I'll watch Stanley Tucci do (almost) anything -- Vine Talk debuts in April

"Unfiltered," the Wine Spectator's news blog, tells us that PBS will launch a wine-themed talk show called Vine Talk in April, to be hosted by Stanley Tucci. The concept seems to invite the quizzically raised eyebrow and the prediction of rough sledding, but then there's this. If talk shows can revolve around politics, orchestrated family drama, plain pandamonium, celebrity gossip, or just not much at all -- The View, gawdhelpus -- then why not a fine actor and a few chef- or filmdom-guests, plus the audience, sitting, tasting, and discussing wine? "Unfiltered" sums it up:

After PBS’ long and unsuccessful attempt at getting reality-television contest The Winemakers off the ground, [mem: this is where we met author Mark Oldman, of Brave New World of Wine fame] Unfiltered is happy to announce that the good people at public television are giving wine-themed programming another try, albeit in a much different (and hopefully more popular) format. Vine Talk, with actor Stanley Tucci serving as the show’s host and moderator, will be a blend of roundtable chat show and wine tasting. Tucci and his guests—a mix of celebrity actors and chefs as well as wine experts—will exchange thoughts and stories connected with the world of wine, with each episode featuring six wines from a specific region or common grape variety that will serve as the evening’s discussion points. Members of the studio audience will taste the wines as well and a “top wine” will be selected at the end of each episode.

I'm in. There was no one more fun than Stanley Tucci in Julie & Julia, unless it was Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada. Who knew that he was one of the brothers in Big Night, also about food? Check local listings for details.

More:
VineTalk.com
Time Out New York
Wine Miles
East Coast Wineries (blog)