This week on Alcohollywood, we uncover a lost, forgotten cult gem with My Favorite Year! Based loosely on the early writing career of Mel Brooks and his encounter with Errol Flynn on the variety show My Show of Shows, the film swaps those two for Mark-Linn Baker (Cousin Larry from Perfect Strangers) and Peter O’Toole as the hammy lothario Alan Swann. While this film is one of the few films to have a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, we had a bit more of a complicated time with it, as Jared and Clint (and guest Derek) get into a lively discussion of what works and what doesn’t work in this highly divisive comedy. Check out the debate on the episode below, along with our drinking rules and custom cocktail!
(Don’t forget to check out our alternate intro below, in which an improv bit goes horribly wrong/right, and we keep it for posterity!)
LISTEN HERE OR DOWNLOAD:
Download our BONUS ALTERNATE INTRO here!
THIS EPISODE’S DRINK: The Swann-Dive
To fit the film’s clash between Alan Swann’s continental lifestyle and Benjy Stone’s schlubby low-class, we decided to create a light, classy brandy drink with a beer chaser (you can feel free to substitute our recommended IPA with YOUR FAVORITE BEER GET IT).
2 parts brandy
1 part vanilla vodka
1 part sweet potato vodka
1/2 part lemon juice
dash, tobacco tincture
IPA of your choice
1) Combine brandy, vodkas, lemon juice and tobacco tincture in a brandy glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
2) Pour IPA into English beer glass or pilsner glass. Chase as needed.
DRINKING RULES FOR MY FAVORITE YEAR:
- Whenever a character insults another character
- Every time someone visually or verbally references one of Alan Swann’s prior films
- Pratfalls (flips, spills, chills, etc.)
FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:
The silent guy on the writing staff finally grins and says, “My God, this makes me so happy.”
Join us next week when The Dissolve’s Nathan Rabin joins us for a double dose of Ahnold with Last Action Hero!
