

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 22, 2021 • 1h 32min
Ron Leibman and Jessica Walter Encore
Gilbert and Frank celebrate Thanksgiving by giving thanks for one of their most cherished episodes and two of their favorite guests, the late, great (and greatly missed) actors Ron Leibman ("The Hot Rock," "Where's Poppa?", "Angels in America") and Jessica Walter ("Play Misty for Me," "Arrested Development," "Archer"). Also in this episode: Ron stars in the Mad magazine movie, Jessica wrestles a woman (or two), Gilbert covers Bobby Vinton and Jerry Lewis "borrows" from Harry Ritz. PLUS: "Amy Prentiss"! Praising George Segal! Remembering Art Metrano! "Zorro, the Gay Blade"! The return of Rickie Layne and Velvel! And "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 40min
The "Columbo" 50th Anniversary Show with David Koenig
To mark the 50th anniversary of the series premiere of "Columbo," Gilbert and Frank are joined by author and pop culture historian David Koenig for a loving look at the iconic show, its mercurial star Peter Falk, its impressive lineup of guest killers and character actors and David's new book, "Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective." Also in this episode: Bing Crosby takes a pass, Eddie Albert speaks his mind Steven Spielberg knocks it out of the park and Larry Cohen signs on as a "murder consultant." PLUS: Vito Scotti! The brilliance of Jack Cassidy! The genius of Levinson & Link! The debacle of "Mrs. Columbo"! Truman Capote "bumps off" Johnny Carson! The boys pick their favorite episode! And David reveals the truth (?) about Danny Kaye and Laurence Olivier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8, 2021 • 1h 44min
Boris Karloff Tribute Show with Ron MacCloskey, Gregory Mank and Sara Karloff
Gilbert and Frank welcome writer-producer RON MacCLOSKEY, author-historian GREGORY MANK and entrepreneur SARA KARLOFF for a celebration of the life and career of screen legend Boris Karloff as well as a discussion about the recently-released 2021 documentary, "Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster." Also in this episode: Bela Lugosi plays matchmaker, Colin Clive battles demons, James Whale abuses his power and Boris predicts stardom for Jack Nicholson! PLUS: "The Girl from Uncle"! "Arsenic and Old Lace"! 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

Nov 1, 2021 • 1h 38min
Colin Quinn
Comedian, actor, writer and lifelong New Yorker Colin Quinn (finally!) joins Gilbert and Frank for a hilarious conversation about vanishing Manhattan, mobsters with podcasts, awkward celebrity encounters, the gritty cinema of Sidney Lumet and Martin Scorsese and his new one-person show, "Colin Quinn: The Last Best Hope." Also, Rod Steiger holds a grudge, Pat Cooper blows his stack, Kate Winslet shops at a bodega and Colin remembers the late, great Norm MacDonald. PLUS: Michael V. Gazzo! "The Panic in Needle Park"! The comedy stylings of Jan Murray! In praise of Steve Buscemi! Norman Lloyd hangs with Babe Ruth! And the boys deconstruct "Titanic," "The Departed" and "The Godfather: Part III"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 25, 2021 • 1h 41min
Kirk Hammett Encore
Gilbert and Frank celebrate Halloween week with this classic episode from 2018, featuring Metallica guitarist, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and monster kid Kirk Hammett, who discusses his lifelong love affair with horror films, his priceless collection of movie memorabilia, his sympathy for "misunderstood" monsters and the shared connection between horror fans and metal heads. Also, Boris Karloff goes digital, Kirk meets Robert Crumb, Forrest Ackerman drives a hard bargain and Gilbert pens a fan letter to the Wolf Man. PLUS: "White Zombie"! "It Conquered the World"! Maria Ouspenskaya returns! The twisted genius of Basil Gogos! And Horrible Herman, the Asiatic Insect! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 18, 2021 • 1h 49min
Mark Harris
New York Times bestselling author, journalist and entertainment historian Mark Harris 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 Day of the Dolphin"! 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

Oct 11, 2021 • 1h 39min
Dino Stamatopoulos
Emmy-winning writer, producer, musician and monster kid Dino Stamatopoulos (“Mr. Show,” “TV Funhouse,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) joins Gilbert and Frank for a darkly funny conversation about savage chimps, cross-dressing puppets, bad horror movie tropes, the spectacular failure of "The Dana Carvey Show" and the creation of his wildly original Adult Swim series, "Moral Orel" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenhole." Also: Ken Jeong climbs into a Godzilla suit, Robert Smigel sends up Bozo the Clown, Gilbert pulls off a shameless Halloween scam and Dino hangs with the legendary Forrest Ackerman. PLUS: Iggy Pop! Zeppo Marx! “The Ambiguously Gay Duo"! "I Walked with a Zombie"! In praise of Scott Adsit (and Charlie Kaufman)! And Dino's character fakes his own death on "Community"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 4, 2021 • 1h 47min
Aaron Lee & Rainn Wilson
Comedy writer-producer Aaron Lee and Emmy-nominated actor Rainn Wilson join Gilbert and Frank to talk about nerd culture, haunted houses, the many moods of Jerry Lewis, the staying power of "The Office," the outrageousness of the Comedy Central roasts and their paranormal podcast "Dark Air with Terry Carnation." Also, Gilbert plays a horse, Aaron writes jokes for Larry Flynt, Rainn wrestles Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Henny Youngman teams with the "Godfather of Gore." PLUS: "Zardoz"! "Clutch Cargo"! The comedy of Foster Brooks! "The Osbourne Family Christmas"! Rainn hangs with Pete Best! And Aaron remembers the late, great Mike McPadden! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 2021 • 53min
Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin Part 2
In this conclusion of a 2-part episode, veteran screen actors Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss talk about sharing the stage with their children, celebrating 60 years of marriage, casting the comedy classic "My Favorite Year" and filming "The Stepford Wives," "Westworld," Diary of a Mad Housewife" and "The Parallax View." Also, Mel Brooks produces "The Elephant Man," Orson Welles intimidates the cast of "Catch-22," Paula's mom chats up William S. Burroughs and Richard lists his favorite Paula Prentiss performances! PLUS: "Captain Nice"! Elsa Lanchester! The genius of Michael Crichton! The irrepressible Bill Macy! And Richard and Paula remember friends Yul Brynner, Buck Henry, Jack Klugman and George Segal! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 20, 2021 • 1h 6min
Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin Part 1
In the first part of a 2-part episode, Gilbert and Frank talk to celebrated actors and longtime Hollywood couple Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss 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