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!

A year ago, in one of their most popular shows to date, Dean and Phil combined high-stakes gambling with a ruthless appraisal of the Oscars, which had taken place the night before. 52 weeks later and it’s finally here again, Chillpak Hollywood Hour’s post-Oscar throwdown/showdown! The scathing commentary! The ugly truths! The tense competition as Dean and Phil’s Oscar predictions are revealed category by category! Listen and learn who will win the $20 office Oscar pool!

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!

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!

Dean is back from the Eco Gift Fest with some rather sad news about the state of “Green” commerce in the face of the current “economic downturn.” That downturn isn’t keeping people away from movie theatres and Dean and Phil analyze the latest box office returns. They also get into some filmmaking nitty-gritty, discussing the importance of tone, as well as the art and business of choosing roles as an actor. Finally, they discuss a wide range of films, including a few you really need to check out! Sure, it sounds dull, but for some strange reason, it’s one of our funniest shows ever.

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.

Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness are live from the set of Rough Hustle, a feature film co-starring Dean. They interview the writer-director, the executive producer and they discuss the joys of ’80’s video game Galaga!

 

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!