In connection with this week's "Fun For All Ages" episode about Johnny Carson's 100th birthday, GGACP revisits this 2019 interview with comedian-historian and host of "The Carson Podcast," Mark Malkoff and Emmy-winning writer and producer (and lifelong Carson fan) Phil Rosenthal. Also in this episode: The flamboyance of Monti Rock, the “magic” of Uri Geller and Johnny locks horns with “Saturday Night Live." PLUS: Mark (finally) lands Doc Severinsen! And Phil discovers the infamous “Jack Frost” s...
Oct 23, 2025•45 min
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts for a new episode every Tuesday! Subscribe 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=PLgvlbF41NLLPvsrcZ9...
Oct 21, 2025•3 min
The celebration of Halloween month continues with this classic episode from 2018 that helped inspire the format of Frank's "Fun For All Ages" podcast as Metallica guitarist, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and monster kid Kirk Hammett discusses his lifelong love affair with horror films, his priceless collection of movie memorabilia and the shared connection between horror fans and metal heads. Also, Boris Karloff goes digital, Kirk meets Robert Crumb, Forrest Ackerman drives a hard bargain and Gi...
Oct 20, 2025•1 hr 40 min
GGACP celebrates Halloween month by revisiting part two of a 2019 salute to Universal horror classics with author, screenwriter and historian Gary Gerani. In this episode: In praise of "The Raven"! The Monster takes a mate! Bela Lugosi’s finest hour! The strange life of Edgar G. Ulmer! And the absurd brilliance of “The Black Cat”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 16, 2025•44 min
GGACP celebrates Halloween month with this ENCORE of an informative and entertaining two-part conversation about Gilbert and Frank's beloved Universal horror classics with historian, screenwriter and author of "Top 100 Horror Movies," Gary Gerani. This week: Directed by Roger Corman! The music of Billy Goldenberg! The trials of Colin Clive! Boris Karloff goes bowling! And King Tut inspires “The Mummy”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 13, 2025•41 min
In connection with the latest "Fun For All Ages" episode about Atomic Age Cinema (with guest Michael Giacchino), GGACP revisits this 2018 interview with the Oscar and Grammy-winning composer. In this episode, Michael talks about his love of Japanese monster movies (including "Godzilla"), the golden age of “contract musicians,” and the influences of Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and Max Steiner. Also, Don Knotts gets tough, Martin Scorsese picks pop songs, Jerry Goldsmith conducts in an ape mask a...
Oct 09, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Don't miss any of the fun. Subscribe to Fun for All Ages now for a new episode every Tuesday! Subscribe 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=PLgvlbF...
Oct 07, 2025•2 min
GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of a Frank favorite, the western-comedy "Hearts of the West," (released October 8, 1975) co-starring GGACP guest Alan Arkin. In this interview from 2020, Alan (joined by Emmy-winning actor Adam Arkin) talks about portraying villains, directing dark comedies, the precision of the Coen brothers and the Cold War politics of “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming.” Also, Pat McCormick hits the hard stuff, Groucho drops in on Second City, Stephen King ...
Oct 06, 2025•1 hr 37 min
GGACP remembers the late, great television writer Ron Friedman (“The Odd Couple,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “All in the Family,” “Barney Miller”) by revisiting this return engagement from 2019. In this episode, Ron talks about the structure of storytelling, the importance of escapism, his years-long friendship with comics legend Stan Lee and the original inspirations for Captain Marvel and the Sub-Mariner. Also, Ron regales the boys with all-new stories about Lucille Ball, Lenny Bruce, Tony Rand...
Oct 02, 2025•1 hr 42 min
The team at GGACP bids a fond farewell to our recently departed friend and one of the podcast's favorite guests, comedy writer Ron Friedman (“Get Smart,” “The Odd Couple,” “All in the Family”) by presenting this ENCORE of a memorable interview from 2018. In this episode, Ron recalls working with everyone from Lucille Ball to Milton Berle to Danny Kaye to Orson Welles and shares the war stories to show for it. Also, Herve Villechaize packs a rod, Sammy Davis meets Charlie’s Angels, Ron writes “Mu...
Sep 29, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Keeping with the theme of this week's "Fun For All Ages" game show episode, GGACP revisits this 2017 conversation with "Match Game" writer Dick DeBartolo, who recalls his days as a staff writer-consultant for Goodman-Todson and crafting quips and questions for "Match Game," "Tattletales" and "What's My Line?" Also, the boys look back at some obscure (and largely forgotten) game and quiz shows, including "Don Adams' Screen Test," "The Fun Factory," "The Wizard of Odds" and "The Magnificent Marble...
Sep 25, 2025•24 min
September marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of Mel Brooks' short-lived Robin Hood spoof "When Things Were Rotten," starring beloved character actors Dick Gautier and Bernie Kopell. Back in 2016, Bernie joined Gilbert and Frank to talk about that series, as well as his six decades in show business, working with legends Steve Allen, Jack Benny and Phil Silvers and his signature roles on "Get Smart" and "The Love Boat." Also, Charles Boyer apologizes, Raymond Burr takes a seat, Sid Caesar sur...
Sep 22, 2025•1 hr 33 min
In connection with the latest "Fun For All Ages" disco episode, GGACP revisits this 2014 interview with the composer of the disco smash “It’s Raining Men,” musician, conductor and comedian (and friend of the podcast) Paul Shaffer. In this episode recorded in the New York Friars Club's Ed Sullivan Room, Paul talks about being influenced by '60s-era variety shows and working with icons James Brown, John Belushi, Sammy Davis, Jr., Brian Wilson AND the infamous Phil Spector. Also in this episode: Re...
Sep 18, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Frank sets the FFAA time machine back to the decadent and "dancetastic" 1970s as comedian-author Frank DeCaro ("Disco: Music, Movies and Mania Under the Mirror Ball") and Grammy-nominated singer Cory Daye (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Kid Creole and the Coconuts) celebrate the songs, artists, movies, nightclubs and cultural impact of the disco era. In this episode: Dr. Buzzard meets James Bond, Ethel Merman records a camp classic, Frank weighs in on Disco Demolition Night and Cory recal...
Sep 16, 2025•1 hr 37 min
GGACP marks the recent 50th anniversary of ABC's "Welcome Back Kotter" (September 9, 1975) with this ENCORE of an 2020 interview with Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer and The Lovin’ Spoonful founder (and singer-composer of the "Welcome Back, Kotter" theme song!) John Sebastian. In this episode, John 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 “D...
Sep 15, 2025•1 hr 31 min
In connection with this week's "Fun for All Ages" William Castle tribute, GGACP revisits this 2015 conversation about Castle's 1959 horror "classic" (and longtime Gilbert favorite) "The Tingler." Also in this episode: the sex lives of Batman villains! Vincent Price gives it his all! Roy Scheider replaces Richard Dreyfuss! And the return of Herve’ Villechaize! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 11, 2025•18 min
Frank welcomes "Mystery Science Theater 3000" writer-performer Frank Conniff, horror host Rich "Svengoolie" Koz and filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz ("Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story") for a loving look back at the B-movies of legendary producer, director and showman William Castle ("13 Ghosts," "Mr. Sardonicus," "House on Haunted Hill"), his innovative promotional gimmicks (Emergo, Percepto, Illusion-O) and his lasting contributions to the horror genre. Also in this episode, John Waters introd...
Sep 09, 2025•1 hr 34 min
GGACP celebrates the birthday (September 9) of recurring guest and friend of the podcast, Emmy-winning writer-director-producer Bill Persky by presenting this ENCORE of his very first appearance back in 2014. In this episode, Bill talks about his working relationship with the late, great Carl Reiner, creating “That Girl” with partner Sam Denoff, directing episodes of "Kate & Allie" and "Welcome Back Kotter" and working with virtually EVERYONE in show business — including Julie Andrews, Tim C...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In connection with the latest "Fun For All Ages" tribute to "The Love Boat," GGACP revisits this 2019 interview with Captain Stubing himself, actor Gavin MacLeod. In this memorable episode, Gavin joins Gilbert and Frank for a candid conversation about paying dues, playing bad guys, crushing on Marilyn Monroe, acting with (and without) a hairpiece and sharing a decades-long friendship with the late, great Ted Knight. Also, Gavin praises Cary Grant, ad-libs with Peter Sellers, cuts the rug with Bi...
Sep 04, 2025•1 hr 29 min
To celebrate one of the most popular shows in television history, ABC's "The Love Boat," Frank sits down with author and historian Jim Colucci ("Love Boat Forever: An Unauthorized Tour of the Lido Deck"), actor-comedian Murray Hill ("Somebody Somewhere") and Vicki Stubing herself, actress Jill Whelan, for a lighthearted (and revealing!) conversation about the long-running romantic comedy-drama. In this episode, the panel discusses the generosity of Aaron Spelling, the innocence (and absurdity) o...
Sep 02, 2025•1 hr 33 min
GGACP celebrates September's National Piano Month with this ENCORE of a 2019 interview with Emmy-winning writer and Tony-winning composer David Yazbek (“The Full Monty,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “The Band’s Visit”). In this episode, David joins the boys for a funny conversation about the golden age of kiddie show hosts, the comedy albums of Spike Jones and Allan Sherman, the long-lost era of Top 40 radio and the trials (and triumphs) of composing music for the Broadway stage. Also, Jerry Lewis...
Sep 01, 2025•1 hr 43 min
GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of Gilbert's favorite 70s movies, the Gene Hackman-starrer "Night Moves" (released in summer, 1975) by revisiting this discussion from back in 2015. Also in this episode: Kenneth Mars! "Prime Cut"! Arthur Penn tries his hand at film noir! Henry Fonda brings order to the Old West! And Gilbert remembers classic movie posters! (but not the name of his own podcast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 28, 2025•15 min
Frank explores his lifelong obsession with breakfast cereals (and breakfast cereal advertising) with the help of author Marty Gitlin ("The Great American Cereal Book") and cereal expert/curator Ami Moyal. In this episode, the boys discuss the golden age of sugary cereals, the showdown between Quisp and Quake, the legendary voices behind Cap'n Crunch and Tony the Tiger and the silliest (and strangest) cereal box prizes of all time. Also, Marty reveals his "cereal rule," Ami plans a menu for Quest...
Aug 26, 2025•1 hr 21 min
The GGACP team celebrates the birthday (b. August 24) of Emmy-winning writer, comedian, actor, podcaster and film buff Dana Gould with this ENCORE of an interview from 2016. In this episode, drops by the studio to chat about everything from Hollywood “fixers” to werewolf transformations and to regale Gilbert and Frank with stories about everyone from Dwight Frye to Mark Hamill. Also, Dana meets Merv Griffin, mimics Adam West, befriends Vampira and remembers Roddy McDowall. PLUS: “Mars Attacks!” ...
Aug 25, 2025•1 hr 28 min
The GGACP team celebrates the birthday of their late, great colleague Mike "McBeardo" McPadden (b. August 21) by revisiting this deep-dive into Mike's favorite taglines from classic (and non-classic) horror films. Also in this episode: The cinema of Marjoe Gortner! “Humanoids from the Deep”! Henry Fonda goes slumming! And Elvis’ favorite Christmas flick! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 21, 2025•28 min
In this conclusion of a two-part episode, Frank and guest co-host Dan Pasternack talk to Emmy-winning writer-actor-director Robert Smigel about his lifelong obsession with Charles Schulz and Peanuts, his preference for "specific" comedy, his working relationship with Lorne Michaels and his unusual friendship with Blackwolf the Dragonmaster. Also, Triumph debates Carl Bernstein, Jesus meets Kathie Lee Gifford, Mr. T auditions for "A Doll's House" and Robert stresses the importance of "embracing o...
Aug 19, 2025•1 hr 28 min
GGACP celebrates the birthday of Tony-nominated actor, singer (and friend of GGACP) Craig Bierko (b. August 18) with this ENCORE of an interview from 2018. In this episode, Craig returns to the show to weigh in on a wide range of topics, including: the lost era of “Clubhouse TV,” the importance of a showbiz “hook,” the generosity of Alan Alda and Carol Burnett and the similarities between Yiddish theatre and “Guys & Dolls.” Also, Jack Paar gets intimate, Steve Martin plays to the cheap seats...
Aug 18, 2025•1 hr 29 min
GGACP's celebration of the centenary of big-screen legend Paul Newman (born 1925) continues with this reposting of a 2015 mini-episode, featuring Frank's tribute to Newman's 1982 courtroom drama "The Verdict." Also in this episode: Bogie takes his final bow! Sidney Lumet takes to the road! And Newman takes on the Prince of Darkness! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 14, 2025•18 min
In part one of a two-part episode, Emmy-winning writer-actor-director Robert Smigel and this week's co-host, writer-producer Dan Pasternack join Frank for a 25th anniversary salute to the cult Comedy Central series, "TV Funhouse." In this informative and hilarious interview, Robert talks about his love of animal-centric comedy, his lifelong obsession with "Mr. Ed," the humble origins of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and how the homoeroticism of superhero movies inspired "The Ambiguously Gay Duo."...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 30 min
GGACP celebrates the centenary of screen icon and philanthropist Paul Newman (born 1925) with this ENCORE of a 2015 episode, featuring Gilbert's critical analysis of Newman's 1963 revisionist western "Hud." Also in this episode: the late, great Sydney Pollack! The cinematography of James Wong Howe! And Gilbert croons the theme song from “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 11, 2025•19 min
