Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

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

3/12/26 • 76:02

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

3/9/26 • 68:59

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

3/5/26 • 76:31

“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

3/2/26 • 75:23

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

2/26/26 • 77:50

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

2/23/26 • 57:00

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

2/19/26 • 67:36

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

2/16/26 • 62:19

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

2/12/26 • 69:46

“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

2/9/26 • 97:13

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

2/5/26 • 64:45

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

2/2/26 • 57:18

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

1/29/26 • 55:09

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

1/26/26 • 87:28

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

1/22/26 • 79:53

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

1/19/26 • 61:22

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

1/15/26 • 84:28

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

1/13/26 • 03:15

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

1/12/26 • 55:53

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

1/8/26 • 60:19

In the debut episode of GGACP, comedian, author and talk show icon Dick Cavett drops by Gilbert’s Manhattan apartment to sip Merlot and share personal memories of Groucho Marx, Johnny Carson and John Lennon, among others. Dick also talks about the time a guest dropped dead on his set (yes, it happened) AND favors Gilbert and Frank with some dead-on impersonations of his favorite obscure character actors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1/5/26 • 65:40

In connection with this week’s “Fun For All Ages” encore episode about Johnny Carson’s 100th birthday, GGACP revisits part one of this wide-ranging 2019 interview with comedian-historian and host of “The Carson Podcast,” Mark Malkoff.In this episode: Mel Brooks takes on Tony Bennett, Ed Ames performs a “bris,” the mystery of the Zsa Zsa Gabor story, and Johnny turns down “The King of Comedy”!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1/1/26 • 25:10

GGACP celebrates the birthday (December 30) of Emmy-winning television director James Burrows with this ENCORE of an interview from 2019. In this episode, James talks about the importance of the “straight man,” the influence of his legendary dad Abe Burrows, the societal impact of “Will & Grace” and the winning formulas behind “Taxi,” “Friends” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Also, Andy Kaufman comes to dinner, Woody Harrelson changes the game, Norman Lear writes a fan letter and James meets John Steinbeck, Truman Capote and Groucho Marx. PLUS: Sydney Pollack! Remembering Ruth Gordon! The comedy of Patchett and Tarses! The generosity of Jay Sandrich! And James directs an “All in the Family” reboot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/29/25 • 96:07

GGACP celebrates Christmas Day by revisiting this fan favorite extravaganza from 2017 as holiday fixture Mario Cantone drops by the studio to chime in on everything from the infamous Bette Davis-Joan Crawford feud to the not-so-special effects of “Mighty Joe Young” to the strange predilections of Frosty the Snowman. Also, Dracula plays heavy metal, Carol Kane plays Gilbert’s wife, Mario learns the Perfecto Telles story (!) and the co-hosts rank the best (and worst) adaptations of “A Christmas Carol.” PLUS: Dueling Dylans! “The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas”! The genius of Alan Menken! In praise of Leonard Maltin! And the (triumphant) return of Carol Channing and Herve’ Villechaize! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/25/25 • 80:29

Don't miss any of the fun! Full episode available on Fun For All Ages. Links below Subscribe 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 The "Amazing Colossal Podcast" holiday tradition marches on as Frank is joined by old friend Mario Cantone and comedian-actress Susie Essman to talk about the best (and worst) Christmas movies on TCM, the secret life of Frosty the Snowman, the musical genius of Irving Berlin and Leslie Bricusse, the existential crisis of "It's a Wonderful Life" and the conclusions of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Sex and the City." Also, Jerry Seinfeld plays Hamlet, Susie asks for a Patti Playpal, Mario praises the "Miracle on 34th Street" remake and Frank salutes Gilbert with "The Twelve Jews of Christmas." PLUS: "The Shop Around the Corner"! The return of "Yule Be Sorry!" Mario "outs" Yukon Cornelius! The brilliance of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" And the panel remembers the talents of Bob Einstein, Willie Garson and Richard Lewis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/23/25 • 05:33

GGACP welcomes Christmas 2025 with this ENCORE of the final (2021) GGACP holiday show featuring actor, singer and fan favorite Mario Cantone. In this episode, Mario discusses a sackful of topics, including the joys of Albert Finney’s “Scrooge,” the enduring appeal of the Snow Miser, the genius of Stephen Sondheim and the 100th birthday of Judy Garland. Also, Mel Gibson celebrates Hanukkah (!), Gilbert replaces Kim Cattrall, Bette Davis makes like Maria von Trapp and Emannuel Lewis learns the true meaning of Christmas. PLUS: “Cricket on the Hearth”! The ghost of Charles Nelson Reilly! Iago sings! Santa hangs ten! Mario reenacts “The Birds”! And the boys get a surprise Christmas visit from a showbiz legend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/22/25 • 93:12

GGACP celebrates the 2025 holiday season by revisiting this short but sweet mini-episode from 2018, as Gilbert gleefully opens Christmas gifts from worshipping fans — including coffee table (!) books, collectible magazines, homemade holiday CDs, hand-drawn greeting cards and other goodies. Also in this episode: Chick Tracts presents “The Death Cookie,” the music of the Johnny Gregory Orchestra, Gilbert warbles the Chock Full O’ Nuts jingle and the first mention of future staffer-funster Michele Mantynen! PLUS: Rondo Hatton! Blind Lemon Raybone! “Boris Karloff’s Tales of Mystery”! And “The Gilbert Gottfried Munchausen by Proxy Telethon”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/18/25 • 26:37

GGACP makes merry with this ENCORE of a memorable and musical mini-episode from way back in 2016, as the irrepressible Mario Cantone joins the boys for a loving look at Christmas novelty songs, including timeless classics and tuneless clunkers. Also in this episode: Dueling Dylans! Dominick the Donkey! Gilbert gets a Christmas tree! The return of Bob Hope’s ‘Jack Frost’! And Tony Curtis puts the moves on Bette Davis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/15/25 • 32:15

To coincide with this week's "Fun for All Ages" salute to 1960s and '70s New York television, GGACP revisits this 2014 interview with a legend of local broadcasting, the one and only Joe Franklin. In this episode, Gilbert and Frank drop in on Joe’s infamously cluttered (an understatement!) Times Square office to nosh on 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

12/11/25 • 57:18

GGACP celebrates the 2025 holiday season with this ENCORE of a mini-show from 2017 as Gilbert and Frank (with an assist from Raybone) explore some lesser-known (and deservedly so, in some cases) Christmas flicks, including “Susan Slept Here,” “Pocketful of Miracles,” “A Carol for Another Christmas,” “Santa Claus vs. the Devil” and “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t.” Also in this episode: The cinema of Sonny Fox! Grizzly Adams to the rescue! Gilbert dons a Santa suit! Frank Capra cries plagiarism! And the squirrel that saved Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/8/25 • 28:34