Despite being recorded later than we like, and despite one of your friends in podcasting definitely “playing hurt”, this installment certainly proves to be a delight. Much hilarity starts the show, in no small part thanks to an email from a loyal listener like you (yes, YOU!), before Dean and Phil get into a fascinating conversation about the court-approved settlement terms for the merger of Paramount/Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. The “Live Event of the Week” returns, thanks to the launch of Phil’s own monthly stage show! He and Dean discuss, and Phil reveals he busted up his ankle falling down a flight of stairs many weeks back. Dean has begun his homework for the next “Deep Dive” into (neo) noir, and has thoughts about François Truffaut’s 1960 New Wave crime drama Shoot the Piano Player. Finally, since “spooky season” has begun, Phil does an in-depth comparison of John Carpenter’s 1982 The Thing and Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien.

One of the things Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness mean when they call it YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour is that they enjoy discussing the things you want them to talk about! This week’s show is a perfect example, as they share four messages they have received from listeners like you (yes, YOU!) on topics ranging from influential comedians, to a famous London cat, to a music show on Sky TV! They will also follow up on last week’s discussion about the greatest year for movies by discussing the greatest Canadian films of all time! Of course, you can come for the comedy, the camaraderie and the classic cinema, but you’ll stay for the “Celebrity Deaths”. This week, a country rock legend, and one of the greatest all-time film composers get remembered, and a member of the Chillpak family who died way too young will get celebrated as well. All that, plus Dean’s trip to D.C., thoughts on the USA’s relationship with death, and the comedy audio pilot “SleeveTalkers” (which you can enjoy at https://succotash.libsyn.com/succotash-shut-in-epi209-special-presentation-sleevetalkers-pilot) get discussed.