CHILLPAK HOLLYWOOD HOUR

Even though the Emmy Awards celebrating Television took place last night, your friends in podcasting spend the entire hour (and ten minutes) talking movies. First, they start by celebrating the life and career of the singular Harry Dean Stanton. Then, they discuss misogyny and sexual assault in the movie exhibition business. Finally, Dean and Phil tackle a wide range of cinematic endeavors, including two surrealist (absurdist?) classics by Luis Bunuel, a late classic western by Sam Peckinpah, an all-star war film from the 1970's, the restored director's cut of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and an Alfred Hitchcock comedy. Pass the popcorn - We're talking movies!

This week, your friends in podcasting bring you a truly epic 70 minute installment that opens with Phil holding court about spoiler alerts, time travel, dream logic and more as he discusses both "The Prisoner" on its 50th Anniversary and "Twin Peaks: The Return" in the wake of its brilliant finale. He even explains "what happened to Audrey!" Then Dean joins Phil to update us on the Sydney Hilarium, his pop-up comedy club, and to celebrate the lives of a former child star, the creator of McGruff the Crime Dog, one-half of Steely Dan, and the "gentle giant" of country music. After that, they follow up on their previous discussion about monuments and statues thanks to an email from a listener like you (well, maybe not EXACTLY like you, unless you created the normal theme song for the show). Then, a fascinating, possible "Lawsuit of the Week" surrounding a reboot of the 1980's television series "Amazing Stories" comes our way courtesy of frequent contributor Stephen Fowler. Finally, Dean and Phil roll up their sleeves and dig into more than a dozen movies, including comedies from the 1930's, sci-fi films from the 1960's and five 2017 releases. Great TV, many genres of films, musical surprises, and several big laughs. In other words, YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour.

The finale of "Twin Peaks: The Return" coincides with the launch of Dean's new comedy pop-up, the Hilarium Sydney. So it's a (spoiler free!) show full of heartfelt farewells and hearty hellos this week ... Your friends in podcasting say "so long" to TV's Oscar Goldman (the great Richard Anderson, who once was a guest on this very podcast - episode 277), to the Tony-winning author of The Elephant Man, to legendary comedian and actor Shelly Berman, and to the awfully darn sweet man behind perhaps the most terrifying film of all time! Then, Dean and Phil say "hello" to two loyal listeners who wrote in with questions, one about a filmmaking colleague, the other about Civil War-era movies. The Civil War and Reconstruction have very much been on Phil's mind as both a storyteller and as an American, and he and Dean and have been looking for the right opportunity to dig into the topic. Along the way, they also discuss a handful of classic films, the "global weirding" of the weather in the USA, and more!

Dean's back in Sydney, Australia, Phil is back from The Magic Castle in Hollywood, and they embark on a fast-paced 67 minute odyssey into the realms of magic, comedy, art, classical music, vintage cars, vintage music boxes and much more ... Jerry Lewis, Mozart, Houdini, Valentino and Gershwin are just some of the big names that get discussed. There are 7 lives celebrated in "Celebrity Deaths". There are multiple "Live Events of the Week". There are full details about Dean's return to (season 11 of) "The X-Files". Are The Lone Gunmen really back? Or do they appear in a flashback or hallucination or dream sequence or the like? Who wrote and directed the episode Dean shot this week? All these questions are answered by Dean. YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour. Buckle up. Enjoy. And share with someone you love ...

One thing is certainly true about your friends in podcasting - "They do talking!" It's an inside joke (for now), explained on this week's episode of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour ... Dean and Phil discuss the forthcoming revivals of two beloved shows, the sitcom "Will & Grace" and a certain show about FBI agents investigating the paranormal ... And speaking of "The X-Files", why exactly IS Dean in Vancouver this week'? What is he doing there? Find out! Also, hear Dean and Phil dive into a free-wheeling conversation inspired by last week's events in Charlottesville, a conversation that tackles freedom of speech, violence, personal responsibility, hate groups, leadership, the blame game, the fool-proof way to find out if President Trump is factually wrong, and the good things to come out of the Trump presidency (thus far). All that, plus a porn actor-turned character actor-turned politician, the "highest paid entertainer in Britain", and a legendary stand-up comic and activist are all remembered in "Celebrity Deaths".

In many ways, this week's show is a sequel to last week's episode #534, with the promised celebration of Jeanne Moreau's life and career, an email from a listener about Tom Jones' "The Young New Mexican Puppeteer" and more from the British Film Institute List of "the 50 films you should see by the age of 14". Unlike most sequels, however, this show is even more irreverent, insightful and informative than last week's! The festivities commence with a clip of Dean on Australian television telling a (bestiality?) joke, and then after a special opening (a tribute to Glen Campbell), Dean comes out guns blazing, ranting about the internet speeds of his adopted land. After Phil calms him down, they discuss the news of David Letterman's new show, they urge people to save the Salem Cinema (a jewel of the Pacific Northwest), they talk about an interview they did with the late Jim Marrs and they continue their discussion about the "death of discernment", this time focusing on an appalling memo crafted by a then member of the National Security Council. From there, it's onto "Celebrity Deaths", where, in addition to the Femme Fatale of the French New Wave and Glen Campbell, your friends in podcasting remember a Tony-winning star of Broadway's "The Music Man", the star of an early television western series turned right-wing anti-government activist, and the man inside the Godzilla costume. Finally, Dean and Phil discuss a 1982 Australian western, a 1954 western that influenced the likes of Sergio Leone and Sam Peckinpah, the original King Kong, and the Will Rogers comedy Life Begins at 40.

If what we read is true, your friends in podcasting are on a roll, and the quality conversation continues this week as Dean and Phil convene via Skype to share news of Dean's new "pop-up" comedy club and upcoming displays of his art work, and to dissect two strange conversations Phil witnessed this past week (one in which he was a perplexed participant). A quite touching email from a listener like you (yes, YOU) is read, and that leads into a rather fascinating discussion about Christopher Nolan's latest opus, Dunkirk, a new directorial effort from the writer of both Hell or High Water and Sicario (two of the best movies of this decade), Wind River. Many other movies will get discussed, including one starring the late Martin Landau and the classic by François Truffaut, The 400 Blows. This begins what will be an ongoing analysis of the list of the 50 films everyone should see before they are 14 years of age! A week after remembering a character actor and a legendary voice performer in "Celebrity Deaths", your friends in podcasting celebrate the lives (and mourn the deaths of) a Tony-Winning and Oscar-nominated playwright-actor, a sketch comic turned voice performer, a cast member of several Harry Potter movies, and an award-winning theatre actress. All that, PLUS your usual weekly dose of insight, irreverence and inspiration on YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour. Spread the word!

On this week's show, Dean Haglund is back home in Sydney, Australia, and Phil Leirness is safely ensconced in his beloved Los Feliz, Los Angeles neighborhood. They come together through the magic of podcasting (armed with that old "skype hiss") to discuss: Dean's travels, and birthday; Phil's final (?) interview for part 2 of "The Truth is Out There", the latest episode of his "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" podcast, and the life and legacy of Will Rogers; The lives and careers of a beloved character actor and a peerless voice performer; the films of Alfred Hitchcock and Clint Eastwood, a silent classic, and such recent releases as Spider-Man Homecoming and War for the Planet of the Apes; All that, plus what Dean and Phil are reading!

With Dean Haglund still in Los Angeles, he and his friend in podcasting, Phil Leirness, bring you one of their shortest, most hilarious episodes in years. It's also, occasionally, tough to hear (because of wind). Stick with it, though, as Dean and Phil come at you from the world famous Hollywood Bowl, from the streets of downtown Los Angeles, from Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale (where people are dying to get in) and even from the middle of a tense action movie! Full of "merry daring-do", you won't want to miss a moment of one of our most unusual shows ever!

Recorded on location at the Fine Arts Building in downtown Los Angeles, the rooftop bar atop the Ace Hotel (which was once the United Artists building), and Paramount Ranch (site of numerous movies and television shows), this week's episode boasts no less than six guests, discussing such a wide variety of topics as Dean's solo art show, the history of Los Angeles and the movie industry, "Twin Peaks: The Return", PBS, books, crime novels, theatre, fringe festival productions, stand-up and improv comedy, silent movies, and, oh yeah, George A. Romero and Martin Landau are remembered in "Celebrity Deaths." Sure, there are occasional audio problems caused by live jazz trios, rooftop wind, loud dance music, and liquor, but there truly is something for everyone on this week's installment of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour!

Your friends in podcasting open this week's show by discussing whether California will cease to change their clocks back and forward in Fall in and Spring. They then leap into discussing movies, continuing last week's conversations about Okja and The Beguiled, while also discussing the Clint Eastwood western Pale Rider and the 1930's Hitchcock thrillers The Man Who Knew Too Much and The 39 Steps.. This week In "Celebrity Deaths" Dean and Phil remember past guest Stephen Furst (episode #124) and esteemed British film critic and journalist Barry Norman. They then continue to discuss current TV as they weigh the merits of the recently completed seasons of "Silicon Valley", "Portlandia" and "Fargo". They also venture into the business side of being an actor, as they discuss the 11th hour deal struck between SAG-AFTRA and the Producers, thereby avoiding a strike, AND they will discuss the upcoming union election and how nasty it is already becoming. Finally, in "Live Event of the Week", Dean previews his solo art show taking place THIS WEEK in Los Angeles! Join us for that special event, won't you?

It's been a while since your friends in podcasting dedicated a whole episode to discussing movies and TV ... Dean and Phil begin the festivities with an excellent email from a listener like you (yes, YOU) that follows up on last week's discussion of both Adam West and Roger Moore. From there, they turn their attention to current television - Season 4 of "The Blacklist", Season 6 of "Veep" - and Season 1 of "Twin Peaks". Then, the final half of the show is dedicated to movies and movie distribution, with such current releases as Alien: Covenant, OKJA, Wonder Woman, The Beguiled and Baby Driver, and recent sci-fi films Passengers, Arrival and Dr. Strange getting discussed. What also gets analyzed (and ranted about) is the need for unique distribution methodologies for each film being released.

After several weeks, order is restored in the world of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour, as Dean Haglund is back in Australia and Phil Leirness is back in Los Angeles. There is much for your friends in podcasting to catch up on, including remembrances of Roger Moore and Adam West, a trip to the Museum of Neon Art, a description of the best play on Broadway, Dean's travel adventures, the details on his upcoming art show, and an email from a listener like no other about the lightning and thunder sounds heard on last week's show, which leads into several bizarre and even scary tales.

Next week, your friends in podcasting will be back doing what they do best, trying to make sense of the world through insight, inspiration and irreverence. Because they are both still on the road, however, THIS week's episode is another aural pastiche ... Lily Holleman joins Phil to discuss Route 66, her new movie, the return of "Twin Peaks" and what it was like to befriend The Lone Gunmen in Dallas. And speaking of The Lone Gunmen (in Dallas), the 2nd half of the show is a panel discussion, where Dean, Tom and Bruce answer questions from a moderator and from an audience.

This week's episode spans some serious ground both thematically and geographically. In the USA's capital, Phil Leirness recorded a very special (and hilarious) opening, before traveling to Baltimore to interview great friend of the show Page Branson, an artist, illustrator and podcast host. Then, it's off to Brooklyn for a chat with the writer/performer of more than one Chillpak Hollywood Hour theme song, Mr. Jon Lawlor. Then, it's back to Dallas for some improv comedy courtesy of your friend in podcasting, Mr. Dean Haglund.