Harry here... Rod Steiger once told me that if I got between him and the camera he'd shove this lunch can so far up my ass I'd be spitting cans for a week. Rod rules! Here's Quint....

Ahoy there, squirts! 'Tis I, everybody's favorite channel-surfing seaman, Quint, here with a little look at tonight's Dinner for Five, IFC's cool new roundtable discussion show.

Tonight's show features (as always) Jon Favreau as host to special guests Ron Livingston (of Swingers and Office Space fame), Sarah Silverman (of SNL and MR. Show fame), Kevin Pollack (of The Usual Suspects) and Rod Steiger (if you don't know... ::sigh:: On the Waterfront, Dr. Zhivago, Mars Attacks, etc). They're eating at Saddle Peak (Los Angeles).

This dynamic works the best for the show. You have 4 very funny people and you have someone like Steiger, an icon from film's golden years. The show is still funny, but every time Steiger talks everyone is silent. There is no waiting for a pause to jump in and grab the spotlight, no interruptions. Only pure respect and Steiger deserves it. He's a commanding presence, especially when telling stories of his role in On The Waterfront and working with Brando which was a "bad time."

Steiger is the man in this episode. As a joke, Sarah Silverman throws out, "Let's talk about our first homosexual experience!" and Steiger doesn't hesitate! He has one and he tells his story!

Then you have Kevin Pollack whose Christopher Walken imitation is one of the best and funniest around (Jay Mohr aside). "Frankenstein never scared me," Pollack says in his best Walken. "Marsupials do!"

There's lots more funny stuff in this episode. Ron Livingston talks about grabbing Dolly Parton's ass (in his first movie role, Straight Talk), Kevin Pollack talks about how he's remembered as "The Littlest Suspect," then goes on to do a spot on Alan Arkin impression, Sarah Silverman talks about the controversy surrounding her saying "Chink" on Conan O'Brien and Steiger interrupts one of Pollack's jokes by loudly stirring his drink. What more could you ask for?

I've seen 5 of these episodes and I can tell you that this is by far my favorite one. If you haven't watched Dinner For Five yet or were disappointed by an early show... catch this one. There hasn't been one show I've seen that I haven't liked, but tonight's episode is by far the best example of the great chemistry and personality clashes that this format of television can demonstrate. It's a lot of fun, Steiger's stories are fascinating and Pollack does enough impressions to satisfy anybody.

That's it, folks. I can't give away the best jokes and stories. Why would you want to watch the show if I ruin it for you? I hope I've given you folks a glimpse of what tonight's show is. Don't miss it. Stay tuned next week for Daryl Hannah, Andy Dick and Marilyn Manson. I'll fill you in on that one next weekend. 'Til then, this is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu.

-Quint

email: aicnquint@aol.com