This week's guest:

James Curtis, author of "Comedy is a Grim Business: The Making of 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'"

Topic: How the film got started; Stanley Kramer and "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T"; The reception of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" on the heels of the John F. Kennedy assassination; Casting the Fire Chief; The origins of the Big W

This week's guest:
James Curtis, author of "Comedy is a Grim Business: The Making of 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'"
Topic: How the film got started; Stanley Kramer and "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T"; The reception of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" on the heels of the John F. Kennedy assassination; Casting the Fire Chief; The origins of the Big W

"Nostalgia Tonight" is a love letter to show business and Americana. Join your host, Joe Sibilia, as he takes you on a journey through time to examine the people, places, and phenomena that have shaped popular culture.

"Nostalgia Tonight" is a love letter to show business and Americana. Join your host, Joe Sibilia, as he takes you on a journey through time to examine the people, places, and phenomena that have shaped popular culture.

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia

The Making of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 7-5-2026

Monologue: 

Fourth of July movies to watch- "Jaws" and "Jersey Shore Shark Attack"

Guest:

Bobby Valli, singer, entertainer, and brother of Frankie Valli

Topic: His "America" song; Growing up as Frankie Valli's younger brother; Getting his hair cut by Joe Pesci; His friendship with Frank Vincent; Frankie the Fly; Forging his own musical identity as a singer and entertainer

Fourth of July memories- Barbecues, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, and Dad's Dangerous Fireworks Extravaganza

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 7-5-2026
Monologue:&nbsp;
Fourth of July movies to watch- "Jaws" and "Jersey Shore Shark Attack"
Guest:
Bobby Valli, singer, entertainer, and brother of Frankie Valli
Topic: His "America" song; Growing up as Frankie Valli's younger brother; Getting his hair cut by Joe Pesci; His friendship with Frank Vincent; Frankie the Fly; Forging his own musical identity as a singer and entertainer
Fourth of July memories- Barbecues, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, and Dad's Dangerous Fireworks Extravaganza

Bobby Valli: Music, Memories, and His Brother Frankie Valli

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 6-28-2026

Joe Sibilia hosts a special broadcast of "Nostalgia Tonight" from Times Square, and celebrates the history of broadcasting and entertainment from the Crossroads of the World with special guests Mark Malkoff, host of the "Inside Late Night" podcast for LateNighter and author of "Love Johnny Carson," and Bradley Clarke, host of "The Game Show Starring Bradley Clarke" who has worked behind-the-scenes on game shows including "Tic Tac Dough," "Match Game," and "Pyramid."

Joe, Mark, and Bradley discuss shows that emanated from the Crossroads of the World and the surrounding area, including "The Tonight Show" and "The Price is Right" from the Hudson Theater, "Who Do You Trust?" and "The Merv Griffin Show" from the Little Theater (now the Hayes Theater), "The Late Show," "To Tell The Truth," and "What's My Line" from the Ed Sullivan Theater, and much more! Plus, Joe hosts an off-the-rails game of "Times Square Truth or Dare"!

 

 

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 6-28-2026
Joe Sibilia hosts a special broadcast of "Nostalgia Tonight" from Times Square, and celebrates the history of broadcasting and entertainment from the Crossroads of the World with special guests Mark Malkoff, host of the "Inside Late Night" podcast for LateNighter and author of "Love Johnny Carson," and Bradley Clarke, host of "The Game Show Starring Bradley Clarke" who has worked behind-the-scenes on game shows including "Tic Tac Dough," "Match Game," and "Pyramid."
Joe, Mark, and Bradley discuss shows that emanated from the Crossroads of the World and the surrounding area, including "The Tonight Show" and "The Price is Right" from the Hudson Theater, "Who Do You Trust?" and "The Merv Griffin Show" from the Little Theater (now the Hayes Theater), "The Late Show," "To Tell The Truth," and "What's My Line" from the Ed Sullivan Theater, and much more! Plus, Joe hosts an off-the-rails game of "Times Square Truth or Dare"!
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"Nostalgia Tonight" Broadcasting from Times Square!

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 6-21-2026

Monologue:

Celebrating Father's Day

Guests:

Patricia Heaton, actress best remembered as Debra Barone on "Everbody Loves Raymond" and Frankie Heck on "The Middle"

Topic: Her new line of Solubre non-alcoholic wine; Working with Katherine Helmond, Robert Culp, and Dick Van Dyke; How the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" became a family; Being in New York City on 9/11

John Ratzenberger, actor best remembered for his roles as Cliff Clavin on "Cheers" and as the voice of several characers in nearly every Pixar animated film

Topic: Working at Pixar as the voice of Hamm the Piggy Bank in the "Toy Story" films; Co-starring with James Cagney in "Ragtime"; Meeting Steve Jobs while working at Pixar; The "Cheers" bar auction; "Toy Story 5" now in theaters

Joe Sibilia revisits his final interview with comedian Tom Dreesen from "The Friars Club Podcast," where Tom discusses his childhood, Frank Sinatra, David Letterman, and how he became involved with the Friars Club.

Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia | 6-21-2026
Monologue:
Celebrating Father's Day
Guests:
Patricia Heaton, actress best remembered as Debra Barone on "Everbody Loves Raymond" and Frankie Heck on "The Middle"
Topic: Her new line of Solubre non-alcoholic wine; Working with Katherine Helmond, Robert Culp, and Dick Van Dyke; How the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" became a family; Being in New York City on 9/11
John Ratzenberger, actor best remembered for his roles as Cliff Clavin on "Cheers" and as the voice of several characers in nearly every Pixar animated film
Topic: Working at Pixar as the voice of Hamm the Piggy Bank in the "Toy Story" films; Co-starring with James Cagney in "Ragtime"; Meeting Steve Jobs while working at Pixar; The "Cheers" bar auction; "Toy Story 5" now in theaters
Joe Sibilia revisits his final interview with comedian Tom Dreesen from "The Friars Club Podcast," where Tom discusses his childhood, Frank Sinatra, David Letterman, and how he became involved with the Friars Club.

Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "The Middle"); John Ratzenberger ("Cheers," "Toy Story"); Remembering Tom Dreesen, Frank Sinatra's opening act

The Making of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"

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