Actor, dancer and singer Ken Berry grew up in a small Midwestern town, admiring the musicals of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. After winning several local talent contests, he found his way into show business and was soon pulling down an impressive (for the time) $90 a week! Gilbert and Frank caught up with Ken at his Hollywood home to ask about his “two years of recess” on the classic sitcom “F-Troop” and his memories of working alongside comedy greats George Burns, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett and a then (mostly) unknown Steve Martin. Also, Ken reminisces about life as a “day player” and tells us why he had the worst stage act in the history of Vegas. PLUS: “My Mother the Car”! “The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show”! Helen Hayes eats a cheeseburger! Richard Dreyfuss serenades a goldfish! And Leonard Nimoy covers Harry Belafonte! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GGACP Rewind: Episode #38: Alan Zweibel
2026/05/14 | 1h 36 mins.
Emmy award-winning writer Alan Zweibel started out in show business by peddling jokes to Catskills comics at seven bucks a pop, before a chance meeting with Lorne Michaels led to a staff job on the hottest new show on television, “Saturday Night Live.” Alan joined Gilbert and Frank at the George Burns Room at the Friars Club to talk about the earliest days of SNL, co-creating the groundbreaking “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” and collaborating with everyone from Gilda Radner to Billy Crystal. Also: Alan heckles Larry David’s act, “borrows from” Paul Simon, turns down “Hollywood Squares” and inspires a classic “Seinfeld” episode. PLUS: Totie Fields! Christopher Lee! The subversiveness of “Duck Soup”! Uncle Miltie gets banned! And Gilbert tries (unsuccessfully) to follow The Beatles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GGACP Rewind: Episode #37: Chuck McCann
2026/05/11 | 1h 27 mins.
As a young boy growing up in Queens, New York, Chuck McCann worshipped stars like Stan Laurel, Buster Keaton and Groucho Marx, and within a few years, he would find himself befriending (or working with) all of them. Gilbert and Frank phoned Chuck (one of THEIR childhood heroes) to talk about his unusual and unlikely journey from obsessed fan to celebrated screen, stage and voice performer and beloved kiddie show host. Also: Chuck hitches a ride on Hugh Hefner’s jet, inspires Billy Crystal, writes a part for John Carradine and co-stars in a legendary TV flop. Plus: Hal Roach! Tim Conway! Chuck and Groucho hawk deodorant! Mae West “works” the docks! And Chuck asks Gilbert for a lollipop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GGACP Rewind: Episode #36: Gary Busey
2026/05/07 | 1h
Oscar-nominated actor Gary Busey has been in over 150 movies, working alongside everyone from Barbra Streisand to Steven Seagal. On a recent visit to LA, Gilbert sat down with Gary to talk about his near-death experience, his character “process” and channeling the spirit of Buddy Holly. Also, Gary hosts “Saturday Night Live,” spoons Mel Gibson, jams with Rick Danko and praises Gene Hackman. PLUS: Jack Elam! Jan-Michael Vincent! Rod Steiger eats a sandwich! And Gary tells Gilbert the meaning of life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GGACP Rewind: Episode #35: Bob Zmuda
2026/05/04 | 1h 36 mins.
Writer, comedian and producer Bob Zmuda has had a busy career, performing, writing and producing comedy specials, co-creating the charity Comic Relief and collaborating with the late (??) great comedian/performance artist Andy Kaufman. Gilbert and Frank rang up Bob at his house in Lake Tahoe to talk about (among other things) his early days as half of the comedy duo Albrecht & Zmuda, his role in bringing the Kaufman biopic “Man on the Moon” to the screen, his controversial new book about Andy’s life, and his theory of how his old friend and collaborator pulled off the greatest hoax in comedy history. Also, Eddie Murphy takes a phone call, Tony Clifton (or was it Jim Carrey?) invades the Playboy mansion and Garth Brooks (almost) portrays Bob on the big screen. PLUS: The ventriloquist team of Dick & Stinky! Larry the Lobster gets a reprieve! Gilbert gets the axe at SNL! And a surprise guest crashes the podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
About Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
About Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried, a man Stephen King once called “a national treasure,” talks with the show business legends, icons and behind-the-scenes talents who shaped his childhood and influenced his comedy. Along with co-host and fellow pop culture fanatic Frank Santopadre, Gilbert is joined by comics, actors, musicians, talk show hosts, writers and other eyewitnesses to Hollywood history, including Bruce Dern, Chevy Chase, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Adam West, Steve Buscemi, Micky Dolenz, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow and DOZENS more, for a funny, frenetic, fly-on-the-wall look at showbiz then and now (but mostly then.) Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast was named "Best Podcast of 2015" by the Village Voice and one of iTunes' "Best of 2014." It has been featured in Rolling Stone, Wired and the Los Angeles Times.