Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre

In part one of a two-part episode, Frank celebrates the 100th birth year of the legendary Peter Sellers (b. 1925), accompanied by a distinguished panel of Sellers scholars, including actress Illeana Douglas, filmmaker Danny Gold ("Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames") and Emmy-winning screenwriter-producer Larry Karaszewski. In this episode, the experts discuss the actor-comedian's eccentric...

Frank is joined by Emmy-winning writer-comedian Dana Gould and this week's co-host, voice actor (and youthful ward) Barrett Leddy for a waaay too in-depth analysis of the rogues' gallery of arch-villains from the classic 1966-'68 "Batman" series. In this episode, Frank and the boys talk about bat-climbs, celebrity cameos and "non-canon" nemeses and share their favorite (and LEAST favorite) bat-bad...

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary King of Late Night, we are revisiting our conversation with producer-historian (and guest co-host) Dan Pasternack, former "Tonight Show" writer Mike Reiss and comedian-podcaster Mark Malkoff ("The Carson Podcast") join Frank for a look at some of the most memorable moments from Johnny's 30-year run as well as the controversial origins of beloved cha...

The "Amazing Colossal Podcast" holiday tradition marches on as Frank is joined by old friend Mario Cantone and comedian-actress Susie Essman to talk about the best (and worst) Christmas movies on TCM, the secret life of Frosty the Snowman, the musical genius of Irving Berlin and Leslie Bricusse, the existential crisis of "It's a Wonderful Life" and the conclusions of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Se...

Frank ushers in the holiday season with a reunion of the creative team behind the 2003 black comedy "Bad Santa": director Terry Zwigoff, screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and film editor Robert Hoffman. In this episode: the boys talk about the bumpy ride from page to screen, the nightmare of test screenings, the (extremely) contentious casting process and the artfulness and musicality of...

In this conclusion of a sentimental and laugh-filled episode, producer-comedian Rich Brown, actor Steven Weber and writer-producer (and this week's co-host) Allan Neuwirth join Frank to remember some much-loved New York-based kids' programs of the 1960s, '70s (and '80s), including "Shenanigans," "The Magic Garden," "The New Zoo Revue," "The Uncle Floyd Show" and the Mario Cantone-hosted "Steampipe...

Frank is joined by producer-comedian Rich Brown, actor Steven Weber and writer-producer (and this week's co-host) Allan Neuwirth for a loving look (waaay) back at local kids' programming of the 1960s and '70s, including "Wonderama," "Romper Room," "Let's Have Fun," "Birthday House" and "Winchell-Mahoney Time." In this episode, the boys recall their earliest TV memories and favorite characters (Pro...

It's a Thanksgiving feast for lovers of showbiz obscurities as Frank celebrates Turkey Day with comedian Jackie Martling, voice actor-comedian Billy West and voice actor (and co-host) Barrett Leddy. In this conclusion of a two-part episode, the boys share even MORE things they're thankful for, including the one-liners of Rodney Dangerfield, the surliness of Al Lewis, the voice talents of Daws Butl...

In part one of a two-part episode, Frank gets an early start on Thanksgiving by serving up a heaping helping of "Amazing Colossal Podcast" nostalgia as comedian Jackie Martling, voice actor-comedian Billy West and co-host Barrett Leddy give thanks for several of their pop culture heroes, including Sid Caesar, June Foray, Jonathan Winters, Red Skelton, Brian Wilson...and Gilbert Gottfried. Also, Ja...

Award-winning illustrator-cartoonist Drew Friedman, actor-filmmaker Owen Kline and voice actor (and this week's co-host) Barrett Leddy join Frank for a fascinating look at six-plus decades of doomed dramas, canceled comedies and unrealized epics, including "Jaws 3, People 0," "Superman Lives," the Marx Brothers' "A Day at the United Nations" and Jerry Lewis' "The Day the Clown Cried." Also in this...

Frank welcomes Emmy-nominated writer-comedian-author Kevin Maher ("Santa Doesn't Need Your Help"), writer-actress Kate Wilkinson and Tony-winning composer Joe DiPietro ("Memphis," "Nice Work If You Can Get It") for a critical and frequently comical analysis of movie musicals (and "movies with music") released in the year 1980, including "Popeye," "The Apple," "The Jazz Singer," "Can't Stop the Mus...

Frank ushers in Halloween week by welcoming film preservationist Dino Proserpio and bestselling author and Tony-winning composer-playwright Rupert Holmes for an illuminating analysis of some of Hollywood's spookiest (and silliest) haunted house comedies, including "The Ghost Breakers," "The Cat and the Canary," "Scared Stiff," "Beetlejuice" and "Hold That Ghost" (as well as lesser-known films feat...

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary King of Late Night, producer-historian (and guest co-host) Dan Pasternack, former "Tonight Show" writer Mike Reiss and comedian-podcaster Mark Malkoff ("The Carson Podcast") join Frank for a look at some of the most memorable moments from Johnny's 30-year run as well as the controversial origins of beloved characters Art Fern, Aunt Blabby and Carnac...

Frank is joined by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino ("The Incredibles," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes") and cult filmmaker Jeff Lieberman ("Squirm," "Remote Control") for the conclusion of a two-part analysis of horror and sci-fi films of the Atomic and Cold War era, including "Creature from the Black Lagoon," "The Day the World Ended," "The Thing from Another World" and "It C...

Frank kicks off Halloween month with the first installment of a two-part episode as Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Michael Giacchino ("Werewolf by Night," "Cloverfield," "Jurassic World") and cult filmmaker Jeff Lieberman ("Squirm," "Blue Sunshine") revisit their favorite Atomic Age horror and science fiction films of the 1950s, including "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "The Beast from 20,000 Fat...

In this conclusion of a two-part episode, producer-executive Bob Boden, author-historian Adam Nedeff and comedian-producer (and this week's co-host) Rich Brown once again join Frank for a loving and laugh-filled look back at eight-plus decades of TV game shows. In this episode, the boys break down the Quiz Show Scandals of the 1950s, reveal which defunct game show they'd bring back and share perso...

In part one of a two-part episode, producer-executive Bob Boden ("Card Sharks," "Press Your Luck," "To Tell the Truth"), author-historian Adam Nedeff ("Gong This Book," "This Day in Game Show History") and this week's co-host, comedian-producer Rich Brown ("Beat the Clock," "You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno") join Frank for a salute to 75+ years of TV game shows, including the competitions, the cas...

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...

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, Ill...

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...

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 strange...

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...

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 th...

Frank welcomes theme park experience designer Dave Cobb ("Men in Black: Alien Attack") and attraction show writer and author Robert Coker ("Roller Coasters: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the Ultimate Scream Machines") for an in-depth look at the fascinating histories of failed and forgotten amusement parks, including Freedomland USA, The Land of Oz, Pacific Ocean Park, Hanna-Barbera Land and The Worl...

Frank is joined by Emmy-winning writer-producer Dick Blasucci ("Mad TV," "The Larry Sanders Show") and Emmy-winning writer-director Paul Flaherty ("Clifford," "Who's Harry Crumb?") for a loving tribute to the life and career of the late "SCTV" stalwart Joe Flaherty. In this episode, Dick and Paul discuss Joe's passion for classic cinema, his rise from Second City stage manager to performer, his re...