Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

GGACP once again pledges support for striking TV and film writers by revisiting this 2019 interview with comedy writer and showrunner Don Reo. In this episode, Don regales Gilbert and Frank with anecdotes about Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope and shares backstage stories from classic shows like "Rhoda," "Sanford and Son" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Also, Groucho takes a call, Tom Waits provides inspiration, Robert Altman cuts to the chase and Don joins forces with the legendary Slappy White. PLUS: ”Action”! Phil Spector Week! "The Rifleman" loses his cool! The return of "The Honeymooners"! The comedy stylings of Elton John! And Don remembers the late, great Clarence Clemons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 28) of Oscar-winning producer Irwin Winkler ("Rocky," "Goodfellas," "Raging Bull," "The Right Stuff") with this ENCORE of a fascinating interview from 2019. In this episode, Irwin looks back on a half-century of movie-making and shares behind-the-scenes stories about working with Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Sydney Pollack, Martin Scorsese, Jessica Lange and Kevin Kline (to name a few). Also, Al Pacino walks off the set, Sly Stallone sticks to his guns, Jerry Orbach befriends a mobster and Irwin tackles the Hollywood blacklist. PLUS: "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" Remembering Burgess Meredith! Peter Bogdanovich rides again! Elvis replaces Julie Christie! And Irwin reveals the movies he never made! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates May's Jewish Heritage Month by revisiting this 2022 interview with Grammy and Emmy-nominated musician and historian Michael Feinstein. In this episode, Michael serenades Gilbert and Frank with classic tunes from the “Great American Songbook” and talks about performing at Hollywood parties, dining with Frank Sinatra, “accompanying” Judy Garland, befriending Rosemary Clooney and Ira Gershwin and recording his latest album “Gershwin Country.” Also, Paul Lynde gets plastered, Liberace morphs into Carol Channing, Irving Berlin begs Groucho not to perform his songs and Vincent Price carries on the memory of Dolores del Rio. PLUS: Bert Lahr! The music of Hugh Martin! The genius of Yip Harburg! Peter Lorre meets…Peter Lorre! Uncle Hymie inspires Inigo Montoya! And Michael favors the boys with “I Love a Piano” and “Lydia the Tattooed Lady”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 20) of Emmy-winning actor and writer Dave Thomas with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with Dave and author-mystery writer Max Allan Collins. In this episode, Dave and Max talk about the influence of Mad magazine, the genius of Jack Webb, the strange passions of Raymond Burr and their science fiction/crime novel “The Many Lives of Jimmy Leighton.” Also, John Cleese demands breakfast, Max impresses Warren Beatty, Gilbert cuts the rug with John Travolta and Dave weighs in on the horrors of “Joys” and “Jack Frost.” PLUS: Senor Wences! “The Road to Hong Kong”! Remembering Tom Poston! Santa Claus meets Liberace! Max praises “A Night in Casablanca”! And Jerry Lewis (literally) transforms into Buddy Love! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP continues its support of striking film and television writers by revisiting this 2019 interview with Emmy-winning screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. In this episode, Scott and Larry talk about the 25th anniversary of "Ed Wood," the exuberance of Milos Forman, the bizarro cinema of Rudy Ray Moore and their Eddie Murphy vehicle, "Dolemite is My Name." Also, Jim Carrey pranks Danny DeVito, Tim Burton befriends Vincent Price, Ray Walston "replaces" Peter Sellers and Scott and Larry remember the late, great Martin Landau. PLUS: Appreciating Robert Morse! The legacy of William Goldman! Mae West seduces 007! The Marx Brothers meet the Master of Disaster! And the boys pick their favorite big-screen biopics! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP salutes the life and career of late comedian and variety show mainstay Bill Saluga (AKA Raymond J. Johnson Jr.) with this ENCORE of an interview from 2017. In this episode, Bill recalls his years in the sketch group The Ace Trucking Company and reminisces about working with everyone from Redd Foxx to Billy Barty to John Lennon (among others). Also, Bill rooms with John Byner, David Frye hits on the ladies, Dick Shawn roasts Uncle Miltie and Bob Dylan pays tribute to Ray J. Johnson. PLUS: Gypsy Boots! "The Steve Allen Comedy Hour"! Bill improvises with Bobby Darin! RFK sings "Wild Thing"! And Pat McCormick meets the Master of Suspense! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP commemorates the 25th anniversary of the final episode of "Seinfeld" (May 14, 1998) by revisiting this 2020 interview with Tony-winning actor and director Jason Alexander. In this episode, Jason talks about network interference, working with animals, classic "Twilight Zone" episodes, Woody Allen's influence on George Costanza and how a "show about nothing" impacted popular culture. Also, Robert De Niro yuks it up, Liza Minnelli lends a hand, Jason and Martin Short perform "The Odd Couple" and Gilbert warbles a tune from "Duckman"! PLUS: Remembering Joe Besser! "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle"! The genius of Jerry Stiller! The golden age of comedy albums! And Jason gets advice from William Shatner! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP pledges its support for film and TV writers with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with Emmy-winning writer-director David Mandel. In this episode, David joins Gilbert and Frank for a revealing conversation about the origin of classic "Seinfeld" gags (man-hands, "Bizarro" Jerry), the inner workings of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the brilliance of Bob Einstein and Jerry Stiller, the ruthless humor of HBO's "Veep" and David's memorabilia-themed podcast "The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of." Also, Orson Welles gaslights studio bosses, Michael McKean sends up Robert Evans, Gilbert runs afoul of Kelsey Grammer and Billy Wilder (almost) directs the Marx Brothers. PLUS: Nerf Crotch Bat! In praise of Phil Hartman! Larry David blows a fuse! "Abbott and Costello Meet Al Pacino"! And...LIVE from New York, it's the "Planet of the Apes"! (thanks to our friend Andrew Buss) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 6) of TV personality and game show host Tom Bergeron by revisiting this entertaining conversation from 2017. In this episode, Tom weighs in on a variety of topics, including the unpredictability of live television, the genius of Marcel Marceau, the benefits of transcendental meditation and the rise and fall of the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Also, Tom interviews Moe Howard (and Larry Fine), Sid Caesar speaks German, Bob Hope moves down the couch and Mel Brooks mimics Bill Cullen. PLUS: Bob the Puppet! The Lawrence Welk singers! Arnold Schwarzenegger “brings funny!” Henry Winkler pulls a fast one! And Tom and Gilbert remember John Ritter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (May 3) of the late actor, author and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne with this ENCORE of a memorable conversation from 2014. In this episode (a Gilbert favorite), Robert talks about long-forgotten character actors, the introduction of Cinemascope, the evils of colorization and "pan and scan" and his friendships with Lucille Ball, Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland (to name a few). Also, Judy Garland holds court, Orson Welles disses Ted Turner, Vincent Price shares the screen with Art Linkletter and Robert appears in the "Beverly Hillbillies" pilot. PLUS: "The Wrong Box"! "Inside Daisy Clover"! Burgess Meredith directs! Zero Mostel acts out! And the greatest film school in the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (April 29) of rock 'n' roll legend Tommy James by revisiting this entertaining interview from 2017. In this episode, Tommy serenades Gilbert and Frank with some of his biggest hits ("I Think We're Alone Now," "Crystal Blue Persuasion") and discusses his turbulent, decades-long relationship with notorious music mogul/mob associate Morris Levy. Also, "Sgt. Pepper" changes the game, Gene Krupa hits hard times, Hubert Humphrey calls in a favor and Tommy reveals the strange origin of "Mony Mony." PLUS: Alan Freed! Vincent "The Chin" Gigante! "Hanky Panky" tops the charts! Tommy pens "Tighter, Tighter"! And Ed Sullivan presents "Tony Jones and the Spondells"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP's celebration of National Humor Month rolls on with this ENCORE of an unforgettable 2019 interview with actor-voice artist Billy West and comedian Jackie Martling. In this episode, the boys discuss the cinema of George Pal, the versatility of Paul Frees, the uniqueness of Peter Sellers and the enduring legend of Joe Franklin. Also, Jonathan Winters disses Don Adams, Jack Carter guests on "Ren & Stimpy," Billy meets The Man from Uncle and Jackie weighs in on the Gilbert-Shecky Greene clash. PLUS: "Shock Theater"! "7 Faces of Dr. Lao"! The return of the Jackie puppet! Curly Howard takes a bullet! And George Jessel duets with...George Jessel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates Earth Day (April 22) by revisiting this 2020 interview with astrophysicist, "Cosmos" host and "Twilight Zone" superfan Neil deGrasse Tyson. In this episode, Neil schools Gilbert and Frank on the subjects of time travel, zombie uprisings, the "logic" of werewolf movies and the plausibility of "Jurassic Park." Also, Sandra Bullock defies gravity, Perry Mason meets Godzilla, Raquel Welch rocks a loincloth and Rod Serling adapts "Planet of the Apes." PLUS: "The Blob"! Raymond J. Johnson Jr! Superman gets his freak on! Saluting Gene Roddenberry! And Neil and Gilbert compete on "The $100,000 Pyramid"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the 20th anniversary of the beloved mockumentary "A Mighty Wind" (released April 16, 2003) with this ENCORE presentation of a 2015 interview with veteran actor Paul Dooley. In this episode, Paul looks back on everything from tackling the role of Wimpy in Robert Altman's "Popeye" to creating characters for PBS' "The Electric Company" to improvising with Alan Arkin and Joan Rivers. Also, Paul performs standup for Jack Paar, understudies for Art Carney and shoots a commercial with Buster Keaton! PLUS: Richard Libertini! The genius of Nichols and May! "The Indestructible Man"! Paul does Lionel Barrymore! Gilbert does Walter Matthau! And Paul gets "probed" by aliens! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday of actor-comedian Brad Garrett (April 14) with this ENCORE of one of the funniest interviews in the podcast's history. In this episode, Brad talks about the camaraderie of Golden Age comedians, the strange appeal of the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," the comedic genius of Martin Mull and Fred Willard and the challenges of portraying his longtime hero, Jackie Gleason. Also, Sammy Davis buys a soda, Liza Minnelli sheds a tear, Gilbert plays the sitcom neighbor-from-Hell and Brad opens for the Chairman of the Board. PLUS: "Fargo"! Art Fern! In praise of Mr. Warmth! The generosity of...Jack Carter? The comedy stylings of "Greg Barrett"! And Brad remembers the late, great Peter Boyle! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates National Humor Month with this ENCORE of a memorable LIVE interview with Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian and writer LEWIS BLACK, recorded at the late, great Caroline's Comedy Club. In this episode, Lewis recounts some of his best showbiz war stories, shares his affection for “Sgt. Bilko” and “Amos ‘n’ Andy,” and looks back on the day the Beatles rocked his young world and changed his life. Also, Lewis auditions for Woody Allen, Gilbert loses a part to Dustin Hoffman (!) and Sir Cedric Hardwicke fails to live up to his name. PLUS: David Copperfield! Huntz Hall! “Terror Train”! Gilbert portrays a Spaniard! And Lon Chaney Jr. gets Bela Lugosi’s brain! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (April 6) of actress and best-selling author Marilu Henner by revisiting this no-holds-barred conversation from 2020. In this episode, Marilu talks about the sex appeal of Danny DeVito, the physical comedy of John Ritter, the star power of Burt Reynolds and the "gift" of her unusual (and uncanny) memory. Also, Larry David pens a love letter, Charles Durning teaches ballroom dancing, Gilbert flirts with Princess Leia and Marilu looks back at the films "L.A. Story," "Johnny Dangerously" and "Cannonball Run II." PLUS: The legend of Andy Kaufman! Bob Costas' "Ed Ames moment"! Shirley MacLaine works the room! Ol' Blue Eyes plays the MDA telethon! And Marilu picks her favorite episodes of "Taxi"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (April 3) of one of Gilbert and Frank's favorite guests: singer, actor and music producer Tony Orlando, by presenting this ENCORE of an unforgettable interview from 2016. In this episode, Tony reminisces about singing doo-wop on New York City rooftops, hustling for gigs at the world-famous Brill Building and working alongside music icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin and Clive Davis. Also, Tony remembers Freddie Prinze, gives props to Jerry Lewis, locks horns with "The Great One" and reveals the happy accident that created Tony Orlando and Dawn. PLUS: Tony roasts Dean Martin! Nancy Walker takes her revenge! Shecky Greene flips out! And the boys joins Tony for a "rendition" of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP closes out its celebration of Women's History Month by revisiting this lively (and then some) interview with actress and singer Beverly D'Angelo ("Hair," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Coal Miner's Daughter"). In this episode, Beverly looks back at her long, strange trip through show business, her gig as a Hanna-Barbera storyboard artist, her enduring friendships with Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher and her on-screen collaborations with Woody Allen, Alan Arkin, Eddie Bracken and Peter O'Toole. Also: Beverly reads for "Raging Bull," Gilbert reads "Fifty Shades of Grey," Burgess Meredith puts on the moves and Bela Lugosi directs a Marx Brothers movie. PLUS: Lurleen Lumpkin! "The Sentinel"! Remembering Patsy Cline! In praise of Andrew Bergman! And Beverly favors the boys with "The Girl from Ipanema"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday (March 27th) of Tony-nominated actor-director Austin Pendleton with this ENCORE of an interview from 2019. In this episode, Austin discusses the randomness of success, the myth of comic timing, the plight of character actors and the secret of surviving in a business without rules. Also, Austin directs Elizabeth Taylor, replaces Dustin Hoffman, turns down Robert Altman and shares the screen with Jackie Gleason, Jack Lemmon, Paul Newman and Barbra Streisand (to name a few). PLUS: "The Muppet Movie"! The wisdom of Otto Preminger! The diplomacy of Billy Wilder! Groucho ad-libs! Orson Welles disses Stanley Kubrick! And Austin remembers the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices