I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski: 20th Anniversary

351 Pages·2018·27.54 MB·English

by  Ben Peskoe

They have neither our blessing nor our curse.
—The Coen brothers, in reference to the writing of this book

CONTENTS
Instructions For Enjoying This Book
Foreword: Saying What Can’t Be Said By Jeff Bridges
Introduction: Lotta Ins, Lotta Outs, Lotta What Have Yous
Chapter 1: I Won’t Say Hero, ’Cause What’s A Hero
Quiz: How Dude Are You?
How to Dude-ify Your Office Space
How to Dude-ify Your Car
How to Dude-ify Your Living Space
At Least It’s an Ethos
Duderonomy: Rules to Live by, and Sometimes Break
Dude Libs
Chapter 2: Parts, Anyway. The Actors and Their Roles
Jeff Bridges—The Dude
John Goodman—Walter Sobchak
Julianne Moore—Maude Lebowski
John Turturro—Jesus Quintana aka the Jesus
Sam Elliott—The Stranger
Philip Seymour Hoffman—Brandt
David Huddleston—The Big Lebowski
Peter Stormare—Nihilist #1/Uli Kunkel/Karl Hungus
Jack Kehler—Marty the Landlord
Jon Polito—Da Fino (Private Snoop)
Jimmie Dale Gilmore—Smokey
Tara Reid—Bunny Lebowski/Bunny La Joya/Fawn Knudsen
Asia Carrera—Sherry in Logjammin’
Jesse Flanagan—Little Larry Sellers
Jim Hoosier—Liam O’Brien (The Jesus’s Bowling Buddy)
Jerry Haleva—Saddam Hussein
Robin Jones—Ralphs Checkout Girl
Steve Buscemi—Donny
Chapter 3: Way Out West. Origins and Inspirations
A (Not Quite) Interview with the Coen Brothers
Jeff “The Dude” Dowd: He’s the Dude. So That’s What You Call Him.
Peter Exline: His Rug Really Tied the Room Together. His Car Was Also Stolen.
(Separate Incidents.)
“Big” Lew Abernathy: “We’ll Brace the Kid. Should Be a Pushover.”
Jaik Freeman: The Real Little Larry
John Milius: An Inspiration for Walter. He’s Not Housebroken.
Chapter 4: Are We Alone? Or, How the Big Lebowski Became A Cult Classic
Times Like These Call for a Big Lebowski?
That, and a Pair of Testicles
Shut the Fuck Up, Donny!
And We Do Enter the Next Round-Robin
Zat’s Why Zay Sent Me . . . I Um Exphurt
Chapter 5: The Achievers. And Proud We are of All of Them
Patton Oswalt—Los Angeles
Oliver Benjamin—Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tony Hawk—Carlsbad, California
Craig McCracken—Los Angeles
Johnny Hickman—Fort Collins, Colorado
Alysha Naples—San Francisco
The Academic Symposium—Louisville, Kentucky
Chapter 6: Lebowski Fest. If You Will It, Dude, It Is No Dream
First Annual Big Lebowski What-Have-You Fest
Second Annual Lebowski Fest
Lebowski Fest West, Las Vegas
Third Annual Lebowski Fest
Lebowski Fest West, Los Angeles
Chapter 7: Reference Materials. A By-Your-Side Guide to Watching the Big Lebowski
¿Parla Usted Achiever? An English–Achiever Translation Guide
In the Parlance of Our Times
The Big Lebowski Ultimate Soundtrack
Lebowski Locations
The Best of the Eagles
Afterword
Art Credits
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENJOYING THIS BOOK
Please take a minute to read through these seven simple steps to ensure that
you get the most out of this book.
Watch The Big Lebowski at least three times. If for some reason you have not seen it yet,
dog-ear this page and do so before proceeding to step 2. We'll be waiting right here.
Good. Now that you have achieved in the modest task which was your charge, proceed.
Are you employed, sir? If you are reading this on your coffee or lunch break at work, stop.
You must leave work immediately. We don't know.Tell them, uh, you've got an
"appointment" that may take up the rest of your day. Whatever you tell them, be vague.
Good job.The gastrointestinal line was a bit much, but it looks like they bought it. Now
you need some provisions. Before making your way home, stop and purchase these items
from your local liquor store: • One (1) 750 ml bottle of Kahlua
• One (1) 750 ml bottle of vodka
• One half-gallon carton of half and half. (Acceptable substitute: nondairy creamer.)