The Friars Club Podcast New York Friars Club

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!

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.

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.

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.