Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

GGACP salutes the recently-released biopic "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" and the upcoming release of the book "The Illustrated Al" with this ENCORE of a 2021 interview with comedian, musician and multiple Grammy winner "Weird Al" Yankovic. In this episode, Al talks about the influence of Mad magazine, the golden age of Top 40, the reclusiveness of Tom Lehrer, the cultural importance of "Word Crim...

GGACP celebrates the birthday of talent booker, entertainment reporter to the stars and devoted friend of the podcast Gino Salomone by revisiting this memorable (and hilarious) interview from 2018. In this episode, Gino looks back on his years-long friendship with Gilbert and talks about promoting celebrity autograph shows, his infamous visit (with Gilbert) to Sid Melton's house and Gilbert's bewi...

GGACP celebrates Halloween 2022 with this ENCORE of a 2019 interview with Emmy and Oscar-winning makeup master Rick Baker. In this episode, Rick talks about local horror hosts, gorilla suits, Aurora model kits, "Famous Monsters of Filmland" and the enduring influence of makeup legends Jack Pierce and Dick Smith. Also, Eddie Murphy ups his game, Milicent Patrick gets her due, Rick transforms Martin...

GGACP celebrates the Halloween season by revisiting this 2017 interview with one of the last remaining TV horror hosts, Rich Koz, AKA “Svengoolie." In this episode, Rich remembers some of his famous predecessors (Ghoulardi, Zacherle, Chilly Billy, Morgus the Magnificent) and praises the stylishness and symbolism of the original Universal horror classics. Also, Fritz Feld gets hitched, Eddie Munste...

GGACP celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic drama "St. Elsewhere" (premiered October 26, 1982) by presenting this ENCORE of a memorable interview with veteran actor ED BEGLEY JR. In this episode, Ed talks about the glory days of the Troubadour, the timelessness of "The In-Laws," the absurdity of Hollywood urban legends and the career of his Oscar-winning dad, Ed Begley. Also, Forrest Tuck...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (October 18th) of legendary talent manager, producer and "Supermensch" Shep Gordon by revisiting this memorable interview from 2019. In this episode, Shep joins Gilbert and Frank from his Hawaii home to talk about his 50+ years in rock 'n' roll, the pitfalls of worldwide fame, the importance of "making history," the secret of client-manager relationships and the benef...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (October 17th) of Emmy-nominated actor-writer and Oscar-nominated musician Michael McKean with an ENCORE presentation of this frequently hilarious 2016 interview. In this episode, Michael looks back on his days in the sketch troupe The Credibility Gap, recalls his brief stint at "Saturday Night Live," reveals the curious origin of Lenny and Squiggy and praises the odd...

GGACP celebrates (and closes out) Hispanic Heritage Month by revisiting this memorable 2020 conversation with Emmy and Tony-winning writer-director-actor John Leguizamo. In this episode, John discusses Latin history, defunct comedy clubs, the freedom of voice acting, the films of Barry Levinson and George Romero and the debacle of "Super Mario Bros." Also, Wesley Snipes plucks his eyebrows, Gilber...

GGCAP celebrates the birthday (AND the release of his directorial debut, Marvel's "Werewolf by Night") of Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning film & TV composer Michael Giacchino with this ENCORE presentation of a fascinating interview from 2018. In this episode, Michael talks about the birth of film scores, the golden age of "contract musicians” and the influence of Dave Grusin, Henry Mancini, Lalo Sc...

GGACP celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic comedy "My Favorite Year" (released October 8, 1982) by revisiting this memorable interview with the film's director, actor-director Richard Benjamin. In this episode, Richard looks back on his six-decade career in Hollywood and recalls memories of working with Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Clint Eastwood, Mike Nichols and Orson Welles. Also, James M...

GGACP marks the 40th anniversary of the cult sci-fi/horror film "Q: The Winged Serpent" (released October 8, 1982) with an encore of this frequently hilarious 2018 interview with maverick filmmaker Larry Cohen (“It’s Alive,” “The Stuff,” “Hell Up in Harlem”). In this episode, Larry talks about his early days as a standup comic, his friendship with Alfred Hitchcock, the risks and rewards of “guerri...

GGACP celebrates the 40th anniversary (premiered September 30, 1982) of the iconic sitcom "Cheers" by revisiting this 2019 conversation with the show's co-creator, Emmy-winning director James Burrows. In this episode, James 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,”...

GGACP marks the 50th anniversary of the hit single "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me" reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (September 23, 1972) with this ENCORE of a memorable interview with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and actor MAC DAVIS. In this episode, Mac talks about 70s-era variety shows, sharing the screen with Jackie Gleason, sharing a bill with George Burns and Henny Youngman and...

GGACP marks the 30th anniversary of NBC's "Mad About You" (premiered September 23, 1992) by revisiting this 2020 interview with comedian, writer and Emmy-nominated actor Paul Reiser. In this episode, Paul talks about breaking into standup, shooting a (failed) pilot with Gilbert, working with longtime heroes Alan Arkin, Peter Falk and Carol Burnett and recreating the glory days of "The Tonight Show...

GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic TV series "M*A*S*H" (premiered September 17, 1972) with this ENCORE of a memorable 2018 interview with Emmy-winning actor-writer-director Alan Alda. In this episode, Alan discusses growing up in Burlesque theaters, working with his father Robert Alda, coping with the pressures of sudden fame and learning to live life “in the moment.” Also, Mickey...

GGACP celebrates the release of the new book "My Life and Toys" by revisiting this informative interview with the book's author: screenwriter, director, toy collector and pop culture historian Brian Levant ("The Flintstones," "Beethoven," "Jingle All the Way"). In this episode, Brian joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about staging pie fights, mail-order alligators, failed "Munsters" reboots and the...

GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of Norman Lear's "Maude" (premiered September 12, 1972) with this ENCORE of an unforgettable interview with veteran actor Bill Macy ("The Jerk," "My Favorite Year," "The Producers"). In this episode, Bill looks back at his seven-decade career and his collaborations with everyone from Bea Arthur to Steve Martin to Peter O'Toole. Also, Bill praises Carl Reiner,...

To mark the 40th anniversary of the pop/dance hit "It's Raining Men," (September 10, 1982) GGACP revisits this interview from 2014 with the song's co-writer -- musician, conductor and comedian (and friend of the podcast) Paul Shaffer. In this episode, Paul discusses being influenced by the musical and comedy acts he grew up watching on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” so it was only fitting that we intervi...

GGACP celebrates the birthday of screen legend Alan Ladd (September 3rd) with an ENCORE of a 2017 interview with comedian and actor Ronnie Schell. In this episode, Ronnie remembers his early days on the club circuit, recalls decades-long friendships with funnymen Bill Dana, Pat McCormick and Harvey Korman and discusses his memorable role as Gomer Pyle's bunkmate, Duke Slater. Also, Ronnie reminisc...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (September 2) of one of Gilbert and Frank's childhood heroes, actor, comedian and showbiz historian CHUCK McCANN. In this ENCORE presentation of a memorable interview from back in 2015, Chuck talks about worshipping (and befriending) Stan Laurel, Buster Keaton and Groucho Marx (among others) and his unlikely journey from obsessed movie buff to screen and stage perform...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (August 30) of actor, playwright and Grammy-winning comedian Lewis Black with this ENCORE of an interview from 2020. In this episode, Lewis discusses the inventiveness of Pixar, the cinema of Barry Levinson, the timelessness of “Dr. Strangelove” and the political comedy of Mort Sahl, Dick Gregory, Paul Krassner and the Smothers Brothers. Also, Christopher Walken crack...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (August 24) of comedian, actor, Emmy-winning writer, podcast host and film buff Dana Gould with a revisit of this hilarious interview from 2016. In this episode, Dana weighs in on everything from Hollywood “fixers” to werewolf transformations and regales Gilbert and Frank with stories about everyone from Dwight Frye to Mark Hamill. Also, Dana meets Merv Griffin, mimic...

GGACP celebrates the birthday (August 23) of musician, songwriter, bandleader, producer and comedian Mark Hudson with this ENCORE presentation of one of the funniest and wildest interviews in the show's history. In this episode, Mark looks back on a 6-decade career in television and pop music and discusses the many legends he's worked with, from Steven Tyler to Margaret Hamilton to Ringo Starr to...

GGACP celebrates the recent birthday (August 15th) of legendary songwriter and composer Jimmy Webb (“Wichita Lineman,” “Up, Up and Away,” "By the Time I Get to Phoenix'') by revisiting this memorable interview from 2017. In this episode, Jimmy shares an entire career’s worth of memories and anecdotes, including meeting Elvis, playing baccarat with Ol’ Blue Eyes, turning down 40K a week to play Las...

"Hey now!" GGGACP celebrates the 30th anniversary of the premiere of HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" (August 15, 1992) with this encore of a 2019 conversation with Emmy-winning actor Jeffrey Tambor. In this hilarious (and heartfelt) episode, Jeffrey talks about finding joy, avoiding dailies, pursuing authenticity, befriending co-star Garry Shandling and breathing life into some of TV's most indelib...