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! 

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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?"

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In part one of a two-part episode, Frank is joined by authors Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz ("But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?") and Clickettes lead singer-songwriter Barbara Jean English ("A Lover's Prayer") for a loving look back at the 1950's-1960s girl group era and the music of the Shirelles, the Chiffons, the Chantels, the Cookies and other talented (and often unsung and unrecognized) young women who made pop music history. Also, Barbara recalls singing in bathrooms, hallways and elevators, Laura discusses payola and the mob's involvement in the record business, and Emily explains why the New York-New Jersey area gave birth to dozens of singing groups. PLUS: Alan Freed! "Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars"! The curious case of George Goldner! The Clickettes (unwittingly) impersonate the Shirelles! And Barbara recalls the joy of hearing her song on the radio for the first time!

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In the first "Fun for All Ages" listener mail episode, Frank enlists voice actor Barrett "Gilbot" Leddy to help answer burning questions from "FFAA" Patreon supporters on a variety of topics, including sea monkeys, time machines, Wacky Packages, celebrity autographs, failed TV pilots, Mad magazine novelty records and the 1904 World's Fair (to name a few). Also in this episode: Curly Joe DeRita meets his reward, Al Hirt meets the Green Hornet, Barrett "pays tribute" to Eartha Kitt and Carol Channing and Frank explains his unlikely cameo in a Run-DMC movie. PLUS: Tor Johnson! The genius of Bob and Ray! The return of Totie Fields! Gilbert loses a part in "Small Wonder"!? And Frank sends away for a "Quisp" space gun! 

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In the first "Fun for All Ages" listener mail episode, Frank enlists voice actor Barrett "Gilbot" Leddy to help answer burning questions from "FFAA" Patreon supporters on a variety of topics, including sea monkeys, time machines, Wacky Packages, celebrity autographs, failed TV pilots, Mad magazine novelty records and the 1904 World's Fair (to name a few). Also in this episode: Curly Joe DeRita meets his reward, Al Hirt meets the Green Hornet, Barrett "pays tribute" to Eartha Kitt and Carol Channing and Frank explains his unlikely cameo in a Run-DMC movie. PLUS: Tor Johnson! The genius of Bob and Ray! The return of Totie Fields! Gilbert loses a part in "Small Wonder"!? And Frank sends away for a "Quisp" space gun! 

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Frank celebrates (a bit belatedly) the 75th anniversary of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" by welcoming three superfans and key contributors to Abrams ComicArts' deluxe hardcover collection, "The Essential Peanuts: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time": author Mark Evanier, contributing designer Chip Kidd and publisher Charles Kochman. In this episode, the experts discuss Schulz's creative process, his "deceptively simple" design sense, his evolution as a humorist, and the strip's five-decade meditation on the human condition. Also, Chip praises the Schulz Museum and Research Center, and Mark and Charles look back on personal encounters with the iconic cartoonist. PLUS: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron"! Chip tangles with 007! Charlie hangs with Chico Marx' daughter! And the boys reveal some of their favorite "Peanuts" strips (out of the more than 17,000 published)!

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In this conclusion of a two-part episode, Frank and guest co-host Dan Pasternack talk to Emmy-winning writer-actor-director Robert Smigel about his lifelong obsession with Charles Schulz and Peanuts, his preference for "specific" comedy, his working relationship with Lorne Michaels and his unusual friendship with Blackwolf the Dragonmaster. Also, Triumph meets Carl Bernstein, Jesus meets Kathie Lee Gifford, Mr. T auditions for "A Doll's House" and Robert stresses the importance of "embracing oddballs." PLUS: Anne Beatts! The brilliance of Darlene Love! Paul Simon weighs in! Robert turns into Ed Grimley! And Frank and Dan praise the inventiveness of "Leo"!

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Emmy-winning writer-actor-director Robert Smigel and this week's co-host, writer-producer Dan Pasternack join Frank for a 25th anniversary salute to the cult Comedy Central series, "TV Funhouse." In this informative and hilarious interview, Robert talks about his love of animal-centric comedy, his lifelong obsession with "Mr. Ed," the humble origins of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and how the homoeroticism of superhero movies inspired "The Ambiguously Gay Duo." Also, William Shatner takes down Trekkies, Leo Durocher meets Herman Munster, Dan befriends a legendary "Batman" writer and Robert remembers the late, great George Wendt. PLUS: Cluckin' Chicken! "Lancelot Manzi: Mafia Chimp"! The passion of Al Pacino! The brilliance of Dino Stamatopoulos! And Robert keeps a kangaroo in his basement!

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Take a cinematic tour of the Constitution State as Frank is joined by actress-author-film historian Illeana Douglas and Emmy-winning comedy writer Dave Boone for a lively and educational conversation inspired by Illeana's 2023 book, "Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia." In this episode: Burt Lancaster deconstructs his image, Gene Kelly directs a sex comedy (or two), Katharine Hepburn is labeled "box office poison" and Illeana's granddad steals "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." PLUS: Appreciating Dana Andrews! The brilliance of Frank Perry! Illeana goes to a seance! Dave wins over Tony Bennett! The return of "Brush with Greatness"! And the secret origin of the Cesar Romero story!?

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In this conclusion of a two-part episode, comedian-filmmaker Kevin Maher and pop culture authors-experts Thom Shubilla and Brian Solomon join Frank for a wide-ranging and absurdly specific discussion about the unsung monsters of kaiju cinema, Godzilla and King Kong sequels and knockoffs, the prolific output of Ishiro Honda and the surprising lack of big-screen kaiju parodies. Also in this episode: Kevin praises "Q: The Winged Serpent," Frank reminisces about "Destroy All Monsters," Brian tries to explain "Varan the Unbelievable" and Thom interviews a cast member of "King Kong Escapes." PLUS: "Tammy and the T-Rex"! "Frankenstein Conquers the World"! The Simpsons go to Japan! Toho goes to court! Superman battles the Arctic Giant! And the panelists try their hand at a game of "Kaiju or False?"!

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