Character actor extraordinaire James Karen has appeared in over 80 movies, over 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, James Garner, Gene Hackman, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford and Will Smith, to name but a few. Gilbert and Frank phoned James one recent Saturday night to cover a VERY 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 plum TV pitchman gig. PLUS: James parties with Clark Gable and Louis B. Mayer! Gilbert gets a one-cent residual check! Moe Howard recites from "The Tempest"! And James teaches a teenaged Michael Douglas to drive!
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33. James Karen

Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried, a man Stephen King once called “a national treasure,” talks with the show business legends, icons and behind-the-scenes talents who shaped his childhood and influenced his comedy. Along with co-host and fellow pop culture fanatic Frank Santopadre, Gilbert is joined by comics, actors, musicians, talk show hosts, writers and other eyewitnesses to Hollywood history, including Bruce Dern, Chevy Chase, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Adam West, Steve Buscemi, Micky Dolenz, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow and DOZENS more, for a funny, frenetic, fly-on-the-wall look at showbiz then and now (but mostly then.) Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast was named "Best Podcast of 2015" by the Village Voice and one of iTunes' "Best of 2014." It has been featured in Rolling Stone, Wired and the Los Angeles Times.

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GGACP celebrates the birthday (b. April 22, 1926) of Edna Garrett and Sylvia Schnauser herself, late character actress Charlotte Rae by presenting this ENCORE of an interview from 2016. In this episode, Charlotte looks back at some of the highs (and lows) of her life and career, and shares her memories of working on the 1950s nightclub circuit as well as on the much-loved sitcoms “Car 54, Where Are You?”, “Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life.” Also, Charlotte lauds Nat Hiken, rooms with Cloris Leachman, joins forces with Paul Lynde and impersonates Zsa Zsa Gabor. PLUS: Wally Cox! “Hot L Baltimore”! The many talents of Fred Gwynne! Charlotte disses Joan Collins! And “New Faces of 1952”!
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Charlotte Rae Encore

GGACP celebrates the birthday of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts (b. April 18) by revisiting this 2020 interview with Eric and actress/casting director Eliza Roberts. In this episode, Eric and Eliza talk about their five decades in Hollywood and share entertaining stories about Bob Fosse, Tony Curtis, Rod Steiger, Sterling Hayden, Mickey Rourke and Shelly Winters (to name a few). Also, Roger Corman strikes a deal, Eric shares the screen with the King of Pop, Gilbert praises “The Pope of Greenwich Village” and Eliza appears in “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” PLUS: “Three Days of the Condor”! Saluting Sonny Fox! The legend of Larry Cohen! The Diceman sends up Sly Stallone! And Eric reveals the “shortcomings” of Marlon Brando!
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GGACP Classic: Eric & Eliza Roberts

GGACP celebrates the birthday of “Man of a Thousand Voices” Billy West (b. April 16) with this ENCORE presentation of Billy's first appearance back in 2014. In this episode, Billy West talks about his memorable work on “Ren & Stimpy,” Matt Groening’s “Futurama,” “Looney Tunes” cartoons and of course, “The Howard Stern Show,” where he won over listeners with his outrageous impressions of Larry Fine, Lucille Ball and Jackie Martling (among others). Also, the boys discuss Bud Abbott, Peter Lorre, Al “Grandpa” Lewis, and the racism of 60's-era Dick Tracy cartoons. PLUS: Jewish Frankenstein! Angry Munchkins! The true story of Dr. Zoidberg! Billy jams with The Beach Boys! And Gilbert sings the theme song from “Problem Child”!
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Billy West Encore

GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece "The Conversation" (originally opened April 7, 1972) by revisiting this mini-episode from 2015, as Gilbert praises the classic thriller he previously introduced on Turner Classic Movies. Also, Robert Duvall makes the scene, Harrison Ford makes a bold choice, Allen Garfield becomes Allen Goorwitz and the boys look back at the short -- but memorable -- career of John Cazale. PLUS: Frank recommends the Cary Grant-Audrey Hepburn starrer "Charade"!

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GGACP Classic: Charade and The Conversation

GGACP celebrates April's National Humor Month by featuring this ENCORE of a memorable 2020 interview with comedian, actor and master impressionist John Byner. In this episode, John shares anecdotes about James Cagney, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Ed Sullivan and Jackie Vernon (to name a few) and talks about his engrossing memoir “Five Minutes Mr Byner: Lifetime of Laughter.”Also, Jack Carter lashes out, George Jessel lawyers up, Joey Bishop promotes a boxing match and Billy Barty sits on Bob Hope’s lap. PLUS: Annette Funicello! “Angels with Dirty Faces”! Dueling Rod Steigers! “Merv Griffin’s Talent Scouts”! And John and the boys remember the late, great Bob Einstein!
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33. James Karen

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