200 Dollars a Day Plus Expenses - A Rockford Files Podcast

Dave Brodbeck and Steve Cloutier
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Weekly

Join Steve and Dave as they follow Jim Rockford's adventures through LA in the 1970s

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 121 - If Any Of Us Marches To a Different Drummer It's Jon

    I mean hands down right?  Like Steve and I are odd, but then you've got Jonno... I always felt that this was a bit of a letdown after Boy King, but it is still a fun one. Lots of 70s weirdness this week, style and decorating wise. This one is another where the show is trying to teach us something, in an entertaining way.  It is a VERY pro transplant position, a position the three of us of course share.  The almost mugging for the camera talking about how great transplants are is a bit weird.  This was not always the case, and in the late 70s when the idea of signing up to be a donor was new, the concerns about harvesting organs from the living were real (in people's minds) concerns.  The show is telling us 'this is nonsense, in fact, it would involve a conspiracy...' which I like.  A lot.  Now, it's ham fisted at best... Fun performances this week. That said, lots happens that we don't know why. At times you almost forget that there are two idiots trying to kill Jim as well. Yost's house is the same one from the episode 'Guilt' from earlier this season. The sheer weaselness of Yost is probably my favourite bit of the episode, but I also liked the quirkiness of rhe Sorel character.  She reminded me a bit of Meredith from Mad Men (surprise)  I think she's more competent than she lets on.  Of course the character isn't as fleshed out, she's a one off from 50 years ago vs a series regular from the prestige tv era. Sometimes I find Rocky annoying.  I think that's the point.  I imagine Jon finds me annoying sometimes... mp3 download

  2. Aug 28

    Episode 120 - So If Jon is the Boy King Are Steve and Dave Men?

    Fonzie, the boy king. Again, remember, best episode ever. Webber's Coombs gets increasingly unhinged because the gang do that to him. ANGEL is hilarious when he's interacting with the 'artefacts'. Odette has very odd choice in cars.  I appreciated the improvisational elements of the scam. Egypt wouldn't have an embassy in LA, it would be a consulate.  I just looked it up, yes, Egypt has a consulate in LA, but it is a suite in an office building on Wilshire Blvd. Again, like I said last week, watch that Maverick episode "I'm workin' on it". I wonder why this wasn't the finale?  We have a normal episode next to end Season 5. mp3 download

  3. Aug 21

    Episode 119 - Never Send Jon to do Dave or Steve's Job

    Yes, Steve's job, not Steve Jobs, different dude. I vividly remember watching this one with my parents.  I also remember the three of us hoping that this was a return of Richie Brockelman Private Eye.  No dice sadly. This is my favourite episode. This might be the best episode of the series (both parts). Originally this was a two hour episode, cut into two for syndication. The thing of it is is James Garner likes driving race cars. I think that's a Can Am car. ROBERT WEBBER! Jimmy Joe Meeker makes his most memorable appearance. Many sources claim this episode, and a couple of others, are inspired by 'Shady Deal in Sunny Acres' from season 2 of Maverick.  I watched it and yup.  Also, you should seek that out, it is very good. mp3 download

  4. Aug 14

    Episode 118 - Steve and Dave Think Jon Has Made a Material Difference on the Podcast

    Man that was a long trip for not much payoff, title wise. Jim finally snaps at Angel this week, as you can see in the accompanying pic. Russians. East Germans. Wait so it is the 70s, of course. Funny to think I was staying up late to watch Voyager on TV and it's still going! Chapman is annoyed this week.  So it's a week... We get an LJ mention, which is like a Dale sighting on Mad Men. mp3 download

  5. Aug 7

    Episode 117 - Steve, Jon and Dave Return the Black Shadow

    I wonder if it is still under warranty... Bo Hopkins's final appearance as Coop. 'You wanna eat some iron?' The rise and fall of bider culture in California was a thing at the tie. Some fun evil performances this week. Oh yeah, we get a Steve's Spotlight! Disturbing one this week, perhaps the darkest episode of the series. Come out and play Warriors mp3 download

  6. Jul 24

    Episode 116 - The Dave Who Saw the Jon and Steves

    This one definitely goes in my 'worst title ever' pile. This episode was originally a 90 minute one that was cut down to an hour for syndication.   We will talk about the 90 minute version.  Hopefully we get through it in a reasonable amount of time. (I clearly write these things before we start). David Chase did this one, and it seems that every episode he runs gets closer and closer to the Sopranos.  This one has George Loros returning as Anthony Boy, who we first met in the two parter 'To Serve and Protect'. Oh hey and there's Joey Aresco from Black Sheep! The B plot has Jim trying to get out from under an IRS audit.  This plot is not as complicated as we've seen before, but it's made up for by how good the  episode was. Apparently this is a 90 minute one because of torrential rains in California.  At least IMDB says that, but who knows when it comes to IMDB. I keep saying this, but this really is a Proto Sopranos episode.   mp3 download

  7. Jul 17

    Episode 115 - Steve, Jon and Dave are One More Than a Deuce

    Long trip for the title this week. Both Jon and I have been in the Rockford Fires this week.  Thank you. Sorry about the Cylon voice, I'll have it sorted by next week, hopefully.....  Here's an update, just after getting off of the call I fixed it.  Here's a podcasting tip, don't update your interface's firmware and control software just before recording. When I see the name 'Mills Watson' in the credits I'm happy. This is an episode that doesn't like Mondays. As expected, and consistent with the character and the actor, Jim Rockford takes his civic duty very seriously.  Or (unlike the actor) he pretends to anyway. His father on the other hand.... OK, maybe not THAT seriously. The whole time through this episode I kept thinking of John Bassett, former owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL... (seriously) Man this is an elaborate plot. A bit of ickiness from Jimbo this week. Interrogating someone in a garbage can is a thing of beauty. This had a long and involved denouement scene as the plot had to be explained. mp3 download

  8. Jul 10

    Episode 114 - Dave Isn't Sure About Steve and Jon's Guilt

    Long trip for this week's title, not much of a payoff either. A couple of MASH connections this week. A heck of a lot happens in a short period of time in this episode. We get out 39th '200 Dollars a day plus expenses' in this one. The fact that the stuff Val designs is supposed to be the height of hip (and it was!) shows you how truly odd tastes got into the late 70s. I like the background on Jim, that he almost married Val etc.  Rocky talking about how he would dance with her daughter, that resonated with me.  I think that Garner might have been thinkng about Gigi while he was doing that scene, you could see some real emotion on his face. Val is a touch, oh let's go with manipulative. Some fun guest stars this week as well. Car chase with a helicopter!   mp3 download

See All (25)

Ratings & Reviews

About

Join Steve and Dave as they follow Jim Rockford's adventures through LA in the 1970s

Information

You Might Also Like