On the latest episode of "The Friars Club Podcast," Joe Sibilia talks with comedian Sandy Hackett about his father Buddy Hackett, attending Friars roasts for his dad and Willie Mays, and appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Plus, Sandy talks about how he made the transition from studying hotel management at UNLV to following in the footsteps of his father as a stand-up comic, his relationship with his "Uncle" and Friar Joey Bishop and how that spawned "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show," and his one-man show in tribute to his father, "My Buddy."
On the latest episode of "The Friars Club Podcast," Joe Sibilia talks with television host and comedian Matt Iseman about his participation in the 2013 roast of Dennis Rodman at the Friars Club. Matt also discusses his transition from a career in medicine to a career in comedy, his earliest television gigs, and stories from his days as the "Go-To Guy" on "Clean House." Plus, Matt talks about his long-running gig as co-host of "American Ninja Warrior" on NBC!
John Stamos talks with Joe Sibilia about participating in the Friars Club Lifetime Achievement Award Gala honoring Don Rickles in 2013, and goes in-depth about his close friendship with Rickles. John also talks about his time with Robert De Niro at the Friars testimonial, career advice from Friar Dean Martin, filming "ER" with Friar Jack Carter, his friendship with Jack Klugman, meeting Julia Roberts while visiting Garry Marshall in the hospital, watching Friar John Travolta film "Grease," encountering Robin Williams at a taping of "Happy Days," and how he and Friar Bob Saget became close friends.
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.
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!
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."
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)"
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.