Midnight Local

By: Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • When you spend all day in a studio shooting a YouTube series about drinking, things can run off the rails in a hurry, and carefully managing that chaos is vital if you’re going to make a show like How to Drink, and that’s what Greg & Meredith have done for years. Here at Midnight Local we give into that chaos and let the rails be damned. These are the conversations that make you pause the movie because it just can't wait. Things like how the Hays Code destroyed cinema from 1934 - 1968, why David Lindelof should never be able to hold a pen again, and the fact that Joss Whedon doesn't live up to the morality of his own characters and also has tiny teeth. Midnight Local is a place to get weird about movies and shows and the rest and go beyond the who, what and where.
    Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • 'Dinosaurs' tried to warn us

    'Dinosaurs' tried to warn us
    Aug 13 2024
    Greg and Meredith discuss the sitcom 'Dinosaurs' and explore various aspects of the show, including its production, themes, and characters. The hosts analyze the dark and satirical elements of the show, as well as its commentary on relationships and societal issues. They also touch on the casting choices and the use of puppets in the series. The conversation raises questions about the intended audience of the show and its meta elements. Overall, the hosts provide insights and observations about 'Dinosaurs' and its significance. They talk about other puppet-based shows like Alf and Zoobilee Zoo. They also touch on the concept of pilot episodes and how they can differ from the final show. The conversation veers into nostalgia and childhood memories, including the experience of watching scary shows as kids. They end the conversation with a discussion about THC cocktails and the potential for a puppet-based show on Netflix. 00:00 - Introduction and Nostalgia for 'Dinosaurs' 03:02 - The Dark and Satirical Elements of the Show 07:42 - The Commentary on Humanity in 'Dinosaurs' 12:06 - The Depiction of Relationships in 'Dinosaurs' 16:11 - Species-Blind Casting in 'Dinosaurs' 18:48 - Is 'Dinosaurs' a Sitcom for Dinosaurs? 20:44 - The Absence of a Laugh Track and Its Effect 22:36 - The Meta Elements and Potential Interpretations 23:31 - Notable Episodes and Impact of 'Dinosaurs' 24:23 - The Green Menace 26:00 - The Simpsons and TV in the 90s 27:50 - Neurodivergency and Aphasia 29:05 - TV Shows with Puppets 32:56 - Alf as a Mascot 35:29 - Farscape and Other Puppet Shows 37:27 - Broadcast Television and Local Affiliates 39:19 - Puppet Shows and Haunted Hotels 44:49 - The Evolution of Pilot Episodes 46:38 - Columbo and TV Movies 47:35 - THC Cocktails and Netflix Pitches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    56 mins
  • The Xfiles, do you believe?

    The Xfiles, do you believe?
    Aug 6 2024
    In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the pilot episode of The X-Files. They talk about their personal experiences with the show, the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, and the cinematic quality of the series. They also touch on the recurring themes of skepticism and belief, as well as the show's commitment to visual storytelling. The episode explores the plot of the pilot, which involves mysterious deaths and alien abductions. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the cultural impact and enduring popularity of The X-Files. The conversation explores the themes of belief, skepticism, and the influence of childhood experiences on one's worldview. It delves into the personal experiences of a family members strong belief in the supernatural and the paranormal. The X-Files is praised for its successful pilot episode, which sets up the overarching plot of government conspiracy and introduces the iconic characters. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the influence of cinema on television and the challenges of being a parent in the digital age. 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Experiences 01:27 - The Cultural Impact of The X-Files 02:11 - The Format and Structure of the Show 03:02 - The Challenges of Watching TV Shows in the Past 05:24 - Exploring the Pilot Episode 08:14 - The Dynamic Between Mulder and Scully 09:08 - The Role Reversal of Gender Stereotypes 10:01 - The Supernatural and Science Fiction Elements 13:43 - The Cinematic Quality of The X-Files 20:00 - Comparing The X-Files to Other Shows 26:51 - Unraveling the Mystery of the Pilot Episode 28:41 - Skepticism vs. Belief in The X-Files 29:08 - Belief vs. Skepticism 30:07 - Influence of Childhood Experiences 31:55 - The Appeal of the X-Files 36:05 - The Effective Pilot Episode 41:29 - Cinematic Influences 55:42 - Challenges of Parenting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • VEEP was right!

    VEEP was right!
    Jul 30 2024
    In this episode of Midnight Local, Greg and Meredith discuss the TV show Veep and its parallels to real-world politics. They share their impressions of the show, including the shaky camera style and the unlikeable characters. They also discuss the dynamics of dysfunctional office environments and the chaos that comes with working in politics. The conversation touches on the authenticity of political shows and the balance between dialogue-heavy and visually-driven storytelling. The conversation explores the themes of cinema, musical theater, sitcoms, and the influence of media on our lives. It touches on the idea that the camera should speak more than the dialogue in films, and how musical theater can convey plot points through songs. The hosts discuss the similarities between sitcoms and real life, and how people often see their own lives reflected in these shows. They also delve into the concept of leading men in Hollywood and the changing landscape of stardom. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the vice presidential picks and the role of money in politics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Show Announcement 02:36 Impressions of Veep: Shaky Camera and Unlikeable Characters 08:02 Hating the Characters and Sticking with the Show 12:46 Selena, Mike, and Gary: The Heroes of Veep 17:45 Veep: More Than Just Politics 21:18 The Incompetence and Chaos of the Office 23:33 Finding Catharsis in Watching Veep 26:17 The Power of the Camera in Cinema 26:41 The Effectiveness of Musical Theater 27:31 Sitcoms: Reflections of Real Life 28:00 The Evolution of Leading Men in Hollywood 40:41 The Influence of Money in Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr
Art Comedy & Humor
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Midnight Local

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Robert

Fun for movie lovers

I started watching this because I loved Greg and Merideth's tangents on Greg's YouTube channel, How to Drink. It doesn't disappoint. Give it a shot.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Twinmasks

If you like HTD you will like this podcast

Gregg and Meredith are quite the dynamic duo. Gregg is the crusty cynic and Meredith, a good foil Gregg, shines silver linings on Greg's figurative dark cloud.

I like their reviews, stories, and complete side tangents they share in the podcast. In HTD they make the show worthwhile by not just showing you how to make a drink, but giving interesting facts, stories, and rumors surrounding the drink. I feel in Midnight Local they bring that same model they share with drink to movies and other pop culture topics. I highly recommend the podcast.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!