yet.

We still got a couple segments.

We got a couple segments, and we got a great guest.

I'm very excited to introduce this next guest.

He is a friend of mine.

I met him when I was living in California, and he is... This is a testament, Conrad, because I've had people on the show that say, oh, people in L.A., they're all crazy.

Yeah, some of them are.

But you know what?

In my experience, and I'm about to prove this, the people that were born and raised there are normal.

They're just regular people.

And Boris is, like, waiting in the wings going, because there's a lot of pressure.

I have to prove to be normal here.

But no, he's a great guy and a very funny guy.

And he joins us now here on Nightlight for the first time.

Mr. Boris Hamilton, hey, buddy.

Hello, how are you?

How are you, normal Californian?

I'm OK.

I'm wearing headphones because the email said to wear headphones.

Pete Schwaba

Oh.

But I'm afraid I look like a robot from Empire Strikes Back.

Pete Schwaba

Is that a bad thing?

We're

just going to have to deal with it.

Hope that's not too crazy.

Pete Schwaba

No, you look good, man.

I like the I love I'm loving the beer dude.

I haven't seen you in so long.

It's good to see

you It's good to see you too Pete.

Um, yeah, it's coming in whiter than I'd like but uh, you know

Pete Schwaba

Tis the

season.

I guess it's okay.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah, exactly So where are you in in the in Southern, California?

Where are you?

Where are you living these days Boris?

I'm in it's downtown.

It's it's Korea town.

Oh nice

So I'm there, the Willchern Theater.

Pete Schwaba

Wow, very cool.

Okay.

Because you grew up in Orange County, right?

I grew up in Costa Mesa, yeah.

Pete Schwaba

Okay.

And when did you start doing stand-up?

Probably

mid-90s?

Yeah, I think like 94, like semi-officially, and then by like 96, I was doing it, and then I moved to Los Angeles in 97.

Pete Schwaba

Okay.

You know the 40 mile drive

Pete Schwaba

Well, you know, all right, it's so funny I made a joke before he came on the show, but a lot of people Say, you know or LA it just has the whole Hollywood thing But I I have said that most of the people that I meet That grew up or around Los Angeles or in Los Angeles are pretty normal I feel like it's the people that move out there and think they have to act a certain way that are the weirdos

I think so too.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah,

I would agree.

Yeah

Pete Schwaba

Because I met people in the valley that would say, when they found out I was a writer, they go, oh, you're into that whole Hollywood thing.

I'm like, dude, I grew up in the Midwest.

You live two miles from the Hollywood.

And it was like a foreign country.

So.

Right.

Right.

Yeah.

Oh, go

ahead.

No,

Pete Schwaba

no, no, please.

Well, in Studio City, they have their own walk of fame.

And it's like, you're walking on the walk of fame every other day.

And it's too much for you.

It's foreign to you.

Right.

Are you still, do you still work clubs?

I don't do anything like that anymore.

I quit, I stepped away like around 2009.

My car was dying and my health insurance was getting ready to run out.

And I was like, I'm gonna be a real person for a little while.

And you know, that's like peak recession also.

Pete Schwaba

So it was

like, yeah, things aren't good.

Pete Schwaba

So

I did that and then occasionally I'll do some stuff.

I did a Rose last summer of a friend that that went well, you know, and then he didn't talk to me for six weeks, but you know

Pete Schwaba

You had a great joke, I remember.

I think we worked that Ventura comedy club together that Keith Dion booked and I don't remember.

Hornblowers.

Yeah, hornblowers.

I love that room.

Right in the harbor there on the ocean.

It was just beautiful.

And you had a great joke I loved when you said I was getting excited because I put my clothes on today and they were loose and I thought I lost weight.

But then I realized it was wash day.

It turns out I shouldn't wear the same jeans every day.

Pete Schwaba

Such a great joke.

Do you remember who the headliner was that night?

It wasn't you?

I

Pete Schwaba

don't know.

Maybe I did headline that room once, but I don't know.

Yeah, I worked there with a couple guys who were total tools.

Was it John Wing?

It was not John Wayne.

I would have enjoyed working with John Wayne.

Yeah.

So all right, before we get into this really cool documentary, you're part of Boris, I want to ask you, do you have two questions?

Our question of the night tonight is a gift that's hard to wrap.

Does anything come to mind?

A tennis racket, I

Pete Schwaba

suppose.

Oh, that's good.

You know,

Pete Schwaba

I

like that.

like a basketball stuff like that

Pete Schwaba

sure

that doesn't if you got one that didn't come in a box

Pete Schwaba

right

you know stuff like that where it's even anything round is hard like hard to wrap bottles are hard to wrap right everyone just gives up and gets the wine bag or whatever and it's like okay so there's no mystery in this at all

Pete Schwaba

I love it.

Groucho, the Groucho nose and glasses, that's a tough one too, just while we're on the subject.

That

is.

Pete Schwaba

And what about Rob Reiner films for us?

I obviously have been thinking about that a lot.

He had such an amazing streak from Spinal Tap, which I have issues, some issues with Spinal Tap.

Pete Schwaba

Really?

I think it gets old.

I think

Pete Schwaba

by the time

you're at Air Force, by the time you see Fred Willard, you're like, let's wrap this up.

And that's a shame because I love Fred Willard.

But anyway, so spinal tap to north, basically.

All right.

And I'm not going to go back and revisit north or anything like that.

Or remember, I think checking out the first time I tried to watch it.

But the sure thing I love.

Oh,

Pete Schwaba

I forgot about this shirt.

In North, I forgot about, too.

All right, we're going to do the news.

Boris Hamilton is here.

We're going to talk a little bit more about Rob Reiner films, and he's going to tell us which Christmas movie that's very popular he does not like, ladies and gentlemen.

We're coming right back.

It's Night Light with Pete

Schwabba.

Pete Schwaba

I'm Pete Schwab.

This is Nightlight.

Tomorrow night on the show, lots more fun, folks.

You're not going to want to miss it.

Madison film critic Rob Thomas will be here.

We'll probably touch on the new Avatar film that opens this weekend.

And Rob will tell us what he's seen.

He is always fun to talk movies with.

He'll be here tomorrow night.

Weatherman Mace Michaels can tell us what's in store for the rest of the winter.

And I need to know, because if it's cold, I just need to, you know, he's got to accept it.

And that way I can prepare.

But hopefully Mace will come out and say, it's going to be unseasonably warm.

My forecast doesn't do it for you?

No, your little iPhone does not cut it.

But anyway, that'll be a fun show.

So join us tomorrow night at Nightlight as well.

Conrad will have more window vision weather forecasts

for

Pete Schwaba

you.

Joining us now on Nightlight is Boris Hamilton, a very funny guy who I used to do stand up with from time to time.

Boris we were talking about Rob Reiner you had an issue with This is Spinal Tip which last night this was our question of the night and I would say 20 of the people said that was their favorite Rob Reiner film and you think it went on a little bit too long and I would say you're probably right I haven't seen it in years, but I would think when Fred Willard comes along that would breathe new life into it

you would think but

At that point, they're at the Air Force Base.

Pete Schwaba

They

have no more steam.

It's just getting sadder.

You would think.

Just pull the plug.

It's one of those movies.

Kind of like the Blues Brothers.

Every time you see it, it's a little longer.

You still love it.

You still love it, but you're like, oh, let's go.

You

Pete Schwaba

still love it, but it's those.

You love the parts of it you love, but you're not willing to say, you know, I don't think The Blues Brothers is a great movie.

It's a great movie to me because I got to see Chicago in it and I like John Belushi and the music is great.

Same thing with Spinal Tap.

And I should give it another watch before I say that.

But what about some of his other films?

Well, like I said, The Sure Thing, I love The Sure Thing.

I love Stand By Me.

When Harry Met Sally is a perfect movie.

and a few good men.

I have so much fun watching that movie, even though it's a, you know, it's a darker subject, but

it's

still like, everyone is so great at it.

Everybody.

And then American president has a lot of fun too.

And then it keeps going.

And it's like, okay, I didn't know that he did Mississippi burning.

I never put that together.

Pete Schwaba

Wait, no.

Yes.

Rob Reiner directed Mississippi burning.

Yes, how do

Pete Schwaba

I'm completely spacing out because that's one of my all-time favorite movies.

Yeah Rob Reiner That's the guy.

Yeah, I Can't even pull it up on IMDB because I can't type Mississippi.

There's too many damn SS and PI's there.

No, no, Alan Parker

Are you sure?

Pete Schwaba

I'm positive.

I just pulled it up.

Okay.

Hang on.

Let me see

Are

Pete Schwaba

you thinking of city?

Are you thinking of city slickers?

Oh, no, I'm thinking of ghosts of Mississippi.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, yeah, there we go.

That's OK.

I'm a horrible person burns then the ghosts.

Pete Schwaba

You sent my whole world into upheaval with that because I was like, how did I not know I'm like,

I'm a horrible American.

Pete Schwaba

Um, but no, he was fantastic.

And I, we were talking about this a little bit last night.

Like he, he never, like directors can ruin good material if they get too directory.

He never did that.

He, he enhanced it and he just like, he didn't write most of what he directed.

I don't think, but he, he was an outstanding director

and outstanding director and then an amazing, you know, producer and incredible actor.

Pete Schwaba

Like,

I forgot that he, you know, he's in the Wolf of Wall Street.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

And I didn't love that movie, but I loved every scene that he was in.

Pete Schwaba

Right.

That's a great point.

Yeah.

Um, and I would say Princess Bride was my favorite.

Um, but I love, I love stand by me and you're right.

I loved a few good men.

It's one of those movies I can't turn off because of the performances.

They're just excellent.

All those, all of his other movies that aren't Spinal Tap, they don't go on too long.

You're like, I need more.

Pete Schwaba

Right.

Oh, that's a great point.

I didn't.

I forgot about North, though, honestly, and I forgot about the sure thing.

And yesterday, when I was scrolling down on IMDB, I must not have gone.

That was like in the late 80s, right?

That's John Cusack.

Yeah.

I think in like 86, maybe.

Pete Schwaba

No kidding.

Interesting.

Do you?

I have to ask you this.

I talked about this at the beginning of the show.

A friend of mine who, a friend of our shows, I guess, who does news here in Green Bay said, did you ever meet Rob Reiner?

I never did.

And I wish I would have.

But I did, I was with an outfit called commercials unlimited for about two months.

And his brother Richie was a commercial agent in LA.

I don't know if you ever worked with that outfit or if you knew that.

If he did, then I'm sure I auditioned for them at some point back then, but I don't really remember.

But of course, the whole family was talented.

Pete Schwaba

It was it was here's what I thought was strange and this is what it's got to be so hard being a brother to a guy like Rob Reiner or being Bill Martin Steve's brother whoever it is, you know, oh, yeah

Like

Pete Schwaba

this guy was a commercial agent and I sold a screenplay like a week after they signed me He called me and asked me for a part in the movie like oh my god.

I know talk about

A, not knowing how this,

like, you're a writer.

Pete Schwaba

You have no power.

I can't get, I don't even know the guy, but he was a really nice guy.

But this is a guy asking a young guy who just sold the script for a part and his brother is Rob Reiner Boris.

Isn't that

crazy?

Well, his dad is Carl Reiner.

And his sister-in-law was Penny Marshall.

It's like, really?

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

You're asking me?

Isn't

Pete Schwaba

that crazy?

And then, you know, his brother's best friend was Albert Brooks.

It's like,

You know everybody.

But Pinchwab was your guy.

Pete Schwaba

He's my guy.

Let's talk about this really cool documentary.

You're part of Boris Hamilton as my guest.

Very funny guy and featured in the new documentary, The Don of Tiki.

I hadn't heard of this today until you sent me the link and it looks like one of the coolest movies I haven't seen yet.

Please tell us about it.

It's a lot of fun.

It's about the origin of Don the Beachcomber and how he turned his small cafe into a tropical bar and then fueled the tiki explosion that lasted from like the late 30s to probably the mid 70s and has been brought back a couple of times since, but it's a really interesting story.

He's a really neat guy and the way they do it, there's

There's archival footage.

There's animation.

There's claymation.

It's, it's all really cool done with original audio.

Um, my friends, Alex and Max did a really nice job on that.

Pete Schwaba

That's really,

you

Pete Schwaba

know, yeah.

Sorry, go ahead.

Oh, go to, you know, Don at tiki.com and check it out.

Don with two ends and, um, it should be able available for streaming.

I think in 2026.

And yeah, please check it out.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah, it looks cool.

I love the artwork, too, or the photo, I should say, on the website.

He looks like a beat generation guy.

Like he could have been hanging out with Kerouac or, you know, Neil Cassidy or someone.

He was always on top of everything, but had his own cool style at the same time.

Like, you know, always...

Ready for adventure.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah,

whether or not he was going anywhere cool or not

Pete Schwaba

No, I think this looks I love movies like this and I it's one of those movies That I know I'm gonna like just based on what I'm reading here And I had never thought about like I've been to Tiki bars my neighbor in LA who lived two doors down had one in his backyard And I thought oh, this is great, but it never occurred to me where it came from

Yeah, and you know, of course, it's Hollywood comes from Hollywood like everything else just

Pete Schwaba

okay

fake paradise, but

It's

Pete Schwaba

cool.

So how did you get involved?

And what is your role in this?

Do you just talk about it or?

I just talk about it really quick.

I'm in it for probably six seconds, but if you watch it, I clearly carry the movie.

It should be called The Dawn of Tiki and Boris.

It's a

sidekick.

We were at Tiki Oasis, which is an annual gathering of Tiki people every summer in San Diego.

And I knew them, so they asked me,

a question and then I threw out like 15 answers and they they took one that worked.

That's how that

Pete Schwaba

happened.

Oh

Pete Schwaba

sweet.

I have to say just uh it's weird because Conrad and I often will complain about the cold and it's like we willingly live in Wisconsin and we complain about the cold like that's insane behavior but just saying tiki bar over and over is making it worse being.

Oh yeah well

I mean how far are you from from Milwaukee?

Pete Schwaba

A couple hours.

Maybe not

quite.

Because they have some good ones.

The foundation room in Milwaukee is nice.

Pete Schwaba

Oh.

There's some good ones.

Pete Schwaba

You know, it's funny you say that because we have a question on the text line.

Lee from Depeer wants to, he wants us to ask Boris what his top three Tiki bars that he's visited.

Oh, okay.

Well, I would say number one would be the Maikai in Fort Lauderdale.

Okay.

which is an amazing, I think it was 1958 that it was built and it's incredible.

It's massive, it's cool, it just got refurbished, it had some roof damage and they put a bunch of money into it and it's incredible.

Tiki Tea in East Hollywood or Los Feliz is also fantastic.

There's a direct lineage from Don the Beachcomber to Tiki Tea, so that makes it interesting.

And then Smugglers Cove in San Francisco.

That would be for modern Tiki cocktails.

That would be my place to go.

Pete Schwaba

Very nice.

So what makes a Tiki bar a good Tiki bar?

Like you just listed three of them.

You've obviously been to a few.

What is it about them that makes them good?

Well, the decor, like, you know, it's got to be, it's got to be legitimate without being jokey.

Pete Schwaba

Okay.

You know, and without, without being.

inappropriate.

You know, you want to feel like you're somewhere else, ideally.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

And then, um, the, you know, the music helps a lot.

You want to like, again, not feel like you're just anywhere else.

And then a good cocktail, like a good rum cocktail where you're like, you know, I needed this and I need another one and I'm going to have to stop right there.

Pete Schwaba

That's great.

What was the name of the one in Milwaukee again?

the

foundation

Pete Schwaba

room.

The foundation room.

Conrad, you ever been there?

Or it might be the

foundation bar, but foundation in Milwaukee.

Pete Schwaba

Very cool.

I'll check that out.

All right.

Well, good luck with the film.

Keep us posted when it comes out or when we can stream

it.

Let us

Pete Schwaba

know.

It looks really fantastic.

So, okay.

So now we've got to get to the controversial part of the Boris Hamilton interview.

You talked about a holiday film that is beloved by Americans.

You have a problem with it.

Please tell us.

Uh, National Ampluence Christmas Vacation.

It's not a good movie.

I saw it in the theater.

I saw the theaters when it came out.

Yeah.

And even then, I was like, I guess that was okay.

You know, we talked about the five or six laps that it has.

Yeah.

Uh, obviously, uh, cousin Eddie with the, the septic tank situation or whatever.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's, that's hilarious.

And then, um, my, I think my favorite part is he's actually, he's talking to Clark and there's a little windmill.

on a table and he touches it and it breaks to me that's the best part of the movie you know and then they what they they they torment their neighbors who are just minding their own business uh all his in-laws are horrible people they're dreadful yeah they're a little harsh they kill a cat um you know like the whole the saucer slide scene

Oh, and now he's under a truck.

It's like, okay.

And then one of the things, you know, so I'm willing to accept the Griswolds and their universe or whatever, but then they have Brian Doyle Murray as his boss, but I'm like, wait, he was the guy running the cabins in the first vacation.

I can't do that.

I can't.

Pete Schwaba

He was the guy that said, when they said that sounds pricey, he said, for the tents, he said, oh, that price includes scenery and wildlife

fun.

Pete Schwaba

Hey Boris, let's pick it up right there.

We got to do a really short break this time and we'll finish our discussion about Christmas vacation.

He doesn't like it folks.

Let him hear it on the text line.

I don't totally disagree with him, but we'll get into that after this very short break.

It's Pete Schwabba and Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Kathryn Lake

You're listening to Civic Media.

Find the latest news, information, and archives of all your favorite shows on the Civic Media website, civicmedia.us.

Pete Schwaba

Welcome

back.

Pete Schwaba

I'm Pete Schwabber.

This is Night Late.

Great to have you with me, folks.

Lee from Depeer says, great movie.

We saw it in Milwaukee at the Oriental Theater in September.

He's got to be talking about Christmas vacation, right?

They probably did like a special screening.

No, I think it was a movie that Boris was talking about before Christmas vacation.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, is it doing like a, oh, the Oriental would have a film like that.

Is it like, is it out on a theatrical release?

Yeah.

Well, they were doing like a road show with it.

Pete Schwaba

Oh,

nice.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

Very cool.

Okay.

Yeah.

Pete Schwaba

Well, that's good.

There's a there's a good endorsement.

Great movies.

That's fantastic.

All right.

We were talking about Christmas vacation Boris and we both kind of agreed.

Here's why I like it.

I'll just play devil's advocate.

I like the memories I have watching it with like my cousins or my friends or whatever.

And we were still was 1989 when it came out.

I was still like in the Chevy Chase fan club, so to speak.

And

And I like the house.

I like how they're getting ready for Christmas.

And it seems like, even though it was on the WB lot, I think, it was the same.

Yeah.

It was the same as the lethal weapon house, actually, I believe.

Okay.

And so, you know, I guess for those reasons, and it's familiar, I like it, but I do agree with you.

It's not a great movie.

It's not.

And, you know, maybe it's paid for or whatever, because they can run it 17 times a day during the holidays.

But it just, you know, it just gets meaner each time.

Yeah.

And

I mean, some of the other jokes, you know, I don't know, Clark Clark just isn't a good dad.

I would I would put Vegas vacation ahead of Christmas vacation.

Okay.

Yeah.

Pete Schwaba

I don't even think I saw Vegas vacation.

I did love I love love love the original.

The original is fantastic.

Pete Schwaba

Harold Ramis.

Come on.

Yep.

And then by the time you get to John Candy, you're like,

I'm not tired

Pete Schwaba

yet.

All right.

Exactly.

The European vacation I can do without.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah, same.

Again, probably three laughs.

Yeah.

Then I would put Christmas.

All air-cital.

Right, yes.

And I would put Christmas vacation as my second.

But, you know, yeah, it's interesting.

And I love that you said that.

And I love that we're talking about this.

Are you watching Pluribus by any chance?

I'm

not.

Pete Schwaba

OK.

I don't know what that is.

Pete Schwaba

It's the new Vince Gilligan show, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, and people love Vince Gilligan.

I love Vince Gilligan, and I loved this the first.

I don't want to say anything, but if you do watch it, come back on and we'll talk about it because I need someone to vent to.

But,

uh, okay, I can do that.

Pete Schwaba

But you came into, uh, listen, this was very gutsy of you.

You didn't have to do this, but you came on and you ripped on a beloved American Christmas movie.

And

I played well,

Pete Schwaba

you

know, it holds up about as well as Jimmy J's did.

Pete Schwaba

That's great.

Conrad is going to get over this.

He's, he's doing a little bit, but he's, he's doing okay.

But Conrad's favorite part.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

What's your

favorite part?

It is that part.

He touches the the windmill and then Clark tries to fix it

Pete Schwaba

right and he doesn't get the dickie on but that could be a short film just a guy hitting a thing and that

Great

Pete Schwaba

stuff buddy.

It was great to talk to you and you should still do stand up.

You're very funny And I miss you pal and let's do this again sometime check out Pluribus and we'll discuss

Thank you, Pete.

Miss you too and have a great night.

Low 20s tonight, so be careful.

Pete Schwaba

Oh, I know.

He's rubbing in.

That's a parting shot.

All right, thank you, buddy.

Have a great night, Boris.

Thanks so much.

You too.

All right, so, you know, he's got a point.

I mean, I watch it, and I'll say Home Alone's not a great movie either.

It's a good movie for what it is, but Home Alone kicks ass in the last like 20 minutes.

when it's him against the bandits.

Yeah, I'd say, I mean, I think there's some laughs before that too.

There's a few.

I mean, Christmas vacations, not my like, for Christmas movies, my favorite one.

Pete Schwaba

Yeah.

Look, I'm still gonna watch it.

Pete Schwaba

I still like, there's some laughs.

It's a comfort food movie.

I like to laugh, you know, for my movies.

So that for Christmas, you know.

Yeah, you don't have to apologize.

I'll say this Vegas vacation.

If you haven't seen it, it's not a great film.

Pete Schwaba

I've

heard it before.

There's some funny parts.

It's not a great film.

Right.

My favorite part is when they go to Eddie's casino.

Pete Schwaba

Eddie's got a casino in Vegas?

Well, it's not his own,

Pete Schwaba

but

it's the one he goes to.

Pete Schwaba

Gotcha.

Yeah, I don't.

Pete Schwaba

They got a

buffet

Pete Schwaba

there.

I'm not.

I don't know.

Maybe I will check it out.

I don't know.

John Murray on the text line in the 608 says, free wrap this.

And did you see the picture of the thing he said?

It's a crazy lamp.

You'd never do it like

that.

Actually, I put it, there we go.

You can see it on stream now.

Pete Schwaba

That's what John wants us to try to wrap.

I mean, maybe if it's in a box first.

Pete Schwaba

Or maybe you just don't buy that.

Yeah, that's true.

Maybe get yourself a nice lamp, John.

Think about it.

That's all I'm saying.

He says, not even the L's dare to try.

Plus, I guess their union would make it okay.

We read Lee's text.

Thank you, Lee.

Steady Eddie from the 608 says, Pete and Conrad, here's a Christmas gift that is hard to rapidly wrap, wrap, wrap.

With a little spelling play on the word wrap there.

Well done, Eddie.

He says, my name is Steady Eddie and I'm here to say I'm wrapping my Christmas rhyme as I watch the snowflakes play.

I'm just chilling and it's so.

It's oh so fulfilling to hear the bells chime ding dong ding wrangling.

Hey, hey, hey It will soon be Christmas Day Rapidly wrap wrap wrap wrap wrap now I'm wrapping up this Christmas rhyme in double time My name is steady Eddie and I'm here to say I love old st.

Nick on Christmas Day Steady Eddie that is gorgeous.

Thank you, sir.

Well done boy.

I love the The care he put into that's

like

Pete Schwaba

Santa's elves care when they put into the toy

Toys when they make the toys I'm running.

I'm at the Fred Willard part of This is spinal tab according to Boris.

I'm running out of running out of steam.

Thank you folks for being here tonight.

Thank you to Mike Gamal Comedy City Erica and Scott great to have them here.

Thank you Boris Hamilton And thank you for all your texts and calls folks always so much more fun when you guys are part of the show We're gonna be back again tomorrow night Christmas creeps ever closer

Be safe out there, folks, and enjoy this holiday season.

On behalf of the lovable producer Conrad, I'm Pete Schwabba saying goodnight,

Wisconsin.

Kathryn Lake

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