The Comedy to End All Comedies: The Making of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" w/ Scott Alexander and James Curtis

The Comedy to End All Comedies: The Making of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" w/ Scott Alexander and James Curtis

Frank takes a loving look behind the scenes of Stanley Kramer's ambitious, audacious, all-star epic "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" with the help of producer and Emmy-winning screenwriter Scott Alexander and film historian and author James Curtis ("Comedy is a Grim Business: The Making of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.") In this episode, the boys break down the film's casting, audience reactions and enduring legacy, James dispels long-held rumors and myths, Scott marvels at the film's chaotic production and James and Scott share happy memories of seeing the movie at the famed Cinerama Dome. Also: Stan Laurel turns down a cameo, Marvin Kaplan babysits Jonathan Winters, Uncle Miltie brings his own writer on set (!) and Edie Adams warns Stanley Kramer about working with comedians. PLUS: The inventiveness of William (and Tania) Rose! Buster Keaton (almost) plays Smiler Grogan! Jim Backus disses Buddy Hackett! James pens a bio of Spencer Tracy! And Scott has a (very) strange encounter with one of the film's stars! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Mood Elevators: Easy Listening from Muzak to Mancini w/ Dan Epstein, Rachel Lichtman and Michele Mantynen

Frank is joined by radio host Michele Mantynen, author and music journalist Dan Epstein and writer-visual artist-comedian Rachel Lichtman for a fascinating, far-ranging discussion about the secret history of Muzak, the genius of Burt Bacharach, the "aspirational" music and culture of the space-age 60s, the heyday of regional TV advertising and the creation of Rachel's brilliant "world-building" satires "Programme 4" and "Easy AM 66." Also in this episode: Jackie Gleason introduces "musical wallpaper," Dan and Michele extol the virtues of Esquivel, Rachel teams with Aimee Mann and Michael McKean (among others) and the panelists try to teach Frank the distinction between Easy Listening, MOR, Adult Contemporary and Beautiful Music. PLUS: In praise of Montovani! Herb Alpert presents Sergio Mendes! Quinn Martin meets the 5th Dimension! "Hal Ashby's 'Shampoo' on Ice"! And Dan and Frank geek out over 1970s-era baseball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

A Damn Fine Episode: Revisiting "Twin Peaks" w/ Scott Meslow and Harley Peyton

Frank finally fulfills a decade-long dream: recording a podcast about one of his longtime obsessions, David Lynch and Mark Frost's surrealist, genre-bending soap opera "Twin Peaks." Joining him on this fascinating journey from the Great Northern to the Black Lodge are author Scott Meslow ("A Place Both Wonderful and Strange: The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks") and Emmy-nominated "Twin Peaks" writer-producer Harley Peyton. In this episode, Scott reveals the origin of the mystery project titled "Northwest Passage," Harley recalls writing key episodes "Rest in Pain" and "Coma" (among others), Mark Frost draws inspiration from a real unsolved murder, and David Lynch draws a map of a fictional town on the back of a placemat. Also: Diane Keaton directs, Steven Spielberg ALMOST directs, Scott debunks myths about the Lynch-Frost partnership, and the panel discusses how the series changed television AND the culture. PLUS: The tao of Agent Cooper! The villainy of Windom Earle! The madness of "Twin Peaks" mania! Frank gets the Log Lady's autograph! And Scott and Harley praise "Twin Peaks: The Return"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

All Together Now: Bob Dylan and the Beatles (Part Two) w/ Jim Windolf, Kenneth Womack and Nellie McKay

In this conclusion of a two-part installment, New York Times writer-editor Jim Windolf, music critic-historian Kenneth Womack and singer-songwriter Nellie McKay join Frank for an in-depth examination of the friendly rivalry and mutually supportive relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles, inspired by Jim's new book "Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other -- and the World." In this episode, Ken marvels at the "aural whiplash" of "Revolver," Jim credits Dylan with creating the modern rock concert, Frank revisits a memorable Peter Fonda story from the "Amazing Colossal Podcast," and the boys sing the praises of Nellie's debut album, "Get Away from Me." PLUS: Dylan pens a "diss track"! Bernard Herrmann influences "Eleanor Rigby"! Ken visits Abbey Road Studios! Nellie's mom sees the Fab Four live! And Jim gets a phone call from Sir Paul himself! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

All Together Now: Bob Dylan and the Beatles w/ Jim Windolf, Kenneth Womack and Nellie McKay

In the first part of a two-part episode, Frank explores the mutually influential relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles, with the help of a panel of experts and superfans, including author and New York Times editor Jim Windolf ("Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other and the World"), writer, critic and music historian Kenneth Womack ("Solid State: The Story of 'Abbey Road' and the End of the Beatles") and singer-songwriter and lifelong Beatles (and Dylan) fanatic Nellie McKay. In this episode, the panelists recall their initial exposure to Dylan and the Fab Four, Kenneth pens bios of George Martin and Mal Evans, Nellie teams with legendary Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, and Jim recounts the long journey to complete the book that inspired this discussion. Also, Dylan visits the Beatles' childhood homes, Peter Sellers records "She Loves You," "Good Vibrations" influences "Strawberry Fields Forever," and Chuck Berry and Little Richard inspire everyone. PLUS: "American Top 40"! "The New Zoo Revue"! Dylan is compared to Harpo Marx! The mop tops meet Mr. Warmth! And the experts celebrate the 60th anniversary of "Revolver"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]