Philip Newby was an incredibly gifted actor-writer-performer, and the first guest Dean and Phil ever welcomed to Chillpak Hollywood Hour (27 August 2007, episode #17, back when we were still “From the Heart of Hollywood”). Philip killed himself this past week. Phil and Dean share memories of their friend and try to put this deeply felt loss into some sort of perspective.

Always grateful for the feedback from their listeners, Dean and Phil share some thoughts about their film Spectres sent to them by loyal listener Erynn and answer a couple of filmmaking-related questions and The Sicilian. Finally, Dean and Phil go over the Academy Award nominations with a fine-tooth comb.

It’s Martin Luther King Day – a holiday for most, but not for Dean and Phil, who pack even more into an hour (plus) than usual! From discussing the legacies of the dearly departed Patrick McGoohan and Ricardo Montalban, to answering the screenwriting questions of their loyal listener the Venerable Pooh, to filling out their Screen Actors Guild Awards ballots on the air, there’s something for everyone in this week’s show.

Phil just got back from rubbing elbows with the D.C. social set. Dean stayed in town and hit a Hollywood party and hit it hard based on the stories he shares (Fran Drescher? Poop? Three bottles of champagne?). In addition to comparing notes on their holiday hijinx, Dean and Phil discuss the many films they’ve seen during the past two weeks. Phil saw several foreign language films, including a couple of fantastic ones you won’t want to miss. Dean reveals he saw The Spirit. This makes Phil very angry. Truth be told, though, from the Screen Actors Guild to Proposition 8, from people not knowing history to Dean’s viewing habits, Phil really comes out swinging … The boys are back and 2009 can finally begin!