Before heading to Pig Beach in Brooklyn to party at the last memorial for Carl Ruiz I met up with Matt Farah from the Smoking Tire at Classic Car Club Manhattan. Matt gave me a quick look at some of the cool cars. Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBsA233ClJI
We sat down and talked about how Matt saw a man ran over by a bus on his way over to the club. We traded Uncle Henry stories. More on the car that hit my childhood home. You can get Pearl Jam to play your wedding and much more.
Was gonna play the time me and Carl Ruiz did that great Pop Up show from Pete's Tavern and met the hilarious Ron the Waiter. Decided before I play it I'd invite Ron the Waiter to Gebhard's to discuss that night and other things including his lesbian mother. After I talk to Ron stick around for the original audio of me and Carl from Pete's Tavern that hasn't been on the podcast until this point. Oh! Carl would have found Kevin Brennan's joke really funny.
The hilarious Bert Kreischer joins Opie, Sherrod Small and Carl Ruiz for an outrageously funny episode. The Rock, Anthony Weiner, Bert's bee stung penis, tickle parties, 5lb pound weights on the balls, down blossing, cancel christmas, firing the maid, f'd out of a bunk bed, Joey Diaz doses Bert's dad and much more including Dr. Steve talking crazy medical stuff!
Hanging with Carl Ruiz and Sherrod Small laughing our asses off. How to get the good stuff at a Chinese restaurant. Sudafed makes it floppy and sad. Chuck Berry is a bad bad boy! Carl is embarrassed in front of Tom Brady! Opie the bookie and much much more.
Opie starts by reflecting on his trip to California. Then we go back in time before the OpieRadio podcast when Opie was trying out the concept with Pop Up shows on Facebook. Carl joins Opie at Gebhards to discuss his restaurant meeting at the great Peter Luger's. They talk cheeseburgers for appetizers, John Lennon, mice infestation, the voyeur motel, Angry Vic Henley makes an appearance and more.
After all the Carl Ruiz memorial podcasts there was just one last thing to do and that would be some #ruizing. Jumped into the 2020 Porsche Boxster Spyder with Matt Farah from the Smoking Tire podcast. The car isn't available yet for purchase. Did some podcasting and test driving while we headed to Point Reyes to eat the freshest oysters possible. It was really good to get our minds off Carl for a bit to chill and laugh and have some fun. Carl introduced me and Matt Farah during the yacht cast episodes (20 and 21) and we became instant friends.
After a little pregaming at Guy Fieri's house everyone heads over to Legends to celebrate the life of Carl Ruiz. This episode has a more celebratory tone filled with lots of funny stories and reflection about Carl. Carl's brother George holds court and shares why Carl was so special. Guy gives Carl a special send off.
Opie's trip to Santa Rosa California continues on the set of a very special Guy's Grocery Games as they pay tribute to Carl Ruiz. Matt Farah from the Smoking Tire podcast rushes a hung over Opie to the set in the brand new 2020 Porsche that's not available for purchase yet. Once there we get numerous people telling stories about Carl including his brother George and Gloria who walks us through his last day. Grab tissues.
One of Carl's west coast friends Ben Perry was kind enough to pick me up in San Francisco and drive me up to Santa Rosa. Never talked to Ben before so why not podcast our first conversation. We talk about Carl, beer, I try to get people to jump off the Golden Gate bridge and more. I'm in California for a very special taping of Guy Fieri's Grocery Games as they pay tribute to Carl Ruiz.
Before starting the podcast with Carl I was trying out the concept on Facebook Live. August 2017 we made a road trip to Rochester so Carl can meet and hang with Brother Wease. Carl reminded me of a younger Brother Wease who is everything to me. On this episode you get a taste of our drive to Rochester, drinking tequila with Brother Wease and doing Wease's very successful radio show. There were so many laughs and then Wease asked Carl about the lifespan of a chef. Carl's answer took the air out of the room. Sadly his answer was creepy accurate.
On the last episode Matt Farah's melted edibles kicked in just as we were saying goodbye at Gebhard's. We went down to the meat packing district for Carl's memorial at his restaurant, La Cubana. The wheels came completely off. Kicked out of La Cubana we persevered for Carl. Pushing through as we podcasted on the sidewalk competing with the cold, the wind, shots spilled on the podcast equipment, drunken babble, loud competing music and a tripping Vic Henley. Then there was Freddy! You won't soon forget him. Yes there are a few chunky edits which were on purpose for obvious reasons. I threw the original audio in the river so don't ask if I have it. Carl we love you with all our hearts! Rest easy. Huge thanks to Matt Farah, Nick Solares and Mike Safo for helping me shape this into an amazing episode.
Opie and Carl Ruiz break down all the stupid overrated stuff you do in the fall. Also, Carl tells a story about taking a bigger girl under the boats at the New Jersey shore. Another crazy girl story from Robert and...................water sports!