A Grand Crew Indeed

What happens when an inordinately talented, dedicated and thoughtful set of writers and performers forge a friendship over wine, in tandem with burgeoning careers in entertainment? Years later, there’s a show based on it. “Grand Crew” is the new comedy on NBC about a group of friends who gather at a wine bar where they work through life’s ups and downs. It is literally art imitating life. And what a life it is! I’ve been lucky enough to have known “Grand Crew” show creator Phil Augusta Jackson for some time, having both frequented the watering hole that started it all: Bar Covell. There are myriad joys of being a Covell devotee , and getting to befriend other regulars like Jackson is part of that. There could be no better place to dig into how “Grand Crew” came to be. Walking into Covell I was pleased as punch (a sangria perhaps?) to see Jackson had rallied two others to contribute to the conversation. Holding court with Jackson from the corner banquette were Carl Tart and Lamar Woods, who act and write on the show. They were, and still are, part of the original Covell crew the show is based on. Seeing the three of them there together was a sight that gladdened my heart. I nabbed a glass of Mourvèdre and settled in get the intel on how their “wine downs” became fodder for a network show. And possibly finished their potatoes whilst doing it but what can I say? Journalism makes me hungry. PS: Them gathering there was not because of me…independently of each other they’d been messaging each other about hanging there that night. And Phil happened to be meeting me there anyway so…wine synergy! PPS: At time of writing this, I’m four episodes in to watching “Grand Crew”. I’m thoroughly invested in the characters. And totally invested in laughing out loud. It’s a beautiful thing. I digress. Their wine hangs origin story harkens back to 2014, when Jackson directed and coached Woods and Tart's improv group The Big Team, formerly known as White Women—a group made up of all Black men. I must tell you; they’re tremendous. Betwixt performing and work, it was the Bar Covell wine sessions that secured the friendship. Granted, none of them were particularly into wine before. But Bar Covell was a welcoming place both to nurture friendship and to develop wine appreciation. “I’d only had wine at work events when I worked in advertising—or like parties that had box wine, so when I got here, and they didn’t have a menu, they’re just like ‘what do you like’…I think we all started to find our way,” Jackson explained. It was a landing spot for them to ground themselves and grow. Woods recounts when he and Jackson were working on major network shows—where a writers’ room could bring the most cheerful person down on a bad day—and “every time I had a rough day in the room, I’d come to Covell, and Phil would get my confidence back up. I’d go back into the room the next day and start killing it.” When Jackson started developing a show with Dan Goor, whom he was working with on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, they’d gather to brainstorm new show ideas, but Jackson’s recounting of Covell gatherings seemed to keep coming up. The intrigue ante was upped said Jackson, as “It takes place at a wine bar. It’s a place you don’t necessarily first think of when you think of a group of Black guys hanging out. So, it seemed like an interesting territory for a show.” I was curious if turning time at Covell into a job enhanced or detracted from their time there, and they universally agreed it only made their time together there more valuable. They still gather there to reflect, and the fact that they are currently reflecting on the show birthed from those gatherings only makes them more special. “To put it plainly, this is the place we come to figure s#@t out. Being a Black person in Hollywood, the support system’s not always there, so once I found these guys…we keep each other accountable,” said Jackson. As someone who’s been in Hollywood for some time, to know artists keeping true to themselves, not jaded, still appreciating the wells they draw from…my goodness I love to see it. So, as they forge forward…what are they drinking now? Woods is into orange wines ; he likes the funky ones, and also, they look good in Instagram pictures he joked/not joking? But he’s also into Prosecco . Syrah and Malbec are Tart’s current favorites. Plus, he’s a member at Tolosa Winery , and particularly into their “Salaal” blend. Jackson is drinking Theopolis Petite Sirah , which you’ll see featured on the show as he made a point to feature Black winemakers. It’s now one of his favorite wines. In addition, he’s excited about a Mexican natural wine, Bichi , as well as being into Gibbs Cabernet . Whatever they drink and do next, I look forward to seeing. They do in fact make a grand crew. Oh! Last thing, “Grand Crew” airs Tuesdays on NBC, of if you are me and lack proper tv, airs on Hulu the following day. Pour some natty orange wine and get into it! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Want to read more from Ellen? Check out her recent articles: Resolutionary Wine Lit Wine Perfect Pie Pairings Samhain Sips Goth Rosé You can also listen to Ellen's podcast , The Wine Situation here . Check out her recent transcripts of the Final Five questions: Wine Situation Final Five! With John Taylor Wine Situation Final Five! With Anush O’Connor