Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast - Mini-Ep #70: One-Hit Wonders, 1966-67

Episode Date: July 28, 2016

Each week, comedian Gilbert Gottfried and comedy writer Frank Santopadre share their appreciation of lesser-known films, underrated TV shows and hopelessly obscure character actors -- discussing, dissecting and (occasionally) defending their handpicked guilty pleasures and buried treasures. This week: Zager and Evans! The musical stylings of Mike Douglas! Grandpa Munster rocks out! And Tiny Tim serenades Dick Martin! MeUndies is offering you TWENTY PERCENT off your first order at http://meundies.com/gilbert. That’s a special offer just for GGACP listeners. Make sure you go to http://meundies.com/gilbert to get twenty percent off your first order of underwear in tons of styles and colors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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or maybe you're just perfecting the art of doing absolutely nothing. Whatever vacationer you are, with Sunwing, you save more so you can do more. Book with your local travel agent or... Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe on iTunes so you don't miss a single episode. And if you like the show and think we deserve a five-star rating, and obviously we do, rate us and post a review. Also, although our main purpose in life is to entertain you, producing this show costs actual money. to receive old sorts of goodies, merchandise, personalized roasts, and shout-outs, advanced access to episodes or personal messages from me, Gilbert Gottfried. And if we raise enough, maybe I can finally get a new co-host.

I'm thinking of the Scarlett Johansson robot. Hi, this is Gilbert Gottfried, and this is... I'm here with my co-host, Frank Santopadre. And this is Gilbert and Frank's amazing, colossal obsession. It sure as shit is. Yeah. Now. Oh, fuck yeah. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Here's something a little strange, Mr. Gottfried. Yes. A little different. People say to us, this is the kind of feedback that I get on social media, when are you guys going to do a music episode? Oh, yes. We've never done a music episode other than, you know, the musical stylings of Gilbert Gottfried.

You're singing Ready to Take a Chance Again. So I found some interesting trivia and I posted this on Facebook. Today, in 1969, the pop song In the Year 2525. In the year 2525. In the year 2525. 25. That's the one. If we're still alive. That's the one by Zeger and Evans.

Ah. The immortal Zeger and Evans. I've got so many of their albums. Yes, right. There you go. That's the one. It's kind of like a mariachi. Yeah.

That becomes very big in the future. 25, 25. It's kind of like a mariachi. Yeah, it does. That becomes very big in the future, mariachi bands. Thank you, Frankie. For the first time, mariachi is really appreciated. It's a very strange song, and I posted it on Facebook, and I got dozens of responses, and I thought, okay, so this is a good idea for a mini episode. Yes.

One Hit Wonders. Oh, perfect. They certainly qualify. Yes. Zager and Evans. I tell you, doing the research on One Hit Wonders, first of all, there's a terrific book by a guy named Wayne Jancic called The Billboard Book of One Hit Wonders that I suggest that I did some research in. It's great. And I thought, well, where do I go?

The 60s, not too – I didn't want to start with songs that you and I didn't know. Yeah. So I went to Wikipedia, and they've got them listed by year. So I figured 66 was a good place to start. I don't know when you started listening to the radio. Yeah. But here's a couple that I found. And we'll do some 60s and then maybe some 70s.

These are some I found. Flowers on the Wall by the Statler Brothers. Oh! Do you remember this one? Oh, wait. It became a standard. What? Oh.

Counting flowers on the wall, it don't bother me at all. I've been hearing you're concerned about my fitness. That's it. But all that thought to you. That became a big song. Yeah. Peaked at number four, the only time the Statler brothers apparently made the... Yeah. Smoking cigarettes and watching

Captain Boom Kangaroo. And don't tell me there's nothing to do. See, Paul, I told you. We do a music episode Any excuse, he'll start singing How did I find myself in this room with you two guys? I don't know

Bad judgment Here's another great one From February of... The Statler Brothers was January of 66 Here's another one from February of 66 The Men in My Little Girl's Life Mike Douglas Oh, this I gotta hear You know this Yes, yes The Men in My Little Girl's Life. Mike Douglas. Oh.

This I gotta hear. You know this. Yes, yes. The men in my little girl's life. The men in my little girl's life. Do you know this song? Daddy, there's a boy outside. He wants to marry me.

You don't remember this? It's got a spoken word component. This sounds like a pedophile song. There's a boy outside. His name is Rod. He wants to play in our backyard. He'd talk to us from his van. He'd say,

I'm looking for my lost puppy. Can you climb in here and we'll go searching together? That's shameful. Did you know that Mike Douglas, famous daytime talk show host, did you know he charted on the billboard charts? Wow. There you go.

Okay, here's one we all know. Yes. This hit number 35 by your favorite composer, Neil Hefty. Oh, yes. Neil Hefty, the odd couple. Neil Hefti, The Odd Couple. You bet. How to Murder Your Wife. Yep.

Batman. That's what this is. Frankie. Oh, perfect. Perfect. Yeah. Peak date, March 12th, 1966. I guess that was his highest position.

Yeah, we've talked about Neil Hefty on this show. He was also a big, big arranger for Count Basie. Correct. He was. Didn't he also work with Frank Sinatra? I wouldn't be surprised. I think he did. Yeah.

Neil Hefty. Who do we have on the show that knew Neil Hefty and told us about him? Yeah, he was one of my favorites. I think it was John Biner. I'm trying to remember. Somebody knew him. Here's a good one. Dirty Water by the Standells. Oh, yeah. Oh, yes, yes!

It's a standard, like a bar standard. Yes. Yes. Number 11. Now, if I've got this right And we'll have Paul our researcher Is in the booth with us The reason I bring up the Standells I'm pretty sure they were the guest star

Rock band on the Munsters Do you remember the Munsters episode Where they rent the house out To the hippies and they come back? Oh, yeah. And the Standells are playing I Want to Hold Your Hand and the smoke comes out of Grandpa's ears? Does this mean anything to you? Paul's going to look that up.

I think it was the Standells. I know I can make out the lyrics very clearly. I'm not sure. Yes, the Standells. The Standells appeared on the Munsters. That's right. Yeah. Far out Munster.

And by the way, Sinatra did record several albums with Neil Hefti. Oh, see? The late, great Neil Hefti. Gilbert is all over Neil Hefti. Yeah. I'm surprised he doesn't remember

the Standells on the Munsters. Here's one for you, Gil, that I know you do know. I do remember you brought up Les Lesser. Les Lesser. Oh, Les Lesser. Len Lesser. Len Lesser was the guy who played George

with Lon Chaney Jr. on the Munsters episode. Very good. That is correct. Well, we had, I should explain it, we had Stuart Margolin on the show. We were talking about Kelly's Heroes, which he was in. So here's some underwear movie trivia.

Gil. Okay. In the movie Lifeboat, the Hitchcock movie. Oh, that's with, what's that actress's name? Wait a minute. You're jumping it. Crew members told the director Alfred Hitchcock that this actress was not wearing underwear in several key scenes.

Tallulah Banker. Very good. Chico Marx's favorite. Yes. And Alfred Hitchcock, they said, well, what are you going to do about it? And he said, I can't describe if I should discuss it with wardrobe or hair. That's correct. Now, there's a little underwear trivia to get us started, because we're talking about our friends MeUndies. Now, whether you're wearing a suit, whether you're wearing sweatpants,

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Remember, Superman, shipping is free in the U.S. In Canada, you can save up to $8 a pair with the MeUndies subscription plan. Get the subscription or a single pair. You get 20% off your first order, Gil, when you go to MeUndies.com slash Gilbert. So already, if you don't like them, you can return them and get all of your money back. Or if you want them, you can get 20% off 20 off yep it's a win-win and they're a terrific product very comfortable uh that's me undies.com slash gilbert for 20 off your first order me undies.com slash gilbert here's a song i've actually heard you reference on the podcast

this is i'll sing it by napoleon the 14th frankie This is by Napoleon XIV. Frankie? Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to leave because I go berserk? Well, you left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see I've gone completely out of my mind. And they're coming to take me away, ha-ha. They're coming to take me away, hee-hee, ha-ha. To the funny part where life is beautiful all the time. I'd be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats because they're coming to take me away.

How do you know all the words to that song? I cooked your food. I cleaned your plate. And this is how you pay me back for all my kind, unselfish-loving work? Wow. That's impressive. And I heard when that song was a hit on the radio. 66.

Actual medical groups were complaining that was making fun of people with mental problems. Really? Yeah. Wow. It was making fun of the insane. Anybody, any of our listeners that know anything about the artist called Napoleon XIV, write us and post us. I think it eventually was taken off the air. Seriously?

Because there were complaints about- Political incorrectness. Complaints from crazy people. I did not know that. I didn't know. That was Jerry Samuels. Jerry Samuels? I think that could be a Jew.

Tell us about him. That's a wild guess. He's known by the stage name Napoleon XIV, American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He achieved one-hit wonder status. There you go. Is he still with us, Jerry? Yes, he is, 78 years old.

We got to call him. Now, can you find out if they say anything about the nutty people taking him off the air? Let me see what I can find. Okay, we'll move on and come back to that. Here's another one, Gil, that I know you know. Yes. From December 3rd, this was its peak, so I don't know when it entered the charts, but this was number one by the New Vaudeville Band, 1966.

Wait. Vodidodo, a vodidodo, didodo, Winchester Cathedral. You're bringing me down. That's it. You stood and you laughed when my baby left town. Now everyone knows just how much that girl meant to me. She wouldn't have left if you started playing your song. Winchester Cathedral.

That's it. All right, Paul. What can you tell us about the new vaudeville band? Well, let me catch up with Napoleon XIV and the critics, the backlash. The record was peaked at number three. Then the next week was number five. And then in the following week fell to number 37 when record producers and radio programmers removed it from their playlists fearing an adverse reaction from people who might consider it to be ridiculing the mentally ill. I was right.

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Frankie, did you dial any of these other ones up from 67? I'm defending the nuts. Yeah. You name one, I'll tell you if I got it. Okay. Sunshine Girl by Parade. We're jumping to 67. We're just going to do 66 and 67 here.

Don't got it. Today, you don't got it. How about the next one on the list? I was Kaiser Bill's Batman by Whistling Jack Smith. Didn't get that, but I can play you the next one I've got. He's got the next one. Oh, okay. Gilbert, do you remember this one from 67 by the...

Oh, my God. Tiny Tim. 67 by the... Oh, my God! Tiny Tim! Through the window, by the window That is where I'll become tiptoe Through the tulips with me Oh, tiptoe

Yeah. Through the tulips with me I can't get my voice that high. That's it. You jumped on me. That's 68. I'll follow you and tiptoe through the tulips with me. Oh, that's disturbing. That's disturbing.

I remember. That was 68, by the way. We jumped. I remember when he sang that to Dick Martin. Oh, sure. On Martin's laughing. On laughing. And Peter Marshall, of course, told us that Dan Rowan was a scumbag.

And that's the purpose of this podcast. Yes. And that's the purpose of this podcast. Yes. That's the end of the book. And I think you said Dan Rowan liked to get shit on. Now cut that out. Frankie, do you have this one from July of 1967 by a group called The Fifth Estate? Oh.

Peaked at number 11. Do you remember this? Oh, yeah. Any memory of this one? Yeah, this one, not so much. Okay. No, nothing about this. What can you tell us, Paul, about the fifth estate?

The fifth estate. I'm on it. He's on it. Did you load the next one, Frankie? Here we go. You'll get it. I know this one. She sits on the dock, fishing in the water.

Oh, okay. I don't know her name, she's a fishing toy. Frank is actually dancing in his seat. I love this stuff. Here we go. Okay, I have fifth estate. Come on down to my boat. Oh, yes, yes.

I recognize the hook. That's all. That's like a Beach Boys knockoff. Oh, absolutely. What can you tell us about the Fifth Estate? Here's something you have to know about the Fifth Estate. Tell me. They were originally the D-Men from Stanford, Connecticut.

See, that's something you have to know about. Wow. Wow, that's something you have to know about. You have to know that. Wow, that's good stuff. Let me, as we go through 66 and 67, and we'll do more of these on the next episode, but let me read you some of the names of these artists. Do any of these mean anything to you, Gilbert? The Lies by the Knickerbockers.

They'll be opening for me next week. No Matter What Shape Your Stomach in, by the T-bones? Oh, they used to play that in a commercial. That's right. Yes. I think I know the one you mean. Like it was either a diet, I think a diet commercial. How about walking my cat named dog?

That sounds like a Jim Stafford song or something. Yes, it does. I can't grow peaches on a Cherry Tree by Just Us. These are real songs, folks. And they never had another hit after that. Double Shot of My Baby's Love, of course, by the Swinging Medallions. But some of the names of these bands are just fantastic. Black is Black by Los Bravos.

Oh, yes, yes. That was a big one. Black is black, I want my baby yes. That was a big one. Black is black. I want my baby back. That's it through 66. And then just a couple of other things, and just on the subject of One Hit Wonders, Paul pulled this page, and this was called, and then we'll move on to another episode. We'll just do this for now, 66 and 67.

One Hit Wonders from other media. These were, how do you even describe this? Artists better known for talents other than pop vocals. Ed Burns made the charts with Kooky Kooky, lend me your comb. Oh, yes, yes. In 1959. Here's a good one. Rick Dees and his cast of idiots, Disco Duck.

Oh, yeah. 1976. We did Mike Douglas and the Men in My Little Disco Duck. Oh, yeah. 1976. We did Mike Douglas and the Men in My Little Girl's Life. Here's one I know is close to your heart. Lorne Green, Ringo. Oh, my God. Yes. That was one of those talking.

It's a spoken word. Yes. Went to number one in 1964. Oh, wow. How about Richard Harris and MacArthur Park? Oh, yes. Yes. Richard Harris and MacArthur Park? Oh, yes. Yes. Yes.

Spring was never waiting for us, girl. It ran one step ahead from the ground that we walked. There it is. Written by the great Jimmy Webb. Oh, that's right. We're trying to get on the show, and hopefully he won't hear this. Yes. Great.

Here's two more, and we'll wrap it up. Because the spark was melting in the dark. All the sweet green icing's flowing down. Someone left the cake out in the rain. Oh, my God. I don't think that I can take it. Yes. Because it took so long to bake it.

And I'll never have that recipe again. Oh, no. Oh, no. Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Oh, no! Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Oh, no! Now, Richard Harris and Donna Summer are both spinning in their graves simultaneously. And the last two...

Did you know that Jerry Lewis, your hero, made the charts with Rock-A-Bye, Your Baby with a Dixie Melody? Rock-A-Bye, my baby with a Dixie Melody? Rock-A-Bye My Baby with a Dixie Melody. Oh, my God. I can't top that. And the last one is Vicki Lawrence

and the Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. Oh, that's right. In 1973. Was that made into a movie also? It was indeed. It was made into a movie. Yeah. As was Take This Job and Shove It.

Oh, yes. Made into a movie. With Barbara Eden. I think Art Carney. Yeah, and John Fiedler, I think, was in that. Well, I can't top that. That MacArthur Park rendition. Something came loose in the back of my cerebellum.

Take us out, Frankie. Oh, here's another one. Steam. Na, na, na, na. Hey, hey. Goodbye. Oh, that was funny. Thank you, Frank. Thank you, Paul.

And this has been Gilbert and Frank's amazing colossal obsession. We'll see you all in court. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. court. Colossal Obsessions Colossal Obsessions