Bill Maher sits down with former Colombo crime family capo, podcaster, and best-selling author Michael Franzese for a fascinating exploration of organized crime, current politics, and America’s shifting cultural landscape. From comparing Mafia code to modern government maneuvering, to dissecting the psychology of leaders, the two dive headlong into the forces shaping American life. Franzese shares candid reflections on his days running lucrative schemes (and why he ultimately walked away), while Bill challenges the notion of how power truly works. They also swap favorite scenes from The Godfather and Goodfellas, delve into Franzese’s religious awakening, how lessons from the mob world can translate into navigating business, politics, and personal relationships. Get ready for a raw, riveting sit-down that blurs the lines between comedy, true crime, and social commentary. Go to https://www.RadioactiveMedia.com or text RANDOM at 511511 to save up to 50%, today! Get started at https://www.factormeals.com/random50off and use code random50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Follow Club Random on IG: @ClubRandomPodcast Follow Bill on IG: @BillMaher Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Watch Club Random on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ClubRandomYouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: What insights does Michael Franzese provide about organized crime?
No, no, no, no, no. I'm not saying that. Let me ask you this. Kash Patel just testified in front of the confirmation hearings. Yeah, he said even he, even this fucking right-wing QAnon nut, even he says he's against Trump pardoning the J6 rioters. He said that. He did say that. Did you know that? Because some of them beat up the cops. I understand that. Right.
Okay, but did you hear what else he said? That days before this protest, Trump went to the—he was in the Department of Defense at that point. And he went to Kash Patel and he said, we're going to need the National Guard there that day. We want to make sure the area is secure. They prepared and got the National Guard ready to be there.
Kash Patel himself called Nancy Pelosi, called Chuck Schumer, and called the mayor of Washington, D.C., and they all refused the National Guard. Why? Now, that could be true. If the president wants them there because he knew maybe this will get a little out of hand, why did they refuse it? I'm going to tell you what my theory is, and you can say you're crazy.
I'd have to look at those facts again, but I have heard that before from reputable sources.
You just testified.
Kash Patel testified to that. Testified doesn't necessarily mean it's true. Well, in the confirmation hearings. Yes, I know. Well, this is a kangaroo court. Now it's a Republican Congress. No, Democrats are questioning him too. They're questioning him, but they're not going to get to vote him out. He's going to be the... Yeah, but we're not talking about that. Whatever the vote is, the vote is.
But this is his testimony. Yeah.
He just said it.
I'm just saying I don't take it as the word of God, his testimony. But if Donald Trump requested the national God and those three people refused. That part I would definitely look into more. I mean, I have heard that from not just right-wing sources. And there was something. But plainly, when it started to go sideways— He did not seem very invested in figuring out a way to stop it.
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Chapter 2: How does the Mafia's code compare to modern government?
And, you know, they're often very well-to-do and not afraid to spend their money on the stupidest things. So, yeah. Such hypocrites. Come on. They're such hypocrites. Thank you. Yeah. They really are. You don't have to. Biden couldn't give a – if Biden – if he showed any empathy – We're talking about a sliver of people here. We're not talking about all Democrats.
Or at least I'm not.
He's at the head of the – he was at the head for four years.
Yeah.
Right, and that's why the Democrats lost, because they lost their touch with their own voters. They lost because their policies were horrible. Right.
Horrible.
And they still haven't gotten it. No, they're still fighting. We'll argue. We're going to probably talk about this on my show Friday. The new head of the Democratic Committee, is it? Yeah, I see it. And they started the meeting like, okay, we lost an election. terribly to the guy we said could never win. Okay. And he did it again. Okay. So we need a new leader and a new way of doing things.
But first we must acknowledge that we are sitting on land that was properly owning by the Chumash people. Same thing. You fucking idiot. You know, I did a whole bit on it in my special.
Like, really?
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Chapter 3: What are the parallels between the Mafia and American politics?
And a lot of the things I was complaining about have changed. Back then, no cop ever went to jail for anything. You could do whatever the cop did. They would come out and say, it's right in the manual. It's right in the manual that you shoot a guy in the back if he's six years old. Then keep up with what happened. Live in this year.
There have been many cops who have gone to jail and also police chiefs who have not backed the guy who did the crime. You know, it's a different world. And cops, most of them are young. What's the uncoolest thing you can be in Los Angeles if you're 25? A racist. So, you know, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but, you know, I want the police to feel like, no, we appreciate it.
We don't want to live in uncivilization. And we get it that you're the guys who make that possible. Now, can I get another drink, waiter? The dumbest thing that I ever heard... and this is from a former mobster who didn't like the police at one time, is defund the police. It was the stupidest. So stupid. They come up with stupid ideas.
So stupid. You need the police.
Make it out stupid, that. How about... When a baby's born, we don't know what sex it is. I mean, a penis is a what? It's an indicator of some, I don't know. So you like Trump's executive order there are now only two genders recognized? No, but I'm very glad that I'm in one of the ones we're keeping. I really... Okay.
Don't you think it's... Don't you think life is better when it's... What's the pussy like in the mob, speaking of that? Come on, it must be... What? The women, like, do they throw themselves at you like rock stars if you're in... Really? It was pretty good, yeah. It was pretty... Is it like in... Henry, what's that? Goodfellas? Goodfellas. I mean, there it was. Women were attracted to it.
40.
40.
Young woman that saved my life. Saved your life. If I don't meet her and walk away from this life at some point, I'm either dead or in prison. No doubt. So a woman got you away from the life? Yeah. Tell me that story. I met her. She was 19 years old. I was producing a movie in South Florida. How old were you? I was 31. Completely appropriate. Yeah, 31. And we had taken cast and crew from L.A.
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Chapter 4: How does Michael Franzese view the impact of Donald Trump on America?
Because I explained.
We have to stop. Okay. Our own FBI director is telling us that. I explained to you why already. I'm glad I'm not married to you because it must be hell. I live.
Because you don't.
69.
We're almost the same age. Really? You don't look 69. Look, if I look like you in five years, I will fucking take it. But yeah, you know what? I never would have thought when I was younger and when I heard about this age, that it was going to be like this. I would have thought it would be way worse. Really.
I mean, they kind of presented it as like you're one foot in the grave, decrepit, and you can't do anything anymore. It's like I'm not that different than I am. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. But at the moment, nothing is that different. I'm glad you said that because I don't feel much differently than I felt 20, 30 years ago.
Yeah.
Yeah. No, I was expecting a much older man and a more reasonable one. You know what? I think, listen, you might think I have this block in my head with Trump. I don't. The way I look at it this way, Bill, I have a wife. I have children. I'm 74 years old. I probably live longer than I thought I was going to live when things were tight for me. Right. I'm worried about their future.
I want this country to be the country that, believe it or not, I grew up in. Right. It was great. I love America for that. I want them to have the same. And in the past four years, it scared me. I said, what the heck is going on here? It really scared me. I said, what are my kids and my grandkids? I have seven grandkids. What are they going to, what kind of world are they going to live in?
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