Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

Former teen idol Frankie Avalon broke into show business as a child prodigy and was soon receiving 12,000 pieces of fan mail per week and working alongside Hollywood greats Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx and John Wayne. Frankie joined Gilbert and Frank for a look back at his humble beginnings in South Philly, his years as a teen heartthrob and his decades-long friendship with onscreen love interest Annette Funicello. Plus: The Duke makes Laurence Harvey cry! Buster Keaton meets Houdini! “Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine”! Dueling Draculas! And Cesar Romero and Arnold Stang hit a strip joint! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Old pal Bob Saget drops by the historic Friars Club to plug his New York Times bestseller “Dirty Daddy,” and to chat with Gilbert and Frank about his early days in the biz, his 8-year gig as a sitcom patriarch and his friendships with Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles. Also, Bob starts his own hate society, dreams about Buddy Hackett and Buddy Ebsen and grills Gilbert about his most memorable “casting couch” experiences. PLUS: Perfecto Telles! Asian Elvis! Sam Kinison as the Messiah! Gilbert as “Weezie” Jefferson! And the first joke Bob ever wrote! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary B-movie king Roger Corman has produced and directed over 400 films, giving early career breaks to actors like Robert De Niro, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Charles Bronson and Dennis Hopper and helping to launch the directing careers of Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Peter Bogdanovich (among others).Gilbert and Frank phoned Roger in his Hollywood home to learn more about his life and storied career, including where/how he first met longtime friend and collaborator Jack Nicholson, why the Hell’s Angels threatened to murder him AND take him to court, and why “a monster should always be bigger than a leading lady.” PLUS: “The Beast with (not quite) a Million Eyes”! Roger experiments with LSD! Peter Lorre messes with Boris Karloff’s head! And the enduring mystery of “The Terror”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music producer-turned-filmmaker and screenwriter Brian Koppelman (“Rounders,” “Runaway Jury,” “Oceans 13”) joins Gilbert and Frank at the legenday NY Friars Club to talk about everything from signing Tracy Chapman and Eddie Murphy to their first record deals to working with celebrated actors John Turturro, Martin Landau and John Malkovich. Also, Brian trots out a Gilbert impression, names all four “Sweathogs” and heaps praise on “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” PLUS: Al Pacino borrows from Paul Anka! The “Death Wish” muggers make it big! And Ol’ Blue Eyes demands a slice of pie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank celebrate the lives and careers of horror icons Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff with the help of their devoted offspring, Bela Lugosi Jr. and Sara Karloff. First up, the “Son of Dracula” recalls visiting the set of “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” as a child and points out what the movie “Ed Wood” got wrong about his famous dad. Then, author and historian Sara Karloff looks back on her father's most indelible roles, from The Frankenstein Monster to The Mummy to The Grinch—and tells us why her dad referred to Halloween as his “busy season." PLUS: Karloff dances on “The Red Skelton Show”! Lugosi passes up the role of a lifetime! Sara meets the “Son of Gilbert”! And Bela Jr. takes a stand for The Three Stooges! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's two brief but memorable interviews in one episode as Gilbert’s old boss, actor, producer and songwriter Alan Thicke, joins the boys for a look back at the late, lamented 1983 talk show "Thicke of the Night” (featuring a young Gilbert Gottfried)! and reminisces about everything from his short-lived disco career to scripting variety specials for Johnny Cash, Bobby Darin and Flip Wilson. Also, Alan and Gilbert swap wives, John Lennon praises commercial jingles and Paul Lynde drives his sportscar into a ditch. Next up, it's a clash of comedy titans as Gilbert and Frank extend a peace offering to Las Vegas legend Shecky Greene following the much-publicized Gilbert-Shecky Friars Club feud! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In August of 2014, "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Mandatory Fun" became the first comedy album to top the U.S. Billboard charts in over five decades. Several months later, Al joined Gilbert and Frank at the legendary New York Friars Club to talk about an assortment of fascinating topics, including Dr. Demento's influence on his career, the history of novelty and parody records and the reason he was forbidden to make eye contact with Prince. Also, Gilbert flashes Marge Simpson, prays to a statue of Red Buttons and loses a film role to 3′ 9″ Billy Barty. PLUS: Dueling Crazy Guggenheims! Irving Berlin vs. Mad magazine! “Disco” Art Fleming! And Weird Al’s “Mount Rushmore of Comedy”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixty years ago, ABC's "Batman" premiered, revolutionizing both television and popular culture. Back in 2014, Gilbert and Frank tracked down the caped crusader of the swinging sixties (and their childhoods), the legendary Adam West, who happily shared his memories of everyone from Gary Cooper to Jackie Gleason and joked about some of his more “challenging” gigs (“Voodoo Island” anyone?). Also in this episode: Adam duets with Dino, makes history with William Shatner and pays Gilbert one of the greatest compliments of his career. PLUS: The origin of the Batusi! Liberace gets tough! Adam turns down the part of 007! And Batman and the Riddler go to an orgy!? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and Emmy-winning actor Jay Thomas is best known to audiences as doomed hockey star Eddie LeBec on “Cheers” and tabloid talker Jerry Gold on “Murphy Brown,” but he’s also a showbiz renaissance man, having worked as a stand-up comic, disc jockey, sportscaster and reality show host. Jay stopped by Gilbert’s apartment on a summer evening to share hilariously candid anecdotes about everything from swiping Bill Cosby’s jokes to getting kicked out of an audition for “The West Wing.” Also in this episode: Jay looks back on the infamous “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?," Joe Piscopo runs afoul of the mafia and Jay runs afoul of Rhea Perlman. PLUS: The Lone Ranger “rides” again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Agent 99” herself, the funny and charming Barbara Feldon invites Gilbert and Frank to her New York City townhouse to share warm memories of “Get Smart” co-stars Don Adams, Ed Platt and Bernie Kopell and to give the boys her take on the Steve Carell feature film version. Also, Barbara looks back on working with everyone from Dean Martin to Bruce Dern and tells us how she managed to win $64,000 on a quiz show. Also in this episode: Gilbert channels John McGiver, Barbara auditions to be a stripper, and the worst TV movie ever made. PLUS: A live, all-new rendition of the "99" song! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank return to the New York Friars Club to sit down with the (VERY!) candid and colorful Danny Aiello about his uphill and unlikely journey from Greyhound bus dispatcher to Oscar nominee. Also, Danny shares his memories of goofing around with Paul Newman, sightseeing with Rodney Dangerfield and singing backup for Bette Midler, and tells us why he’s embarrassed by his role in the classic rom-com “Moonstruck.” Also in this episode: Uncle Miltie meets Jack Ruby, Danny jokes about his notoriously fiery temper and Robert De Niro learns to throw a baseball. PLUS: The Pete Best of “The Godfather”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary comedian and Emmy-winning writer David Steinberg joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about his friendships with Jack Benny and George Burns, his 140+ appearances on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show," his inclusion on Richard Nixon’s infamous enemies list and the 2013 biographical Showtime documentary “Quality Balls." Also in this episode: the Smothers Brothers get hate mail, David directs Gilbert in an episode of “Mad About You” and David presents Showtime's "Inside Comedy" series. PLUS: John Candy does Doc Severinsen! David saves Tony Randall’s life! And the Mount Rushmore of Jewish comedians! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five-time Emmy winner Bill Persky led a charmed life in show business. Handpicked by comedy legend Carl Reiner to write (and eventually produce) "The Dick Van Dyke Show," Bill and partner Sam Denoff scripted many of the series' most memorable episodes, including "Coast to Coast Big Mouth" and "That's My Boy." Later, the duo would create the groundbreaking sitcom "That Girl" and write comedy specials for Bill Cosby and Mary Tyler Moore and Bill (flying solo) would go on to produce and direct hit shows like "Kate & Allie" "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Who's the Boss?". Bill sat down with Gilbert and Frank to talk about his journey through the golden age of TV comedy and about working with EVERYONE, including Steve Allen, Bob Hope, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Peter Sellers, and Orson Welles (to name but a few!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off the launch of his recent book, "Heroes of the Comics," Gilbert and Frank were joined by their favorite illustrator, the incomparable Drew Friedman. While sitting and admiring Drew's work adorning the walls of Manhattan's Society of Illustrators, the boys managed to cover everything from Drew and Gilbert's days at "National Lampoon" to Gilbert's Lon Chaney, Jr. obsession to the time a 15-year-old Drew paid a visit to the home of the legendary Groucho Marx. ALSO: "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant"! Jerry Lewis kvells over Drew's portrait! The triumphant return of Milton Berle's schlong! And Drew reveals why he's Howard Stern's favorite artist! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank sit down with writer, producer and former showrunner of "The Simpsons," Mike Reiss, who shares a few “dark secrets” behind the show that would go on to become the longest-running primetime series in television history. In this episode, Mike reveals the true story behind Itchy & Scratchy, how Groundskeeper Willie became a national hero, and why Marge’s bouffant is so tall (bet you don’t know the story behind that one.) Also, Mike recalls writing fake “letters to Santa” for Johnny Carson and working on one of Frank's all-time favorite series, “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” PLUS: Michael Jackson’s sound-alike, hookers in helicopters and Raymond Burr does Tiny Tim! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Man of a Thousand Voices” Billy West has lent his unique talents to projects such as “Ren & Stimpy,” Matt Groening’s “Futurama,” “Looney Tunes” cartoons and of course, “The Howard Stern Show,” where he won over longtime listeners with his savagely funny impressions of Larry Fine, former Stern show writer Jackie Martling and late Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott. In this classic episode, Gilbert and Frank rang up Billy at his home in Hollywood to compare notes on some of their favorite essential topics, including Bud Abbott, Gale Gordon, Peter Lorre, Al “Grandpa” Lewis, and the racism of "Dick Tracy" cartoons. PLUS: the true story behind the voice of Dr. Zoidberg! Billy jams with The Beach Boys! Jewish Frankenstein! Angry Munchkins! And Gilbert sings the theme song from “Problem Child”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank returned to the famed New York Friars Club to sit down with Gilbert’s old pal, magician-illusionist-comedian-provocateur Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame. Over the course of an amusing and highly informative hour, Penn shared fond memories of Johnny Carson, George Carlin and Jerry Lewis, explained how his love of jazz inspired the hit 2005 documentary “The Aristocrats” (a movie he co-conceived and co-produced). Also, Penn reveals the real, no-“Bullshit” story behind the death of legendary showman Harry Houdini. PLUS: The near-death of Gilbert Gottfried! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of Gilbert and Frank's favorite interviews was this 2014 sitdown with a legend of local broadcasting, the one and only Joe Franklin. In this episode, the boys dropped in on Joe’s infamously cluttered (an understatement!) Manhattan office to nosh on (very old) chicken salad, dodge falling stacks of collectibles and ask the “King of Nostalgia” about his memories of Charlie Chaplin, Woody Allen, Buster Keaton, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and John Lennon, to name but a few. PLUS: The Ramones! Remembering the Toastmaster General! Joe interviews Boris Karloff (and Bela Lugosi?)! And the greatest entertainer of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Child actor Butch Patrick was barely 11 years old when he was asked to screen test for a CBS “family sitcom” and within hours, his life was forever changed. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the debut of one of TV’s strangest (and most enduring) shows, “The Munsters,” Gilbert and Frank rang up Eddie Munster himself to find out how he first landed the part way back in 1964, why the original Marilyn was replaced and if he still had his old “Woof Woof” doll. Also, Butch speaks with surprising candor about overcoming his various demons and tells us where “Lidsville” creators Sid and Marty Krofft found their own “inspiration.” All this, plus memories of Chuck Jones, Mel Blanc, Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Lynde and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of movie buffs knew Robert Osborne as the elegant, erudite film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, but few knew that he spent time as a struggling actor, was mentored by comedy legend Lucille Ball, and even appeared in the pilot of “The Beverly Hillbillies” — a show he was certain would “never catch on.” Some years ago, Gilbert sat in as TCM’s “Guest Programmer” and Robert generously returned the favor by traveling to Manhattan’s Society of Illustrators on a hot July evening to dish a little dirt and share anecdotes about Hollywood luminaries Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Natalie Wood and Walt Disney (among others). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank visit the New York City apartment of “Roastmaster General” Jeff Ross to talk about some of his favorite roasts and roast jokes (he also couldn’t resist the urge to roast his two interviewers). Jeff also recalls his friendships with showbiz icons Buddy Hackett, Bea Arthur, Sid Caesar and Milton Berle, including the time he was treated to a sneak peek of Uncle Miltie’s legendarily large appendage. Also, Gilbert chimes in on his infamous performance at the Hugh Hefner roast and the “Aristocrats” joke that spawned a hit movie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout the late 1950’s and 60’s, the comedy duo of (Marty) Allen & (Steve) Rossi performed to sold-out Vegas crowds, recorded best-selling comedy albums and made hundreds of TV appearances (44 of them on “The Ed Sullivan Show"). Sadly, Steve Rossi had passed away earlier in 2014, but Gilbert and Frank tracked down the other half of the legendary team, 92-year-old Marty Allen, to talk about his 60+ years in the business, his brushes with Elvis and the Beatles and the origin of the his signature catch phrase, “Hello Dere!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Musician, comedian, actor and composer Paul Shaffer was heavily influenced by the musical (and comedy) acts he grew up watching on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” so it was only fitting that we interviewed him in the “Ed Sullivan Room” of the famed New York Friars Club. Not many people can say they worked with James Brown, John Belushi, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Brian Wilson, Mickey Rooney AND the infamous Phil Spector, but Paul has — and he shares memorable anecdotes about every one of them. Also, Gilbert and Paul discuss their mutual obsession with a certain Cindy Crawford/Valerie Bertinelli infomercial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank welcomes 2026 with GGACP Rewind, a full replay of The Amazing Colossal Podcast from the very beginning. Plus, more Fun For All Ages. Subscribe to Fun For all Ages now on Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fun-for-all-ages-with-frank-santopadre/id1824012922⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/18EQJNDwlYMUSh2uXD6Mu6?si=97966f6f8c474bc9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13b5ed88-d28d-4f0c-a65e-8b32eecd80f6/fun-for-all-ages-with-frank-santopadre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgvlbF41NLLPvsrcZ9XIsYKkH_HvUXHSG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-fun-for-all-ages-with-fran-283612643/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TuneIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tun.in/pxOWO⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank visit the Manhattan apartment of 91-year-old comedy legend Larry Storch to talk about his days in nightclubs and burlesque, his gift for accents and dialects, his decades-long friendships with Tony Curtis and Don (“Get Smart”) Adams and his memories of everyone from Lucille Ball to Orson Welles. Also, Larry shares some of his all-time favorite jokes and joins the boys for an impromptu (and practically on-key) rendition of the “F-Troop” theme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor and alleged wiseguy Gianni Russo, who played the traitorous Carlo Rizzi in 1972's "The Godfather," stops by the studio to talk about people he's bumped off in real life (two, maybe three that he’ll admit to), sleeping with Liza Minnelli and Marilyn Monroe (!?) and taking acting lessons from Marlon Brando. Also, crime boss John Gotti and Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega get mentions! (Did you know that Liza and Noriega briefly toured together in the ’80s? Okay, we made that part up). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices