From directing live television in the sixties, to jumping out of airplanes and water-skiing in the MeKong Delta (while serving his country during the Vietnam War), from studying acting under the tutelage of the legendary Sanford Meisner (at the Neighborhood Playhouse), to becoming recognized the world over for his work on stage and screen, Tucker Smallwood has lived an extraordinary life and continues to live life extraordinarily.

Fans of Chillpak Hollywood Hour might recognize Tucker as “Kid Griffin” from The Cotton Club, “The Mission Director” in Contact, “Commander Ross” in Space: Above and Beyond, “the Xindi Primate” in Star Trek: Enterprise, “God” in The Sarah Silverman Program, and “Sheriff Andy Taylor” in “Home”, the most controversial episode of The X-Files.

Born to a father who served the U.S. as a diplomat and an educator, Tucker details some of his own service to country in the book Return to Eden. Commanding a Mobile Advisory Team, becoming severely wounded in action, recovering from his injuries, moving to New York and studying acting, establishing a career as a performer on Broadway, in film and on television, and continuing to explore the mysteries of existence (UFOs! Ghosts! Golf!) are some of the many topics Tucker explores in the book.

Dean and Phil welcome Tucker to the show this week. We can guarantee that you won’t want to miss it!

The holidays are a time for reflection and on this week’s show, Dean and Phil really get into the act … They reflect on the lives of two very different people who died this past week and on the very dramatic influence each individual had on the world of entertainment … They ruminate on some interesting filmmaking questions sent to them by one of our regular listeners … They pontificate on the nature of “honorary” awards in the face of the controversy surrounding the forthcoming Academy Awards honoring of Jerry Lewis … Finally, they set their own personal “Christmas Movie Wish-List” (the movies they know they need to see before compiling their annual Top Ten list). It’s a lot for an hour, but that’s just Dean and Phil. “Give ’til it hurts and then give some more” is their motto. Especially at the holidays!

An action-packed hour if ever there was one! Dean and Phil discuss the reading of Phil’s new screenplay, compare notes on their Thanksgiving adventures, weigh in on the SAG strike authorization vote, preview more than a dozen early December film releases, and discuss the Spirit Award Nominations ( indie film’s “Oscars”). They also send out birthday wishes to Phil’s collaborator on Karl Rove, I Love You, Mr. Dan Butler (”Bulldog” on TV’s “Frasier”), who turns 54 years young today (check out the interview we did with Dan Butler in Chillpak Hollywood Hour #63). And if that weren’t enough, they offer several bits of practical advice for indie filmmakers. And Phil gets spanked.

Phil may be deeply ensconced in the woods of Vermont and Dean may be shooting a movie this week, but neither of those things can keep us from bringing you a brand new show! Long time listeners (like Erynn) have been clamoring for another one of Dean and Phil’s special Top Ten shows. This time, Dean and Phil countdown their all-time favorite comedians … Hundreds of names get mentioned, personal influences and inspirations are revealed and historic context and significance are analyzed. You won’t want to miss it!

Dean and Phil count down their Top 10 favorite television programs of all time. Remember, it’s not what they consider the “best” television of all time. It’s their favorites … and who knew they were both such big fans of “Small Wonder”?!?

This week, Dean and Phil discuss the importance of word-of-mouth in a TV-less world, Golden Globe nominations, why German Sheppard puppy mills can expect a boom, and why filmmakers should “always follow the model of a film that burns in hell”. Truly, the excitement of the season is upon us!

Hey, we’re back, we’re late , that’s how it goes here sometimes. Today, Dean tells tales of ghost hunting on the Queen Mary (spooky), gives us the 411 on his benefit performances, and Phil and Dean ponder whether Dean’s old TV crew, The Lone Gunmen, could be brought back. Enjoy!

Dean, Phil, and their special guest Lily Holleman discuss the booming film industry in the other LA (Shreveport, LA, to be precise). More news on the continuing writers’ strike, plus more good reviews for Phil’s new film “Karl Rove, I Love You”.