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.
Disc jockey, recording artist, radio/TV personality and longtime game show host Wink Martindale shares six decades of show business memories, including performing for Ed Sullivan, interviewing Jan and Dean, cutting a Top Ten single ("Deck of Cards") and befriending the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Also, Dickie Dawson laughs it up, Bobby Darin orders off the menu, Sam Cooke experiences technical difficulties and Wink pitches a show to Merv Griffin. PLUS: Sam Phillips! Barry & Enright stage a comeback! Paul Lynde brings down the house! Gilbert sings "Mack the Knife"! And Wink remembers Chuck Barris!
Gilbert and Frank welcome one of their most sought-after guests, iconic writer-producer-director Norman Lear, who holds court on a variety of subjects, including the inscrutability of Dean Martin, the politics (and Jewishness) of Edward G. Robinson, the "inventiveness" of Mickey Rooney and the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen. Also, Norman woos Frank Sinatra, praises John Amos, presents Jerry Lewis with a one-of-a-kind gift and remembers his friend Carroll O'Connor. PLUS: James Franciscus! Roscoe Lee Browne! "Hot l Baltimore"! Norman buys the Declaration of Independence! And the legend of Joe E. Lewis.
Grammy-winning producer, British Invasion rocker and former Apple Records exec Peter Asher joins Gilbert and Frank for a fascinating discussion about (among other topics) the genius of James Taylor, the profound influence of the Everly Brothers, the rivalry between the Beach Boys and the Fab Four and the 50th anniversary of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Also, John Lennon meets Yoko Ono, Peter "inspires" Austin Powers, Linda Ronstadt teams with Nelson Riddle and Peter and Gordon play the '64 World's Fair. PLUS: Spike Milligan! Del Shannon! Jackie Gleason acts out! Chad & Jeremy meet the Caped Crusaders! And a "rejected" Beatles tune lands Peter at the top of the charts!Photo by © Charles Eshelman | www.charleseshelman.com
Gilbert and Frank welcome actor-director Richard Benjamin for an enlightening and thoroughly entertaining discussion about his six-decade career in Hollywood as well as his memories of working with Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Clint Eastwood, Mike Nichols and Orson Welles. Also, James Mason pulls a fast one, Walter Matthau plays the ponies, Johnny Guitar meets Lawrence of Arabia and Richard helms a comedy classic ("My Favorite Year"). PLUS: The genius of Michael Crichton! The brilliance of Buck Henry! George Burns orders soup! Richard pursues Albert Finney! And Gilbert sings the theme from "Goodbye Columbus"!
This week: Uma Thurman does the Batusi! Adam teams with the Three Stooges! The genius of Neal Hefti! And the unsung brilliance of "Lookwell."
Man of a thousand talents -- singer, songwriter, record producer, playwright and novelist Rupert Holmes joins Gilbert and Frank to discuss the lost art of "story songs," the visual allure of Hammer films, the mimicry gifts of Peter Bogdanovich and the unsung musicianship of the Wrecking Crew. Also, Rupert lunches with Groucho (and Frank Capra!), pens tunes for Barbra Streisand, joins forces with Jerry Lewis and reveals the origin of "The Pina Colada Song." PLUS: "The Indestructible Man"! The magic of Orson Welles! Gene Pitney makes a note! Darren McGavin takes a steam! And Rupert hangs with the Jackson 5!
This week: "The Road to Hong Kong"! Edna Babish meets Al Jolson! Jerry Colonna goes to an orgy! And Gilbert sings (sort of) "Build Me Up Buttercup"!
Actor, film historian, memorabilia collector and self-described "Monster Kid" Bob Burns regales Gilbert and Frank with stories about meeting Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, George Pal and William Castle, among others. Also, Bob mentors Rick Baker, tours with Eddie Munster, brings Lon Chaney Jr. to tears, and visits the set of "Plan 9 from Outer Space." PLUS: "Shock Theater"! Ray "Crash" Corrigan! "Invasion of the Saucer Men"! Tor Johnson goes to the movies! And Bob confirms the "legend" of Forrest Tucker! This episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/GILBERT).
This week: Chevy Chase vs. Gallagher! The Legendary Peter Lasally! Johnny "tests" Uri Geller! And the King of Late Night's final curtain!
Pop vocalist, record producer and "Sugar Sugar" singer Ron Dante joins Gilbert and Frank for an engaging and enjoyable conversation about the history of the legendary Brill Building, the birth of The Archies, the magic touch of Don Kirshner (and Barry Manilow) and the lost art of commercial jingles. Also, Ron mimics Donovan, Larry Fine throws in the towel, Paul Shaffer goes deep-sea fishing and Carole King's babysitter tops the charts. PLUS: "Leader of the Laundromat"! The fabulous Toni Wine! The 1910 Fruitgum Company! "The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan"! And the return of "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep"!
