GGACP Rewind: Episode #37: Chuck McCann

GGACP Rewind: Episode #37: Chuck McCann

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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

GGACP Rewind: Episode #36: Gary Busey

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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

GGACP Rewind: Episode #35: Bob Zmuda

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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

GGACP Rewind: Episode #34: Susie Essman

Actress-comedian Susie Essman is best known to audiences for playing the acid-tongued Susie Greene on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” but she began her career as a stand-up, opening for people like Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Belzer and a young Gilbert Gottfried. For the first live GGACP episode (as part of the annual NYC Podfest), Gilbert and Frank sat down with Susie to talk about her obsession with Turner Classic Movies, her favorite “Curb” moments and how comedy saved her from a life of crime. PLUS: Peter Lorre! Margaret Hamilton! Susie roasts Jerry Stiller! Larry David pens a pilot for Gilbert! And the curse of the “Shiksa Goddess”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

GGACP Rewind: Episode #33: James Karen

Veteran character actor James Karen appeared in over 80 movies, more than 100 television shows and a staggering 5,000 TV commercials. In a career spanning nearly 7 decades (!), he’s worked with Frederic March, Lauren Bacall, Gene Hackman, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford and Will Smith, to name a few. Gilbert and Frank phoned James to cover a wide range of topics, including his film debut in the immortal “Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster,” his years-long friendship with the legendary Buster Keaton and his experience sharing a townhouse with Marlon Brando, Wally Cox and Maureen Stapleton. Also, James “sells” Craig T. Nelson a haunted house, a Boy Scout uniform leads to an acting career and a controversial “Jeffersons” episode nearly torpedoes a TV pitchman gig. PLUS: James parties with Clark Gable! Gilbert gets a one-cent residual check! Moe Howard recites from “The Tempest”! And James teaches a teenaged Michael Douglas to drive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]