The Friars Club Podcast

Longtime "Today" weather anchor and Friar Al Roker joins Joe Sibilia to talk about his first time at the Friars Club, being sponsored for membership by Friar Soupy Sales, emceeing the 2008 Matt Lauer roast, and attending the ceremony at which the monastery was named in honor of former Abbot Jerry Lewis. Plus, Al talks about visiting Friar Ed McMahon's home, watching Friar Johnny Carson perform at...

Comedian, star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and Friar Richard Lewis joins Joe Sibilia to talk about having the bathroom named for him in the Jerry Lewis Monastery, his run-in with his Friars sponsor Norman Fell (Mr. Roeper on "Three's Company") on his first day as a Friar, and brunching with Howard Cosell at the Friars Club. Plus, Richard explains the genius of Rodney Dangerfield, co-stars with Don R...

Emmy Award-winning television producer and Friar Burt Dubrow talks with Joe Sibilia about hanging out at the Friars Club with comedian, children's show host, and Friar Soupy Sales, producing for Friars Sally Jessy Raphael and Jerry Springer, working alongside Friars including Ed McMahon, Alan King, and Jerry Lewis, and talks about his longtime friendship with Paul Winchell, the legendary ventriloq...

Longtime television talk show host, former Mayor of Cincinnati, and Friar Jerry Springer joins Joe Sibilia to talk about being roasted by the Friars Club of California in 1999, receiving encouragement from former Abbot Milton Berle, working alongside longtime Friars including former Abbot Jerry Lewis and Henny Youngman on "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon," and being asked to speak at Rodney...

Comedy writer and Friar Mike Reiss, perhaps best known for his work on "The Simpsons," joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his history with the Friars Club, applying to write for Alan Zweibel's Friars-centric sitcom "The Boys," and attending the Tracy Morgan Entertainment Icon Award dinner in May 2022. Plus, Mike shares his memories of working on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and how Friar Ca...

Master impressionist, comedian, and Friar Rich Little joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his 1987 Friars Club roast and working alongside Friars including Dean Martin, Jack Benny, Steve Allen, and Johnny Carson, among others. Plus, Rich shares his memories of old Las Vegas, talks about the challenges of guest hosting "The Tonight Show," salutes legendary "Bugs Bunny" voice Mel Blanc, talks about the lon...

Television icon, comedienne, and Friar Carol Burnett joins Joe Sibilia to discuss her 1973 Friars Club testimonial, the stunt she prepared with Harvey Korman for that dinner, and praises Friars Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. Plus, Carol Burnett remembers her mentor and fellow Friar Garry Moore, shares the origins of the song "I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles," recollects her time w...

Comedian Tom Dreesen joins Joe Sibilia for a rollicking discussion about opening for former Friars Abbot Frank Sinatra and Friar Sammy Davis Jr., performing at Barbara Sinatra's 1988 Friars Club testimonial, roasting Jilly Rizzo for the Friars Club, the dangers of following former Friars Abbot Milton Berle at a roast, and explains how to prepare for a Friars roast. Plus, Tom relates the story of h...

Legendary sportscaster, talk show host, and Friar Bob Costas joins Joe Sibilia to chat about his love for the history of the Friars Club, his camaraderie with Friar Don Rickles, and names his favorite Friars moments throughout the years. Plus, Bob talks about his tenure as host of the NBC late-night talk show "Later" and the role David Letterman played in him landing the job, his cameo on the firs...

Tony Award-winning actor Matthew Broderick talks with Joe Sibilia about rubbing elbows with the likes of Mr. T and Richard Pryor at Friars Club roasts, the difference between working with Friar Neil Simon and Mel Brooks, and his appreciation for the history of the club. Plus, Matthew talks about his recent run on Broadway in Plaza Suite with his wife Sarah Jessica Parker, adapting The Producers fr...

Billy Crystal is a Friar so beloved, he's been roasted by the Friars Club, received the prestigious Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award in 2018, and even has a room named for him in the Jerry Lewis Monastery! On the inaugural episode of "The Friars Club Podcast," Billy Crystal chats with Joe Sibilia about his friend and former Friars Abbot Alan King, his comedic influences growing up, his 1992 Fr...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a member of the fabled New York Friars Club? Host Joe Sibilia will give you an insider's look at the birthplace of the "celebrity roast" as he chats with many of the famous Friars including Billy Crystal, Matthew Broderick, and Carol Burnett.  Please be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more information on the Friars Club, please v...