Production note Cocktail was based on Heywood Gould’s semi-autobiographical novel and his bartending experience.
Production note The film reportedly went through many script versions and was changed to better protect Cruise’s image.
Production note Cruise was nominated for an Oscar for Rain Man in the same year Cocktail won the Razzie for Worst Picture.
Production note Bottle-tossing was added at Cruise’s request.
Production note Kokomo was nominated for a Grammy and a Golden Globe.
Production note The bartender style in the movie is called flare bartending.
Production note A darker trailer cut reportedly included Coughlin admitting he made a move on Jordan.
Production note A bottle of Louis Treh brandy used in the film was a $500 bet in 1988.
Production note The hosts suggest the Cell Block set was one of the most elaborate bar sets they had seen.
Roadhouse Used as a comparison point for enjoyable bad movies and the presence of Kelly Lynch.
Showgirls Cited as a knowingly bad movie that is not in the same category as Cocktail.
Anaconda Mentioned as another good-bad movie with some wink to the audience.
Snakes on a Plane Held up as the ultimate intentionally bad movie.
Wall Street Used to frame the 80s wealth obsession running through Cocktail.
Color of Money Suggested as a better companion film because of mentor/protégé dynamics and hustling for money.
Party Down Cited as one of the few projects that approaches service-industry life effectively.
Cheers Used as the bar-business benchmark when discussing bartending as a career and television bartending culture.
A Few Good Men Referenced as an example of Cruise’s controlled but still intense performances.
Jerry Maguire Referenced as another major Cruise role and a likely top performance for the hosts.
Magnolia Used in discussions of Cruise’s over-the-top acting style.
No Way Out Cited as a strong Roger Donaldson film that contrasts with Cocktail.
Species Discussed briefly as another example of a great, weird movie worth covering.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Referenced as a symbol of the 80s aspiration toward sudden wealth.
Oprah Used to compare Cruise’s public persona and manic performance style.
