Yes, so true. We have said before screenings that the emotional spine of the film is ‘a platonic love story through music.’

I’ll just say that Carole was such a great supporter of us and this project – she is a warm and funny person and the person you see onscreen in the film. It’s a joy to have Carole King in your life (or on your stereo).

If we hit 100 comments, does anyone win a prize?

Agreed! And the Monkees had some great tunes – lest we not forget “The Porpoise Song” from “Head,” written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and of course, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” by the same duo! Ah, the synergy…

Yes, Mike Nesmith was one of the original “Hootmasters” who ran “Hoot Night” (open mic night), which we talk about in the film.

The Troubadour’s had many incarnations over its lifetime – we chose to focus on one period in specific. There are other documentaries that could be made about the punk or hair metal eras, I’m sure!

Last year when we were filming there, ‘nerdcore’ rapper MC Lars (who I’m a fan of) was about to do a show, to give you an idea of the range…

Yes, that too – but in business, I think the options created a gap which the artists (and/or those representing them) sought to close when they gained power. Absolutely, it was clever to try to hang on to a piece of the acts he first broke – as one person we interviewed referred to it as, ‘small club insurance.’

I’m glad the film affected you emotionally and also made you think. I guess I felt the film was sympathetic to Doug in that it leads with his influence, his genius, for what the scene birthed, and then reveals an Achilles heel which was his undoing in business, and that was the artist options. The sequence where the club closes is kind of moving and the montage/music really takes a moment, almost like his life flashing before our eyes, to consider what he was responsible for and (maybe until now) didn’t have credit for.

And Lou Adler also directed the cult film, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains,” starring a young Diane Lane.

I actually had to put on rubber gloves and a mask (!) to handle the film, as it had been kept in a damp place for a while. And it had never been transferred to video before. But it was so worth the effort as it is incredibly evocative and real.

I saw several great shows at the Troubadour in the 90s, actually: Glen Tilbrook, Graham Parker and Vic Chesnutt. And thanks to my pal Jason, I performed there once, in 1995, for the “Great Unsigned Bands Contest”. My comedy troupe and I were hired as the opening and interstitial act, and I performed a send-up of singer/songwriters called “One Chord.” It actually brought down the house. I remember John Doe was one of the judges. And yes, I did attend Prince’s Glam Slam in 1993. You followed me there, didn’t you?

I think I saw Morphine Milkshakes at the Troub in the mid-90s…

It came up in interviews, but because Lennon didn’t play there, and it was during a Smothers Brothers show (who weren’t really part of the scene we were tracing), plus it was – I think – in ’74 or so – it was a little out of our story’s realm. But Paul Body (the doorman interviewed in the film) was there and he talked about it with us. He said Lennon left his glasses at the club (b/c he was kicked out) and the next day someone had to come pick them up.

Yes, the Kotex incident – Lennon was drinking Brandy Alexanders, I believe, and therein lies the problem.

Very cool – we kind of wanted Steve Martin to be somewhat of a surprise, because he comes up very organically and the film repeatedly keeps opening up to take the audience to someplace new.

After your SB experience, I do hope you’ll sit at a distance away from your TV set!

Many of the people who worked at the club and are interviewed in the film felt that Doug always wanted to be a performer – he had a background (college, I believe) in theater.

Byrds, Eagles…but unfortunately, no Partridge Family (continuing the avian theme…)

Lisa – it took about a year, almost exactly. People who make documentaries sometimes get upset when we say that, but it’s true. (As docs generally take years). The films I’ve made have (for the most part) tended to be on fairly tight schedules.

And Kelly – yes, on “Amer Masters” Wed and out on DVD this week too!

Newtonus – thanks! It is very funny in the film, as Steve Martin’s comment comes at the end of a long run of naming ‘hip’ celebrities who frequented the place, Betty White being the punchline, as of course Betty White is ubiquitous, even still today!

I’ve played guitar for 25+ years, written my own songs, fronted many bands, and have always been musical. My father plays guitar and sings; my mother, too; it’s just been a huge part of my life. And yet I’d never made a music documentary per se. But Morgan is the king of them, and we’d always wanted to work together, so this gave me a chance to explore the creative foundation of some of the first music I ever remember hearing (or singing) and the people who made it, at a unique moment in time. A ‘tipping point,’ if you will.