Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
Earwolf
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...
Location:
United States
Networks:
Earwolf
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Episodes
GGACP Rewind: Episode #29: Henry Winkler
4/13/2026
New York City-born Henry Winkler overcame a difficult childhood to carve out a memorable acting career, working with legends like Gene Kelly and Katherine Hepburn and portraying one of TV’s most indelible characters, Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. Gilbert and Frank dialed up Henry at his L.A. home to talk about his struggles with dyslexia, the genius of a young Robin Williams and Henry’s enduring friendships with Ron Howard and John Ritter. Also: Henry helps discover Marlee Matlin, meets John (and Julian) Lennon and explains the mysterious disappearance of Chuck Cunningham. PLUS: Fonzie parts the Red Sea! Sly Stallone paints his windows black! Henry turns down “Grease”! And Gilbert “sings” the “Lords of Flatbush” theme! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:36:54
GGACP Rewind: Episode #28: Micky Dolenz
4/9/2026
Gilbert and Frank visit the George Burns Room at the historic New York Friars Club, where they’re joined by actor, singer and musician Micky Dolenz for a fun and fascinating look back at “Monkeemania” and his own unlikely journey from 1950’s child star (“Circus Boy”) to 1960’s pop/rock icon. Also, Micky drops in on a “Sgt. Pepper” recording session, makes movies with Jack Nicholson and Frank Zappa and hits the town with fellow “Hollywood Vampires” John Lennon, Keith Moon and Alice Cooper. PLUS: Lon Chaney Jr.! Micky’s mom meets “The Creeper”! The Monkees take on “Faust”! Harry Nilsson quits his day job! And Sgt. Bilko sings “Yesterday”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:08:55
GGACP Rewind: Episode #27: Steve Cox
4/6/2026
Writer, journalist and pop culture expert Steve Cox has authored more than twenty books on film and television, including books about Johnny Carson, The Three Stooges, "The Addams Family," "I Dream of Jeannie," "The Munsters," "It’s a Wonderful Life" and "The Wizard of Oz." This week, Steve joins Gibert and Frank for a lively (and then some) conversation about Larry Fine’s lady-killing, the unappreciated comic timing of Fred Gwynne and “Grandpa” Al Lewis, and Abbott and Costello’s influence on Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. PLUS: A Munchkin suicide hoax! Mayor McCheese cleans up! Buddy Hackett enjoys a malted! And Frank attends a Stooge funeral! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:06:24
GGACP Rewind: Episode #26: Frankie Avalon
4/2/2026
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
Duration:01:17:21
GGACP Rewind: Episode #25: Bob Saget
3/30/2026
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
Duration:01:20:39
GGACP Rewind: Episode #24: Roger Corman
3/26/2026
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
Duration:01:02:40
GGACP Rewind: Episode #23: Brian Koppelman
3/23/2026
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
Duration:01:26:55
GGACP Rewind: Episode #22: Bela Lugosi Jr. and Sara Karloff
3/19/2026
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
Duration:01:22:29
GGACP Rewind: Episode #21: Alan Thicke and Shecky Greene
3/16/2026
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
Duration:00:50:08
GGACP Rewind: Episode #20: "Weird Al" Yankovic
3/12/2026
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
Duration:01:16:02
GGACP Rewind: Episode #19: Adam West
3/9/2026
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
Duration:01:08:59
GGACP Rewind: Episode #18: Jay Thomas
3/5/2026
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
Duration:01:16:31
GGACP Rewind: Episode #17: Barbara Feldon
3/2/2026
“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
Duration:01:15:23
GGACP Rewind: Episode #16: Danny Aiello
2/26/2026
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
Duration:01:17:50
GGACP Rewind: Episode #15: David Steinberg
2/23/2026
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
Duration:00:57:00
GGACP Rewind: Episode #14: Bill Persky
2/19/2026
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
Duration:01:07:36
GGACP Rewind: Episode #13: Drew Friedman
2/16/2026
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
Duration:01:01:19
GGACP Rewind: Episode #12: Mike Reiss
2/12/2026
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
Duration:01:09:46
GGACP Rewind: Episode #11: Billy West
2/9/2026
“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
Duration:01:37:13
GGACP Rewind: Episode #10: Penn Jillette
2/5/2026
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
Duration:01:04:45