Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre

Encore Presentation: Lost and Forgotten Amusement Parks w/ Dave Cobb and Robert Coker

Frank welcomes theme park experience designer Dave Cobb ("Men in Black: Alien Attack") and attraction show writer and author Robert Coker ("Roller Coasters: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the Ultimate Scream Machines") for an in-depth look at the fascinating histories of failed and forgotten amusement parks, including Freedomland USA, The Land of Oz, Pacific Ocean Park, Hanna-Barbera Land and The World of Sid & Marty Krofft, among others. Also in this episode: Soupy Sales hosts a beauty pageant, Grizzly Adams buys a carousel, Dave makes his pitch to Steven Spielberg and Robert reveals his favorite roller coasters. PLUS: The Escalator to Nowhere! The genius of Paul Frees! "Kiss Meets The Phantom of the Park"! All aboard the Banana Train! And the secret origin of Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Saturday Morning Spinoff Super Spectacular! (Part Two) w/ Jerry Beck, Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim

In the conclusion of a two-part installment, Frank continues his conversation about Saturday morning cartoon spinoffs with "Saturday TV Funhouse" animators-directors Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim ("Leo," "Hotel Transylvania 2") and author-historian Jerry Beck ("The Animated Movie Guide," "The Hanna-Barbera Treasury"). In this episode, the boys look back at EVEN MORE Saturday morning 'toons inspired by other properties, including "The Oddball Couple," "The Robonic Stooges," "Laverne and Shirley in the Army," and "The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang" (among others). Also, Gilbert reads "The Little Match Girl," Mr. T tackles "A Doll's House," Dom DeLuise stars in a forgettable "Flintstones" knockoff and Jamie Farr supplies scripts for "The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan." PLUS: "Milton the Monster"! The genius of Chuck Jones (and Friz Freleng)! David ALMOST meets Lucille Ball! Jerry breaks down the backstory of "The Beatles" cartoons! And Frank (ill-advisedly) pitches an animated homage to "The Sunshine Boys"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Saturday Morning Spinoff Super Spectacular! w/ Jerry Beck, Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim

In part one of a two-part episode, Frank welcomes animators-directors Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim ("Hugo," "Hotel Transylvania 2," SNL's "TV Funhouse") and author-historian Jerry Beck ("The 50 Greatest Cartoons," "The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons") for a ridiculously deep dive into the best (and least memorable) Saturday morning cartoons spun off from primetime series ("The Brady Kids," "Jeannie," "The Mini-Munsters," "Star Trek: The Animated Series," etc.). Also in this episode: Filmation animates the Marx Brothers, DePatie-Freleng spoofs "All in the Family," "TV Funhouse" sends the Harlem Globetrotters back in time and Hanna-Barbera sends the Partridge Family into outer space. PLUS: "Rover Dangerfield"! The "Ed Wood of animation"! The genius of Hoyt Curtin! Joe Besser meets Luke Skywalker!? Robert and David pitch a Mad magazine series! And Jerry reveals (some of) the worst cartoons of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Excelsior! The Marvel Age of Comics w/ Danny Fingeroth and Larry Lieber

Frank relives some of the happiest moments from his childhood by looking back at the history and the glory days of Marvel Comics with the help of writer-historian-author Danny Fingeroth ("A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee") and artist-writer (and Thor and Iron Man co-creator) Larry Lieber. In this episode: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby revolutionize the art form, Danny explains the rise and fall (and rise) of the comic book industry, Frank shares a fan letter he sent to Marvel at age 12 and Larry publishes his first novel ("Chirps") at age 93! PLUS: Jack Davis! The brilliance of John Buscema! The secret origin of J. Jonah Jameson!? Larry deconstructs "Citizen Kane" (and the Fantastic Four)! And Danny befriends "Jazzy" John Romita!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

"But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?": Girl Groups of the 1950s and 1960s (Part Two) w/ Laura Flam, Emily Sieu Liebowitz and Barbara Jean English

In this conclusion of a two-part episode, Frank continues his conversation with authors Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz ("But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?") and Clickettes singer-songwriter Barbara Jean English about the triumphs and tribulations of the trailblazing performers who recorded hits like "Be My Baby," "Soldier Boy," "One Fine Day," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Please Mr. Postman" and "Walking in the Rain" and forever changed popular culture. In this episode, Emily bemoans the discrimination and unsafe conditions faced by many artists, Laura reveals which of the "girl group era" singers are still performing as of 2026 and Barbara writes a tune for Dionne Warwick and shares the stage with Ray Charles and Jackie Wilson. PLUS: The magic of Darlene Love! The notorious Flo Greenberg! The genius of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich! And the panel analyzes the brilliance (and boldness) of King and Goffin's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]