

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

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 34min
GGACP Classic: Treat Williams
GGACP celebrates the life and career of our friend, the late actor, writer and cinephile Treat Williams by revisiting this interview from 2019. In this memorable episode, Treat looks back at his 45 years in film, his admiration for Frank Capra and William Wyler, his love of old movie theaters and his memories of working with legendary directors Milos Forman, Sergio Leone and Steven Spielberg. Also, Vincent Price disses Alan Thicke, John Belushi auditions for "Hair," Gilbert hangs with Katharine Hepburn and Treat cameos in "The Empire Strikes Back"! PLUS: "The Phantom"! Praising Bob Balaban! The mastery of Sidney Lumet! Gene Hackman cuts to the check! And Treat remembers James Cagney, Martin Landau and Orson Welles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023 • 1h 30min
Chip Kidd Encore
GGACP marks the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg, Michael Crichton and David Koepp's "Jurassic Park" (released June 11, 1993) with this ENCORE presentation of an interview with the creator of the original "JP" logo/art, award-winning designer and pop culture historian Chip Kidd. In this episode, Chip joins Gilbert and Frank for a lively (and educational!) conversation about classic movie posters, Jewish comic book creators, the convoluted history of Captain Marvel and the 80th anniversary of the Caped Crusader. Also, King Kong goes to Japan, Andrew Wyeth inspires Charles Schulz, Gilbert plays a Superman villain andSaul Bass directs the "Psycho" shower scene. PLUS: Tobor the 8th Man! Batman vs. Godzilla! In praise of Alex Ross! The Hulk shreds his pants! And the strange death of Jack Cole! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 8, 2023 • 1h 21min
GGACP Classic: Pat Cooper
GGACP pays tribute to the late, legendary comedian Pat Cooper by revisiting this memorable interview from 2016. In this episode, Pat sounds off on a variety of interesting topics, including the mob's influence on showbiz, the difference between Jewish and Italian comics, the popularity of Jimmy Durante and the self-importance of Ed Sullivan. Also, Pat disses Paul Anka, praises Alan King, turns down Martin Scorsese and clashes with the Chairman of the Board. PLUS: Joe DiMaggio! Lola Falana! Robert De Niro roasts Don Rickles! Shirley MacLaine bombs at Caesar's! And Pat tries to make a baby laugh! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023 • 1h 48min
Mark Harris Encore
GGACP celebrates Pride Month with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with New York Times bestselling author, journalist and entertainment historian Mark Harris. In this episode, Mark joins Gilbert and Frank for a fascinating and informative conversation about his critically-acclaimed Mike Nichols biography ("Mike Nichols: A Life"), as well as his thoroughly-researched books, "Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War" and "Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood"). Also: Mel Blanc teams with Dr. Seuss, Bob Dylan is considered for "Bonnie and Clyde," John Ford films the Battle of Midway and Rex Harrison insults the Emperor of Ethiopia. PLUS: "Bogart Slept Here"! The brilliance of Elaine May! The disaster of "Doctor Dolittle"! The Three Stooges take on the Fuhrer! And Mark writes an Emmy-winning Netflix docuseries! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 23min
GGACP Classic: Don Reo
GGACP once again pledges support for striking TV and film writers by revisiting this 2019 interview with comedy writer and showrunner Don Reo. In this episode, Don regales Gilbert and Frank with anecdotes about Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope and shares backstage stories from classic shows like "Rhoda," "Sanford and Son" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Also, Groucho takes a call, Tom Waits provides inspiration, Robert Altman cuts to the chase and Don joins forces with the legendary Slappy White. PLUS: ”Action”! Phil Spector Week! "The Rifleman" loses his cool! The return of "The Honeymooners"! The comedy stylings of Elton John! And Don remembers the late, great Clarence Clemons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2023 • 1h 30min
Irwin Winkler Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 28) of Oscar-winning producer Irwin Winkler ("Rocky," "Goodfellas," "Raging Bull," "The Right Stuff") with this ENCORE of a fascinating interview from 2019. In this episode, Irwin looks back on a half-century of movie-making and shares behind-the-scenes stories about working with Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Sydney Pollack, Martin Scorsese, Jessica Lange and Kevin Kline (to name a few). Also, Al Pacino walks off the set, Sly Stallone sticks to his guns, Jerry Orbach befriends a mobster and Irwin tackles the Hollywood blacklist. PLUS: "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" Remembering Burgess Meredith! Peter Bogdanovich rides again! Elvis replaces Julie Christie! And Irwin reveals the movies he never made! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 25, 2023 • 1h 50min
GGACP Classic: Michael Feinstein
GGACP celebrates May's Jewish Heritage Month by revisiting this 2022 interview with Grammy and Emmy-nominated musician and historian Michael Feinstein. In this episode, Michael serenades Gilbert and Frank with classic tunes from the “Great American Songbook” and talks about performing at Hollywood parties, dining with Frank Sinatra, “accompanying” Judy Garland, befriending Rosemary Clooney and Ira Gershwin and recording his latest album “Gershwin Country.” Also, Paul Lynde gets plastered, Liberace morphs into Carol Channing, Irving Berlin begs Groucho not to perform his songs and Vincent Price carries on the memory of Dolores del Rio. PLUS: Bert Lahr! The music of Hugh Martin! The genius of Yip Harburg! Peter Lorre meets…Peter Lorre! Uncle Hymie inspires Inigo Montoya! And Michael favors the boys with “I Love a Piano” and “Lydia the Tattooed Lady”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2023 • 1h 50min
Max Allan Collins and Dave Thomas Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 20) of Emmy-winning actor and writer Dave Thomas with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with Dave and author-mystery writer Max Allan Collins. In this episode, Dave and Max talk about the influence of Mad magazine, the genius of Jack Webb, the strange passions of Raymond Burr and their science fiction/crime novel “The Many Lives of Jimmy Leighton.” Also, John Cleese demands breakfast, Max impresses Warren Beatty, Gilbert cuts the rug with John Travolta and Dave weighs in on the horrors of “Joys” and “Jack Frost.” PLUS: Senor Wences! “The Road to Hong Kong”! Remembering Tom Poston! Santa Claus meets Liberace! Max praises “A Night in Casablanca”! And Jerry Lewis (literally) transforms into Buddy Love! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 2023 • 1h 43min
GGACP Classic: Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski
GGACP continues its support of striking film and television writers by revisiting this 2019 interview with Emmy-winning screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. In this episode, Scott and Larry talk about the 25th anniversary of "Ed Wood," the exuberance of Milos Forman, the bizarro cinema of Rudy Ray Moore and their Eddie Murphy vehicle, "Dolemite is My Name." Also, Jim Carrey pranks Danny DeVito, Tim Burton befriends Vincent Price, Ray Walston "replaces" Peter Sellers and Scott and Larry remember the late, great Martin Landau. PLUS: Appreciating Robert Morse! The legacy of William Goldman! Mae West seduces 007! The Marx Brothers meet the Master of Disaster! And the boys pick their favorite big-screen biopics! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 2023 • 1h 20min
Bill Saluga Encore
GGACP salutes the life and career of late comedian and variety show mainstay Bill Saluga (AKA Raymond J. Johnson Jr.) with this ENCORE of an interview from 2017. In this episode, Bill recalls his years in the sketch group The Ace Trucking Company and reminisces about working with everyone from Redd Foxx to Billy Barty to John Lennon (among others). Also, Bill rooms with John Byner, David Frye hits on the ladies, Dick Shawn roasts Uncle Miltie and Bob Dylan pays tribute to Ray J. Johnson. PLUS: Gypsy Boots! "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour"! Bill improvises with Bobby Darin! RFK sings "Wild Thing"! And Pat McCormick meets the Master of Suspense! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


