Tiki Bar TV was a web series distributed in the pioneering field of video podcasting or "vodcast." Each episode features a problem that is rectified by the episode's namesake cocktail, which is scribbled on a prescription pad by Dr. Tiki and "filled" by bartender Johnny Johnny who explains how to make the cocktail. Examples include the Suffering Bastard, Fog Cutter, Volcano Bowl, Boomerang, and Blue Hawaiian. The drinks did not always follow conventional recipes. Lala is the Tiki Bar's primary denizen who opens each episode with a dance. Most episodes also include a segment called "Tiki Mail," where mail from viewers or disgruntled neighbours is answered, and then ends with outtakes or the cast dancing. Originally shot in an apartment's tiki bar on a low budget, the humorous and heavily ad-libbed show was a creative outlet for its creators Jeff Macpherson and Kevin Gamble. The show garnered additional attention after being mentioned at Apple's iPod Video launch. Tiki Bar TV was shown in Apple stores worldwide as part of a 6-month promotion in 2006. The first episode was released on iTunes on March 13, 2005, with each episode being approximately 5 minutes in length. The show originated from Vancouver, British Columbia and has not been updated since Episode 45. It was produced by Tosca Musk and is considered by many to be one of the pioneering video podcasts credited with launching the genre.
Characters
Doctor Tiki, PhD, MD, USB a.k.a. Reginald Hornstein writes the cocktail prescriptions in each episode. His doctorate is in "Tiki," and he is usually wearing a lab coat and stethoscope.
Johnny Johnny, Mixologist a.k.a. Jonathan J. Jonathan is the leopard-print fez wearing bartender who makes the cocktails that the Doctor prescribes.
Lala a.k.a. Beatrice Fastwater. She usually wears a provocative dress and broad grin. In episode 10, we learn that she is not as ditzy as she appears; she has an engineering degree and in short time built a self-aware robot capable of nearly fulfilling all of Johnny Johnny’s roles.
The performers go un-credited and unabashed stage names are given. Jeff Macpherson, who plays "Dr. Tiki," introduces himself as actor "Reginald Hornstein," and when "Lala" breaks character, she speaks as actress "Beatrice Fastwater."
Minor characters
Limey - A lounge lizard in a reptile leather jacket. Introduced in Episode 2 and commonly known as "The Limey Bastard," he is the most frequently appearing minor character.
Mr. Ambassador - A Cold War era ambassador from the USSR in a red fez who plants a spy camera in the Tiki Bar, unfreezes LaLa, and steals LaLa's original plans for Drinkbot to build "Robot Box."
Kip - A "Guy with Woes" who frequents the bar.
The Duke of Url - A British man on a tour of the Commonwealth.
Drinkbot - Robot that Lala creates to replace Johnny Johnny, which goes on a rampage after failing to understand the concept of "love."
Rocket Billy - A 50s era greaser who delivers the Tiki Mail.
Space Cadet - Girl from "The OuterSpace" who comes to the Tiki Bar to learn Earth dance moves.
The popularity of the show led to the selling of T-Shirts, calendars, DVDs, and Tiki Bar TV themed Tiki mugs. In May 2009, Secret Lab, an independent video game developer based in Hobart, Australia announced the development of a Tiki Bar TV-themed computer game, entitled Day of the Tiki, to be released in Summer 2009. It was then delayed to sometime in 2010.
