Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre

Latest Episodes:

We Need a Little Christmas! The "Fun for All Ages" 2025 Holiday Spectacular w/ Mario Cantone and Susie Essman Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

The "Amazing Colossal Podcast" holiday tradition marches on as Frank is joined by old friend Mario Cantone and comedian-actress Susie Essman to talk about the best (and worst) Christmas movies on TCM, the secret life of Frosty the Snowman, the musical genius of Irving Berlin and Leslie Bricusse, the existential crisis of "It's a Wonderful Life" and the conclusions of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Sex and the City." Also, Jerry Seinfeld plays Hamlet, Susie asks for a Patti Playpal, Mario praises the "Miracle on 34th Street" remake and Frank salutes Gilbert with "The Twelve Jews of Christmas." PLUS: "The Shop Around the Corner"! The return of "Yule Be Sorry!" Mario "outs" Yukon Cornelius! The brilliance of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" And the panel remembers the talents of Bob Einstein, Willie Garson and Richard Lewis!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You Better Watch Out: Behind the Scenes of "Bad Santa" w/ Terry Zwigoff, Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and Robert Hoffman Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Frank ushers in the holiday season with a reunion of the creative team behind the 2003 black comedy "Bad Santa": director Terry Zwigoff, screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and film editor Robert Hoffman. In this episode: the boys talk about the bumpy ride from page to screen, the nightmare of test screenings, the (extremely) contentious casting process and the artfulness and musicality of profanity. Also, the Coen Brothers envision James Gandolfini, Terry locks horns with Billy Bob Thornton, Glenn and John write a part for Evel Knievel (!) and Robert reveals the challenge of editing a TV-friendly cut. PLUS: "Babbo Bastardo"! Paging Bill Murray! Praising John Ritter! Mickey Rooney keeps it clean! Cloris Leachman tries to disrobe! And "Bad Santa" inspires an XXX-rated parody!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Knuckleheads, Shenanigans and Aardvarks: Local Kids' Shows of the 1960s and '70s (Part Two) w/ Rich Brown, Allan Neuwirth and Steven Weber Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this conclusion of a sentimental and laugh-filled episode, producer-comedian Rich Brown, actor Steven Weber and writer-producer (and this week's co-host) Allan Neuwirth join Frank to remember some much-loved New York-based kids' programs of the 1960s, '70s (and '80s), including "Shenanigans," "The Magic Garden," "The New Zoo Revue," "The Uncle Floyd Show" and the Mario Cantone-hosted "Steampipe Alley." Also in this episode: listeners share THEIR regional kiddie shows, including "Ranger Hal," "Marshall KGUN," "Dusty's Treehouse," "The Brakeman Bill Show" and "Hatchy Milatchy" and the boys recall memorable encounters with Billy Barty, Grandpa Al Lewis, Debbie Reynolds, Telly Savalas and Groucho Marx. PLUS: Señor Kaboom! J. Fred Muggs! Zacherley, the Cool Ghoul! Rich visits the Nut Museum! Steven praises Bob & Ray! And Allan meets a Beatle!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Knuckleheads, Shenanigans and Aardvarks: Local Kids' Shows of the 1960s and '70s w/ Rich Brown, Allan Neuwirth and Steven Weber Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Frank is joined by producer-comedian Rich Brown, actor Steven Weber and writer-producer (and this week's co-host) Allan Neuwirth for a loving look (waaay) back at local kids' programming of the 1960s and '70s, including "Wonderama," "Romper Room," "Let's Have Fun," "Birthday House" and "Winchell-Mahoney Time." In this episode, the boys recall their earliest TV memories and favorite characters (Professor Fingleheimer! Baron Barracuda! Norton Nork!) and pay tribute to beloved performers Sonny Fox, Bob McAllister, Chuck McCann, Soupy Sales and Paul Winchell. Also, Rich interviews White Fang, Allan kisses Bozo's nose, Frank remembers Beachcomber Bill and Steven accepts the "Name a Ventriloquist" challenge. PLUS: Otto & George! Captain Jack McCarthy! "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't"! Adam West teams with the Three Stooges! And Sandy Becker explains the JFK assassination!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks for the Memories (Part Two) w/ Jackie Martling, Billy West and Barrett Leddy Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

It's a Thanksgiving feast for lovers of showbiz obscurities as Frank celebrates Turkey Day with comedian Jackie Martling, voice actor-comedian Billy West and voice actor (and co-host) Barrett Leddy. In this conclusion of a two-part episode, the boys share even MORE things they're thankful for, including the one-liners of Rodney Dangerfield, the surliness of Al Lewis, the voice talents of Daws Butler and Don Messick and the brilliance of Gilbert's John McGiver and Bela Lugosi impressions. Also, Joe E. Ross hits the town, Irwin Corey slams Bob Hope, Billy shoots pool with June Lockhart and Jackie gets hot and heavy with Carol Brady. PLUS: Redd Foxx! The Mad Russian! Bugs Bunny turns 85! Jackie retells the Mae West story! And Billy dines with Larry Fine's daughter!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks for the Memories w/ Jackie Martling, Billy West and Barrett Leddy Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In part one of a two-part episode, Frank gets an early start on Thanksgiving by serving up a heaping helping of "Amazing Colossal Podcast" nostalgia as comedian Jackie Martling, voice actor-comedian Billy West and co-host Barrett Leddy give thanks for several of their pop culture heroes, including Sid Caesar, June Foray, Jonathan Winters, Red Skelton, Brian Wilson...and Gilbert Gottfried. Also, Jackie stars in the "Joke Man" documentary, "Gilbot" salutes the Toastmaster General, Billy praises the talents of Jackson Beck, and the boys look back on the glory days of "The Howard Stern Show." PLUS: "The Stone Pillow"! The lost art of telling jokes! Billy opens for George Carlin! Larry Fine meets Crosby Stills & Nash! And the triumphant return of the Jackie Puppet!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lights! Cameras! Inaction!: Abandoned, Unfinished and Unproduced Movies w/ Drew Friedman, Owen Kline and Barrett Leddy Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Award-winning illustrator-cartoonist Drew Friedman, actor-filmmaker Owen Kline and voice actor (and this week's co-host) Barrett Leddy join Frank for a fascinating look at six-plus decades of doomed dramas, canceled comedies and unrealized epics, including "Jaws 3, People 0," "Superman Lives," the Marx Brothers' "A Day at the United Nations" and Jerry Lewis' "The Day the Clown Cried." Also in this episode, Ridley Scott teams with the Bee Gees, Steven Soderbergh retools Charlie Chan, Barrett breaks down the Beatles' "Lord of the Rings" project and Drew explains the "curse" of "A Confederacy of Dunces." PLUS: The cinema of Sammy Petrillo! "The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes"! "Rocky" meets "The Raven"! Harry Shearer parties with Casey Kasem! Stan Lee hangs with Fellini! And Owen's grandpa introduces Ralph Kramden to Ed Norton!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All Singing, All Dancing, All Skating! Movie Musicals of 1980 w/ Kevin Maher, Joe DiPietro and Kate Wilkinson Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Frank welcomes Emmy-nominated writer-comedian-author Kevin Maher ("Santa Doesn't Need Your Help"), writer-actress Kate Wilkinson and Tony-winning composer Joe DiPietro ("Memphis," "Nice Work If You Can Get It") for a critical and frequently comical analysis of movie musicals (and "movies with music") released in the year 1980, including "Popeye," "The Apple," "The Jazz Singer," "Can't Stop the Music" and "Xanadu." Also in this episode, Lily Tomlin (almost) plays Olive Oyl, Rex Harrison is upstaged by a parrot, Neil Diamond follows in Al Jolson's footsteps, and the panel shares its affection for "The Blues Brothers" (and the "Xanadu" stage musical). PLUS: Mr. Boogalow! The cinema of Roy Orbison! Kate accompanies Linda Ronstadt! Kevin reveals the traumas of TV detectives! And Joe writes musicals about Elvis, Tom Jones and Ol' Blue Eyes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You'll Have to Stay the Night": Hollywood's Greatest Haunted House Comedies w/ Rupert Holmes and Dino Proserpio Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Frank ushers in Halloween week by welcoming film preservationist Dino Proserpio and bestselling author and Tony-winning composer-playwright Rupert Holmes for an illuminating analysis of some of Hollywood's spookiest (and silliest) haunted house comedies, including "The Ghost Breakers," "The Cat and the Canary," "Scared Stiff," "Beetlejuice" and "Hold That Ghost" (as well as lesser-known films featuring The Bowery Boys, The Little Rascals and The Three Stooges). Also in this episode: Bela Lugosi meets Ish Kabibble, Woody Allen "borrows” from Bob Hope, William Castle remakes "The Old Dark House" and Rupert takes a swipe (or two) at "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." PLUS: “Munster, Go Home”! "The Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow"! The Ingmar Bergman of porn! Dino defends "Transylvania 6-5000"! And Rupert reveals why "revenge movies" are the easiest movies to write!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heeeere's Johnny! Celebrating Johnny Carson's 100th Birthday w/ Mark Malkoff, Dan Pasternack and Mike Reiss Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary King of Late Night, producer-historian (and guest co-host) Dan Pasternack, former "Tonight Show" writer Mike Reiss and comedian-podcaster Mark Malkoff ("The Carson Podcast") join Frank for a look at some of the most memorable moments from Johnny's 30-year run as well as the controversial origins of beloved characters Art Fern, Aunt Blabby and Carnac the Magnificent. Also: Rodney Dangerfield writes an angry letter, Johnny turns down "The King of Comedy," the boys debunk the Zsa Zsa Gabor myth and Mark shares highlights from his new book, "Love Johnny Carson." PLUS: Peter Lawford gets banned! Pat McCormick drops trou (again)! Dan runs afoul of Bob Hope! Mike writes Johnny a part on "The Simpsons"! And Mark sheds light on the Wayne Newton feud!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected