Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
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
May 31, 2021 • 1h 32min
Sonny Fox ENCORE
Gilbert and Frank mark Memorial Day 2021 with this special ENCORE presentation of one of their favorite episodes, featuring producer, broadcaster and World War II veteran Sonny Fox, who discusses his life-changing experience as a prisoner of war, his years as host of the beloved children's show "Wonderama" and his memories of the notorious quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Also in this episode: Sonny hosts "The $64,000 Challenge," gets cut from "The Nutty Professor," takes a stand for Jack Gilford and looks back on his friendship with Robert F. Kennedy. PLUS: Allen Funt! "The Movie Game"! Mickey Rooney holds out! Patty Duke spills the beans! And Jack Klugman steps in for Bogie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 24, 2021 • 1h 22min
Ruta Lee
Actress, game show hostess and philanthropist Ruta Lee shares stories from her eight decades in Hollywood and her new memoir "Consider Your Ass Kissed" and reminisces about partying with the Rat Pack, dating Shecky Greene, working for directors Stanley Donen and Billy Wilder and forging friendships with Debbie Reynolds, Darren McGavin, Fred Astaire and (yes) Cesar Romero. Also, Liz Taylor orders the chili, Gilbert frames a one-cent check, Lucy tosses Uncle Miltie's salad and Ruta remembers her dear friend Alex Trebek. PLUS: James Garner! Billy Barty! "Man with a Camera"! "The Wackiest Ship in the Army"! Dick Gautier ties the knot! And Ruta sings the praises of Jerry Lewis, Joey Bishop AND Jack Carter!(??) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 17, 2021 • 1h 33min
Al Roker
Emmy-winning TV host, author and producer (and native New Yorker) Al Roker joins Gilbert and Frank for a trip down memory lane and a fun, freewheeling conversation about local kiddie show hosts, the lost art of ventriloquism, the complicated genius of Charles M. Schulz and Al's new book "You Look So Much Better in Person." Also, Fred Flintstone enjoys a smoke, Red Buttons leads a double life, Willard Scott becomes the original Ronald McDonald and Gilbert and Al co-star in "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming." PLUS: Willie Tyler & Lester! "The Dick Tracy Show"! "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"! Saluting Yaphet Kotto! Frank shares his favorite roast joke! And Al and Gilbert cover the hits of Soupy Sales! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 10, 2021 • 1h 43min
Jeff Altman
Gilbert and Frank are joined by comedian, actor and magician Jeff Altman for a warm and funny conversation about his family connection to Houdini, his decades-long friendships with Buddy Rich and David Letterman, the early days of the Magic Castle and the Comedy Store and the infamous NBC variety show "Pink Lady & Jeff." Also, Raymond Burr takes a seat, Sam Kinison sees a ghost, Gilbert watches Rodney Dangerfield eat and Jeff opens for Pia Zadora and The Captain & Tennille. PLUS: Sean Connery! "Legends of the Superheroes"! Jerry Lewis demands credit! The comedy of Jim Varney! And Jeff and Dave kill off the careers of the Starland Vocal Band! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 3, 2021 • 1h 10min
Michelle Phillips (Part 2)
In this conclusion of a 2- part episode, actress, singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michelle Phillips talks about transitioning from music to films, hosting star-studded Hollywood parties, locking horns with Rudolph Nureyev, befriending Groucho Marx and her final conversations with group mates John Phillips and Cass Elliot. Also, Brian Wilson searches for inspiration, Jimi Hendrix burns his Stratocaster, Mia Farrow visits the Joshua Tree and Michelle hangs with Elvis, Cary Grant and Gregory Peck. PLUS: The Mugwumps! Monterey Pop! "The Man with Bogart's Face"! Leslie Caron swings! Otis Redding brings down the house! And Michelle pens the second verse of "California Dreamin'"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 3min
Michelle Phillips (Part 1)
In the first part of a 2-part episode, singer, actress and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michelle Phillips looks back on her seven decades in the entertainment business and regales Gilbert and Frank with tales of the wild days and crazy nights of The Mamas and the Papas, one of the most successful, influential (and short-lived) groups in pop music history. Also in this episode: Cass Elliot beats the rap, Marshall Brickman co-writes "Annie Hall," Michelle dates Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson and The Mamas and the Papas meet the Fab Four. PLUS: "Shampoo"! The genius of Lou Adler! The Halifax Three! Reginald Van Gleason! And Michelle discusses the stories behind "Creeque Alley," "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "I Saw Her Again"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 19, 2021 • 1h 48min
David Mandel
Gilbert and Frank welcome Emmy-winning writer-director David Mandel for a revealing and rewarding conversation about the origin of classic "Seinfeld" gags (man hands, "Bizarro" Jerry), the inner workings of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the brilliance of Bob Einstein and Jerry Stiller, the ruthless humor of HBO's "Veep" and David's memorabilia-themed podcast "The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of." Also, Orson Welles gaslights studio bosses, Michael McKean sends up Robert Evans, Gilbert runs afoul of Kelsey Grammer and Billy Wilder (almost) directs the Marx Brothers. PLUS: Nerf Crotch Bat! In praise of Phil Hartman! Larry David blows a fuse! "Abbott and Costello Meet Al Pacino"! And "LIVE from New York, it's the Planet of the Apes"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 12, 2021 • 1h 42min
Ken Kwapis
Gilbert and Frank talk to Emmy-nominated TV and film director Ken Kwapis about working with primates, borrowing from Buster Keaton, falling in (and out of) love with movies, adapting "The Office" for American television and his new memoir, "But What I REALLY Want to Do is Direct." Also, Charlie Chaplin walks a tightrope, Alan Arkin (reluctantly) plays volleyball, Steve Coogan seduces a Keebler elf and Ken finds inspiration in "The Bellboy" and "A Night at the Opera." PLUS: "American Graffiti"! In praise of drive-in theaters! The cinema of Joan Micklin Silver! The comic mastery of Steve Carell! And Ken shares memories of Peter Falk, Faye Dunaway, Robert Redford and Captain Kangaroo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 5, 2021 • 1h 40min
Ben Mankiewicz
Film critic, Hollywood historian and Turner Classics Movies host Ben Mankiewicz joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about his famous family, the depiction of his grandfather in David Fincher's "Mank," the real authorship of "Citizen Kane" and his well-received TCM podcast "The Plot Thickens." Also, Mickey Rooney finds religion, Harpo Marx attends a seder, Jerry Lewis leaves a mysterious voicemail and Ben remembers the late, great Robert Osborne. PLUS: "Duck Soup"! "Mad Dog of Europe"! Tony Curtis: fashion icon! Kirk Douglas knocks Joseph Mankiewicz! And Ben interviews Sophia Loren, Ernest Borgnine and Max von Sydow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 29, 2021 • 1h 36min
Dick DeBartolo and Al Jaffee Encore
Gilbert and Frank celebrate the 100th (!) birthday of Mad magazine cartoonist Al Jaffee with this encore episode from 2016, featuring Al and longtime Mad writer Dick DeBartolo, who discuss their friendships with publisher William M. Gaines, their admiration of Jack Davis and Mort Drucker and the secret origin of the term "potrzebie." Also, Al remembers Harvey Kurtzman, Dick falls for Lauren Bacall, Stephen Colbert pays tribute to a comedy hero and Gilbert bashes "Up the Academy." PLUS: Gloria Swanson! "To Tell the Truth"! "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions"! Al parties with Jason Robards! And the warped genius of Don Martin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
