

Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre
Fun for All Ages
A podcast celebrating the golden age of pop culture. For the kids who counted down every song on American Top 40, clipped a Monkees record from a box of Alpha-Bits or begged their parents for a Han Solo action figure or Six Million Dollar Man lunchbox. Join Emmy-winning writer Frank Santopadre and a panel of equally obsessed celebs, superfans, cultural experts and industry insiders as they gush and geek out over the TV, films, toys and trends of the 1960s, 70s, 80s...and beyond.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 15min
Thanks for the Memories w/ Jackie Martling, Billy West and Barrett Leddy
In part one of a two-part episode, Frank gets an early start on Thanksgiving by serving up a heaping helping of "Amazing Colossal Podcast" nostalgia as comedian Jackie Martling, voice actor-comedian Billy West and co-host Barrett Leddy give thanks for several of their pop culture heroes, including Sid Caesar, June Foray, Jonathan Winters, Red Skelton, Brian Wilson...and Gilbert Gottfried. Also, Jackie stars in the "Joke Man" documentary, "Gilbot" salutes the Toastmaster General, Billy praises the talents of Jackson Beck, and the boys look back on the glory days of "The Howard Stern Show." PLUS: "The Stone Pillow"! The lost art of telling jokes! Billy opens for George Carlin! Larry Fine meets Crosby Stills & Nash! And the triumphant return of the Jackie Puppet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 28min
Lights! Cameras! Inaction!: Abandoned, Unfinished and Unproduced Movies w/ Drew Friedman, Owen Kline and Barrett Leddy
Award-winning illustrator-cartoonist Drew Friedman, actor-filmmaker Owen Kline and voice actor (and this week's co-host) Barrett Leddy join Frank for a fascinating look at six-plus decades of doomed dramas, canceled comedies and unrealized epics, including "Jaws 3, People 0," "Superman Lives," the Marx Brothers' "A Day at the United Nations" and Jerry Lewis' "The Day the Clown Cried." Also in this episode, Ridley Scott teams with the Bee Gees, Steven Soderbergh retools Charlie Chan, Barrett breaks down the Beatles' "Lord of the Rings" project and Drew explains the "curse" of "A Confederacy of Dunces." PLUS: The cinema of Sammy Petrillo! "The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes"! "Rocky" meets "The Raven"! Harry Shearer parties with Casey Kasem! Stan Lee hangs with Fellini! And Owen's grandpa introduces Ralph Kramden to Ed Norton! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 36min
All Singing, All Dancing, All Skating! Movie Musicals of 1980 w/ Kevin Maher, Joe DiPietro and Kate Wilkinson
Frank welcomes Emmy-nominated writer-comedian-author Kevin Maher ("Santa Doesn't Need Your Help"), writer-actress Kate Wilkinson and Tony-winning composer Joe DiPietro ("Memphis," "Nice Work If You Can Get It") for a critical and frequently comical analysis of movie musicals (and "movies with music") released in the year 1980, including "Popeye," "The Apple," "The Jazz Singer," "Can't Stop the Music" and "Xanadu." Also in this episode, Lily Tomlin (almost) plays Olive Oyl, Rex Harrison is upstaged by a parrot, Neil Diamond follows in Al Jolson's footsteps, and the panel shares its affection for "The Blues Brothers" (and the "Xanadu" stage musical). PLUS: Mr. Boogalow! The cinema of Roy Orbison! Kate accompanies Linda Ronstadt! Kevin reveals the traumas of TV detectives! And Joe writes musicals about Elvis, Tom Jones and Ol' Blue Eyes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 44min
"You'll Have to Stay the Night": Hollywood's Greatest Haunted House Comedies w/ Rupert Holmes and Dino Proserpio
Frank ushers in Halloween week by welcoming film preservationist Dino Proserpio and bestselling author and Tony-winning composer-playwright Rupert Holmes for an illuminating analysis of some of Hollywood's spookiest (and silliest) haunted house comedies, including "The Ghost Breakers," "The Cat and the Canary," "Scared Stiff," "Beetlejuice" and "Hold That Ghost" (as well as lesser-known films featuring The Bowery Boys, The Little Rascals and The Three Stooges). Also in this episode: Bela Lugosi meets Ish Kabibble, Woody Allen "borrows” from Bob Hope, William Castle remakes "The Old Dark House" and Rupert takes a swipe (or two) at "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." PLUS: “Munster, Go Home”! "The Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow"! The Ingmar Bergman of porn! Dino defends "Transylvania 6-5000"! And Rupert reveals why "revenge movies" are the easiest movies to write! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 51min
Heeeere's Johnny! Celebrating Johnny Carson's 100th Birthday w/ Mark Malkoff, Dan Pasternack and Mike Reiss
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary King of Late Night, producer-historian (and guest co-host) Dan Pasternack, former "Tonight Show" writer Mike Reiss and comedian-podcaster Mark Malkoff ("The Carson Podcast") join Frank for a look at some of the most memorable moments from Johnny's 30-year run as well as the controversial origins of beloved characters Art Fern, Aunt Blabby and Carnac the Magnificent. Also: Rodney Dangerfield writes an angry letter, Johnny turns down "The King of Comedy," the boys debunk the Zsa Zsa Gabor myth and Mark shares highlights from his new book, "Love Johnny Carson." PLUS: Peter Lawford gets banned! Pat McCormick drops trou (again)! Dan runs afoul of Bob Hope! Mike writes Johnny a part on "The Simpsons"! And Mark sheds light on the Wayne Newton feud! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 11min
Monsters, Martians and Mayhem: Movies of the Atomic Age (Part Two) w/ Michael Giacchino and Jeff Lieberman
Frank is joined by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino ("The Incredibles," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes") and cult filmmaker Jeff Lieberman ("Squirm," "Remote Control") for the conclusion of a two-part analysis of horror and sci-fi films of the Atomic and Cold War era, including "Creature from the Black Lagoon," "The Day the World Ended," "The Thing from Another World" and "It Came from Beneath the Sea." In this episode: the boys discuss flashbacks and framing devices, building suspense in monster movies, the political context of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and the similarities between "The Twilight Zone" and "The Love Boat." Also: Bob Balaban fools Steven Spielberg, Don Siegel contradicts Kevin McCarthy, Michael recalls his friendship with the great Lalo Schifrin, and Jeff pitches a "King Kong" remake to John Lennon (!) PLUS: Dustin Hoffman goes wild! Ray Harryhausen holds a grudge! Michael hangs with Paul McCartney! Burt Bacharach meets "The Blob"! And "I Married a Monster from Outer Space" inspires "Rosemary's Baby"!?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 10min
Monsters, Martians and Mayhem: Movies of the Atomic Age w/ Michael Giacchino and Jeff Lieberman
Frank kicks off Halloween month with the first installment of a two-part episode as Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Michael Giacchino ("Werewolf by Night," "Cloverfield," "Jurassic World") and cult filmmaker Jeff Lieberman ("Squirm," "Blue Sunshine") revisit their favorite Atomic Age horror and science fiction films of the 1950s, including "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (among others). Also in this episode, "Squirm" gets an assist from the Boy Scouts, Michael pays tribute to the composer of the original "Godzilla," Jeff joins forces with a young Rick Baker and the boys discuss Samuel Z. Arkoff's "dead man" theory. PLUS: Dr. Shock! "War of the Worlds"! The genius of Bernard Herrmann! Jeff reveals the origin of flying saucers! And Michael shares his plans to remake the giant ant epic "Them!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
The Wild, Wonderful World of Game Shows (Part Two) w/ Bob Boden, Rich Brown and Adam Nedeff
In this conclusion of a two-part episode, producer-executive Bob Boden, author-historian Adam Nedeff and comedian-producer (and this week's co-host) Rich Brown once again join Frank for a loving and laugh-filled look back at eight-plus decades of TV game shows. In this episode, the boys break down the Quiz Show Scandals of the 1950s, reveal which defunct game show they'd bring back and share personal (and painful) memories of near-appearances on "Jeopardy!", "Wheel of Fortune" and "Tic Tac Dough." Also, Bob praises Ken Jennings, Adam (finally) wins over Betty White, Frank wins big at his high school Gong Show and Rich sits down with Tiny Tim, Brother Theodore and Pat McCormick. PLUS: "I Survived a Japanese Game Show"! Rod Serling hosts "Liar's Club"! Adam West takes a dive! The Feds vs. Morty Seinfeld! And Gilbert Gottfried creates an unforgettable "Hollywood Squares" moment! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 21min
The Wild, Wonderful World of Game Shows w/ Bob Boden, Rich Brown and Adam Nedeff
In part one of a two-part episode, producer-executive Bob Boden ("Card Sharks," "Press Your Luck," "To Tell the Truth"), author-historian Adam Nedeff ("Gong This Book," "This Day in Game Show History") and this week's co-host, comedian-producer Rich Brown ("Beat the Clock," "You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno") join Frank for a salute to 75+ years of TV game shows, including the competitions, the cash prizes, the stunts and the scandals. Also in this episode: Chuck Barris "invents" reality television, Rich interviews a quiz show whistleblower, Bob runs afoul of Don Pardo and Adam recalls the notorious "Three's a Crowd." PLUS: "Queen for a Day"! "The Big Showdown"! The man who invented cue cards! Young Bob meets Lucy! Gary Coleman falls through a trapdoor! Merv Griffin's wife creates "Jeopardy!" And the game show host who witnessed the Oswald assassination! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 37min
Disco Fever w / Frank DeCaro and Cory Daye
Frank sets the FFAA time machine back to the decadent and "dancetastic" 1970s as comedian-author Frank DeCaro ("Disco: Music, Movies and Mania Under the Mirror Ball") and Grammy-nominated singer Cory Daye (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Kid Creole and the Coconuts) celebrate the songs, artists, movies, nightclubs and cultural impact of the disco era. In this episode: Dr. Buzzard meets James Bond, Ethel Merman records a camp classic, Frank weighs in on Disco Demolition Night and Cory recalls the heyday of the legendary Studio 54. PLUS: Mike Douglas! ABBA trading cards! The genius of Paul Jabara! "Playboy's Roller Disco & Pajama Party"! Frank interviews the Queen of Disco! And Cory hangs with RuPaul, Grace Jones and Cab Calloway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


