Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

GGACP celebrates the birthday (November 19th) of a 4-time guest and friend of the podcast, the legendary Dick Cavett, by revisiting this sprawling, fascinating interview from 2019. In this episode, Dick shares delightful (and hilarious) anecdotes about Jack Benny, Stan Laurel, Truman Capote and Walter Winchell (among others) and looks back on his memorable interviews with Orson Welles, John Lennon, Frank Capra, George Harrison and Laurence Olivier. Also in this episode: Peter Lorre fails the audition, Lily Tomlin storms off the set, Bob Hope comes to Lincoln, Nebraska and Jack Paar sabotages "Fat Jack" Leonard. PLUS: Oskar Homolka! "Chuckles Bites the Dust"! The return of Richard Loo! Johnny Carson disses Jerry Lewis! And Dick introduces "An Evening with Groucho"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the 45th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's beloved 1977 sci-fi classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (released November 16, 1977) with this ENCORE presentation of a memorable interview with Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor-producer-director Bob Balaban. In this episode, Bob talks about his family’s history in the movie theater business, his affection for horror films, his transition from acting to directing and his admiration for colleagues Wes Anderson and Christopher Guest. Also, Orson Welles inspires fear, Robert Altman tackles a whodunit, Bill Murray perfects his short game and Bob “apprentices” for Sidney Lumet. PLUS: “Brewster McCloud’! Remembering Francois Truffaut! The Marx Brothers on stage! The brilliance of Eugene Levy! Uncle Miltie meets an extraterrestrial! And Bob remembers the great Fred Willard! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the 30th anniversary of Disney's animated "Aladdin" (released November 11, 1992) by revisiting this interview with Tony, Emmy, Grammy and (8-time) Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken. In this episode, Alan talks about the marriage of music and images, the demise (and resurrection) of movie musicals, the brilliance of the late, great Howard Ashman and the "architecture" of unforgettable songs like "Be Our Guest," "I See the Light," "Part of Your World" and "Somewhere That's Green." Also, Danny DeVito mimics Jimmy Durante, Steve Martin plays a sadistic dentist, Brad Garrett and Jeffrey Tambor perform a "want" song and Alan praises the talents of John Williams, Thomas Newman and Lin-Manuel Miranda. PLUS: "I'll Do Anything"! The influence of "Fantasia"! The comedy of Randy Rainbow! Alan wins a Razzie! And Bob Dylan turns down "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"!(special thanks to Rick Kunis, Leah Levenson and the audio production magic of John Murray) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP salutes the recently-released biopic "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" and the upcoming release of the book "The Illustrated Al" with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with comedian, musician and multiple Grammy winner "Weird Al" Yankovic. In this episode, Al talks about the influence of Mad magazine, the golden age of Top 40, the reclusiveness of Tom Lehrer, the cultural importance of "Word Crimes" and the mystifying longevity of "The Joe Franklin Show." Also, Little Richard buys a vowel, Al and Coolio bury the hatchet, Jerry Lewis tries to take over "Comic Relief" and Charles Nelson Reilly makes "sweet, sweet love" to a manatee. PLUS: Pat Boone! "The Rutles"! Remembering Frank Jacobs! The wit and wisdom of Shel Silverstein! And the rise and fall of Allan Sherman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday of talent booker, entertainment reporter to the stars and devoted friend of the podcast Gino Salomone by revisiting this memorable (and hilarious) interview from 2018. In this episode, Gino looks back on his years-long friendship with Gilbert and talks about promoting celebrity autograph shows, his infamous visit (with Gilbert) to Sid Melton's house and Gilbert's bewildering refusal to reach out to Don Rickles and Mel Brooks. Also, Grandpa Munster lays down the law, Paul Lynde meets The Golddiggers, Florence Henderson plays Gino’s mom and Sandra Bullock declares her lust for Gilbert. PLUS: Paging David Doyle! Blowing off Norman Fell! The "dead eyes" of Tommy Lee Jones! The Munchkins go to Pittsburgh! And Dyan Cannon provides a future GGACP soundbite! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates Halloween 2022 with this ENCORE of a 2019 interview with Emmy and Oscar-winning makeup master Rick Baker. In this episode, Rick talks about local horror hosts, gorilla suits, Aurora model kits, "Famous Monsters of Filmland" and the enduring influence of makeup legends Jack Pierce and Dick Smith. Also, Eddie Murphy ups his game, Milicent Patrick gets her due, Rick transforms Martin Landau into Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee dresses up as...Christopher Lee. PLUS: "The Thing with Two Heads"! In praise of Ray Harryhausen! The ingenuity of Lon Chaney! The guerilla cinema of Larry Cohen! And Rick accepts an Oscar from Vincent Price!(Special thanks to our friend Patton Oswalt) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the Halloween season by revisiting this 2017 interview with one of the last remaining TV horror hosts, Rich Koz, AKA “Svengoolie." In this episode, Rich remembers some of his famous predecessors (Ghoulardi, Zacherle, Chilly Billy, Morgus the Magnificent) and praises the stylishness and symbolism of the original Universal horror classics. Also, Fritz Feld gets hitched, Eddie Munster goes wild, Vampira takes Elvira to court and Mister Rogers meets the Wicked Witch of the West. PLUS: Count Floyd! "The Mummy's Curse"! Remembering Raymond J. Johnson Jr! Bela Lugosi gets hypnotized! Gilbert chokes the chicken! And the (arguably) craziest horror film ever made! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic drama "St. Elsewhere" (premiered October 26, 1982) by presenting this ENCORE of a memorable interview with veteran actor ED BEGLEY JR. In this episode, Ed talks about the glory days of the Troubadour, the timelessness of "The In-Laws," the absurdity of Hollywood urban legends and the career of his Oscar-winning dad, Ed Begley. Also, Forrest Tucker takes a nip, Steve Allen checks into St. Eligius, Harry Belafonte shuts down Rodney Dangerfield and Ed hits the rink with Charlie's Angels. PLUS: Wheeler & Woolsey! "Amazon Women on the Moon"! Mr. Warmth lowers the boom! Ed remembers his friend Peter Falk! And the unsolved death of John "Stumpy" Pepys!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (October 18th) of legendary talent manager, producer and "Supermensch" Shep Gordon by revisiting this memorable interview from 2019. In this episode, Shep joins Gilbert and Frank from his Hawaii home to talk about his 50+ years in rock 'n' roll, the pitfalls of worldwide fame, the importance of "making history," the secret of client-manager relationships and the benefits of "bad" publicity. Also, Janis Joplin packs a punch, Cary Grant adopts a cat, Elton John gets showered in panties and Shep saves Raquel Welch from a wardrobe malfunction. PLUS: Wolfman Jack! The late, great Teddy Pendergrass! Groucho dishes the dirt! Shep hangs with the Dalai Lama! And Alice Cooper gets fired out of a cannon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (October 17th) of Emmy-nominated actor-writer and Oscar-nominated musician Michael McKean with an ENCORE presentation of this frequently hilarious 2016 interview. In this episode, Michael looks back on his days in the sketch troupe The Credibility Gap, recalls his brief stint at "Saturday Night Live," reveals the curious origin of Lenny and Squiggy and praises the oddball cinema of Christopher Guest. Also, Norm Macdonald loses his cool, Spinal Tap meets Joe Franklin, Rod Steiger channels "Il Duce" and Michael and Gilbert compare life mask collections. PLUS: Remembering Zacherle! The genius of Richard Libertini! "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars"! Cannonball Adderley buys the farm! And "The Square, Square World of Dick Conti"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices