Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

Veteran comedy writer Tom Leopold started out as an actor, working opposite James Mason, Robert Preston, Ted Knight and Wayne Newton before going on to create comedy material for legends Steve Allen, Bob Hope and Mary Tyler Moore and write on hit series like "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" (scripting the memorable "Babu" episode, among others). Tom sat down with Gilbert and Frank to talk about early acting roles on "Gunsmoke" and "Mannix," his days on the "National Lampoon Radio Hour" with Christopher Guest and Bill Murray and his years-long friendships with pals Paul Shaffer, Richard Belzer and Harry Shearer. Also: George Chakiris vs. George Maharis, Chevy Chase hitches a ride with Paul Lynde and 80-year-old Georgie Jessel phones his mom. PLUS: Stubby Kaye! Gert "Goldfinger" Frobe! Donald O'Connor's coat! Tom brunches with Jerry Lewis! And the return of Perfecto Telles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, comedian and radio host Danny Bonaduce started in show business at age four and achieved fame at age ten as smart-alecky Danny Partridge on the hit sitcom "The Partridge Family." But within a year of the show's cancellation, he was homeless, battling substance abuse and piling up arrests. Gilbert and Frank dialed up Danny at his home in Seattle to ask him about his early roles on shows like "Bewitched" and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," his four years as a Partridge and his long, VERY strange trip from tabloid celebrity to reality show "train wreck" to top-rated shock jock and radio show host. Also: Danny meets a young Richard Pryor, bangs up Sonny Bono's Porsche, runs afoul of an angry chimp and dukes it out with Donny Osmond and Greg Brady. PLUS: Ray Bolger! Mick Jagger! Whit Bissell! Shirley Jones sends Danny to his room! And David Cassidy displays his hidden "talent!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screenwriter/Producers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski have written some of the most offbeat and imaginative movies of the last three decades, including Ed Wood, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon and the new Big Eyes (opening this week). Gilbert and Frank dropped by Scott and Larry's hotel as the boys prepped for their MOMA premiere to talk about everything from the success of their critically reviled debut film, Problem Child (featuring a certain shrill-voiced comedian) to their attempts at a Marx Brothers biopic and an It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World sequel. PLUS: Margaret Keane's existential crisis! Kelton the Cop demands a cameo! Gallagher vs. Gallagher II! "Ed Wood & Bela Lugosi: A Love Story"! And Scott and Larry meet the King of Pop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manhattan-born Henry Winkler overcame a difficult childhood to carve out a memorable acting career that would see him work with everyone from Gene Kelly to Katherine Hepburn and portray one of TV's most indelible characters, Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Gilbert and Frank dialed up Henry at his L.A. home to talk about his struggles with dyslexia, the genius of a young Robin Williams and Henry's enduring friendships with Ron Howard and John Ritter. Also: Henry helps discover Marlee Matlin, meets John (and Julian) Lennon and explains the mysterious disappearance of Chuck Cunningham. PLUS: Fonzie parts the Red Sea! Sly Stallone paints his windows black! Henry turns down "Grease"! And Gilbert "sings" the "Lords of Flatbush" theme! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank visit the George Burns Room at the historic New York Friars Club, where they're joined by actor, singer and musician MICKY DOLENZ for a fun and fascinating look back at "Monkeemania" and his own unlikely journey from 1950's child star ("Circus Boy") to 1960's pop/rock icon. Also, Micky drops in on a "Sgt. Pepper" recording session, makes movies with Jack Nicholson and Frank Zappa and hits the town with fellow "Hollywood Vampires" John Lennon, Keith Moon and Alice Cooper. PLUS: Lon Chaney Jr.! Micky's mom meets "The Creeper"! The Monkees take on "Faust"! Harry Nilsson quits his day job! And Sgt. Bilko sings "Yesterday"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, journalist and pop culture expert STEVE COX is the author of more than twenty books on film and television, including books about Johnny Carson, The Three Stooges, The Addams Family, I Dream of Jeannie, The Munsters, It's a Wonderful Life and The Wizard of Oz. This week, Steve joins Gibert and Frank for a lively (and then some) conversation about Larry Fine's lady-killing, the unappreciated comic timing of Fred Gwynne and "Grandpa" Al Lewis, and Abbott and Costello's influence on Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. PLUS: A Munchkin suicide hoax! Mayor McCheese cleans up! Buddy Hackett enjoys a strawberry malted! And Frank goes to a Stooge funeral! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former teen idol Frankie Avalon broke into show business as a child prodigy and was soon receiving 12,000 pieces of fan mail per week and working alongside Hollywood greats Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx and John Wayne. Frankie joined Gilbert and Frank for a look back at his humble beginnings in South Philly, his years as a teen heartthrob and his decades-long friendship with onscreen love interest Annette Funicello. Plus: The Duke makes Laurence Harvey cry! Buster Keaton meets Houdini! "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine"! Dueling Draculas! And Cesar Romero and Arnold Stang hit a strip joint! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In one of our more...er..."free-spirited" episodes, Gilbert's old pal BOB SAGET drops by the historic Friars Club to plug his New York Times bestseller "Dirty Daddy" and to look back on his early days in the biz, his 8-year gig as a wholesome sitcom patriarch and his friendships with Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles. Also, Bob starts his own hate society, dreams about Buddy Hackett and Buddy Ebsen and grills Gilbert about his most memorable "casting couch" experiences. PLUS: Sam Kinison as the Messiah! Gilbert as "Weezie" Jefferson! Asian Elvis! Perfecto Telles! And the first joke Bob ever wrote! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary B-movie king ROGER CORMAN has produced and directed over 400 films, giving early career breaks to actors like Robert De Niro, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Charles Bronson and Dennis Hopper and helping to launch the directing careers of Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Peter Bogdanovich (among others). Gilbert and Frank phoned Roger in his Hollywood home to learn more about his life and fabled career, including where/how he first met longtime friend and collaborator Jack Nicholson, why the Hell's Angels threatened to murder him AND take him to court, and why "a monster should always be bigger than a leading lady." Plus: "The Beast with (not quite) a Million Eyes"! Roger experiments with LSD! Peter Lorre messes with Boris Karloff's head! The "acceptable level of insanity"! And the enduring mystery of "The Terror"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, music producer-turned-filmmaker BRIAN KOPPELMAN ("Rounders," "Runaway Jury," "Oceans 13") joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about everything from signing Tracy Chapman and Eddie Murphy to their very first record deals to working with celebrated actors John Turturro, Martin Landau and John Malkovich. Also, Brian trots out a Gilbert impression, names all four "Sweathogs" and heaps praise on "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." PLUS: Al Pacino channels Paul Anka! The "Death Wish" muggers make it big! And Ol' Blue Eyes demands a slice of pie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast," "Son of Dracula" BELA LUGOSI, JR. reminisces about visiting the set of "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" and points out what the film "Ed Wood" got wrong about his famous dad. PLUS: Karloff dances on "The Red Skelton Show"! Lugosi passes up the role of a lifetime! Sara meets the "Son of Gilbert"! And Bela Jr. takes a stand for The Three Stooges! Next, we get into the Halloween spirit by celebrating the lives of two of the screen's greatest horror icons, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. First, "Frankenstein's Daughter" SARA KARLOFF looks back on her father's most indelible and unforgettable roles, from The Monster to The Mummy to The Grinch, and tells us why her father always referred to this time of year as his "busy season." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast," Gilbert's old boss ALAN THICKE joins us for a look back at the late, lamented talkfest "Thicke of the Night" and reminisces about everything from his short-lived disco career to scripting variety specials for Johnny Cash, Bobby Darin and Flip Wilson. Also, Alan and Gilbert swap wives, John Lennon praises commercial jingles and Paul Lynde drives into a ditch! Next up, comedy titans clash as we extend a peace offering to legendary funnyman SHECKY GREENE in the wake of the much-publicized Gilbert-Shecky Friars Club feud! (it was just like the Begin-Sadat summit) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The man with the #1 album in America, the wildly inventive Weird Al Yankovic joins us to talk about everything from the history of novelty records to why he's forbidden to make eye contact with Prince. Also, Gilbert flashes Marge Simpson, prays to a statue of Red Buttons and loses a part to 3' 9" Billy Barty. PLUS: Dueling Crazy Guggenheims! Irving Berlin vs. Mad magazine! "Disco" Art Fleming! And Weird Al's "Mount Rushmore of Comedy"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Bob Kane and Bill Finger's Batman (and to coincide with this week's New York Comic Con) Gilbert and Frank tracked down the caped crusader of their childhoods, the legendary ADAM WEST, who shared memories of everyone from Gary Cooper to Jackie Gleason and joked about some of his more "challenging" gigs ("Voodoo Island" anyone?). Also, Adam duets with Dino, makes history with William Shatner and pays Gilbert one of the greatest compliments of his career. PLUS: The origin of the Batusi! Liberace gets tough! Adam turns down the part of James Bond! And the Riddler goes to an orgy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-winning actor JAY THOMAS is best known to audiences as doomed hockey star Eddie LeBec on "Cheers" and tabloid talker Jerry Gold on "Murphy Brown," but he's also a show business renaissance man, having worked as a stand-up comic, disc jockey, sportscaster and reality show host. Jay stopped by Gilbert's apartment on a late summer evening to share some hilariously candid anecdotes about everything from stealing Bill Cosby's jokes to getting kicked out of a "West Wing" audition. Also: Jay looks back on the infamous "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?"! Joe Piscopo runs afoul of the mob! Jay runs afoul of Rhea Perlman! And The Lone Ranger "rides" again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Agent 99" herself, the funny and utterly charming Barbara Feldon invites Gilbert and Frank to her Manhattan townhouse to share warm memories of "Get Smart" co-stars Don Adams, Ed Platt and Bernie Kopell and gives us her take on the Steve Carell feature film version. Also, Barbara looks back on working with everyone from Dean Martin to Bruce Dern and tells us how she managed to win $64,000 on a quiz show. Plus: Gilbert channels John McGiver! A live rendition of the "99" song! Barbara auditions to be a stripper! And the worst TV movie ever made! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank return to the legendary New York Friars Club to talk to the candid and colorful Danny Aiello about his uphill journey from Greyhound bus dispatcher to Oscar nominee. Also, Danny shares his memories of goofing around with Paul Newman, sightseeing with Rodney Dangerfield and singing backup for Bette Midler, and tells us why he's embarrassed by his role in the classic rom-com "Moonstruck." PLUS: Uncle Miltie meets Jack Ruby! Danny jokes about his notoriously fiery temper! Robert De Niro learns to throw a baseball! And the Pete Best of "The Godfather"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showtime recently aired "Quality Balls," a documentary about the life and surprisingly controversial career of legendary comedian, director and host of Showtime's "Inside Comedy" series, David Steinberg. Lifelong Steinberg fans Gilbert and Frank rang David up to talk about his friendships with Jack Benny and George Burns, his 140+ appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" and how his standup act landed him on Richard Nixon's infamous enemies list. Also: the Smothers Brothers get hate mail! David directs Gilbert in an episode of "Mad About You"! John Candy does Doc Severinsen! David saves Tony Randall's life! And the Mount Rushmore of Jewish comedians! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five-time Emmy winner Bill Persky has led a charmed life in show business. Handpicked by comedy legend Carl Reiner to write (and eventually produce) "The Dick Van Dyke Show," Bill and partner Sam Denoff scripted many of the series' most memorable episodes, including "Coast to Coast Big Mouth" and "That's My Boy." Later, the duo would create the groundbreaking sitcom "That Girl" and write comedy specials for Bill Cosby and Mary Tyler Moore and Bill (now flying solo) would go on to produce and direct hit shows like "Kate & Allie" "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Who's the Boss?". Bill sat down with Gilbert and Frank to talk about his journey through the golden age of TV comedy and working with EVERYONE -- including Steve Allen, Bob Hope, Tim Conway, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Peter Sellers, and Orson Welles (to name but a few!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off the launch of his new book, "Heroes of the Comics," Gilbert and Frank are joined by their favorite illustrator, the incomparable DREW FRIEDMAN. While sitting and admiring Drew's work adorning the walls of Manhattan's Society of Illustrators, we managed to cover everything from Drew and Gilbert's days at "National Lampoon" to Gilbert's Lon Chaney, Jr. obsession to the time a 15-year-old Drew paid a visit to the home of the legendary Groucho Marx. ALSO: why Drew is Howard Stern's favorite artist..."The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant"...Jerry Lewis kvells over Drew's portrait...and the triumphant return of Milton Berle's schlong! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices