Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast

Emmy-winning director James Burrows 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," "Cheers," "Friends" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Also, Andy Kaufman comes to dinner, Woody Harrelson changes the game, Norman Lear writes a fan letter and James meets John Steinbeck, Truman Capote and Groucho Marx. PLUS: Sydney Pollack! Remembering Ruth Gordon! The comedy of Patchett and Tarses! The generosity of Jay Sandrich! And James directs the "All in the Family" reboot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Lionel Atwill! The generosity of Margaret Hamilton! Uncle Walt rolls out the red carpet! And Pearl Harbor delays the release of "Bambi"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedy historian Jeff Abraham and producer-filmmaker Burt Kearns discuss their new book, The Show Won't Go On and provide fascinating backstories on the untimely (and unusual) passings of Dick Shawn, Joe E. Ross, Al Kelly, Parkyakarkus and Karl Wallenda (among others). Also, Moe Howard wears a dress, Sid Caesar packs heat, Burt Reynolds gets a paint job and Paul Anka tears down Wayne Newton. PLUS: Carmen Miranda's final bow! The poetry of Buddy Hackett! The history of the "bullet catch"! The strange death of Washington Irving Bishop! And Jeff and Burt attend the Jerry Lewis auction! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Remembering Walter Brennan! "Mother's Carey's Chickens"! Bela Lugosi gets a nickname! And Donnie plays checkers with Boris Karloff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank welcome back one of their most popular guests, comedian and actor Robert Wuhl, who holds court on a variety of subjects, including bad biopics, overrated film classics, the real story of Ty Cobb and the 30th anniversary of Tim Burton's "Batman." Also, Jack Nicholson hatches a plan, Ward Bond tangles with Martin Landau, John Ford takes on Cecil B.DeMille and Robert remembers his friends Joe Bologna, Bruno Kirby and Trey Wilson. PLUS: "The Babe Ruth Story"! The villainy of Frank Fay! The cinema of Michael Ritchie! Neil Simon teams with Peter Sellers! And Robert reprises his Oscar voting rules! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Milton the Monster"! "A Man Called Flintstone"! The genius of Jack Urbont (and Hoyt Curtin)! Gilbert sings the "King Kong" theme! And the return of Jerry the Bellybutton Elf! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank are joined by author, journalist and songwriter (and Gilbert's old pal) Larry "Ratso" Sloman for a conversation about the Jewishness of Elvis Presley, the glory days of "Rolling Stone," the mysterious death of Harry Houdini and the new Martin Scorsese documentary, "Rolling Thunder: A Bob Dylan Story." Also, Al Lewis takes the stand, Joni Mitchell takes umbrage, Floyd the barber meets Robert Zimmerman and Ratso recalls adventures with Joan Baez, Leonard Cohen, George Harrison and Al Goldstein. PLUS: Gogi Grant! "Renaldo and Clara"! "Fred Mertz' Night Out"! Ratso samples Bela Lugosi! And Gilbert stars in "National Lampoon's" Foto Funnies! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman"! "Chiller Theater vs. Creature Features"! The mastery of Lalo Schifrin! Gilbert guests on "Sesame Street"! And Frank's dad hangs with Ben Casey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, producer and director Griffin Dunne drops by the studio to talk about vanishing New York, teaming up with Martin Scorsese and Sidney Lumet, the timelessness of Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" and the life (and work) of his famous family members, Dominick Dunne and Joan Didion. Also, Otto Preminger takes a bad trip, Jerry Lewis interprets Gore Vidal, Griffin sneaks onto the set of "Gilligan's Island" and Tim Burton (almost) directs "After Hours." PLUS: "The Panic in Needle Park"! The artistry of Harry Nilsson! The brilliance of Rick Baker! Howdy Doody pleasures himself! And Griffin shares the screen with the Material Girl!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: 2 Live Crew! Burgess Meredith sings! Mad magazine on vinyl! The late, great Leon Redbone! Gilbert tries to name the podcast theme song! And Lon Chaney Jr. "pays homage" to Bobby "Boris" Pickett! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor-director Ted Wass ("Soap," "Oh God! You Devil," "Curse of the Pink Panther") regales Gilbert and Frank with stories about everyone from George Burns to James Coburn to Tony Randall, recalls the many controversies surrounding "Soap," and looks back on the impossible task of replacing the legendary Peter Sellers. Also, Raymond Burr narrates the Bible, Gilbert gushes over the "Sheena" movie, Frank reads the infamous "Soap" memo and Harvey Korman "owns" Ted's funny bone. PLUS: "Experiment in Terror"! Praising Robert Wagner! Remembering Janet Margolin! Martin Mull slays the room! The brilliance of Susan Harris! And Ted directs Phyllis Diller, Kathleen Freeman and William Shatner! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: From the desk of Mel Blanc! Remembering Rip Torn! The comedy of Robert Schimmel! "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman"! And Gilbert Gottfried meets Gilbert O'Sullivan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank are thrilled to welcome rock 'n' roll icon Neil Sedaka, who discusses growing up in Brooklyn, his apprenticeship at the famed Brill Building, his chart-topping collaborations with lyricist Howard Greenfield and his memories of Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Richard Rodgers and Paul McCartney (among others). Also, Bob Dylan offers praise, John Lennon provides inspiration, Mick Jagger buys a Sedaka record and Neil remembers his cousin Eydie Gorme. PLUS: The Captain & Tennille! Elton John to the rescue! The late, great Len Maxwell! Billy Joel "borrows" a melody! And Neil demonstrates his songwriting process! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: McCartney & Lennon!? "Surfin' Bird"! "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows"! Gilbert covers Cyrkle! And the not-quite-triumphant return of Zager and Evans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark the 60th anniversary of the original "Twilight Zone," Gilbert and Frank welcome historian Gary Gerani, author NickParisi and Rod Serling's daughter Anne Serling, to discuss one of the most groundbreaking programs in television history -- and the man behind it. Also: Desi Arnaz leads the way, Ray Bradbury lends a hand, Richard Matheson joins the team and Anne reveals her dad's favorite TZ actors. PLUS: "Rod Serling's Night Gallery"! The brilliance of Bernard Herrmann (and Jerry Goldsmith)! Gilbert sends up Ed Wynn! Buster Keaton enters the Twilight Zone! And the panel picks their most underrated TZepisodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "The Paul Lynde Show"! Gilbert of the Apes! The secret of Superman's cape! Mike McPadden's "Teen Movie Hell"! And the triumphant return of Giggles Gazoo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress and singer Beverly D'Angelo ("National Lampoon's Vacation," "Hair," "Coal Miner's Daughter") joins Gilbert and Frank for a VERY spirited conversation about her long, strange trip through show business, her gig as a Hanna-Barbera storyboard artist, her enduring friendships with Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher and her on-screen collaborations with Woody Allen, Alan Arkin, Eddie Bracken, Ava Gardner and Peter O'Toole. Also: Beverly auditions for "Raging Bull," Gilbert reads "Fifty Shades of Grey," Burgess Meredith puts on the moves and Bela Lugosi directs a Marx Brothers movie. PLUS: Lurleen Lumpkin! "The Sentinel"! Remembering Patsy Cline! In praise of Andrew Bergman! And Beverly favors the boys with "The Girl from Ipanema"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: The cinema of Russ Meyer! The Golden Age of TV nudity! The scourge of body doubles! And Gilbert learns the meaning of a "Marty Feldman"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilbert and Frank welcome one of their favorite composers, Grammy and Emmy winner Charles Fox, who looks back on a six-decade career of writing top 40 hits ("Killing Me Softly with His Song") as well as music and themes for TV shows ("Happy Days," "Wonder Woman") feature films ("Barbarella," "9 to 5") and game shows ("Match Game," "What's My Line?"). Also, Charles teams with Barry Manilow, pens a tune for Burt Reynolds, witnesses the Ed Ames tomahawk incident and remembers friends Neal Hefti, Jerry Goldsmith and Henry Mancini. PLUS: "Love, American Style"! The Charles Fox Singers! The inventiveness of Ernie Kovacs! Gilbert sings the soundtrack from "Zapped!" And the boys pay loving tribute to Paul Williams! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: "Mad Dog and Glory"! A Quinn Martin Production! Appreciating Burt Bacharach! The gangster films of James Cagney! Frank reveals beloved bedtime stories! And the Irish-Catholic comedy of Gilbert Gottfried! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices