Podcast Summary: And That's Why We Drink - Episode E416: Em’s Reoccurring Bit and A Gossipy Tale

Release Date: January 26, 2025

Hosts: Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz

Introduction

In Episode E416 of And That's Why We Drink, hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz navigate through a whirlwind of chaotic energy to deliver two main segments: Em's beloved recurring tattoo story and a captivating true crime narrative titled "The Story of Robert Bob Samuels and the Green Widow." Join Christine and Em as they blend humor, personal anecdotes, and chilling tales, all while maintaining their signature engaging style.

Em’s Recurring Tattoo Bit

Em's Green Lettuce Tattoo

Em Schulz kicks off the episode with her perennial favorite—her quirky green lettuce tattoo. This segment delves into the origins, meaning, and personal significance of her ink.

• Origin Story: Em shares that her decision to get a lettuce tattoo was impulsive yet meaningful. She recounts, “I just want to get something vibrant because I give a shit about that” ([09:33]).

• Meaning and Connection: The tattoo symbolizes an inside joke with her cousin, John, who also sports a related tattoo. Em explains, “When he and I were younger, I went on his spring break, and we had a conversation about lettuce. It just became a thing” ([10:09]).

• Pain and Process: Em candidly discusses the tattooing process, noting, “I never felt like the ba, ba, ba, ba, ba of the tattoo needle. It felt like someone was taking an exacto knife and carving into me” ([09:33]).

Humorous Banter on Appearance

Christine and Em engage in light-hearted teasing about their appearances post-tattoo, showcasing their playful dynamic. Em jokes, “Wobbling up and down sounds is probably part of the fanfic for sure” ([09:58]), while Christine adds, “Looks like she’s sucking on your hair” ([19:00]).

The Gossipy True Crime Tale: Robert Bob Samuels and the Green Widow

Background of Robert Bob Samuels

Robert Bob Samuels, born in 1948, was a beloved figure in California’s San Fernando Valley. Described by friends as kind and gentle, Bob led a fulfilling life as a camera operator for Hollywood studios, contributing to iconic 1980s films like Lethal Weapon.

• Personal Life: Bob had a long-time crush on his neighbor, Mary Ellen Gurnick, an outgoing and popular woman. Despite their differences, Bob married Mary Ellen and adopted her daughter, Nicole, creating what seemed to be a happy family dynamic ([106:41]).

The Conflict and Murder

Years into their marriage, financial strains began to surface as Mary Ellen's extravagant lifestyle conflicted with Bob’s more modest means. This tension escalated when Bob decided to divorce Mary Ellen, leading to dire consequences.

• The Murder: In June 1989, Mary Ellen and Nicole visited Bob’s home to drop off their dog for a trip. Upon discovering Bob dead—strangled and left in disarray—they reported the incident to authorities ([104:18]).

Investigation and Unraveling the Conspiracy

The investigation revealed Bob’s involvement in testifying against colleagues for tax evasion, making him a potential target. However, no immediate suspects emerged until an anonymous tip pointed investigators toward Jim Bernstein, Nicole's boyfriend and a known hitman.

• Jim Bernstein’s Role: Jim, initially a suspect, became intertwined in the case when another hitman was implicated. The plot thickens as it emerges that Mary Ellen hired Jim to eliminate Bob, driven by a desire to secure the life insurance money and maintain her lavish lifestyle ([132:14]).

Mary Ellen Gurnick: The Green Widow

Mary Ellen’s acquittal was heavily influenced by witness testimonies revealing her solicitation of a hitman. The prosecution painted her as selfish and money-hungry, leading to her portrayal as the “Green Widow” due to her association with substantial cash and life insurance money.

• Legal Outcome: Although Mary Ellen was initially sentenced to death, her sentence was later commuted to life without parole in 2019. The court found that her defense counsel had improperly introduced irrelevant character evidence, thus swaying the jury ([145:15]).

Em and Christine’s Reflections

Throughout the narrative, Christine and Em intersperse their discussion with humorous asides and relatable commentary. Em remarks, “This is the story of Robert Bob Samuels and the green Widow. And I wish it were like a fun comic book, but it's not” ([104:18]), while Christine expresses empathetic frustration over the convoluted nature of the case, stating, “It's so confusing” ([128:43]).

Conclusion

Episode E416 offers listeners a blend of personal storytelling and intricate true crime exploration. Em’s recurring tattoo tale provides a window into her personality and relationships, while the harrowing story of Robert Bob Samuels and the Green Widow captivates with its layers of deceit, betrayal, and the quest for justice. Despite the episode's chaotic start, Christine and Em successfully navigate through their discussions, delivering an engaging and thought-provoking experience for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Notable Quotes:

• Em on her tattoo: “I have no doubt. And Rosetta Stone has been trusted for over 30 years with millions of users offering an immersive language learning experience across 25 languages” ([00:21]) (Note: This is part of an advertisement and likely not relevant to the content summary. However, important quotes related to content are included above.)

• Christine apologizing for chaotic energy: “I had to apologize to you before. We both apologized to each other before the recording even began” ([02:10])

• Em on her tattoo pain: “It felt like someone was taking an exacto knife and carving into me” ([09:33])

• Em reflecting on the murder case: “This is the story of Robert Bob Samuels and the green Widow. And I wish it were like a fun comic book, but it's not” ([104:18])

• Em on the convoluted investigation: “So, like, we have all these people, we’re spinning out the heads here” ([128:43])

• Christine on the emotional impact: “I feel like no, no, I don't know.”

Note: Timestamps in this summary correspond to the transcript provided and are used to highlight specific moments within the episode.