Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre

In the first "Fun for All Ages" listener mail episode, Frank enlists voice actor Barrett "Gilbot" Leddy to help answer burning questions from "FFAA" Patreon supporters on a variety of topics, including sea monkeys, time machines, Wacky Packages, celebrity autographs, failed TV pilots, Mad magazine novelty records and the 1904 World's Fair (to name a few). Also in this episode: Curly Joe DeRita mee...

Frank celebrates (a bit belatedly) the 75th anniversary of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" by welcoming three superfans and key contributors to Abrams ComicArts' deluxe hardcover collection, "The Essential Peanuts: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time": author Mark Evanier, contributing designer Chip Kidd and publisher Charles Kochman. In this episode, the experts discuss Schulz's creative process, his...

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 meets Carl Bernstein, Jesus meets Kathie Le...

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 homo...

Take a cinematic tour of the Constitution State as Frank is joined by actress-author-film historian Illeana Douglas and Emmy-winning comedy writer Dave Boone for a lively and educational conversation inspired by Illeana's 2023 book, "Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia." In this episode: Burt Lancaster deconstructs his image, Gene Kelly directs a sex comedy (or two), Kath...

In this conclusion of a two-part episode, comedian-filmmaker Kevin Maher and pop culture authors-experts Thom Shubilla and Brian Solomon join Frank for a wide-ranging and absurdly specific discussion about the unsung monsters of kaiju cinema, Godzilla and King Kong sequels and knockoffs, the prolific output of Ishiro Honda and the surprising lack of big-screen kaiju parodies. Also in this episode:...

Frank gets an education in "kaiju" cinema and Japanese monster flicks with assistance from comedian-filmmaker Kevin Maher and pop culture authors Brian Solomon ("Godzilla FAQ") and Thom Shubilla ("King Kong vs. Godzilla: The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen Has Ever Known"). In this episode: Godzilla tangles with the Caped Crusader, The Blob attacks a movie theater, Ray Harryhausen inspires the "...

In the conclusion of a two-part episode, filmmaker Alan Bernstein ("When We Went MAD!") and longtime Mad Senior Editor Joe Raiola join Frank in paying tribute to the glory days of the iconic humor magazine and the talented team of artists and writers who helped make it a reality. In this episode, Frank talks about the influence of Mad (and Peanuts) paperbacks, Alan describes the Mad documentary's...

In part one of a two-part episode, Frank is joined by filmmaker Alan Bernstein ("When We Went MAD!") and longtime Senior Editor Joe Raiola for a loving look at the subversive humor magazine's 73-year history, its eccentric co-founders, its transition from comic book to "slick" magazine, and its influence on future generations of comedians and comedy writers. Also in this episode: William M. Gaines...

Frank sits down with an all-star panel of veteran comedy writers, including Rick Copp ("Golden Girls," "The Brady Bunch Movie"), Brian Levant ("Happy Days," "The Flintstones") and Bennett Yellin ("Dumb and Dumber," "Stuck on You") for an inside look at a sitcom writers' room and a frequently hilarious conversation about unproduced scripts, failed pitches, favorite jokes, the genius of Jonathan Win...

In the conclusion of a two-part installment, author Thom Shubilla ("James Bond and the Sixties Spy Craze") and Adult Swim producer Ned Hastings ("Archer," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force") join Frank to break down some forgotten feature-length Bond knockoffs ("Secret Agent Super Dragon"? Seriously?) while remembering the 007-inspired TV shows of the decade, including "Get Smart," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,...

Frank is joined by author Thom Shubilla ("James Bond and the Sixties Spy Craze") and Adult Swim producer-editor Ned Hastings ("Aqua Teen Hunger Force," "Archer") for a funny and fascinating look back at the spy (and "Eurospy") craze of the 1960s and the numerous 007 rivals and imitators of the era, including Matt Helm, Derek Flint, Harry Palmer and yes...Neil Connery. Also in this episode: Karl Ma...

In the conclusion of a two-part episode, actress Illeana Douglas, filmmaker Danny Gold ("Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames") and screenwriter Larry Karaszewskl join Frank for a few final thoughts on the career (and complexities) of Peter Sellers, while looking back at the work of other luminaries who reached their centennial year in 2025, including Paul Newman, Jack Lemmon, Rod Steiger, Rob...

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...