Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

GGACP remembers the late, great talent manager and Emmy-winning producer (and all-around mensch!) George Shapiro with this ENCORE of an interview from 2018. In this episode, George reminisces about the glory days of the Borscht Belt and the golden age of variety television and reflects on his personal and professional relationships with Steve Allen, Jimmy Durante, Carl Reiner and Jerry Seinfeld. Also, Elvis praises Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer inspires Tony Clifton, "Dem Bums" visit "The Martha Raye Show" and George explains his lifelong love affair with comedy (and comedians). PLUS: Marty Feldman! Buddy Holly and the Crickets! Nichols and May bring down the house! Richard Pryor plays God! And Danny DeVito plays...George Shapiro? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate the start of Pride Month, GGACP revisits this memorable 2018 interview with legendary comedy writer-performer Bruce Vilanch. In this episode, Bruce looks back at the “golden age” of TV variety shows and specials, including “Donny & Marie,” “The Brady Bunch Hour,” “The Star Wars Holiday Special” and “The Paul Lynde Halloween Special.” (all written or co-written by Bruce himself). Also, Margaret Hamilton makes her move, Robert Reed channels Carmen Miranda, Jack Benny does “The Match Bit” and Gilbert takes over the new “Hollywood Squares.” PLUS: Jack Palance! Bob Hope’s filing cabinet! “Wayne Newton at SeaWorld”! Bruce hangs with Tallulah Bankhead! And the Oscar joke that never made it to air! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GGACP team marks May's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with this ENCORE interview with one of the world’s most well-loved pop culture figures, actor-activist George Takei. In this episode, George shares his feelings about Caucasian actors in Asian roles, speaks frankly about Japanese-American internment, expresses his gratitude to Trekkies and fondly remembers old friend Leonard Nimoy. Also, George feuds with William Shatner, chats up Jerry Lewis, runs into Cary Grant and rebukes Arnold Schwarzenegger. PLUS: Frank Gorshin! Celebrating James Hong! George channels Sir John Gielgud! Gilbert does his best Richard Burton! And the last of the Paramount contract players! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Jewish Heritage Month draws to a close, GGACP revisits this memorable interview with Emmy-winning comedy writer, showbiz historian, foodie and raconteur Phil Rosenthal. In this episode, Phil chats about New York-style pizza, “non-ethnic” character actors, the cinema of Stanley Kubrick and the emotional resonance of “The Honeymooners.” Also, Will Ferrell works the men’s room, Peter Boyle turns down “The French Connection,” Brad Garrett salutes The Merchant of Venom and Phil breaks bread with Steve Martin and Carl Reiner. PLUS: Larry Gelbart! Nick Apollo Forte! The brilliance of “Ratatouille”! The timelessness of “Tootsie”! Loving Walter Matthau! Gilbert hangs at Larry David’s place! And “Broadway Danny Rose” inspires the Amazing Colossal Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of the new HBO documentary, "George Carlin's American Dream," GGACP presents an ENCORE of a 2015 episode with the doc's executive producer, writer-performer KELLY CARLIN. In this episode, Kelly discusses her revealing memoir, "A Carlin Home Companion" and shares treasured (and not-so-treasured) memories of growing up with the man who changed and redefined the art of standup comedy. Also, Kelly hangs with Sammy Davis Jr., seduces Leif Garrett, borrows Farrah Fawcett's shampoo and recites the "7 Words You Can Never Say on Television." PLUS: Burns and Carlin! Burns and Schreiber! The "Danny Kaye Plan"! Otto & George! And Gottfried Sings Again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May's Jewish Heritage Month continues as GGACP revisits one of their funniest interviews out of 400+ with veteran comedy writer Ron Friedman (“Get Smart,” “The Odd Couple,” “All in the Family,” "Barney Miller") who worked with (and wrote for) everyone from Lucille Ball to Milton Berle to Danny Kaye to Orson Welles -- and has the war stories to show for it. Also, Herve Villechaize packs heat, Sammy Davis meets Charlie’s Angels, Ron writes “Murder Can Hurt You!” and Pat McCormick takes a…”dip” in Jonathan Winters’ pool. PLUS: Vaughn Meader! Stump and Stumpy! Christmas carols for Jewish people! Forrest Tucker introduces “the General”! And Ron creates Paul Lynde’s Uncle Arthur!(Special thanks to Gino Salomone!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the 60th birthday (May, 14, 1962) of actor-director Danny Huston (“The Aviator,” “Hitchcock,” “Wonder Woman”) with this ENCORE presentation of a 2019 interview. In this episode, Danny regales Gilbert and Frank with stories about meeting Orson Welles, directing Robert Mitchum, getting inside the heads of big-screen bad guys and growing up with (and working alongside) his legendary father, John Huston. Also, Hal Roach cozies up to Mussolini, Katharine Hepburn makes like Eleanor Roosevelt, George Raft turns down the role of a lifetime and Danny reflects on the career of his grandfather, Oscar-winner Walter Huston. PLUS: “The Other Side of the Wind”! Remembering Robert Evans! The mystery of B. Traven! The punk rock cinema of Bernard Rose! And Danny and Gilbert reenact a scene from “Chinatown”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP's celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month continues with this classic interview from 2019 featuring rock ‘n’ roll icon Neil Sedaka, who discusses growing up in Brooklyn, his apprenticeship at the famed Brill Building, his chart-topping collaborations with lyricist Howard Greenfield and his memories of Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Richard Rodgers and Paul McCartney (among others). Also, Bob Dylan offers praise, John Lennon provides inspiration, Mick Jagger buys a Sedaka record and Neil remembers his cousin Eydie Gorme. PLUS: "My Yiddishe Momme"! The Captain & Tennille! Elton John to the rescue! The late, great Len Maxwell! Billy Joel “borrows” a melody!"And Neil demonstrates his songwriting process! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP marks the 50th anniversary of Woody Allen's film version of "Play it Again, Sam" (and the recent 45th anniversary of "Annie Hall") with an ENCORE presentation of this 2017 interview with veteran stage & screen actor Tony Roberts. In this episode,Tony holds court on a wide range of topics, including the intensity of Al Pacino, the minimalism of Robert Mitchum, the eccentricities of Jerome Robbins and the professionalism of Sidney Lumet. Also: Tony runs lines with Edward G. Robinson, takes flight with Mary Poppins, plays the ponies with Mickey Rooney and treads the boards with Abe Vigoda! PLUS: Everett Sloane! “Amityville 3-D”! Woody hits the beach! Tony’s mom dates Uncle Miltie! And Sydney Greenstreet meets…Sydney Greenstreet!? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates National Jewish Heritage Month with a series of memorable interviews, beginning with author, critic, Hollywood historian and recent recipient of TCM's Robert Osborne Award, Leonard Maltin. In this episode, Leonard shares his expertise on a number of topics, including the death of fanzines, the disappearance of movie theaters, the charm of “The Maltese Falcon” (both versions) and the appeal of New York-set films of the 1970s. Also, Zeppo breaks up the act, Laurel and Hardy bring down the house, Steve Allen portrays Benny Goodman and Gilbert and Leonard remember their dear friend James Karen. PLUS: Keefe Brasselle! “The Buster Keaton Story”! In praise of “Ed Wood”! Al Pacino remembers “Scarecrow”! And Leonard spends a day with Burgess Meredith! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices