March 17, 2019
EP. 251 — Kliph Nesteroff
Historian, bestselling author and “King of Comedy Lore” Kliph Nesteroff returns to the podcast to serve up an all-new assortment of scandalous showbiz tales and to hold court on a host of essential topics, including Hollywood’s flirtation with fascism, the strange predilections of Bud Abbott and George Jessel, the mob’s iron grip on the nightclub circuit and the rise and fall of celebrity fast food franchises. Also, Stu Gilliam goes berserk, Rock Hudson “marries” Jim Nabors, Groucho runs afoul of the FBI and Kliph gets a surprise phone call from Steve Martin. PLUS: The Mad Russian! Mickey Rooney’s Weenie World! Hitler vs. the Three Stooges! Jerry Lewis pulls a gun! And Sammy Davis Jr. joins the Church of Satan!
Recent Episodes
December 1, 2019
EP. 288 — Marsha Mason
Oscar-nominated actress-director Marsha Mason joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about the value of character actors, the importance of onscreen chemistry, the true story behind “Bogart Slept Here” and her memories of collaborating with (and living with) the legendary Neil Simon. Also, Peter Falk shares the spotlight, Dustin Hoffman inspires “The Goodbye Girl,” Paul Newman introduces Marsha to auto racing and Gilbert sings the theme song from “Cinderella Liberty.” PLUS: “Dark Shadows”! “The Cheap Detective”! The superstitions of Peter Sellers! The elusiveness of George Segal! And Marsha co-stars with Albert Finney, Anthony Hopkins and Jason Robards!
November 24, 2019
EP. 287 — Bob Bergen and Rob Paulsen
Gilbert and Frank talk to celebrated voice actors Bob Bergen (Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian) and Rob Paulsen (Pinky, Yakko, Jimmy Neutron) about the loyalty of voice performers, giving back to fans, the generosity of Daws Butler and Casey Kasem and the voices behind Toucan Sam, Charlie the Tuna and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Also, Orson Welles hits the bottle, Mickey Rooney “inspires” Walt Disney, Rob hangs with Rip Taylor (and Jonathan Harris) and 14-year-old Bob cold-calls Mel Blanc. PLUS: “What’s Opera Doc?” The genius of Randy Rogel! The outrageousness of Bob Ridgely! Remembering Marvin Kaplan! And Bob teaches Gilbert to do Porky Pig!
November 17, 2019
EP. 286 — Stephen Bishop
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop joins Gilbert and Frank for an enormously entertaining conversation about secret song origins, Beatles trading cards, the glory days of Top 40, auditioning for Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson and chumming around with Burt Bacharach, John Belushi, Carrie Fisher and Harry Nilsson. Also, Bob Dylan hails a cab, Warren Beatty eats a bowl of chili, Gilbert swipes shampoo from Donald Fagen and Stephen and Linda Ronstadt cover “The Monster Mash.” PLUS: Frank Sinatra Jr! Praising Randy Newman! (and Jimmy Webb)! “Sex Kittens Go to College”! And Stephen cameos in “Animal House,” “The Blues Brothers” and “Kentucky Fried Movie”!