

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

Mar 30, 2020 • 1h 40min
Jason Alexander
Tony-winning actor and director Jason Alexander joins Gilbert and Frank for an in-depth conversation about network interference, working with animals, classic "Twilight Zone" episodes, Woody Allen's influence on George Costanza and the impact of "Seinfeld" on popular culture. Also, Robert De Niro yuks it up, Liza Minnelli lends a hand, Jason and Martin Short perform "The Odd Couple" and Gilbert warbles a tune from "Duckman"! PLUS: Joe Besser! "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle"! The genius of Jerry Stiller! The golden age of comedy albums! And Jason gets advice from William Shatner! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 2020 • 1h 27min
Peter Noone
Gil and Frank welcome a long-sought guest, British Invasion icon Peter Noone for a loose and lighthearted conversation about rock and roll excess, the birth of the Beatles, entertaining the Queen Mum and rubbing shoulders with Bob Dylan, Keith Moon and Elvis Presley (among others). Also, Alice Cooper climbs the charts, Keith Richards lays down the law, Imelda Marcos requests a tune and Herman's Hermits perform "If I Were a Rich Man." PLUS: "The Pirates of Penzance"! Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders! Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars! The genius of Mickie Most! And Gilbert "sings" "I'm Into Something Good"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 2020 • 1h 37min
Amy Ryan
Tony and Oscar-nominated actress (and lifelong Gilbert fan) Amy Ryan drops by the studio to talk about the mastery of Sidney Lumet, the brilliance of Philip Seymour Hoffman, discovering family secrets, perfecting regional accents and portraying Michael Scott's love interest on "The Office." Also, Hugh Hefner hits the town, Clint Eastwood keeps it moving, Albert Brooks stages a "one-man show" and Amy and Gilbert perform Hamlet's soliloquy! PLUS: Slovin & Allen! "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers"! The kindness of Henry Winkler! Neil Simon drops the ax! Gilbert plays a Mexican! And Amy brings her parents to the Academy Awards! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 9, 2020 • 1h 38min
Steven Van Zandt
Gilbert and Frank welcome actor, musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steven Van Zandt for a fun, freewheeling conversation about beloved kiddie show hosts, the glory days of Top 40 radio, the mystique of gangster movies, the Beatles' impact on popular culture and the Rat Pack's "connection" to the E Street Band. Also, Darlene Love mounts a comeback, Little Richard officiates a wedding, Ol' Blue Eyes covers Simon & Garfunkel and Steven remembers his friend James Gandolfini. PLUS: The Singing Nun! "Angels with Dirty Faces"! The genius of William Castle! "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine"! And Gilbert and Steven pay tribute to "The Nutty Professor"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 2, 2020 • 1h 32min
Drew Friedman
Gilbert and Frank welcome back award-winning illustrator and GGACP fan favorite DREW FRIEDMAN for a riveting conversation about well-endowed comedians, the last days of Mad magazine, the durability of "The Odd Couple" and Drew's latest book, "All the Presidents." Also, Yoko Ono meets the Little Rascals, Uncle Floyd auditions for "Minnie's Boys," Gilbert plays The Great Emancipator and Frank attends a Stooge funeral. PLUS: "Crazy Joe" Gallo! "The Haunted Strangler"! Praising Al Jaffee (and Mort Drucker)! Mutant Jerry Lewis! And Drew runs afoul of the Merchant of Venom! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 24, 2020 • 1h 34min
Amazing Colossal 300th Episode!
To celebrate the podcast's 300th episode, Frank, aided by questions from callers and an in-studio audience, interviews Gilbert about his 50-year career in the entertainment business, covering his early stand-up days, his brief stints on "Saturday Night Live" and "Thicke of the Night" and his memorable movie roles, including Iago, Sidney Bernstein, Igor Peabody and the unforgettable "Man on Porch." Also, Lorne Michaels gives props, Larry David clears the room, Ben Gazzara enjoys a laugh and Humphrey Bogart visits the post office. PLUS: "Meet Wally Sparks"! "The Horn Blows at Midnight"! Marty Allen disses Paul Lynde! Lou Costello stars in "Citizen Kane"! And Gilbert shares the screen with Ryan Gosling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 2020 • 1h 27min
Dick Cavett and Robert Bader
Gilbert and Frank welcome returning guests Dick Cavett and author-producer Robert Bader for a look back at Groucho Marx's memorable appearances on "The Dick Cavett Show" and a look ahead at the new Bader-directed HBO documentary, "Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes." Also, Johnny Carson disses Jerry Lewis, Zeppo misses Chico's wedding, Cary Grant romances Amelia Earhart and Danny Kaye zings the Duchess of Windsor. PLUS: Orson Welles meets the Fuhrer! The lost novel of Truman Capote! The triumphant return of Richard Loo! James Mason stars in "The Honeymooners"! And Dick reflects on his friendship with "The Greatest"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 2020 • 1h 34min
Eric Roberts and Eliza Roberts
Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and actress/casting director Eliza Roberts regale Gilbert and Frank with tales from their five decades in Hollywood, including stories about Bob Fosse, Tony Curtis, Rod Steiger, Sterling Hayden, Mickey Rourke and Shelly Winters (to name a few). Also, Roger Corman strikes a deal, Eric shares the screen with the King of Pop, Gilbert praises "The Pope of Greenwich Village" and Eliza appears in "National Lampoon's Animal House." PLUS: "Three Days of the Condor"! Saluting Sonny Fox! The legend of Larry Cohen! The Diceman sends up Sly Stallone! And Eric reveals the "shortcomings" of Marlon Brando! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 3, 2020 • 1h 23min
Howard Storm and Steve Stoliar
Gilbert and Frank welcome comedian and director Howard Storm (accompanied by writer Steve Stoliar) for a funny and fascinating conversation about the glory days of burlesque, the heyday of Jewish gangsters, the challenges of directing Redd Foxx, Don Rickles and Robin Williams and Howard's entertaining new memoir (co-authored by Steve), "The Imperfect Storm." Also, Desi Arnaz saves the day, Raquel Welch acts the diva, Harry Belafonte breaks Jack Rollins' heart and Howard crosses swords with Don Adams, Lucille Ball and Georgie Jessel (among others). PLUS: Wayland Flowers and Madame! Praising Valerie Harper! The genius of Bud Abbott! The return of "Dueling Grouchos"! And Howard recalls the making of "Broadway Danny Rose"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 2020 • 1h 35min
In Memoriam 2019
Gilbert and Frank are once again joined by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Michael H. Weber for a fond look back at some of the unforgettable artists who left us in 2019, including Doris Day, Arte Johnson, Valerie Harper, Rene Auberjonois and Carol Channing. Also in this episode: Diahann Carroll takes a stand, Rip Torn takes on Norman Mailer, Albert Finney turns down "Lawrence of Arabia" and Peggy Lipton pens a Frank Sinatra standard. PLUS: "Defending Your Life"! "The Kid Stays in the Picture"! The man behind "The Monkees"! The original Sheriff Truman! The comic genius of Tim Conway! And the boys bid farewell to the last of the Golden Age directors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices