

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 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

Dec 23, 2024 • 1h 35min
Christmas 2019 ENCORE with Mario Cantone
GGACP celebrates Christmas 2024 with this ENCORE of a holiday installment (from 2019) featuring the podcast's own winter warlock, Mario Cantone. In this episode, Mario and the boys discuss misleading movie titles, politically correct Christmas carols, the genius of Paul Frees (and Frank Loesser) and the 80th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.” Also: Jack Cassidy teams with Jim Backus, Judy Garland locks horns with Busby Berkeley, Ricardo Montalban serenades Esther Williams and Gilbert gets accosted by Snow White. PLUS: Jan-Michael Vincent! Lucille Ball sings! “Christmas on the Ponderosa”! Tony Curtis tells off Danny Kaye! And “Frosty the Snowman” turns 50! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 38min
GGACP Classic: Christmas 2020 with Mario Cantone
The celebration of the season continues as GGACP revisits this 2020 holiday presentation with friend and fan favorite Mario Cantone. In this episode, Mario and the boys discuss awkward child actors, depressing Christmas carols, holiday-themed horror films, the musical talents of Leslie Bricusse and Jerry Herman and the 50th anniversary of Rankin/Bass’ “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Also, Mickey Mouse meets Scrooge, Katharine Hepburn tugs on St. Nick’s beard, Cyrano de Bergerac warbles a seasonal ditty and Mario (finally) discovers the legend of Cesar Romero. PLUS: Tattoo sings! Ed Norton swings! “Christmas at SeaWorld”! Saluting Paul Coker! And Bob Hope and Marie Osmond holiday in Saudi Arabia! (Produced & edited by John Murray. Special thanks to Jerry Dixon. In loving memory of Mike McPadden) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 45min
Celebrating “A Charlie Brown’s Christmas" Encore
GGACP gets into the holiday spirit with this ENCORE of a special episode from 2020, as Gilbert and Frank are joined by writer-producer Craig Schulz (“The Peanuts Movie”) and author-archivist Chip Kidd (“Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz”) for an in-depth look at the origin and legacy of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the genius of the man behind it. Also, Snoopy crushes on Peggy Fleming, Linus makes prime time history, Barney Google inspires a lifelong nickname and Craig introduces his father’s work to a new generation. PLUS: Joe Shlabotnik! “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”! The artistry of Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson! And the experts reveal their favorite “Peanuts” strips of all time!(Special thanks to Charles Kochman, Melissa Menta, Lindsey Schulz and John Murray!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 20min
GGACP Classic: Dick Van Dyke
GGACP celebrates the 99th (!) birthday of living legend Dick Van Dyke (b. Dec 13) by revisiting this unforgettable conversation, originally recorded in 2016. In this episode, Dick looks back on his illustrious 70-year career, recalls his friendships with Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton and shares his memories (both good and bad) of making the classic family films “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Also, Dick idolizes Ray Bolger, co-stars with Mickey Rooney, gets a surprise visit from Cary Grant and earns a compliment from Fred Astaire. PLUS: Ed Wynn! “My Mother the Car”! The genius of Carl Reiner! Gilbert and Dick duet! And Dick reveals his secrets to longevity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 9, 2024 • 1h 29min
Christmas Spectacular with Mario Cantone Encore
GGACP celebrates the birthday of actor, comedian and beloved guest Mario Cantone (b. Dec 9) while also ushering in the Christmas season with this ENCORE of a classic holiday episode from 2018. In this episode, Mario and the boys weighs in on a stocking full of essential topics, including the fearlessness of Mae West, the tortured genius of Judy Garland, the most unappreciated Rankin-Bass special and the recent “Rudolph” and “Baby, it’s Cold Outside” controversies. Also, Leslie Nielsen tackles Mr. Magoo, Shelley Winters scales a Christmas tree, Marlon Brando hops a ride with Michael Jackson and Frosty pals around with John McGiver. PLUS: The Walt Disney of Christmas! Munchkins gone wild! Deconstructing “Moonstruck”! Gilbert remembers his favorite holiday toy! And Mario picks the worst Christmas song of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices