This week: The flamboyance of Monti Rock! "The "magic" of Uri Geller! Johnny locks horns with "Saturday Night Live"! Mark (finally) lands Doc Severinsen! And Phil discovers the infamous "Jack Frost" sketch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 17, 2019•46 min
Emmy-winning comedy writer, food lover and raconteur Phil Rosenthal returns to the podcast for an in-depth conversation about New York-style pizza, celebrity PSAs, "non-ethnic" character actors, the cinema of Stanley Kubrick and the emotional resonance of "The Honeymooners." Also, Will Ferrell works the men's room, Peter Boyle turns down "The French Connection," Brad Garrett salutes The Merchant of Venom and Phil breaks bread with Steve Martin and Carl Reiner. PLUS: Nick Apollo Forte! "Ratatouil...
Oct 14, 2019•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 281
This week: "Pink Lady and Jeff"! "Misfits of Science"! The follies of Fred Silverman! The humbling of Jackie Gleason! And the shortest-running sketch show of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 10, 2019•41 min
Actor, writer and cinephile Treat Williams stops by the studio to talk about his 45 years in film, his admiration for Frank Capra and William Wyler, his love of old movie theaters and his memories of working with legendary directors Milos Forman, Sergio Leone and Steven Spielberg. Also, Vincent Price disses Alan Thicke, John Belushi auditions for "Hair," Gilbert hangs with Katharine Hepburn and Treat cameos in "The Empire Strikes Back"! PLUS: "The Phantom"! Praising Bob Balaban! The mastery of S...
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 280
This week: "Heartbeeps!" "Polyester" in Odorama! James Bond plays Inspector Clouseau! Paul Raeburn presents the Justice League! And the boys reveal their favorite westerns (and gangster movies)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 03, 2019•42 min
Comedy writer, producer and showrunner Don Reo regales Gilbert and Frank with memorable anecdotes about Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope and shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic shows like "Rhoda," "Sanford and Son" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Also, Groucho takes a phone call, Tom Waits provides inspiration, Robert Altman cuts to the chase and Don joins forces with the legendary Slappy White. PLUS: Phil Spector Week! "The Rifleman" loses his cool! Th...
Sep 30, 2019•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 279
This week: Harpo speaks! Peter Falk gets hammered! Gary Lewis & the Playboys! The brilliance of "The Black Cat"! And Neil Young teams with the Monkees! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 26, 2019•35 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by special guest pop culture expert Rupert Holmes for the first-ever "Amazing Colossal Trivia Call-in Show." Also: Cesar Romero meets Sid Melton, Kirk Douglas inspires "Barney Miller," Jay Leno partners with Pat Morita and Frank Gorshin passes the torch to Jamie Farr. PLUS: "The Phantom of the Paradise"! "The Return of Doctor X"! James Bond's greatest nemesis! Rupert hangs with Charles Bronson! The curse of the Spinal Tap drummers! And the secret origin of "Escape (T...
Sep 23, 2019•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 278
This week: The Velvet Fog! Illya Kuryakin rocks! Saluting Screem magazine! The versatility of Craig Bierko! And the boys remember the late, great James Karen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 19, 2019•33 min
Two of Gilbert and Frank's favorite guests, comedian Jackie Martling and voice actor Billy West return to the podcast for a no-holds-barred conversation about 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"!...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 277
This week: The heartbreak of Rondo Hatton! The gospel of Esther Rolle! Burt Ward meets Frank Zappa! Jack Klugman covers Carly Simon! And John Mulaney teams with Richard Kind! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 12, 2019•36 min
Emmy-winning director James Burrows 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," "Cheers," "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...
Sep 09, 2019•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 276
This week: Lionel Atwill! The generosity of Margaret Hamilton! Uncle Walt rolls out the red carpet! And Pearl Harbor delays the release of "Bambi"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 05, 2019•34 min
Comedy historian Jeff Abraham and producer-filmmaker Burt Kearns discuss their new book, The Show Won't Go On and provide fascinating backstories on the untimely (and unusual) passings of Dick Shawn, Joe E. Ross, Al Kelly, Parkyakarkus and Karl Wallenda (among others). Also, Moe Howard wears a dress, Sid Caesar packs heat, Burt Reynolds gets a paint job and Paul Anka tears down Wayne Newton. PLUS: Carmen Miranda's final bow! The poetry of Buddy Hackett! The history of the "bullet catch"! The str...
Sep 02, 2019•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 275
This week: Remembering Walter Brennan! "Mother's Carey's Chickens"! Bela Lugosi gets a nickname! And Donnie plays checkers with Boris Karloff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 29, 2019•30 min
Gilbert and Frank welcome back one of their most popular guests, comedian and actor Robert Wuhl, who holds court on a variety of subjects, including bad biopics, overrated film classics, the real story of Ty Cobb and the 30th anniversary of Tim Burton's "Batman." Also, Jack Nicholson hatches a plan, Ward Bond tangles with Martin Landau, John Ford takes on Cecil B.DeMille and Robert remembers his friends Joe Bologna, Bruno Kirby and Trey Wilson. PLUS: "The Babe Ruth Story"! The villainy of Frank ...
Aug 26, 2019•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 274
This week: "Milton the Monster"! "A Man Called Flintstone"! The genius of Jack Urbont (and Hoyt Curtin)! Gilbert sings the "King Kong" theme! And the return of Jerry the Bellybutton Elf! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 22, 2019•47 min
Gilbert and Frank are joined by author, journalist and songwriter (and Gilbert's old pal) Larry "Ratso" Sloman for a conversation about the Jewishness of Elvis Presley, the glory days of "Rolling Stone," the mysterious death of Harry Houdini and the new Martin Scorsese documentary, "Rolling Thunder: A Bob Dylan Story." Also, Al Lewis takes the stand, Joni Mitchell takes umbrage, Floyd the barber meets Robert Zimmerman and Ratso recalls adventures with Joan Baez, Leonard Cohen, George Harrison an...
Aug 19, 2019•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 273
This week: "Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman"! "Chiller Theater vs. Creature Features"! The mastery of Lalo Schifrin! Gilbert guests on "Sesame Street"! And Frank's dad hangs with Ben Casey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 15, 2019•40 min
Actor, producer and director Griffin Dunne drops by the studio to talk about vanishing New York, teaming up with Martin Scorsese and Sidney Lumet, the timelessness of Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" and the life (and work) of his famous family members, Dominick Dunne and Joan Didion. Also, Otto Preminger takes a bad trip, Jerry Lewis interprets Gore Vidal, Griffin sneaks onto the set of "Gilligan's Island" and Tim Burton (almost) directs "After Hours." PLUS: "The Panic in Needle Park"! The arti...
Aug 12, 2019•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 272
This week: 2 Live Crew! Burgess Meredith sings! Mad magazine on vinyl! The late, great Leon Redbone! Gilbert tries to name the podcast theme song! And Lon Chaney Jr. "pays homage" to Bobby "Boris" Pickett! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 08, 2019•41 min
Actor-director Ted Wass ("Soap," "Oh God! You Devil," "Curse of the Pink Panther") regales Gilbert and Frank with stories about everyone from George Burns to James Coburn to Tony Randall, recalls the many controversies surrounding "Soap," and looks back on the impossible task of replacing the legendary Peter Sellers. Also, Raymond Burr narrates the Bible, Gilbert gushes over the "Sheena" movie, Frank reads the infamous "Soap" memo and Harvey Korman "owns" Ted's funny bone. PLUS: "Experiment in T...
Aug 05, 2019•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 271
This week: From the desk of Mel Blanc! Remembering Rip Torn! The comedy of Robert Schimmel! "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman"! And Gilbert Gottfried meets Gilbert O'Sullivan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 31, 2019•42 min
Gilbert and Frank are thrilled to welcome rock 'n' roll icon Neil Sedaka, who discusses growing up in Brooklyn, his apprenticeship at the famed Brill Building, his chart-topping collaborations with lyricist Howard Greenfield and his memories of Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Richard Rodgers and Paul McCartney (among others). Also, Bob Dylan offers praise, John Lennon provides inspiration, Mick Jagger buys a Sedaka record and Neil remembers his cousin Eydie Gorme. PLUS: The Captain & Te...
Jul 29, 2019•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 270
This week: McCartney & Lennon!? "Surfin' Bird"! "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows"! Gilbert covers Cyrkle! And the not-quite-triumphant return of Zager and Evans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 25, 2019•40 min
To mark the 60th anniversary of the original "Twilight Zone," Gilbert and Frank welcome historian Gary Gerani, author NickParisi and Rod Serling's daughter Anne Serling, to discuss one of the most groundbreaking programs in television history -- and the man behind it. Also: Desi Arnaz leads the way, Ray Bradbury lends a hand, Richard Matheson joins the team and Anne reveals her dad's favorite TZ actors. PLUS: "Rod Serling's Night Gallery"! The brilliance of Bernard Herrmann (and Jerry Goldsmith)...
Jul 22, 2019•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 269
This week: "The Paul Lynde Show"! Gilbert of the Apes! The secret of Superman's cape! Mike McPadden's "Teen Movie Hell"! And the triumphant return of Giggles Gazoo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 18, 2019•38 min
Actress and singer Beverly D'Angelo ("National Lampoon's Vacation," "Hair," "Coal Miner's Daughter") joins Gilbert and Frank for a VERY spirited conversation about 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, Ava Gardner and Peter O'Toole. Also: Beverly auditions for "Raging Bull," Gilbert reads "Fifty Shades of G...
Jul 15, 2019•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 268
This week: The cinema of Russ Meyer! The Golden Age of TV nudity! The scourge of body doubles! And Gilbert learns the meaning of a "Marty Feldman"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 11, 2019•43 min
Gilbert and Frank welcome one of their favorite composers, Grammy and Emmy winner Charles Fox, who looks back on a six-decade career of writing top 40 hits ("Killing Me Softly with His Song") as well as music and themes for TV shows ("Happy Days," "Wonder Woman") feature films ("Barbarella," "9 to 5") and game shows ("Match Game," "What's My Line?"). Also, Charles teams with Barry Manilow, pens a tune for Burt Reynolds, witnesses the Ed Ames tomahawk incident and remembers friends Neal Hefti, Je...
Jul 08, 2019•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 267