
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried, a man Stephen King once called “a national treasure,” talks with the show business legends, icons and behind-the-scenes talents who shaped his childhood and influenced his comedy. Along with co-host and fellow pop culture fanatic Frank Santopadre, Gilbert is joined by comics, actors, musicians, talk show hosts, writers and other eyewitnesses to Hollywood history, including Bruce Dern, Chevy Chase, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Adam West, Steve Buscemi, Micky Dolenz, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow and DOZENS more, for a funny, frenetic, fly-on-the-wall look at showbiz then and now (but mostly then.) Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast was named "Best Podcast of 2015" by the Village Voice and one of iTunes' "Best of 2014." It has been featured in Rolling Stone, Wired and the Los Angeles Times.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 8min
Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin Part 1 Encore
GGACP celebrates National Couples Appreciation Month with this ENCORE of the first of a 2-part interview featuring celebrated actors and longtime Hollywood couple Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss. In this episode, Richard and Paula talk about their seven-decade careers in front of (and behind) the camera, co-starring in a groundbreaking sitcom, co-hosting “Saturday Night Live,” meeting Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton and working with legendary directors Howard Hawks, Mike Nichols and Billy Wilder. Also, Jack Cassidy plays a superhero, Jack Benny exits “The Sunshine Boys,” Paula shares the stage with Hope and Crosby and Richard teams Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood. PLUS: Uncle Goopy! “Goodbye, Columbus”! Remembering Jim Hutton! Walter Matthau plays the ponies! And Richard and Paula gush over Gilbert’s James Mason impression! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 38min
GGACP Classic: Jackie Martling and Billy West
GGACP salutes National Humor Month AND celebrates the birthday of voice actor Billy West (b. April 16) by revisiting this fan favorite interview with Billy and comedian -- and former "Howard Stern Show" colleague -- Jackie Martling. In this episode, the boys discuss the cinema of George Pal, the versatility of Paul Frees, the uniqueness of Peter Sellers and the enduring legend of Joe Franklin. Also, Jonathan Winters disses Don Adams, Jack Carter guests on “Ren & Stimpy,” Billy meets The Man from Uncle and Jackie weighs in on the Gilbert-Shecky Greene clash. PLUS: “Shock Theater”! “7 Faces of Dr. Lao”! The return of the Jackie puppet! Curly Howard takes a bullet! And George Jessel duets with…George Jessel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 48min
Brad Garrett Encore
GGACP celebrates April's National Humor Month AND the birthday of comedian and Emmy-winning actor Brad Garrett (b. April 14) by presenting this ENCORE of one of the funniest interviews in the podcast's archive. In this episode, Brad talks about the camaraderie of Golden Age comedians, the strange appeal of the “Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts,” the comedic genius of Martin Mull and Fred Willard and the challenges of portraying his longtime hero, Jackie Gleason. Also, Sammy buys a soda, Liza sheds a tear, Gilbert plays the sitcom neighbor-from-Hell and Brad opens for the Chairman of the Board. PLUS: “Fargo”! Art Fern! In praise of Mr. Warmth! The generosity of…Jack Carter? The comedy stylings of “Greg Barrett”! And Brad remembers the late, great Peter Boyle! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 32min
GGACP Classic: Kliph Nesteroff
GGACP celebrates April's National Humor Month by revisiting one of the funniest mini-episodes in the archive as pop culture historian Kliph and illustrator Drew Friedman join the boys to cover discuss the dark secrets of vaudeville, the tragic childhood of Eddie Cantor, the phenomenon of Martin & Lewis and the strange death of “Parkyakarkus.” Also, Bob Hope dons blackface, Jack Benny swipes his stage name, Don Knotts sends up Hugh Hefner and the mob releases a comedy album. PLUS: Batman & Rubin! “The Baileys of Balboa”! Rodney Dangerfield vs. the feds! Aunt Esther goes electric! And the angriest man in show business! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 7, 2025 • 32min
"Stump the Hosts!" with Kevin Dougherty and Drew Friedman Encore
GGACP marks the recent L.A. screening of Drew Friedman and Kevin Dougherty's documentary "Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt" with this ENCORE of an entertaining 2017 mini-episode as Kevin attempts to stump Gilbert, Frank AND Drew with podcast guest-related trivia. Also in this episode: Gilbert bombs in New Delhi, Jerry Lewis remakes "The Jazz Singer," Anthony Newley headlines an excruciating comedy and “Harvey Korman” appears on GGACP. PLUS: Rummy Bishop! The REAL Fred Flintstone! Drew critiques “How to Murder Your Wife"! And Kevin recalls the invention of the glass top coffee table! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 28min
GGACP Classic: Dennis Muren
To celebrate National Film Score Day, Gilbert and Frank are joined by Oscar-winning composer and guest co-host Michael Giacchino for a chat with one of Michael's childhood heroes, Academy Award-winning special effects artist (and GGACP fan!) Dennis Muren. In this episode, Dennis praises the artistry of stop-motion animation, looks back on the early days of Industrial Light & Magic and shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of modern classics “E.T.,” “Jurassic Park” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” Also, Marlon Brando ages gracefully, Irwin Allen breaks up the Marx Brothers, Michael gets nostalgic for the “Temple of Doom” mine car sequence and Dennis remembers longtime friends Forrest Ackerman and Ray Harryhausen. PLUS: “Flesh Gordon”! The magic of Willis O’Brien! “Casablanca” in 3-D! And Bob Burns recreates “The Exorcist”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 31, 2025 • 2h 2min
Henry Gross and Roger Cook Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday of Brooklyn-born songwriter-recording artist Henry Gross (“Shannon”) with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with Henry and British-born singer-songwriter Roger Cook (“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress”). In this episode, Henry and Roger share tales from their seven decades in the music business and talk about playing mob-owned joints, forming doo-wop groups, opening for the Beatles (and Benny Hill!), being inspired by Jimi Hendrix and hearing their songs on the radio for the first time. Also, Casey Kasem blows his cool, George Martin teams with Peter Sellers, Henry becomes the youngest artist to perform at Woodstock and Roger writes a jingle that becomes a worldwide sensation. PLUS: Sha Na Na! “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman”! The comedy of Jackie Vernon! Steve Coogan sends up Blue Mink! And Henry and Roger remember the late, great John Prine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 27, 2025 • 32min
GGACP Classic: Dara's Mom's Record Collection
GGACP closes out its celebration of March's Women's History Month by revisiting this hilarious mini-episode from 2019 as Dara tries to stump the boys by dusting off records from her mom's record collection: This week: J. Fred Muggs! “Blackboard Jungle”! The brilliance of Charles Fox! Krusty the Clown sings! Al Jolson gets serviced! And the gang bids a fond farewell to Doris Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 24, 2025 • 41min
Dara's CD Collection Encore
GGACP's Women's History Month celebration continues with this encore of a thoroughly enjoyable mini-episode from 2019 as Dara challenges Gilbert, Frank and Paul to "name that tune" from her personal CD collection. This week: The Jewish Elvis! The Divine Miss M! Cole Porter goes west! The cinema of Art Garfunkel! And Pat Benatar plays “Catch a Rising Star”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 25min
GGACP Classic: Doug Benson
ABC's "Mr. Belvedere" premiered 40 years ago this month and in this memorable conversation, comedian, movie obsessive and podcaster Doug Benson (“Doug Loves Movies”) finally reveals the sordid "truth" about the infamous on-set mishap. Also in this episode, Doug and the boys talk about bad sequels, booking dream guests, breaking into the business and the perils of meeting Hollywood heroes. Also, Harry Dean Stanton shuts it down, Doug messes with Harrison Ford, Peter Falk reunites with Alan Arkin and Gilbert (once again) rags on Ferris Bueller. PLUS: Foster Brooks! “Captain EO”! In praise of Alexander Payne! The Three Stooges in 3-D! And “The Curse of the Pink Panther!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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