Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

Gilbert and Frank welcome an old friend, legendary comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who looks back at the "golden age" of TV variety shows and specials, including "Donny & Marie," "The Brady Bunch Hour," "The Star Wars Holiday Special" and "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special." (all co-written by Brucehimself). Also, Margaret Hamilton makes her move, Robert Reed channels Carmen Miranda, Jack Benny does "The Match Bit" and Gilbert takes over "Hollywood Squares." PLUS: Jack Palance! Bob Hope's filing cabinet! "Wayne Newton at SeaWorld"! Bruce hangs with Tallulah Bankhead! And the Oscar joke that never made the air! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sidney Poitier! "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle"! Kevin Bacon steals Steve Martin's cab! Johnny Carson turns down Martin Scorsese! And Lon Chaney Jr. meets the Monkees! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank track down Oscar-nominated actor Don Murray, who talks about the thrill of live television, the pros and cons of method acting, his lack of interest in "movie stardom" and the challenges of making his screen debut opposite the legendary Marilyn Monroe. Also, Don teases Otto Preminger, Keir Dullea lights up the screen, James Cagney dances between takes and Charles Laughton helms a filmnoir masterpiece. PLUS: Frankie Five Angels! "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes"! Don remembers Rod Steiger (and Rod Serling)! Jack Warden watches a stag reel! And the mysterious death of Albert Dekker! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass! The imagination of Paul Henning! Chasing Christopher Plummer! Praising "The Seven Per-Cent Solution"! And Gilbert Gottfried: Feminist Icon!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony and Emmy-winning actress Andrea Martin drops by the studio to talk about the long-lost era of variety television, the strange world of Internet celebrity, the Martin Scorsese-directed "SCTV" reunion and the origin of classic characters Edith Prickley and Perini Scleroso. Also, Merv Griffin signs off, Bob Dylan overstays his welcome, Lee Grant crushes on Gilbert and Andrea remembers her friends John Candy and Harold Ramis. PLUS: Señor Wences! "Cannibal Girls"! Dueling Floyd the Barbers! The return of Rick Moranis! And Andrea tells the only joke she knows! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Remembering Harvey Lembeck! Buster Keaton goes slumming! The expertise of Eddie Deezen! "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini"! And Annette Funicello reveals her navel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank celebrate Shark Week with the screenwriter of "Jaws," "Jaws 2" and "Jaws 3-D," Carl Gottlieb, who discusses the birth of the Hollywood blockbuster, the ingenuity of Steven Spielberg, the effectiveness of "unseen horror" and the challenge of bringing the original "Jaws" to the screen. Also, John Belushi spoofs Richard Dreyfuss, Groucho guest hosts "Music Scene," Ringo battles the Abominable Snowman and Carl and Steve Martin team up for "The Jerk." PLUS: "The Absent-Minded Waiter"! "Son of the Invisible Man"! The Smothers Brothers vs. CBS! Sterling Hayden vs. the I.R.S.! And "The Jaws Log: The Musical"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Eyes Wide Shut"! "Petticoat Junction"! Randy Quaid holds a press conference! The Undersea World of Jean Cocteau! And Gilbert meets the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank are joined by comedian, podcaster and movie obsessive Doug Benson ("Doug Loves Movies") for an enjoyable conversation about bad sequels, booking dream guests, breaking into the business and the perils of meeting Hollywood heroes. Also, Harry Dean Stanton shuts it down, Doug messes with Harrison Ford, Peter Falk reunites with Alan Arkin and Gilbert (once again) rags on Ferris Bueller. PLUS: Foster Brooks! "Captain EO"! The Three Stooges in 3-D! "The Curse of the Pink Panther!" Praising Alexander Payne! And Doug reveals the truth behind the Mr. Belvedere mishap! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Naked vampires! Fake Stymie! Rod Steiger plays W.C. Fields! Frank goes to a drive-in movie! And Gilbert explains how a joke works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary producers, puppeteers and showmen Sid and Marty Krofft join Gilbert and Frank for a fun-filled (and fact-filled) conversation about their unusual creative process, the origins of "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Land of the Lost" and the failure of their indoor theme park, "The World of Sid and Marty Krofft." Also, Dean Martin drops the ax, Bette Davis drops an f-bomb, Walt Disney doles out advice and Liberace "dates" Sonja Henie. PLUS: Live, nude puppets! Sid Caesar to the rescue! The late, great Martha Raye! "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour"! And the Kroffts sue McDonald's -- and win! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Movers & Shakers"! Bill vs. Morty Seinfeld! Lee Strasberg gets steamed! And the mob "handles" Walter Matthau! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Animal House" with actor Tim Matheson, who recalls his original audition for the role of Eric "Otter" Stratton, his onscreen chemistry with co-star Peter Riegert and his working relationship (and friendship) with the late, great John Belushi. Also, Tim takes a lesson from Henry Fonda, takes a call from Steven Spielberg, shares a bed with Mel Brooks and shares the screen with TimConway and Don Knotts. PLUS: "Johnny Quest"! Sam Kinison! In praise of Jack Warden! Dean Wormer meets Iron Man! And Tim tries (in vain) to save the National Lampoon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Meeting Richard Kind! Paging Robert Morse! Remembering Adam West! Richard Donner directs Mr. Warmth! And the mysterious world of Dan Curtis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank are joined by Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning film composer Michael Giacchino for a fascinating conversation about the birth of film scores, the golden age of "contract musicians," and the influences of Dave Grusin, Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and Max Steiner. Also, Don Knotts gets tough, Martin Scorsese picks pop songs, Jerry Goldsmith conducts in an ape mask and Michael teams with the legendary John Williams! PLUS: Randy Newman! The great Gonzo! The genius of Hoyt Curtin! Paul McCartney grooves to Dr. Strange! And Michael pays tribute to Japanese monster movies! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: The Paul Raybone Band! Paging Gordon Lightfoot! Ed Sullivan blows the joke! And Bernie Taupin teams with Peter Lorre! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, director, producer and counterculture hero Peter Fonda stops by the studio for a fascinating conversation about the making of "Easy Rider," his difficult relationship with his legendary dad and his encounters with Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau and Ernest Hemingway (among others). Also, Dennis Hopper holds a grudge, Elvis straps on a helmet, Jack Nicholson replaces Rip Torn and Victor Mature gives a bravura performance. PLUS: The genius of Terry Southern! In praise of Christopher Plummer! The Monkees foot the bill! The Beatles find inspiration! And Peter names his favorite Henry Fonda movie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Remembering Nick Meglin! "It Takes a Thief"! The ballad of Barney Fife! Tom Jones does Jessel! And the fantastic world of Irwin Allen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of Father's Day, Gilbert and Frank welcome Emmy-winning comedy writers Arnie and Jay Kogen ("The Carol Burnett Show," "Newhart," "The Simpsons," "Frasier") for a hilarious conversation about failed pilots, cheesy variety shows, the outrageousness of Pat McCormick and the "unwritten rules" of writing for television. Also, Soupy Sales takes flight, Jackie Mason takes offense, Garry Shandling gripes about the sunset and the Kogens party with the Jackson 5. PLUS: "Monkey World"! The genius of James L. Brooks! "The World's Oldest Fireman"! Jay reinterprets "The Aristocrats"! And Gilbert and Arnie remember "Thicke of the Night"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Journey to the Unknown"! The strange history of Jack Chick! Lou Costello in "Citizen Kane"! Remembering Gene Tierney! And Allen & Rossi sing again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices