Episodes
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On the latest episode of "The Friars Club Podcast," Joe Sibilia chats with comedian, actor, and television host Joel McHale about hosting the 2015 Friars Club Roast of Terry Bradshaw, seeing Joe Montana at the roast, the early influence of roasts on Joel's sense of humor, emceeing the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the advice he received from the likes of Conan O'Brien, Seth Meyers, and Craig Ferguson, remembering his working relationship with Friar Regis Philbin, his start in stand-up comedy, and filming the movie "Ted" with Seth MacFarlane.
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Legendary publicist and Friar Jim Mahoney joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his book "Get Mahoney!: A Hollywood Insider's Memoir" about his unparalleled PR career, his start in public relations at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1940s working with Clark Gable, how he came to represent Friar Frank Sinatra for 15 years, why he never watched the Rat Pack shows while he was with the group in Las Vegas, why Sinatra didn't appear on a television special with fellow Friar and client Bob Hope, and working on the recovery effort of Frank Sinatra Jr. after his kidnapping in 1963. Plus, Jim talks about saving Friar and client Johnny Carson from a barroom brawl while filming "Johnny Goes Home" in the 1980s, being hit in an altercation with client Judy Garland, his first encounter with his friend and fellow Friar Don Rickles, the condition under which Jim would work with Friar Jack Carter, dealing with Friar and client Joey Bishop, staying at Friar and client Paul Anka's house, and Jim's son and fellow publicist Sean jumps in to talk about booking Friar Bob Newhart on David Letterman's talk show!
Special thanks to Sean Mahoney, Marilee Mahoney, and Monica Mahoney-Adler!
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This week on "The Friars Club Podcast," Joe chats with Noel Blanc, the son of legendary voice actor and Friar Mel Blanc about the 1961 California Friars tribute to Mel following a near-fatal car accident, his father's friendship and collaboration with Friars Jack Benny and George Burns, and his legendary career as the voice behind cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Woody Woodpecker, Yosemite Sam, Barney Rubble, and Porky Pig. Plus, Noel talks about the politics of cigarettes during the Golden Age of Radio, attending the Burns & Allen radio show as a kid, his father's friendship with Friar Johnny Carson, the eccentricity of Paul Frees (the voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy), and his own near-death experience with Kirk Douglas.
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Philip Rosenthal, the host of the Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil" and the creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond" joins Joe Sibilia to discuss the roast held in his honor at the Friars Club for his 40th birthday featuring Ray Romano and Red Buttons, his childhood friendship with longtime Friars Dean Freddie Roman and his son Alan Kirschenbaum, and his own career in comedy. Plus, Phil talks about a meeting held with former Friars Abbot Jerry Lewis, pitching the idea of a charity roast to Johnny Carson during Carson's retirement years, his interactions with David Letterman while working on "Everybody Loves Raymond," and his friendship with the late Paul Reubens, the comic actor better known as Pee-wee Herman.
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Actor, comedian, and Friar Rob Schneider joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his participation in the 2001 Friars Club Roast of Hugh Hefner and the 2010 Friars Club Roast of Quentin Tarantino, shares some of his favorite jokes from the Quentin Tarantino roast and their preexisting friendship as Tarantino's neighbor. Rob also talks about Gilbert Gottfried and Jimmy Kimmel's performances at the Hugh Hefner roast, Whitney Cummings' kind gesture at the dinner preceding the Quentin Tarantino roast, and the one joke Rob wished he told about Jerry Lewis. Plus, Rob shares his memories of appearing in the "Friar's Club" episode of "Seinfeld" and of shooting the movie "Grown Ups."
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Legendary television producer George Schlatter talks with Joe Sibilia about attending a Friars Club roast of Jack Benny in his 20s, how he met Aaron Spelling (for whom he produced the Friars Club of California's Lifetime Achievement Award dinner in 2001), collaborating with Friar Ronald Reagan on his Las Vegas nightclub act, producing Friar Steve Lawrence's variety series on CBS, and much more. Plus, George shares his memories of producing his revolutionary comedy/variety series "Laugh-In," giving Robin Williams, Goldie Hawn, and Lily Tomlin early exposure on television, and working with and befriending Friars such as Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Larry King, and Johnny Carson.
Check out George's new book, "Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy (From the Creator of Laugh-in)"
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Former Friars Club Communications Director and Friars Club Historian Barry Dougherty joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his work documenting the history of the Friars Club, writing for roasts for Quentin Tarantino, Betty White, and Jack Black (among many other events), and talks about the origins of the Friars Club and its most cherished traditions. Plus, Barry recalls his odd visit to Uma Thurman's home, his memorable phone calls with Johnny Carson and John Travolta, shares the tale of Jimmy Durante's arrest at an early Friars testimonial, and explains why he was initially against Comedy Central televising the Friars Club roasts.
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The Amazing Kreskin joins Joe Sibilia to talk about his history as a member of the Friars Club, filming a DVD at the Friars Club in 2005, the joke that was always made at the Friars roasts about Kreskin, and attending Friars roasts for the likes of Hugh Hefner and Jerry Lewis. Plus, Kreskin talks about appearing on the television shows of Friars including Johnny Carson, Joey Bishop, and Regis Philbin, explains how he inspired Carson's "Carnac the Magnificent" character, and predicts the future of the Friars Club!
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Emmy and Tony Award-winning comedy writer, playwright, and Friar Alan Zweibel joins Joe Sibilia to discuss becoming a member of the Friars Club in 1983, writing for many Friars roasts before breaking into television, being approached about joining the Friars' "Under 40" committee, and utilizing the Friars Club as an office following his tenure at "Saturday Night Live." Plus, Alan shares his memories of Gilda Radner, his collaborations with Garry Shandling and Billy Crystal, the infamous Milton Berle-hosted installment of "Saturday Night Live," and his encounter with former Friars Abbott Frank Sinatra at Matteo's restaurant in California.
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Carrot Top, the comedy icon known for his singular take on prop comedy, joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his visits to the Friars Club in New York and California, attending the Friars Club roast of Jerry Springer in 1999, the myth of the Las Vegas "Fryers Club," appearing in "The Roast" episode of "The Larry Sanders Show," and working with Friars including Regis Philbin, Don Rickles, Betty White, and Carl Reiner. Plus, Carrot Top talks about following a heart-wrenching monologue by former Friars Abbot Jerry Lewis on the MDA Labor Day Telethon, hosting "Carrot Top's AM Mayhem" on Cartoon Network and his encounter with network boss Ted Turner, appearing as a guest on "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," his unusual dinner with Jonathan Winters, his origins as a prop comic, and much more!
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Legendary radio & television talk show host and Friar Sally Jessy Raphael talks with Joe Sibilia about how she became a Friar and eventually the Prior of the Friars Club, her duties as Prior, the proposal she received for the Friars Club from Purdue to "roast" one of their chickens, being honored by the Friars Club in 2000, and attending many of the Friars Club roasts. Plus, Sally shares what she used to love ordering on the menu and reminisces about her days working on WIOD in Maimi with Larry King, shooting pool with Jackie Gleason and Minnesota Fats, Tennessee Williams sitting in on her radio show, and hosting Friars Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Burnett, and Jerry Lewis on her television show.
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Filmmaker, comedy writer, and Friar Dean Ward joins Joe Sibilia to talk about his documentary about the Friars Club called "Let Me In, I Hear Laughter," joining the Friars Club, and documenting the history of the Friars Club. Dean sheds light on the behind-the-scenes of the film, including his unusual interview with Milton Berle, watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" with Joey Bishop, playing hooky from his DreamWorks day job to hang out with Buddy Hackett, receiving a phone call from an irate Jerry Lewis, his favorite joke from Oscar-winner Red Buttons, and winning over onetime "Tonight Show" host Steve Allen. Plus, Dean recalls Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jon Bon Jovi's visit to the Friars Club, his father becoming starstruck over Abe Vigoda, the death of Harry "Parkyakarkus" Einstein (father of Albert Brooks and "Super Dave" Osborne) at a testimonial for Lucille Balll and Desi Arnaz, and meeting up with Pat Cooper at a Las Vegas gas station.
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Comedy writer, stand-up comic, author, and Friar Jeffrey Gurian joins Joe Sibilia to discuss how he went from practicing dentistry to writing for some of the biggest names in the history of comedy, including Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, and Jerry Lewis. Plus, Jeffrey talks about working on the Friars Club roasts as a writer, serving as the liaison to "Saturday Night Live" for the 1990 Friars Club roast of Chevy Chase, his friendship with the late Phil Hartman, discovering Emmy Award-winner Peter Dinklage, collaborating with John Mulaney and Nick Kroll, and gaining entree into Billy Crystal's private party the night the Friars Club named a room in his honor.
Jeffrey Gurian will be performing at The Expo in New York City on Wednesday, May 10th. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3LZJluC -
Television talk show host, politician, and Friar Jerry Springer passed away on Thursday at age 79 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. In this encore presentation, Joe Sibilia shares some of his memories of meeting Jerry through the years and revisits his appearance on "The Friars Club Podcast" from January 2023. In this episode, Jerry talks about being roasted by the Friars Club of California in 1999, receiving encouragement from former Abbot Milton Berle, working alongside longtime Friars including former Abbot Jerry Lewis and Henny Youngman on "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon," and being asked to speak at Rodney Dangerfield's funeral. Plus, Jerry talks about the trials and tribulations of appearing as a beetle on "The Masked Singer," reveals his favorite acts from his time hosting "America's Got Talent," reminisces about his eponymous (and infamous) talk show, and gives longtime "Tonight Show" band leader Doc Severinsen a lift!
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Stand-up comic and Friar Turner Sparks joins Joe Sibilia to discuss recording two comedy albums at the Friars Club, being taken under the wing of Larry the Cable Guy, and reveals the nuts and bolts of putting together a comedy album. Turner also talks about his ideas for the Friars Club as a member of the Board of Governors, spearheading the digitization of the Friars archives, and talks about his life before the Friars Club as a stand-up comic in China and also as the man who brought the Mister Softee brand to China.
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Television's "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro joins Joe Sibilia to discuss baking a life-sized cake of Friar Betty White on his television show for the Friars Club roast of Betty White in 2012. Buddy divulges the behind-the-scenes of the episode in which he is commissioned by the Friars to create a special cake for Betty in only 24 hours, and also shares some of his tricks of the trade. Plus, Buddy remembers filming at his bakery with Friar Regis Philbin, talks about the Hoboken connection with former Friars Abbot Frank Sinatra, and gives Joe some valuable advice on baking.
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Comedian, actor, and television host Cedric The Entertainer joins Joe Sibilia to discuss his performance at the Friars Club roast of Hugh Hefner in 2001, Friar Gilbert Gottfried's infamous 9/11 joke and telling of "The Aristocrats," and the party after the roast. Plus, Cedric talks about hosting "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," remembers Friar Regis Philbin, and shares the challenges of shooting his CBS sitcom "The Neighborhood" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Singer, actress, Friars Club Trobairitz, and Friar Deana Martin talks with Joe Sibilia about her father, longtime Friar Dean Martin, joining the Friars Club with sponsorship from her famous father and "Uncle" Frank Sinatra, holding her wedding reception at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills, and participating in a roast in New York for Friars Abbot Jerry Lewis. Deana also shares her memories of "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts" (inspired by the Friars Club roasts), recounts the story of how her father was roped into doing his highly successful variety show for NBC, and explains how she befriended her father's one-time comedy partner Jerry Lewis in his later years. Plus, Deana talks about appearing on "The Joey Bishop Show" opposite Friars Joey Bishop and Regis Philbin, picking Steve Martin on "The Dating Game," playing touch football with Davy Jones of The Monkees, and meeting Walt Disney on the opening day of Disneyland.
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Matt Paxton, host of the PBS series "Legacy List with Matt Paxton," expert on "Hoarders," and author of "Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life" joins Joe Sibilia to discuss signing the deal for his "Legacy List" series at the Friars Club, appearing on Friar Jimmy Kimmel's talk show, and shares his journey from journeyman downsizer to television star. Plus, Matt talks about getting high on Joe Rogan's podcast, swaps "Price is Right" experiences with Joe (whose mother was a contestant on the show in 1993), and shares horror stories of some of the "Hoarders" homes that he has cleaned over the years.
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Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, cabaret performer, and television host Jamie deRoy joins Joe Sibilia to discuss becoming the 8th woman to join the New York Friars Club, opening for Friars including Joan Rivers and Gene Baylos, former Friars Abbot Alan King's telling of the founding of the club, hanging out at Friar Sammy Davis Jr.'s house, and having Friars such as Kevin Meaney, Steve Allen, and Henny Youngman participate in her "Jamie deRoy & Friends" show. Plus, Jamie shares some of her favorite Friars jokes, and talks about discovering talent at the fabled "Bachelors' Table," meeting former Abbot Jerry Lewis in Las Vegas, co-producing Billy Crystal's Broadway musical "Mr. Saturday Night," and working the Golden Globes!
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