The Expanse’s Wes Chatham & New Zealand Pinot Noir

EPISODE #60

July 18, 2018

What actually happens when a show gets canceled on one network and picked up by another? Does fan outcry actually help an axed show’s chances of finding new life? In this episode, the guys get a front-row seat to Amazon’s decision to save science fiction drama The Expanse after it was canceled in May by SyFy—all told by one of its stars, Wes Chatham. As he helps sample three bottles of New Zealand Pinot Noir, Wes also explains how he got his Hollywood start while in the Navy and what he got up to at an Aerosmith concert in Berlin with Woody Harrelson during their downtime while shooting The Hunger Games sequels.

Manager Ava Jamshidi & Provence Rosé

EPISODE #59

July 3, 2018

What should an aspiring screenwriter do to land their first manager or agent? And what’s expected of them if they’re lucky enough to find representation? In this episode, we sit down with Ava Jamshidi, who has been a rep on both sides of the aisle—as a longtime agent at ICM and currently as a literary manager at Industry Entertainment. As she does her part to help with three bottles of Provence rosé—including the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie-owned Miraval—Ava discusses her transition from agent to manager, how merger mania is changing the face of Hollywood, and why finding a winning idea from a new writer sometimes involves diving into the deepest parts of their notebook.

Entertainment Lawyer Howard Abramson at the LAYN Wine Event

EPISODE #58

June 19, 2018

Drinking free wine is pretty great on its own, but even better when you do it for a good cause. In this episode, Tom and Scott soldier on without an absent Ben as they crash the home of entertainment lawyer Howard Abramson for the L.A. Youth Network wine event supporting local homeless youth. As we sample wines from Chris Blasman of Four Brothers Winery and Geoff Graber of San Se Wines, we talk to Howard about his love of aged wine and how he went from working with Alan Dershowitz at Harvard to being the partner of his own entertainment law firm. We also sit down with LAYN executive director Mark Supper to talk about the organization’s role in shaping young lives in Hollywood.

Writer-Director Greg Pritikin & Oregon Pinot Noir

EPISODE #57

June 5, 2018

Nobody has had a better view of the changes in independent film over the past decade-plus than Greg Pritikin, who began his career by making a $10,000 movie on his credit card, went on to write and direct notable indies like Dummy with Adrien Brody and Milla Jovovich, and has now graduated to Netflix where he has The Last Laugh with Richard Dreyfuss and Andie MacDowell coming out. As he discusses his career and the ups and downs of movie-making, he joins the guys in their second dip into Oregon Pinot Noir. Also joining this episode is director Beth Kochendorfer of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who fills in as co-host for an absent Scott Kay after being one of Hollywood Uncorked’s first guests ever on Episode #5.

Champagne Expert Richard Juhlin & Wines of Effervescence 2018

EPISODE #56

May 23, 2018

What better way to gussy up L.A.’s first sparkling wine event than with the vino-swilling freeloaders from Hollywood Uncorked? In this special live episode, Ben, Scott and Tom broadcast from the Hollywood Avalon during the inaugural Effervescence 2018, featuring champagnes and sparkling wines from across California and the world. As the guys sample the wares of Hillersden and Flying Goat Cellars, they interview the three finalists of Effervescence’s Best Sparkling Somm competition, talk to event organizer Jannika Pettersson about what it takes to pull off a major wine event in the heart of Hollywood, and sit down with top champagne expert Richard Juhlin to discuss how a “photographic” sense of smell led to his career as a professional taster.

Colony's Sarah Wayne Callies & Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

EPISODE #55

May 8, 2018

We at Hollywood Uncorked wrestle with many of life’s conundrums, but we know this: When actress Sarah Wayne Callies invites you to her hotel room to drink French wine and talk about the recently launched third season of her fantastic science-fiction series Colony, you go! As Sarah helps the guys polish three bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, she talks about what she learned about her craft by directing one of the new episodes of Colony (Wednesdays 10/9C on USA), the rollercoaster ride that was playing the controversial Lori Grimes on The Walking Dead, and how getting tight with your show’s crew can be a life-saver when you end up drinking too much apple pie-flavored moonshine at a Georgia roadhouse. (Photo: Isaac Sterling Photography)

TV Writing Team Nora & Lilla Zuckerman and Hot Tub Wines

EPISODE #54

April 24, 2018

Nora & Lilla Zuckerman have carved out an amazing career as a sister writing team for high-concept television dramas like Fringe and Suits, and currently serve as co-executive producers on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC. In this episode, we blend their passion for television with one of their choice hobbies: hot tubs, and specifically the act of drinking wine in them. While swigging three low-cost white wines, the Sisters Zuckerman fill us in on the dynamics of being a sibling writing team, their transition from being book authors to TV scribes, and they indulge our pesky questions about working with Meghan Markle before she left Hollywood to become a real-life princess.

Producer Arvind Ethan David & St.-Estèphe Bordeaux

EPISODE #53

April 10, 2018

How did Arvind Ethan David go from Oxford-educated British lawyer to Hollywood producer? It started when he quit his former law firm the day after being selected for the partner track—and he hasn’t looked back since. Arvind joins us for a hilarious unpacking of his career spanning film, TV and theater—while doing his part on three esteemed bottles of St.-Estephe Bordeaux. Along the way, we get to hear about the cultural fallout of his big-screen British comedy The Infidel, how he got involved with the Netflix series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and how a lunch with Alanis Morisette led to him producing the upcoming musical Jagged Little Pill based on her famous debut album.

Actress Christina Moore & Bourgueil

EPISODE #52

March 27, 2018

Christina Moore has had some diverse chapters in her Hollywood career—from famously replacing the original actress who played Forman’s sister on That ‘70s Show, to being known by kids the world over as the absentee mom on Disney Channel’s Jessie. As she helps the guys get through three bottles of amazing, yet affordable Bourgueil, Christina talks about the things she learned working with Sharon Stone, the fun insanity of being a cast member on MadTV, and her dual role producing and starring alongside Kevin Dillon in the new truck-racing movie, Dirt.

TV Writer Mike Lam & Volcan Tequila

EPISODE #51

March 13, 2018

As Hollywood adapts to shifts multicultural and digital in nature, Mike Lam has a unique view of both as co-creator of the standout Spanish-language Netflix comedy series, Club de Cuervos. About to shoot its fourth season, the show documents the power struggle that ensues when the owner of a fictional Mexican soccer team dies, passing it on to his squabbling son and daughter. On this episode, Mike talks about the serendipitous origins of the show, the unique challenge of translating comedy from English to Spanish (and then back again), and his journey from documentary filmmaking to scripted television. Meanwhile, the panel embraces a shift of its own by taking a wine break to try the blanco and cristalino versions of Moët Hennessy’s new tequila, Volcan.

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