Emmy-winning TV host, author and producer (and native New Yorker) Al Roker joins Gilbert and Frank for a trip down memory lane and a fun, freewheeling conversation about local kiddie show hosts, the lost art of ventriloquism, the complicated genius of Charles M. Schulz and Al's new book "You Look So Much Better in Person." Also, Fred Flintstone enjoys a smoke, Red Buttons leads a double life, Willard Scott becomes the original Ronald McDonald and Gilbert and Al co-star in "Sharknado 5: Global Sw...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 35 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by comedian, actor and magician Jeff Altman for a warm and funny conversation about his family connection to Houdini, his decades-long friendships with Buddy Rich and David Letterman, the early days of the Magic Castle and the Comedy Store and the infamous NBC variety show "Pink Lady & Jeff." Also, Raymond Burr takes a seat, Sam Kinison sees a ghost, Gilbert watches Rodney Dangerfield eat and Jeff opens for Pia Zadora and The Captain & Tennille. PLUS: Sean Connery! "...
May 10, 2021•1 hr 45 min
In this conclusion of a 2- part episode, actress, singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michelle Phillips talks about transitioning from music to films, hosting star-studded Hollywood parties, locking horns with Rudolph Nureyev, befriending Groucho Marx and her final conversations with group mates John Phillips and Cass Elliot. Also, Brian Wilson searches for inspiration, Jimi Hendrix burns his Stratocaster, Mia Farrow visits the Joshua Tree and Michelle hangs with Elvis, Cary Grant and Gregory P...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min
In the first part of a 2-part episode, singer, actress and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michelle Phillips looks back on her seven decades in the entertainment business and regales Gilbert and Frank with tales of the wild days and crazy nights of The Mamas and the Papas, one of the most successful, influential (and short-lived) groups in pop music history. Also in this episode: Cass Elliot beats the rap, Marshall Brickman co-writes "Annie Hall," Michelle dates Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson and Th...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Gilbert and Frank welcome Emmy-winning writer-director David Mandel for a revealing and rewarding 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 Gr...
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 50 min
Gilbert and Frank talk to Emmy-nominated TV and film director Ken Kwapis about working with primates, borrowing from Buster Keaton, falling in (and out of) love with movies, adapting "The Office" for American television and his new memoir, "But What I REALLY Want to Do is Direct." Also, Charlie Chaplin walks a tightrope, Alan Arkin (reluctantly) plays volleyball, Steve Coogan seduces a Keebler elf and Ken finds inspiration in "The Bellboy" and "A Night at the Opera." PLUS: "American Graffiti"! I...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 44 min
Film critic, Hollywood historian and Turner Classics Movies host Ben Mankiewicz joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about his famous family, the depiction of his grandfather in David Fincher's "Mank," the real authorship of "Citizen Kane" and his well-received TCM podcast "The Plot Thickens." Also, Mickey Rooney finds religion, Harpo Marx attends a seder, Jerry Lewis leaves a mysterious voicemail and Ben remembers the late, great Robert Osborne. PLUS: "Duck Soup"! "Mad Dog of Europe"! Tony Curtis: f...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 42 min
Gilbert and Frank celebrate the 100th (!) birthday of Mad magazine cartoonist Al Jaffee with this encore episode from 2016, featuring Al and longtime Mad writer Dick DeBartolo, who discuss their friendships with publisher William M. Gaines, their admiration of Jack Davis and Mort Drucker and the secret origin of the term "potrzebie." Also, Al remembers Harvey Kurtzman, Dick falls for Lauren Bacall, Stephen Colbert pays tribute to a comedy hero and Gilbert bashes "Up the Academy." PLUS: Gloria Sw...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 38 min
In this conclusion of a 2-part episode, Gilbert and Frank welcome back comedian, actor and Emmy-winning comedy writer DANA GOULD for a highly entertaining conversation about hammy actors, '70s cinema fashion, Famous Monsters of Filmland, the graciousness of George Carlin (and Adam West!) and the mysterious death of Dr. Cyclops. Also, Joey Bishop hassles Jack Benny, Chuck Connors fights a triceratops, Dana runs afoul of Bob Hope and Jonathan Harris (angrily) turns down the "Lost in Space" movie. ...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 3 min
In the first of a 2-part episode, comedian, actor and Emmy-winning writer Dana Gould returns to the show for a funny, frenetic conversation about the "science" of monster movies, the extravagance of Sammy Davis Jr., the generosity of Roddy McDowall (and Charlton Heston!) and the new web series, "Hanging with Dr. Z." Also, Dwight Frye checks out, Darren McGavin dons a bathrobe, Orson Welles turns down "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" and Andy Griffith "punches up" "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." PLU...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Actress, comedian, Emmy-nominated writer and loyal GGACP fan LARAINE NEWMAN returns to the show to discuss descending from Jewish cowboys, growing up in celebrity-land, co-founding The Groundlings, auditioning for Bob Hope (and Robert De Niro) and her engrossing new memoir, "May You Live in Interesting Times." Also, Don Ameche mounts a comeback, Chevy Chase tells the "Aristocrats" joke, Laraine crushes on Illya Kuryakin and Walter Matthau turns down the Julia Child sketch. PLUS: Autumn Fizz! "Am...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 46 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by Tony- and Emmy-nominated actress-singer Michele Lee for a look back at her seven-decade career in television ("Knots Landing"), movies ("The Comic," "The Love Bug") and on the Broadway stage ("How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying") and a lively conversation about the bawdiness of Red Skelton, the naughtiness of Buddy Hackett, the courageousness of Don Rickles and the flirtatiousness of Frank Sinatra. Also, Michele cuts the rug with Fred Astaire, treads...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 46 min
Tony, Emmy, Grammy and 8-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about the marriage of screen music and images, the demise (and resurrection) of movie musicals, the genius of the late, great Howard Ashman, and the "architecture" of songs like "Be Our Guest," "I See the Light," "Part of Your World" and "Somewhere That's Green." Also, Danny DeVito mimics Jimmy Durante, Steve Martin plays a sadistic dentist, Brad Garrett and Jeffrey Tambor perform a "want" song and A...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 23 min
Gilbert and Frank talk to Emmy- and Oscar-nominated actor-director Richard Masur about his 6-decade acting career, his years as president of the Screen Actors Guild, his numerous collaborations with mentor Norman Lear and his role in the infamous "Heaven's Gate." Also, Francis Ford Coppola welcomes feedback, Jack Nicholson replaces Mandy Patinkin, John Carpenter remakes "The Thing" and Richard shares drinks (and the screen) with Pat McCormick. PLUS: "Scavenger Hunt!" "Hot l Baltimore"! Rememberi...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 18 min
Show business historian and New York Times bestselling author KLIPH NESTEROFF returns to the podcast for an entertaining and (as always) educational discussion about banned cartoons, politically incorrect mascots, the history of Hollywood stereotypes and his new book on Native Americans and comedy, "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem." Also, Buddy Hackett pulls a knife, Howard Hawks disses Rowan & Martin, Peter Sellers sends up Charlie Chan and Frank Sinatra's goons rough up Shecky Greene. PLUS...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 39 min
Under the creative guidance of audio producer John Murray, Gilbert and Frank discuss and dissect some of the show's best musical moments from 2014-2020, with live performances by Neil Sedaka, Dennis DeYoung, Kenny Loggins, Tommy James, Mark Hudson and Tony Orlando (among others). Also in this episode: Anne Murray covers "Danny's Song," Uncle Junior interprets Yip Harburg, Rupert Holmes (almost) pays tribute to Humphrey Bogart, and Charles Fox composes the soundtrack of 1970s television. PLUS: Jo...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Gilbert and Frank are again joined by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Michael H. Weber for a loving look back at some of the artists and performers who left the stage in 2020, including Carl Reiner, Kirk Douglas, Diana Rigg, Buck Henry, Regis Philbin and Olivia deHavilland. Also in this episode: Sean Connery improvises an iconic line, Fred Silverman makes TV history, Matty Simmons co-founds the National Lampoon and the world bids farewell to Mr. Creosote. PLUS: Burns and Schreiber! Stiller and Mear...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 45 min
Entertainment historian and bestselling author RICK LERTZMAN ("The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney") discusses his new book, "Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, the Mob, and the Summit" and joins Gilbert and Frank for a fascinating conversation about the heyday of nightclubs, the glory days of Las Vegas and the cultural impact of Frank, Dean, Sammy, Joey and Peter. Also, Uncle Miltie whips it out (again), Sammy Davis blows through a fortune, Pat McCormick tanks "The Joey Bishop Show" and Jerry L...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 43 min
Gilbert and Frank celebrate the 50th anniversary of "All in the Family" with an ENCORE presentation of another classic episode, as legendary writer-producer-director NORMAN LEAR 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 rememb...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 22 min
In this repeat of a classic GGACP episode, Gilbert and Frank chat with one of their favorite performers, actor-writer-director DAVE THOMAS, who looks back on his years with Second City (and "SCTV"), his transition to dramatic series writing, his admiration for Bob Hope and his working relationships with Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Tom Poston and Martin Short. Also, Richard Harris gets rough, Buck Henry storms out, Gilbert cuts the rug with John Travolta and Mel Blanc plays Dave's dad. PLUS: "The N...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 47 min
Frank Santopadre is joined by special guest Mario Cantone to answer your questions live from the Stereo App! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 01, 2021•1 hr 11 min
To celebrate the 55th anniversary of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Gilbert and Frank welcome writer-producer Craig Schulz ("The Peanuts Movie") and archivist and author Chip Kidd ("Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz") for a look back at one of the most beloved and innovative television specials ever produced and the enduring genius of the man behind it. Also, Snoopy crushes on Peggy Fleming, Linus makes prime time history, Barney Google inspires a lifelong nickname and Craig introduces his fat...
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 44 min
Friend and fan favorite Mario Cantone returns for GGACP's annual holiday episode and a funny and festive conversation about awkward child actors, depressing Christmas carols, holiday-themed horror films, the musical talents of Leslie Bricusse and Jerry Herman and the 50th anniversary of Rankin/Bass' "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." Also, Mickey Mouse meets Scrooge, Katharine Hepburn tugs on St. Nick's beard, Cyrano de Bergerac warbles a seasonal ditty and Mario (finally) discovers the legend of ...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 40 min
GGACP favorites Craig Bierko and Beverly D'Angelo return to the show for a spirited conversation about ABC Afterschool Specials, obscure time travel movies, the comedic brilliance of Martin Short and Richard Kind and the early days of cable television. Also, Al Pacino watches "Cats," Milos Forman inspires Steve Martin, Beverly grabs Chevy Chase's junk and Craig mixes up Bob Hope and Richard Nixon. PLUS: Imogene Coca! The return of old Groucho! Stan Kann the Gadget Man! In praise of Carrie Fisher...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Emmy and Tony-nominated actor Stacy Keach looks back on his seven-decade career and talks about playing Shakespeare's greatest characters, dining with Orson Welles, shooting pool with John Huston and sharing the screen with Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck. Also, Rod Steiger passes on "Patton," Stacy turns down Hawkeye Pierce, John Wayne parties with Zsa Zsa Gabor and the Keaches, Quaids and Carradines team up for "The Long Riders." PLUS: "The Ninth Configuration"! I...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 25 min
Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer and founder of The Lovin' Spoonful John Sebastian entertains Gilbert and Frank with anecdotes about Cass Elliott, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon and Jim Morrison and reveals the stories and inspirations behind hits like "Daydream," "Summer in the City," and "Do You Believe in Magic." Also, Groucho co-hosts "Music Scene," Richard Pryor plays the Cafe Au Go-Go, Art Garfunkel nails a Spoonful cover version and John composes a classic sitcom theme. PLUS: Vivian Vance! "What's Up...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 33 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by archivist BOB FURMANEK, film critic LEONARD MALTIN and author-historian RON PALUMBO for a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Bud Abbott & Lou Costello's screen debut and an animated conversation about the lives and careers of one of the most popular comedy teams of all time. Also in this episode: Groucho Marx gushes, Dean Martin gets a nose job, Boris Karloff turns down "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" and Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi consider a Bud and...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 50 min
Comedian, actor and master impressionist John Byner returns to the show to share hilarious anecdotes about James Cagney, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Ed Sullivan and Jackie Vernon (to name a few) and to talk about his recently-released memoir "Five Minutes Mr. Byner: a Lifetime of Laughter."Also, Jack Carter lashes out, George Jessel lawyers up, Joey Bishop promotes a boxing match and Billy Barty sits on Bob Hope's lap. PLUS: Annette Funicello! "Angels with Dirty Faces"! Dueling Rod Steigers! "Mer...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 38 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by astrophysicist, "Cosmos" host and "Twilight Zone" superfan Neil deGrasse Tyson for an entertaining and educational conversation about time travel, zombie uprisings, the logic of werewolf movies, the science of being funny 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...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 37 min
Oscar-winning actor, musician and activist Tim Robbins joins the boys for a lively discussion on a wide range of topics, including the "New Hollywood" of the '70s, the genius and generosity of Robert Altman, the timeliness of Depression-era screwball comedies and the enduring appeal of "The Shawshank Redemption." Also, Gore Vidal steals the show, Richard Pryor plays The Gaslight Cafe, Orson Welles runs afoul of William Randolph Hearst and Tim (fondly) remembers Paul Newman, Don Rickles and Robin...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 47 min
