Gaines, Kurtzman, Feldstein and Neuman: A Remembrance of Mad Magazine (Part Two) w/ Alan Bernstein and Joe Raiola

Gaines, Kurtzman, Feldstein and Neuman: A Remembrance of Mad Magazine (Part Two) w/ Alan Bernstein and Joe Raiola

From Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre by Fun for All Ages

February 24, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

In this episode, Frank Santopadre concludes a tribute to Mad Magazine with guests Alan Bernstein and Joe Raiola, discussing its legacy and influence.

In the conclusion of a two-part episode, filmmaker Alan Bernstein ("When We Went MAD!") and longtime Mad Senior Editor Joe Raiola join Frank in paying tribute to the glory days of the iconic humor magazine and the talented team of artists and writers who helped make it a reality. In this episode, Frank talks about the influence of Mad (and Peanuts) paperbacks, Alan describes the Mad documentary's long journey from concept to screen, Joe explains Mad's complicated relationship with DC Comics and the boys share their theories on Mad #166's infamous "middle finger" cover. PLUS: Ernie Kovacs! The Belching Dragon! Dr. Kevorkian's Children's Book Club! The defection of "Mad's Maddest Artist"! And Joe reminisces about working with Sergio Aragones, Jack Davis, Mort Drucker, Al Jaffee and William M. Gaines! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Frank Santopadre

Guests: Alan Bernstein, Joe Raiola

Topics covered

  • Mad Magazine
  • humor
  • filmmaking
  • comics
  • nostalgia

Keywords

  • Mad Magazine
  • Alan Bernstein
  • Joe Raiola
  • comics history
  • humor magazine
  • filmmaking
  • nostalgia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mad Magazine, DC Comics

Books & works: When We Went MAD!

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