Filthy Armenian Adventures

As helicopters descend on the city it's time to cruise down to Johnie's Broiler the magical diner in Downey where Tom Waits abandons his tuna melt in SHORT CUTS (1993). What better place to enter Robert Altman's masterpiece mosaic of "untapped Los Angeles" and the Raymond Carver stories within, and what better guest to go with than the extraordinary Matthew Wilder, last seen with us at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. Must book and movie and life always be at odds?   For double the episodes, plus regular "smoke break" mini eps and access to our upcoming live tour HIVE subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   HIVE will be in LA on June 14, Austin June 17, NYC June 21, and London June 26...at some fabulous locations. DM us on patreon if you'd like to attend   X/insta @filthyarmenian 

Let's try to save the blues from SINNERS. After reviewing Ry Coogler's latest up against the much more profound BLACK SNAKE MOAN (2006) and more liberated CROSSROADS (1986), I take Glen Rockney and Crypto Psi of Rare Candy on a personal-historical tour of the music that made me the man (and woman) I am today.    For the full 3+hour jukebox fish fry subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian -- you'll also get access to our upcoming live event HIVE this June in LA (14th), Austin (17th), NYC (21st) and London (tbd)   Also mentioned in this episode: Blues People: The Negro Experience in White America and the Music That Developed from It by LeRoi Jones Rock Folk: Portraits from the Rock n' Roll Pantheon by Michael Lydon And a roster of bluesman and women too long to list.

Some thoughts on the bad news about Scott Adams, and an appreciation.   For the full Filthy Armenian Adventures experience, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

A celebration of Erich Auerbach's masterpiece Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature, in light of the last decade's institutional conspiracy to shrink reality in Western media, which hits a grotesque low in Netflix's Adolescence. Guest starring Yeerk of the Bistro Californium podcast   For double the adventures, plus regular smoke breaks and access to our next live event HIVE this June, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Joan's secret love, Eve's secret letters, and the art of gossip with Lili Anolik, author of Didion and Babitz and Hollywood's Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A.   For the full 2+hr episode, plus double the adventures and regular hear-to-heart "smoke break" mini eps and access to our next live event this June, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on x/insta @filthyarmenian

Some thoughts on the passing of a warrior. See FAA 18 Mortal Combat with David Horowitz and the Secret Chapter: Death is the Mother of Beauty

In this smoke break mini ep, I review the new album Pretty in Scorn by Cara Cunningham   For regular mini-eps like this, plus double the feature eps, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian  

Art, drugs, or religion? Reviewing the Playstation classic Alan Wake 2, Adam Lehrer and I speculate on the nature, potential, and business of video games. Adam Lehrer is deputy editor of Tablet Magazine and host of System of Systems   For twice as many adventures, plus regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day and access to our live events, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian    Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Mike White as our Molière, what normies and bossy bottoms miss about The White Lotus, and the astonishing Christian conclusion to season three that nobody is talking about.   For the full 2 hour episode, plus 170 more patrons-only adventures and "smoke break" mini-eps, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Guest starring Cara Cunningham and Adam Lehrer (deputy editor of Tablet Magazine and host of System of Systems)   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Between a terrified Russian at a gay bar in La Marais and a crafty general at Père-Lachaise, the queer quest for God in Paris culminates with a mystery at the gates of Sacré-Cœur.   For the full tale, and 170+ premium episodes, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

A quest for the secret third thing in Paris begins, as usual, in the surprisingly gay right wing underground of Rue Princess...   Guest starring Enaygee   For double the adventures, and the sequels to this one, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian -- over 150 patron-only episodes   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Rate, review wherever you listen  

Borges called CITIZEN KANE a "labyrinth with no center" but it was the center of the labyrinth that was Orson Welles, and our final destination in the second half of this tour of the magician's career, after we pass through TOUCH OF EVIL (1958), THE TRIAL (1962), THE IMMORTAL STORY (1968), F FOR FAKE (1975), and THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND (2018)... and realize that in his flaws, if not his greatness, Orson Welles was a lot like us.   With Darius Csiky of 8pl8s podcast   For the full 2 hour episode, and twice as many overall, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian -- you'll also get regular "smoke break" reports on topics of the day and exclusive access to our coveted live events.    Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Zoomer Orson Welles protege joins me for a Citizen Kane-like adventure through the entire career of the man who believed in magic perhaps too much -- or, perhaps, too little. We look at almost every film he made, we lean in for his radio, we applaud his theater, we gasp at his tricks and read his biography ("Rosebud" by David Thomson). Maybe we can find out what this giant boy was missing... With Darius Csiky host of 8pl8s podcast Part 1 of 2. For the upcoming second half, double the overall episodes, and smoke break mini-eps, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Hope to see you there.  X/insta @filthyarmenian

Best novel about Washington D.C. and first movie to openly depict homo is a harrowing, eternal tale of the lonely gay man who stands up to the communist blob. Jack Mason of The Perfume Nationalist joins for a state of the union spurred by Allen Drury and Otto Preminger's ADVISE AND CONSENT.   For the full 3.5 hour bull session (plus double the adventures and exclusive mini eps on hot topics of the day) subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian for as little as $5   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian and, if touched, spread the word  

I review the Oscar-nominated biopic A Complete Unknown, before reprising my own interactive case for Bob Dylan the artist, the man, and the prophet on a mission to make America great again.   Originally aired in 2023 as "Bob Dylan on Hollywood Blvd. Vol 1 & 2," this is one of my deepest most personal solo adventures, full of outlandish historical claims that might be fun to compare to how things are turning out.   For access to twice as many adventures, including the most intimate and important ones, plus regular smoke-break mini eps on topics of the day please subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian  

It's one thing to see a sign, it's another thing to live up to it. As the tree of liberty shows new life in Washington, Wyatt Torosian joins me for a Hollywoodland tour into the storybook origins of the Art Right.   For the full 2.5 hour show -- plus twice as mane adventures and regular smoke break mini-eps -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Coffee and milkshakes at the historic diner where David Lynch saw Frank Booth fuel this meditation on the secret ingredients of his genius in the early period from ERASERHEAD (1977) to the world-altering masterpiece BLUE VELVET (1986).   Guest starring filmmaker Matthew Wilder (AMERICAN MARTYR, YOUR NAME HERE).   Location: Bob's Big Boy in Burbank   For double the adventures, including last week's episode on Lost Highway and its link to the L.A. fires, plus regular "smoke break" mini eps please subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Links to: The Alphabet and The Grandmother, two creepy early short films by Lynch

What did David Lynch know that we don't know? The first stop on that investigation is LOST HIGHWAY (1997), the ultimate movie about O.J. and Nicole and the burning of Los Angeles.   Also reviewed: "David Lynch Keeps his Head," David Foster Wallace's essay from the set of that movie in Griffith Park.   Yeerk of Bistro Calfornium joins me for our first deranged ride into the genius of a departed master.   For the full three hour episode, plus twice as many adventures and regular "smoke break" spiritual reports on topics of the day, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

As fires continue to rage, two men share the harrowing experience of losing their homes this month -- Max in Altadena, Matt Himes in Pacific Palisades -- and we consider the suddenly viable question of: Can California turn red?   For double the adventures plus regular smoke break mini eps on hot topics of the day, please subscribe at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian and spread the word

What happened? What does it mean? Who is to blame and what signs have emerged from the burning of Los Angeles?   For twice as many adventures plus regular mini-eps on topics of the day, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

There is a fire.   For more fire, and to restore Los Angeles go to patreon.com/filthyarmenian and subscribe   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Last January 6, we vowed to defeat the Grinch regime by resurrecting Santa and dreaming of a White Christmas. How did that weird plan turn out? In this intimate Filthy Armenian Christmas Special, live from the Gold Pole, Santa and special guest Steve Sailer examine the evidence under the tree, celebrate the coming of a new age, and unwrap the miracles of the last year.   For the full 90 minute episode, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian -- patrons also get priority access to future live events such as this one, twice as many feature episodes, and regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day.   Steve Sailer is the author of Noticing   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Merry Christmas!

In light of the recent attack here is my very special adventure in New Orleans, vampire and all, in search of the secret of that great American city.    If you enjoy what you hear, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian for twice as many like this about all kinds of secrets, plus regular mini-eps on topics of the day.   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

The first annual FAA Christmas show, where Santa demonstrated how to defeat the Grinch regime, and prefigured the events of 2024.   With Richard Hanania, Jack Mason (The Perfume Nationalist), Ben Braddock, DJ Gum Arabic.   For the video of this episode, twice as many adventures overall plus regular intimate "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Very few spots remain for the second annual FAA Christmas show + festivity, coming up on January 4 in a house just off Sunset Blvd. It will be a very special night with some heroic friends. Join the patreon and DM if interested in attending.

A heart-witness, Hollyweird account of the assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump.   For twice as many feature adventures, regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day, and access to our next live Christmas festivity on January 4, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

A stern, humorless warning about what news stories to allow into your mind space.   To subscribe to the show for twice as many feature eps and regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day, go to patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Next live event -- CHRISTMAS 2025 -- on January 4 in Los Angeles. Get on the list at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

Raymond Chandler defined Los Angeles as a corrupt labyrinth of hidden truths that only an adventurous detective with noir eyes, a steel spine, and a witty disgust for sham and pettiness could uncover. In this Gain of Fiction/FAA crossover, Glen Rockney and I uncover the modern day relevance of Chandler's first and best novel The Big Sleep (1939), and the classic Howard Hawks 1946 movie adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and what they teach about being a man. We also mention the unclassic 1978 Michael Winner adaptation starring Robert Mitchum which Tarantino just ludicrously recommended.   For the full 2+ hour episode -- plus twice as many adventures and regular Smoke Break mini eps on topics of the day -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian    If you like what you hear, please rate and review the show on your podcast app

How Rod Serling's TWILIGHT ZONE continues to shape the American imagination and make us cry. A deep dive into the first five episodes with Yeerk of Bistro Californium. This promises to be a recurring series.   For the full 3 hour marathon -- plus twice as many feature eps and exclusive "smoke break" mini eps -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   TZ Episodes covered:  1. Where is Everybody? 2. One for the Angels 3. Mr. Denton on Doomsday 4. The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine 5. Walking Distance   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian  

Notes on a miracle.   For twice the feature episodes and regular mini eps and to not miss out on the future, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on socials @filthyarmenian

Election Day is upon us, so here is a sampler of political Smoke Break mini-eps from the last few months about some key characters on that stage. If you want to be several steps ahead of the zeitgeist, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian for access to these brief, intimate voice letters, as well as twice as many feature-length adventures available only to the enlightened patrons of this show.   Thank you for listening, and God Bless America 

Appalachian icon Cara Cunningham ("Leave Britney Alone") returns to analyze the story of J.D. Vance, the crises of the land he comes from, the powers and limits of the Mamaw State, and the choice America faces this November.   For the full 2 hour episode, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian. You'll get access to twice as many adventures (including Cara's first appearance, in FAA 70) plus regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day.   Reviewed in this ep: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance + the 2016 film adaptation directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian and tell your friends abou the show

After a reunion tour of Skid Row, Jared and I dip into the place that invented the French Dip Sandwich -- but how? -- to break bread and reflect on the politics of addiction, free will, and determinism. Location: Philippe's The Original   Jared Klickstein is the author of Crooked Smile: What it Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, and Crime   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian -- and please rate and review if you like what you hear  

A walking tour of America's most notorious rock bottom junkie town with a man who lived there, almost died there, and miraculously escaped...but how?   Jared Klickstein is the author of Crooked Smile: What it Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, and Crime   For twice as many adventures and regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day, join the enlightened society of rug merchants who subscribe to the show on patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian and thanks for listening!

An editor dies, but a painting comes to life, as I ask the most faithful man I met in Washington how he came to know God at such a young age.   For the full 3 hr adventure, and access to all premium episodes and "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Drew Bratcher is the author of Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville Follow him on insta @drewbratcher_writer   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Thank you for listening

In the presence of America's most beguiling depiction of loneliness, I reunite with the one faithful man who helped me survive the horrors of Washington D.C. -- fourteen years after we last met.   Drew Bratcher is the author of Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville   Location: Art Institute of Chicago   For part twice as many feature adventures, plus regular smoke break mini eps on topics of the day, support our mission by subscribing at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian Follow Drew Bratcher on insta @drewbratcher_writer

My opening monologue to a magical evening in Austin, Texas honoring Nic Pizzolatto and True Detective on its decade anniversary. For the full video conversation and Q&A with Nic, Jack Mason, and the ladies of Temple of Friendship, and a performance by Nic's wife Suzanne Santo, visit Temple of Friendship's patreon. The live event occurred on June 29.   And to support this show, access twice as many adventures plus regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day (recently including a review of REAGAN, and how Candace Owens is haunting me) please become a subscriber at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X @filthyarmenian

Ronald Reagan's chief speechwriter and the one advisor who counseled Nixon NOT to resign joins me for a conversation on the secret connection between the two men, the nature of political messaging, The Swamp, and the history-making scenes and secrets revealed in his new memoir Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Nixon and Reagan.   For twice as many episodes, plus regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day,  subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian Follow Ken Khachigian at nixonandreagan.com  

A concert adventure with Bob and Willie under the concentric arches of the historic amphitheater "where summer is forever."   For the full 2+ hour episode -- plus double the adventures and regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on x/insta @filthyarmenian

An undecided voter describes his creepy, weird transformation upon the shooting of Donald J. Trump.   Guest starring Nic Dollinger of The Beautiful Toilet and Maryland Free Press   For double the adventures (including the most intimate ones) plus regular Smoke Break mini eps, please subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Bonjour based department: a French politician hops on the air to explain everything we need to know about the political situation in France, the new male sex symbol on the French right, Houellebecq going mask off since being snubbed by the Nobel, and more.     For twice as many adventures plus regular Smoke Break mini-eps on topics and media of the day, subscribe to the show on patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Making our way through an existential crisis with a little help from the genius who tried to prove the existence of God. Some say he failed. You decide.   Recommended reading: Blaise Pascal's Penseés   With Connor   For the full 3 hour episode, and over twice as many adventures plus patron-exclusive Smoke Break mini eps, please subscribe to the show on patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian    

ALPHA DOG (Nick Cassavetes, 2006) and BULLY (Larry Clark, 2001) are two crime dramas based on real teen murders -- but only one of them inspired an even worse crime of its own. Botched chad Adam Lehrer joins me to investigate this case of entertainment vs art.   For the full episode, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Adam is the author of Safety Propaganda and host of System of Systems Follow us on X/insta @filthyrmenian and follow Adam @safetypropagan1   If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a review on the app where you listen.

All children, except one, grow up. On the 10th anniversary of the crime that vanquished Neverland, a Very Chill Dude and I analyze the unanswered questions of My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger, and attempt to restore at least the memory of the paradise he destroyed...   For the full 3 hour episode -- plus twice as many adventures overall, and a dozen "smoke break" mini episodes per month -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

On the ten year anniversary of his "Day of Retribution," I trace Elliot Rodger's footsteps at the beautiful college town of Isla Vista Santa Barbara, where I spent my first two years of college in a different kind of incel splendor. Part 1 of 2.   For the sequel, twice as many adventures overall, plus a dozen monthly "smoke break" mini eps, join the supreme gentlemen and ladies who subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Three mini episodes from a new regular feature available to Patreon subscribers since December. My history with O.J. Simpson, my review of Curb Your Enthusiasm and its final season, and the online right's answer to the fake humanitarian.   For 10+ of these a month, plus over twice as many feature episodes, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Thanks for listening!   @filthyarmenian

Jazz, beignets, red robin filets, a liberal vampire and a hunt for the four-word secret of New Orleans...   For the full 2.5 hour adventure -- plus twice as many episodes and a dozen "smoke break" mini eps per month -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Through the driving range, along the greenway, and beside the L.A. River -- a long hello to the life and times of Steve Sailer, the forbidden figure and famous shamus of the San Fernando Valley. Including how he became who he is, the art of noticing, and why America needs more sex drugs and rock n' roll.   Buy Sailer's excellent new book Noticing, out now from Passage Press.   For two secret chapters from this adventure, over twice as many episodes and regular "smoke break" mini eps, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow Steve Sailer and Filthy Armenian Adventures on X   Rate, review, and spread the word!

Three mini episodes from a new regular feature available to Patreon subscribers since December. These are "lived-in" reviews of the Oscar winning travesty Zone of Interest, Nathan Fielder's show The Curse, and the latest season of True Detective.   For 10+ of these a month, plus over twice as many feature episodes, subscribe to he show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Thanks for listening!   @filthyarmenian

How did Cara Cunningham -- who, as "Chris Crocker," became an internet folk hero for urging the world to leave Britney alone -- find her way through MySpace stardom, gay porn, and Canceled Bitch Island to the hallowed Paglian enclave of free women, free men? We discuss.   For the full 2.5 hour episode -- plus over twice the adventures and regular "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X and insta @filthyarmenian   Please spread the word, and leave a rating/review wherever you listen!

"All literature is gossip." A dish-fest on the rise and fall of Truman Capote, the acid fairy of American letters, and the elephant in the closet. With Jack Mason of The Perfume Nationalist, Adam Lehrer of Safety Propaganda, and Zach Langley of I'm So Popular   For full 3 hour episode -- and twice as many adventures, plus regular mini "smoke break" eps -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   With commentary on Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, In Cold Blood, Conversations with Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Capote: A Biography by Gerald Clarke   Spread the word, review or rate where you listen, thank you and follow on X/insta @filthyarmenian

At the penthouse ballroom of the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, I invite Curtis Yarvin, Delicious Tacos, Astral Flight, Mommy Milkers, Catherine, Vera, Isaac Simpson, Matt Pegan, Garin and everyone else to love Las Vegas, if only for a night.   For the full 1.5 hour episode, twice as many feature adventures, and regular "smoke break" mini eps, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian   Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian   Thank you for listening