Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

“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

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

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

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