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 30, 2020 • 1h 31min
John Sebastian
Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer and founder of The Lovin' Spoonful John Sebastian entertains Gilbert and Frank with anecdotes about Cass Elliott, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon and Jim Morrison and reveals the stories and inspirations behind hits like "Daydream," "Summer in the City," and "Do You Believe in Magic." Also, Groucho co-hosts "Music Scene," Richard Pryor plays the Cafe Au Go-Go, Art Garfunkel nails a Spoonful cover version and John composes a classic sitcom theme. PLUS: Vivian Vance! "What's Up, Tiger Lily?" The legend of Zal Yanovsky! Boris Karloff plays Captain Hook! And Ed Sullivan introduces the "American Beatles"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 23, 2020 • 1h 48min
Abbott and Costello
Gilbert and Frank are joined by archivist BOB FURMANEK, film critic LEONARD MALTIN and author-historian RON PALUMBO for a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Bud Abbott & Lou Costello's screen debut and an animated conversation about the lives and careers of one of the most popular comedy teams of all time. Also in this episode: Groucho Marx gushes, Dean Martin gets a nose job, Boris Karloff turns down "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" and Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi consider a Bud and Lou biopic. PLUS: Bingo the Chimp! Saluting Sidney Fields! Shemp joins the army! Joe Besser frightens Gilbert! And the experts pick their favorite A&C movies! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 16, 2020 • 1h 36min
John Byner
Comedian, actor and master impressionist John Byner returns to the show to share hilarious anecdotes about James Cagney, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Ed Sullivan and Jackie Vernon (to name a few) and to talk about his recently-released memoir "Five Minutes Mr. Byner: a Lifetime of Laughter."Also, Jack Carter lashes out, George Jessel lawyers up, Joey Bishop promotes a boxing match and Billy Barty sits on Bob Hope's lap. PLUS: Annette Funicello! "Angels with Dirty Faces"! Dueling Rod Steigers! "Merv Griffin's Talent Scouts"! And John and the boys remember the late, great Bob Einstein! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 9, 2020 • 1h 35min
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Gilbert and Frank are joined by astrophysicist, "Cosmos" host and "Twilight Zone" superfan Neil deGrasse Tyson for an entertaining and educational conversation about time travel, zombie uprisings, the logic of werewolf movies, the science of being funny and the plausibility of "Jurassic Park." Also, Sandra Bullock defies gravity, Perry Mason meets Godzilla, Raquel Welch rocks a loincloth and Rod Serling adapts "Planet of the Apes." PLUS: "The Blob"! Raymond J. Johnson Jr! Superman gets his freak on! Saluting Gene Roddenberry! And Neil and Gilbert compete on "The $100,000 Pyramid"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 2, 2020 • 1h 45min
Tim Robbins
Oscar-winning actor, musician and activist Tim Robbins joins the boys for a lively discussion on a wide range of topics, including the "New Hollywood" of the '70s, the genius and generosity of Robert Altman, the timeliness of Depression-era screwball comedies and the enduring appeal of "The Shawshank Redemption." Also, Gore Vidal steals the show, Richard Pryor plays The Gaslight Cafe, Orson Welles runs afoul of William Randolph Hearst and Tim (fondly) remembers Paul Newman, Don Rickles and Robin Williams. PLUS: "Bobbo Supreme"! "Howard the Duck"! Monty Python comes calling! In praise of "The Hudsucker Proxy"! And Tim weighs in on the future of movie theaters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 26, 2020 • 1h 41min
Halloween 2020 with Joe Dante and Mick Garris
Film directors (and fellow monster kids) Joe Dante and Mick Garris help Gilbert and Frank usher in Halloween 2020 with a frighteningly good conversation about giant insects, evil hunchbacks, cheesy haunted house flicks, the glory days of horror anthologies and the 60th anniversary of “Psycho.” Also, Basil Rathbone goes slumming, Bogie plays a mad scientist, Anthony Perkins puts Mick to the test and Joe sings the praises of Dick Miller and John Carradine. PLUS: “She-Wolf of London”! “The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes”! The genius of William Castle! The “Colossal” cinema of Bert I. Gordon! And Joe and Mick salute the late, great Larry Cohen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 19, 2020 • 1h 46min
"The Odd Couple" 50th Anniversary Show
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABC's "The Odd Couple," Gilbert and Frank welcome a panel of experts, including comedian-superfan Dave Juskow, author Bob Leszczak ("The Odd Couple on Stage & Screen") and the sons of Oscar Madison himself, Adam Klugman and David Klugman. Also, Tony Randall stands out, Mickey Rooney loses out, John Byner breaks up the room and Garry Marshall makes TV history. PLUS: The queen of game shows! "The New Odd Couple"! Howard Cosell fakes it! Adam plays young Oscar! And David hits the road with Randall and Klugman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 12, 2020 • 1h 45min
Bob Costas
Emmy-winning broadcaster and Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Costas returns to the podcast for an animated conversation about his five-decade career in television, his passion for TV westerns, his weakness for cheesy sports biopics and his memorable interviews with Rod Steiger, Jerry Lewis, Mickey Mantle, Don Rickles and Rodney Dangerfield. Also, Uncle Miltie drops the mic, Ralph Kramden does the mambo, Lon Chaney Jr. meets "The Rifleman" and Bob gets his very own Topps baseball card. PLUS: "The Million Dollar Movie"! Appreciating Joe Franklin! Babe Ruth to the rescue! William Conrad learns karate! And Bob remembers the late, great Tom Seaver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 5, 2020 • 1h 26min
Lewis Black
Actor, playwright and Grammy-winning comedian Lewis Black returns to the podcast to discuss the creativity of Pixar, the cinema of Barry Levinson, the timelessness of "Dr. Strangelove" and the political comedy of Mort Sahl, Dick Gregory, Paul Krassner and the Smothers Brothers. Also, Christopher Walken cracks a joke, Ruth Buzzi meets Michael Corleone, Ed Sullivan chews out Jackie Mason and Lewis tours the Middle East with Robin Williams. PLUS: Topo Gigio! Saluting Joe Grifasi! George Carlin leaves a message! The musical satire of Mark Russell! And Lewis sings the praises of the National Comedy Center! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 28, 2020 • 1h 33min
Joe Mantegna
Gilbert and Frank talk to Tony-winning actor Joe Mantegna about paying dues, working with primates, portraying Dean Martin, his admiration for Errol Flynn and his long association with Pulitzer-winning playwright David Mamet. Also, Don Ameche busts a gut, Eli Wallach rides the subway, Ben Kingsley takes in a Chicago concert and Joe lands a role in the Italian "Star Wars." PLUS: Super Sugar Crisp! In praise of Tony Bennett! The courage of Lenny Bruce! The genius of Shel Silverstein! And Joe voices an iconic cartoon character! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
