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
Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 47min
Patton Oswalt Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday (January 27) of comedian, actor, writer and GGACP fan Patton Oswalt by presenting this ENCORE of a wide-ranging interview from 2018. In this episode, Patton drops by the studio to discuss the films of Sidney Lumet and Billy Wilder, the “unnatural” art of sitcom acting, the disappearance of grindhouse theaters and the influence of “Richard Pryor: Live in Concert.” Also, Larry Cohen deconstructs Superman, Gilbert imagines “Titanic, Part II,” the Karate Kid opens a car dealership and Patton stages “The Day the Clown Cried.” PLUS: Praising “Ratatouille”! Remembering John Cazale! The artistry of Rick Baker! And “Francis Ford Coppola’s Dr. Strange”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 44min
GGACP Classic: Arnie & Jay Kogen
GGACP celebrates the birthday (January 23rd) of Emmy-winning comedy writer Arnie Kogen ("The Carol Burnett Show," "Newhart," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) by revisiting this 2018 father-son interview with Emmy-winning writer Jay Kogen (“Frasier,” “The Simpsons”). In this episode, the boys talk about failed pilots, cheesy variety shows, the outrageousness of Pat McCormick and the "unwritten rules" of writing for television. Also, Soupy Sales takes flight, Jackie Mason takes offense, Garry Shandling gripes about the sunset and the Kogens party with the Jackson 5. PLUS: "Monkey World"! The genius of James L. Brooks! “The World's Oldest Fireman"! Jay reinterprets "The Aristocrats"! And Gilbert and Arnie remember "Thicke of the Night”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 34min
Robert Bader Encore
GGACP celebrates January's National Book Blitz Month and the recent release of the book "Zeppo: the Reluctant Marx Brother" by presenting this ENCORE of a 2017 interview with author, archivist and Marx Brothers fanatic Robert S. Bader. Also in this episode: Gummo goes to war, Harpo “courts” Amelia Earhart, Groucho cashes in on “Skidoo” and Gilbert pals around with Chico’s daughter. PLUS: Swain’s Rats & Cats! The real-life Sunshine Boys! Bugsy Siegel buys the farm! Dennis Hopper plays Napoleon! And the mystery of the disappearing Marx Brother! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 16, 2025 • 47min
GGACP Classic: Scott Rogowsky
GGACP celebrates January's National Brain Teaser Month by revisiting this 2019 interview with comedian, TV personality and former host of HQ Trivia, Scott Rogowsky. In this episode: “The Sanford Arms”! “Chico and the Man: The Motion Picture"! Gilbert plays a bar mitzvah! The generosity of Richard Kind! And Scott quizzes the boys on super-tough movie trivia! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 48min
Bruce Vilanch Encore
GGACP marks National Book Blitz Month and celebrates the recent release of Bruce Vilanch’s memoir, “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time” by presenting this ENCORE of a 2018 interview with the legendary writer-performer. 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 and Gilbert takes over the new “Hollywood Squares.” PLUS: Jack Palance! Bob Hope’s filing cabinet! “Wayne Newton at SeaWorld”! And Bruce hangs with Tallulah Bankhead! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 9, 2025 • 21min
GGACP Classic: Quick Change and Freaks
GGACP celebrates the 35th anniversary of one of Frank's favorite New York movies, the Bill Murray-directed bank heist flick "Quick Change," (released in January, 1990) by revisiting this conversation about the under-appreciated comedy. Also in this episode: Bob & Ray! The cinema of Rodney Dangerfield! Gilbert co-stars with Randy Quaid — and a Rottweiler! And the boys look back at the 1932 horror classic, "Freaks"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 38min
Kenny Loggins Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday of Grammy and Emmy-winning singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins (b. January 7) with this ENCORE of a revealing conversation (from 2019) about the rewards of collaboration, the mystery of the creative process, the challenge of composing songs for the movies “Top Gun” and “Footloose” and his “accidental” partnership with writer-producer Jim Messina. Also, Kenny tries out for “Hair,” mimics Bob Dylan (and Tina Turner!), steers clear of the disco era and teams with Stevie Nicks and Michael McDonald. PLUS: Stealer’s Wheel! Anne Murray covers “Danny’s Song”! Gilbert auditions for “Caddyshack II”! And Kenny (and Gilbert) guest star on “Family Guy”!Special thanks to Rick Cowling, Michael Jensen and Ryan Romenesko! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 2, 2025 • 1h 59min
GGACP Classic: Alan Zweibel
GGACP celebrates 2025's Year of the Snake by revisiting a memorable Milton Berle anecdote, as told by Emmy-winning comedy writer and Thurber Prize-winning author Alan Zweibel. In this episode, Alan discusses (among other topics) the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” the genius of Larry Gelbart and Neil Simon and the 2018 documentaries about longtime friends and collaborators Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling. Also, Desi Arnaz invents the sitcom, Jay Leno offers sage advice, Buck Henry makes a bad investment and Gilbert makes like Willy Loman. PLUS: Praising Kate McKinnon! Remembering Bruno Kirby (and Herb Sargent)! Mel Brooks comes to dinner! And Alan writes the Paul “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 16min
Michael Nesmith Encore
GGAC remembers musician, songwriter, actor and filmmaker Michael Nesmith on what would have been his 82nd birthday (b. December 30, 1942) by presenting this ENCORE of a (rare) interview recorded at the 2015 New Jersey Chiller Convention. In this episode, Michael looks back on everything from his mother’s invention of Liquid Paper to his original “Monkees” screen test in October ’65. Also, Michael talks politics with John Lennon, pens a hit for Linda Ronstadt and remembers (sort of) Lon Chaney Jr. PLUS: Dennis Hopper! Tony Franciosa! The Monkees “sell out”! Roger McGuinn gets spiritual! And Jack Nicholson kills off the Prefab Four! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 26, 2024 • 1h 29min
GGACP Classic: Dick Cavett and Robert Bader
GGACP celebrates "Boxing" Day by revisiting this 2020 conversation about legendary heavyweight Muhammad Ali with TV icon Dick Cavett and author Robert Bader (writer-director of the HBO documentary "Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes.") In this episode, Dick reflects on his friendship with "The Greatest" while the boys look back at Groucho's memorable appearances on “The Dick Cavett Show” and look ahead to the upcoming PBS doc, “Groucho & Cavett.” 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! And James Mason stars in “The Honeymooners”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
