Five Favorite Funny Films with Rob Bartlett

  A new year, a new episode, and a new season, which we are kicking off in Grand Style with a GREAT guest, one of the single funniest people on the planet.  He possesses wisdom, kindness, and an encyclopedic knowledge of all things funny, whether they be film, TV, or stand-up, and is prone to drop quotes from any of the above in casual conversation as deftly as a concert pianist playing a concerto.  He's definitely the kind of guy with whom you'd want to hang out, have a beer, and talk movies.  As a film fan, his list of favorites is truly representative of him as they are COMPLETELY original, unique, and eclectic, and he includes NONE of the movies that have been mentioned so far.  He knows his faves by heart because that's the location where he keeps them.  And, as if that wasn't enough of a reason to listen, he just so happens to be the Middle Child of The Robio's four sons.  (You could insert 'The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree' cliche here, but, truth be told, he's much funnier.).  A rather enjoyable less-than-an-hour.  The PERFECT commute companion.    Sidebar:  If you want to be a Genuine Podcast Celebrity, send us your Five Favorite Funny Films list (with the reasons why you chose them and your favorite scenes/lines of dialogue) to [email protected] .   We will give you a shoutout on the program and, if you are deemed interesting, amusing and/or knowledgable enough,you just might find yourself as a future guest!   What are you waiting for?  Internet Fame Awaits!

A most amusing conversation with Actor/Singer/Animated Transformer Afficiando, Josh Powell, who played the Robio's son in the recent production of 'Grumpy Old Men - The Musical' at the Seven Angels Theatre.   He shares a damn fine list of notable distinction, as he is the first to include a Chaplin Flick, eschew the cinematic oeuvre of Mel Brooks, and one of the very few who did not include 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' in his Top Five. The kinship between host and guest is palpable, as not only do two of the same movies appear on both their 'Favorites' lists, but they also share a deep appreciation of the Brilliance of Character Actor Stephen Tobolowsky.  They are of different minds, however, when it comes to 'Skyfall'.  Robio hails it as one of Daniel Craig's finest outings as '007', (and, quite possibly, the entire Bond series) while Josh, unfortunately, maintains the troubling (and completely wrong) position that 'it sucks'.  A lively hour with many clips and Laugh Out Loud moments. 

This episode, The Robio welcomes TWO Special Guests, one, an old friend with whom he started out doing comedy at Richard M. Dixon's White House Inn back in 1978, and the other, a VERY funny comedian and comic character actor; both hosts of 'The Big Bad Broadcast', (available wherever you got this particular podcast).   Double the flicks, double the stories, double the fun!  Their lists range from the sublime to the ridiculous, and John ignores the assignment and takes the liberty of adding a sixth title to his. It's a movie one would not normally consider to be a comedy but he pleads a pretty good case for its inclusion.

Our special guest this week is Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Recording Artist, Teacher, Columnist, and Indy Pop Legend Mark Bacino. His music looms large in the Soundtrack of the Life of Robio.   His Five Fave Funny Films choices are...well, choice, and they also chat about many related and unrelated things, not the least of which is how movies, (and music, by the way) serve as our current method for Time Travel. Along the way, there are some amusing musings concerning the Maturation of Artists, the Heartbreaking Life of the American Teenager, Manhattan as a movie character, and an almost obsessive appreciation of a classic New York Local TV Show, which includes a nostalgic playing of its theme song. His new album, 'Top of the World,' is AMAZING and available everywhere.  Plus, at the end of the 'cast, you get to hear the record's first single, 'Kaylee Hughes.'   (You're welcome) A GREAT episode!

This past June, the world lost a great talent, one of our most favorite guests on the Five Favorite Funny Films Podcast, comedian, actor, and 'Truly Charming Guy,' Mr. Hiram Kasten.   In honor of the Celebration of his Life that was held in L.A. on Sunday, August 18th, and with enormous gratitude to his wife Diana for the incredibly dedicated, selfless, and loving care she provided him throughout his long battle with Crohn's Disease and Prostate Cancer, we offer this special tribute to our dear friend.

This week, the guest is an actual, Flesh and Blood, Bonafide Bartlett Family Member: The Robio's son, Writer, Actor, Improviser, Musician, Singer, Songwriter, and Damn Fine Father, his own damn self, Sean Bartlett.  Parental Pride is prominent, as Sean shares his theories on why some comedy movies work as real and truthful, even when they are based in outrageously over-the-top universes. Hint: it has something to do with embracing the concept of how it's better to remember than invent. Heavy, right? But, fear not, for as interesting, insightful, and thought-provoking as this sure-to-be Instant Classic Episode is, it's also pretty effing amusing, which, considering this is a podcast about COMEDY, is quite convenient. BONUS: A song from Sean's Comedy Rock Band, BIG JEANS, the title track of their first album, 'Complicated Man'. That, and their latest, 'Go It Alone', are both available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, and wherever you satisfy your Amusical Needs. (See what we did there? Merging the words 'amusing' and 'music' together?) You're welcome.e.

Joe Bolster is a true Renaissance Man;  Comedian,  Writer,  (The Academy Awards, the Espys, and a horror movie that was actually produced and stars Hal Holbrook!), Track Coach and downright Oracle of Pop Music from the 60's and 70's.  (Don't play Jeopardy with him if among the categories are 'Top Ten Covers',  'One Hit Wonders' and 'Songs Titled 'Hold On')   His attention to detail and encyclopedic knowledge of minutiae, inform his Top Five Comedy Movies list, and his affinity for truthfulness in comedy reigns supreme, and his picks range from a classic Howard Hawks masterpiece to a wildly, politically incorrect, laugh -out- loud funny Farrelly Brothers film.   He also extols the virtues of one of the filthiest comedy records ever made.  No, really, we're talking exceptionally, disgustingly vulgar…it makes 'The Aristocrats' joke look like a  Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme.   But it's a 'hurt your stomach from laughing' classic. All in all, a great, extremely entertaining episode.

A very special 'Bonus' episode, featuring Joe Bolster, whose appearance was among our personal favorites. It's a brief 'Digression' he made in the middle of his interview about his favorite funny films, to address, what he believes, to be one of the most egregious cinematic faux pas in movie history.  So bemused, bothered and bewildered is he by this glaring mistake, he was overcome with a paroxysm of unrestrained disdain for the powers that be for a glaring gaffe in one of the most famous monologues from one of the biggest box office hits of the 20th Century.   Not only will you be amused, you might just learn something in the process.

A very special interview with one of The Robio's oldest and dearest Comic Friends, the Great Hiram Kasten, known in the pantheon of the Stand - Up World as 'A Truly Charming Guy'.  An Old School, Top Notch, BRILLIANT entertainer, whose five favorite funny film choices are so very...him.  A throwback to the classy, smart, fashionable type of comedian...Jacket and Tie, Ciggie in one hand, a Cocktail in the other.  Achingly funny, and imminently knowledgable about comedy, movies...and, well, comedy movies. A don't miss episode, to be sure. BONUS:  A masterful telling of the Classic 'Bear and the Rabbit' joke.  

A very special 'Remote'  Episode from New England because The Robio is currently in rehearsals for his starring role as 'Max' in 'Grumpy Old Men: The Musical' at the Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut. (Ticket info at the end of this Description). Fitting, as his guest this week is his dear friend, Dan Cashman, the host of the award-winning 'The Nite Show,' the #1 Local TV Talk Show Broadcast Saturday Nights on the FOX Affiliate in Bangor and the NBC affiliate in Portland for the past 14 years. It's a lively, insightful, and, at times, semi-serious conversation, (at one point, Robio bemoans the current state of Stand Up Comedy in America Today), and his list features a number of Cinematic Comedy Classics.  It's also quite amusing, as one might expect from a Podcast in which the word 'Funny' appears prominently in the title.   Tickets for 'Grumpy Old Men: The Musical' are available on the Seven Angels Website: SevenAngelsTheatre.org As well as direct from the Box Office:  (203) 757-4676

Emmy Winning Writer, Producer, Director, Comedy Promoter, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, and Manager (A Literal Lifetime as a True Show Biz Renaissance Man) Gary Grant provides his Eclectic and Unique list of his Five Fave Comedy Movies.  (Spoiler Alert: He HATES Jokey Flicks) It's a deep dive into Mel Brooks, Wes Anderson, the Brothers Coen and Marx, and how important Music factors into Funny Films.  And NOT just in Spinal Tap. The Best Episode Yet! Subscribe!   And review us on Apple Podcasts!   (It helps the multitude of Funny Film Fans find us!)  

Sounds like the beginning of a great dirty joke, but they're actually all characters from the Five Favorite Funny Flicks of The Robio's old friend and Renaissance Woman,  Pixie Esmonde: Stand Up Comedian, Actor AND, once the Evil Wardrobe Mistress for KISS! (Spoiler Alert: Her Gene Simmons story is a classic!). She's partial to the British and a huge fan of  NSFW, Outrageously Inappropriate, Horrifyingly Over the Top,  Politcally Incorrect humor.  (Sidebar to PETA- She really doesn't believe that dogs dying is amusing, but she absolutely LOVES  Animal Lover Michael Palin's reaction when he kills several). A GREAT list, Hilarious Stories, and witty banter make for a rather entertaining 46 minutes!

This week, The Robio chats with an old pal, Peter Bales, who is not only a professional comedian, he also holds an actual PhD, (and, if you ask us, being a History Professor at Queensborough College is a pretty impressive side-hustle).   They talk shop for a bit, discussing the nature of comedy and the psychological profile of comedians, but then get down to business and actually discuss something amusing: His Five Favorite Funny Films.  (Spoiler Alert - he is, and probably will always be, the ONLY person on this podcast who would have both 'Blazing Saddles' and  'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines' on the same list) Just like the movies they discuss, this is a very interesting, funny, and, most of all, entertaining episode.  PLUS you'll find out who The Robio's favorite Beatle is.

Veteran Comic Christy Miller (You wanna talk venerable? The girl's name is immortalized on the wall at The Comedy Store) provides her list of Five Funny Faves.  There's some popular perennial classics that have been featured prominently on other guests' lists, but, just like her act, there also a few surprises.   Unlike Mrs. Cleaver, she does NOT speak jive, but she IS lightning fast, spontaneous, relentlessly ruthless, and mercilessly funny.  She also can bench 350.   Her new album 'Brutally Yours' is available everywhere.  An entertaining hang with a great funny lady.

The second of TWO Special Bonus episodes, (Because we will be on Holiday for the next two weeks).  This one features The Robio's most favorite people, and kindred Musical Theater Cohort. They talk about everything from Sid Caesar to Jonathan Winters, to Richard Pryor, to Mel Brooks and how Eddie Murphy made an indelible impression on Richie's brother on Prom Night.  (It made up for not getting laid) Subscribe, follow, and get every episode as they drop!

This week, one of TWO BONUS Episodes, posted early as a special Christmas Gift to you!  (Even though you didn't get us anything) Our Special Guest this episode is Comedian, Actor and Writer, FRED STOLLER, who you know from Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond and Dumb and Dumber.  He is one of the single funniest people we know, and has a VERY eclectic list of Favorite Funny Movies.  Join the Robio as he chats with an old, dear, friend and LEGENDARY comic, and find out how 'Dog Day Afternoon' qualifies as a Comedy. (Well, if 'Die Hard' can be a Christmas Movie...)

This week, our special guest is Author, Theater Columnist and Radio Host Michael Riedel, known for his savage wit that gave him the moniker 'The Butcher of Broadway' when he wrote for the NY Post.  He likes Short Cross-Dressers, Comedies about Nazis, Peter Sellers, Elaine May and French Farces without subtitles.   He can be heard every weekday morning on WOR Radio in New York as one of the hosts of 'Berman and Riedel in the Morning', and when it comes to his Five Faves, 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' His List: Revenge of the Pink Panther Tootsie A New Leaf To Be or Not to Be The Red Inn  

Welcome to FIVE FAVORITE FUNNY FILMS. Each week, Rob will interview a funny person about their five favorite comedy movies.  Not necessarily the best, or most classic, but the ones that make them happy.  Their 'Go To' movies.  You know, the ones they stumble across while channel surfing and just HAVE to stay and watch it until the very end, no matter how many times they've seen it. This week, we present The Pilot Episode, with Comedian and Podcast Host John Poveromo.  It's a lively discussion, where shoes, automobile gauges and the relative hotness of an early 70's Barbra Streisand are mentioned.  (But not in the same sentence) HIS PICKS: It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World Planes Trains and Automobiles What's Up Doc? The Birdcage The Muppet Movie   Enjoy!