Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
Starburns Audio
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 23, 2023 • 1h 39min
GGACP Classic: Steven Van Zandt
GGACP celebrates the birthday of actor, musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steven Van Zandt (b. November 22) by revisiting this fun, freewheeling conversation from 2020. In this episode, Steven talks about beloved kiddie show hosts, the glory days of Top 40 radio, the mystique of gangster movies, the Beatles' impact on popular culture and the Rat Pack's "connection" to the E Street Band. Also, Darlene Love mounts a comeback, Little Richard officiates a wedding, Ol' Blue Eyes covers Simon & Garfunkel and Steven remembers his dear friend James Gandolfini. PLUS: The Singing Nun! "Angels with Dirty Faces"! The genius of William Castle! "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine"! And Gilbert and Steven pay tribute to "The Nutty Professor"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 13min
Dick Cavett LIVE @ 2016 NYC Podfest Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday of legendary comic, author and talk show host Dick Cavett (b. November 18th) by presenting this ENCORE of a special live episode recorded at the 2016 NYC Podfest. In this episode, Dick weighs in on a host of topics, including World War II propaganda, John Cassavetes’ boozing, the lost “Tonight Show” episodes and the rapier wit of Pat McCormick. Also, Dick chats up Zeppo (and Gummo!), Groucho proposes to Truman Capote, Jack Benny gets the last word and a young Dick meets his idol, Bob Hope. PLUS: Robert Q. Lewis! Claude Rains trivia! Remembering Sig Ruman! Gilbert and Dick share a milkshake! And George Jessel weighs in on Uncle Miltie’s manhood! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 26min
GGACP Classic: Amazing Colossal Musical Moments (2014-2020)
GGACP continues its salute to November's American Music Month by revisiting producer/engineer's John Murray's compilation of the podcast's best musical moments from 2014-2020. In this episode: live performances by Neil Sedaka, Dennis DeYoung, Kenny Loggins, Tommy James, Mark Hudson and Tony Orlando (among others). Also: Anne Murray covers “Danny’s Song,” Uncle Junior interprets Yip Harburg, Rupert Holmes (almost) pays tribute to Humphrey Bogart, and Charles Fox composes the soundtrack of 1970s television. PLUS: John Davidson looks ahead! The Shondells go psychedelic! The legend of Morris Levy! Goldie Hawn falls for a Hudson Brother! And the Brill Building sound inspires the British Invasion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 38min
Rupert Holmes Encore
GGACP celebrates November's American Music Month by presenting this ENCORE of a 2017 conversation with singer, songwriter, record producer and man of a thousand talents Rupert Holmes. In this episode, Rupert joins Gilbert and Frank to discuss the lost art of “story songs,” the visual splendor of Hammer films, the mimicry gifts of Peter Bogdanovich and the unsung musicianship of the Wrecking Crew. Also, Rupert breaks bread with Groucho (and Frank Capra!), pens tunes for Barbra Streisand, joins forces with Jerry Lewis and reveals the origin of “The Pina Colada Song.” PLUS: “The Indestructible Man”! The magic of Orson Welles! Gene Pitney makes a note! Darren McGavin takes a steam! And Rupert hangs with the Jackson 5! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 37min
GGACP Classic: Kliph Nesteroff
GGACP marks Native American Heritage Month by revisiting this interview with historian and New York Times bestselling author Kliph Nesteroff, who discusses his 2021 book about Native Americans and comedy, "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem." In this episode, Kliph talks about banned cartoons, politically incorrect mascots, the pioneering comedy of Charlie Hill and the history of Hollywood stereotypes. Also, Buddy Hackett pulls a knife, Howard Hawks disses Rowan & Martin, Peter Sellers sends up Charlie Chan and Frank Sinatra's goons rough up Shecky Greene. PLUS: Allen & Rossi! "Go Go Gophers"! Alan Hale's Lobster Barrel! Jack Carter feuds with Al Jolson! And "F-Troop" rips off a Redd Foxx routine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 27min
Peter Noone Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday (November 5th) of pop singer, radio host and British Invasion icon Peter Noone with this ENCORE of an episode from 2020. In this episode, Peter joins the boys for a loose and laugh-filled conversation about rock and roll excess, the birth of the Beatles, entertaining the Queen Mum and rubbing shoulders with Bob Dylan, Keith Moon and Elvis Presley (among others). Also, Alice Cooper climbs the charts, Keith Richards lays down the law, Imelda Marcos requests a tune and Herman's Hermits perform "If I Were a Rich Man." PLUS: "The Pirates of Penzance"! Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders! Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars! The genius of Mickie Most! And Gilbert "sings" "I'm Into Something Good"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 2, 2023 • 1h 41min
GGACP Classic: Illeana Douglas
GGACP celebrates the recent release of Illeana Douglas' book, "Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia" by revisiting this 2016 interview with the actress/film historian. In this episode, Illeana shares entertaining anecdotes about everyone from Marlon Brando to Peter Sellers to former beau Martin Scorsese. Also, Rudy Vallee soaks up applause, Melvyn Douglas dispenses advice, Robert De Niro watches the Three Stooges and Illeana mourns the loss of drive-in theaters. PLUS: Shelley Winters drops names! Buddy Hackett cops a feel! Illeana impersonates Richard Dreyfuss! Richard Dreyfuss impersonates Spencer Tracy! And Joe Pesci roughs up Don Rickles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 43min
Boris Karloff Tribute Show with Ron MacCloskey, Gregory Mank and Sara Karloff Encore
GGACP officially ushers in Halloween 2023 with this ENCORE of a fascinating panel discussion about the life and career of screen legend Boris Karloff. In this episode, the boys welcome writer-producer Ron MacCloskey, author-historian Gregory Mank and entrepreneur Sara Karloff for a celebration of all things Boris as well as a look at the 2021 documentary, “Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster.” Also: Bela Lugosi plays matchmaker, Colin Clive battles demons, James Whale abuses his power and Karloff predicts stardom for Jack Nicholson! PLUS: “The Girl from Uncle”! The shadowy cinema of Val Lewton! Gregory meets The Bride of Frankenstein! Sara shuns “The Black Cat”! And Boris helps found the Screen Actors Guild! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 26, 2023 • 41min
GGACP Classic: The Worst Dracula Movies Ever Made
GGACP's celebration of Halloween season continues with a repost of this memorable mini-episode from 2018 as Gilbert, Frank (and Raybone!) drive a stake through the hearts of the most dismal and deplorable Dracula movies to ever sully the silver screen. In this episode: Jose’ Ferrer cashes a check, Cesar Romero dodges a bullet, Hedda Hopper meets the Count and Bela Lugosi meets Sammy Petrillo! PLUS: "The Nude Bomb"! "Get Christie Love"! "The longest kiss never filmed!" And Brother Theodore teams with Yvonne De Carlo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 23, 2023 • 38min
The Worst Frankenstein Movies Ever Made Encore
GGACP celebrates spooky season with this ENCORE of an entertaining mini-episode from 2018 as Gilbert and Frank run down (literally) the saddest and sorriest Frankenstein flicks ever to befoul the big screen. Also, Boris Karloff pays the rent, James Karen goes to Puerto Rico, Gilbert meets Samuel Z. Arkoff and James Lipton “interviews” Lon Chaney Jr. PLUS: Zsa Zsa Gabor! William “One Shot” Beaudine! A special appearance by Harold Lloyd Jr! And the mysterious death of Al Adamson! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
