The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast

B&T Extra: Comedian Impressionist Frank Caliendo
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a lively and hilarious conversation with renowned comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo. The BOB & TOM crew—Tom Griswold, Bob Kevoian, Kristi Lee, Kevin Harland, and others—chat with Frank about his latest voices, his process for mastering impressions, TV viewing habits, and the quirks of modern pop culture. The episode is packed with spontaneous impressions, witty banter, and plenty of behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Frank's career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Frank's "Space" Backdrop & Introduction

• The vibe opens with playful ribbing about Frank appearing to call from outer space via Zoom.

  Frank: “No, I'm in space. I got the Elon Musk ... That’s extended from Mars.”
  (03:02)

2. Easiest and Current Favorite Impressions

• Frank reflects on the voices that come most naturally to him.
• Morgan Freeman and John Gruden are highlighted as "easier," with Gruden being a focus thanks to recent personal interactions.

  Frank (as Gruden): “I tell you what, man, was out in Tampa... Little Spider 2Y banana cream pie. That's tremendous right there.”
  (04:13)

3. Impressions on Pop Culture Moments

• The group riffs on the NFL’s all-yellow uniforms and “Minions” memes.
• Frank extends the Gruden impression to riff on Minions interacting with football coaches.

  Frank (as Gruden): “What you got in that plastic pumpkin, man? ... I'll tell you what, man, nothing better than laffy taffy.”
  (05:06)

• Extended improv about Minions, science, and magic confusion.

4. Comedy Show Anecdotes & Barry Katz Impression

• Frank shares about auditioning for Comedy Central’s "Make Me Laugh" and being rejected—a humorous origin story in his career.
• He launches into a spot-on impression of his former manager, Barry Katz, blending aspiration and absurdity.

  Frank (as Barry Katz): “Why would you want to do Make Me Laugh? You have such a talent! ... I believe in the near future there’ll be all sorts of … media that people look at their phones and just see you on it.”
  (07:28)

• The hosts marvel at the impression, and Frank blends in quick bits as Jeff Goldblum as well.

5. Developing New Impressions & The Challenge of "Relatable" Voices

• Frank discusses the difficulty of conjuring new impressions, pointing out Billy Bob Thornton as his latest work-in-progress.

  Frank (on Billy Bob Thornton): “I've noticed that he talks around his mouth like his teeth are clenched ... it's in there, so just like I said, it's not really...”
  (10:07)

• The conversation turns to how fragmented pop culture makes finding universally recognizable voices harder, as opposed to politicans and sports celebrities.

6. Trump and Halloween Riffing

• Frank demonstrates his “library Trump” (a quieter, bookish Donald Trump), riffing on Halloween candy, M&M’s logistics, and “bad kids.”

  Frank (as Trump): “We're going to do something very great. We're going to make Halloween great again. They call it a fall harvest. I said, we can't call it fall harvest. It’s not a fall harvest.”
  (10:59) “They had some MMs and they melted in my hands. I said, we're going to fix that. We're adding another M. It's going to be M and M&M’s.”
  (11:15)

7. Impressing Trick-or-Treaters: Liam Neeson Arrives

• Frank describes using impressions for trick-or-treaters, slipping into a chilling and funny Liam Neeson “Taken” routine.

  Frank (as Liam Neeson): “If you're looking for chocolate, you've rung the wrong doorbell. What I do have are a very particular set of Skittles...”
  (12:41) “I will find you. I will hunt you down and I will make you taste the rainbow.”
  (13:08)

8. Imitating the Deceased (and Sports Legends)

• Frank responds to requests for “dead guys” by unleashing classic John Madden and Charles Barkley impressions, complete with commentary on trends like Ozempic weight loss.
• Improv bits featuring Shaquille O’Neal’s perspective on Barkley’s wardrobe change.

9. Sports Preferences & Viewing Habits

• Kristi Lee humorously claims Frank doesn’t actually enjoy watching sports but likes complaining.

  Kristi: “He just likes complaining about [sports].” (15:04)

• Frank admits sports provide material, but lately he’s more inclined to “zone out” or watch shows with his wife.

10. Recommended Shows & TV Cheating

• The crew swaps notes on current TV obsessions:
  • Landman, sparking Frank’s Billy Bob Thornton work.
  • Doc, an Americanized medical drama favorite of Frank’s wife.
  • The Pittsburgh-set The Pit, touted as the most accurate emergency room drama.
  • Task on HBO with Mark Ruffalo; the hosts compare his “aw shucks” energy to Columbo.

  Bob: “There was one moment a couple weeks ago where it was straight out of Colombo.” (16:55)

• Frank laments about couples’ TV “cheating.”

  “Yes, it is. And I would consider her cheating if she wants something without me ... she basically said, I can do whatever I want.”
  (18:06)

11. Frank’s Live Shows & Where to Find Him

• Frank plugs his website, frankonstage.com (“you don’t have to spell Caliendo!”).
• Bob jokes every attendee wins $10,000 at a casino—Frank laughs it off as “just comedy.”

  Tom: “For purposes of... this is just comedy.”
  (18:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank (as Gruden about Minions):
  “I'd love to have some of those Minions ... Guy with the fart gun, man. That's a problem, man.” (05:49)

• Frank (as Barry Katz):
  “You can do your not quite ready Elon Musk impression. That’ll be awesome.” (08:01)

• Frank (as Trump):
  “We're adding another M. It's going to be M and M&M's. We're going to have three M’s.” (11:15)

• Frank (as Liam Neeson):
  “I will find you. I will hunt you down and I will make you taste the rainbow.” (13:08)

• Kristi Lee (on Frank):
  “I would say that Frank doesn’t enjoy anything... He just likes complaining about [sports].” (15:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:02 — Frank’s “outer space” video call banter
• 04:13 — Gruden & Morgan Freeman impressions
• 05:06 — Gruden on trick-or-treating, Minions, and Laffy Taffy
• 07:28 — Barry Katz (manager) impression
• 10:07 — Billy Bob Thornton impression in-progress
• 10:59 — Library Trump and Halloween riff
• 12:41 — Iconic Liam Neeson/Taken candy bit
• 13:40 — Dead guy/sports legend impressions (Madden, Barkley)
• 15:04 — Kristi Lee exposes Frank’s “sports enjoyment”
• 17:08 — TV show recommendations and “cheating” discussion
• 18:41 — Frank’s website plug, casino joke

Tone & Flow

The episode is brisk, unscripted, and playful—much like a backstage hangout among quick-witted friends. Frank’s rapid-fire voices and riffing energize the hosts, leading to digressions, nostalgia, and plenty of pop culture callbacks. If you love impressions, sports banter, and inside-comedy stories, this episode is a treat.

If you missed the live show, this “Extra” is a perfect sampler of why Frank Caliendo is one of comedy’s most beloved impressionists—and why he’s always welcome on The BOB & TOM Show.