Rob considers a mid-life career change, inspired by a couple of pilots that didn?t go forward and fridge full of exotic meats gone bad.

This week, Rob explains a simple axiom of show business: if you want your agents to remain generous with free expensive bottled water and delicious mini chocolate cakes, you have to earn it. Or more accurately, you have to earn for them.

Rob explains how he once got roped into picking up a very large check and offers advice on how you can avoid making the same mistake.

In most areas of show business, most people want more: more lines of dialogue, more scenes, and of course, more money. But Rob explains that if you want to heard more, follow his advice and say less.

Rob is dismayed to discover that the charismatic lead actor for his comedy pilot is being treated for a condition that required him to take medication that made the actor boring.

This week, we?re introducing a new feature to Martini Shot: The Martini Shot Extended Universe! OK, we?re not doing that ? at least not yet. Instead, on occasion Rob will be talking to people in the entertainment business who he usually only talks about. Executives, other writers, journalists, maybe even actors.

In today’s  conversation, Rob sits down with Richard Rushfield, the impresario behind The Ankler newsletter, which regularly beats the Hollywood trades at their own game (and yes, you should subscribe). They discuss the recent purchases of Warners and MGM and what that portends for audiences, and why ?according to Rob? the obsession many cable and phone companies have with owning studios is nonsense.

This week, Rob explains why lying is an integral part of the Hollywood ecosystem, and passes along a few pointers on how to do it successfully. Really. We?re not lying – that?s what this episode is actually about.

Rob makes a rare detour from commenting on the shifting sands of show business to provide an explainer on the physics of airplane flight (really!) and share the story of a very brave pilot let him take the wheel.

There?s an old show biz adage: comedy is tragedy plus time. Rob explains why awkward moments and dark, biting comments should probably be part of that equation as well.

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A few weeks ago, Rob promised to auction off this episode of Martini Shot as an NFT (non-fungible token, as the kids say). Then, fate intervened.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

This week, Rob explains why drinking and then shopping online and the knee jerk tendency of people in the entertainment business to automatically disparage a new idea or venture are both bad habits.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

This week, Rob explains the relationship between a classroom of vomiting kids and actors over-botoxing themselves. Yes, there is one. Really.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob explains why there?s one standard for hackneyed dialogue in movies and TV, and a very different one for real life. And why an old song by Prince created a personal RomCom moment for him.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

In this entry from the Martini Shot archives (OK, it?s actually a thumb drive), Rob offers some advice for the newly inaugurated President Biden based on his years (and more years) of show biz experience.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob looks into the cutting edge world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens ? a way to create unique digital assets that can be bought and sold) and wonders if it may open up a new revenue stream for a certain podcast.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

In this Martini Shot Classic episode, Rob exhorts his fellow writers not to dwell in cynicism and self doubt about their new projects, but rather think of them in terms of wonder, enthusiasm, excitement, curiosity, gratitude, joy, and adventure. Strong advice ? if only he could convince himself to take it.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob explains how studios exercise control over writers through cash flow and why often the sweetest words a writer can hear from the studio are ?what?s your tax ID number??

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob explains how to master the fine art of telling an off color joke.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob explains why it is sometimes necessary to laugh even if a joke isn?t funny and the striking similarities of a pre-school parent?s event and a Hollywood sitcom writer?s room.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

This week, Rob coaches an actor on how to read lines like a star and reveals the secret to playing a drunk.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob Long riffs on the many euphemisms Hollywood uses to say ?you?re fired,? and reveals his slightly cynical retirement plan.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob discovers he got COVID for Christmas, and finds himself living in a Hitchcock film ? in his head.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Rob is re-reading David Allen’s “Getting Things Done,” but it’s not working out so well.

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

Late at night when I’m bored and distracted, I usually kill a few hours by…

Rob Long?s Martini Shot is brought to you by Kushy Dreams, the smokeable CBD. For 20% off your next order, go to KushyDreams.com and use the coupon code ROB at checkout.

He’s been talking about it for months now, so we’re thrilled to finally be presenting Rob Long’s Martini Shot. You can expect new ones on a regular basis going forward, and if you subscribe, there are a slew of classic episodes hand picked by Rob waiting for you. But enough marketing talk — on with the first one….

People come out to LA in waves, and those who come out at roughly the same time end up knowing each other…