Single Minded with Eugene Khoza

Keith Robinson, the comedic sensation born and raised in Philadelphia, has become an enduring legend in the heart of New York City’s comedy circuit. Renowned for his sharp wit and uproarious humor, Robinson’s career boasts a rich tapestry of accomplishments. He’s graced the stages of HBO’s iconic “Def Comedy Jam,” delighted audiences on MTV, VH1, and charmed viewers on shows like “The Chelsea Lately Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Beyond the stage, Keith Robinson’s talent transcends into the world of cinema, with memorable roles in hit movies such as “Trainwreck” and “King of Staten Island.” His unique brand of comedy, marked by its authenticity and relatability, continues to captivate fans and cement his status as a comedic icon in New York and beyond. His influence in the comedy world is also highlighted by his mentorship of Kevin Hart, one of today's most successful comedians. Hart has acknowledged Robinson, along with other comedy greats like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, as one of the key figures who helped him during his early days in comedy​​. Hart spent a lot of time watching Robinson perform in New York comedy clubs, gaining valuable insights and inspiration from his mentor​​. 

In this episode of "Single Minded," Eugene Khoza sits down with DJ Yella, a founding member of NWA, for an intimate conversation. Discover the untold stories behind NWA's rise to fame, as DJ Yella reflects on his journey, spills insights from his book, and discusses the pursuit of purpose beyond the spotlight. Join us for a captivating blend of nostalgia and wisdom as these two minds connect on the evolution of a musical legacy.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming Dave Sirus, a talented writer and comedian, who has worked on several successful projects, including the hit film "The King of Staten Island". Dave shares his experience of working on the film, which stars his best friend Pete Davidson, and talks about the challenges he faced while writing for it.

In addition to discussing his work on "The King of Staten Island," Dave also sheds light on the political climate in the United States during the Trump administration. As a political commentator, Dave has a unique perspective on the events that unfolded during this period and shares his insights on the impact it had on the country.

Listeners will gain a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of making a movie and will also gain a deeper understanding of the political and social climate of the United States during a turbulent time. Dave's wit and humor make for an entertaining and enlightening conversation that is not to be missed.

Madeleine Smithberg is a renowned television executive and producer, known for her groundbreaking work on iconic shows such as The Daily Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.

In this podcast, Madeleine shares her insights and experiences from her illustrious career, from her early days as a producer on The Tonight Show to her role as co-creator and executive producer of The Daily Show. We delve into the process of finding and nurturing talent, as well as the challenges of producing a show in the ever-changing landscape of television.

But it's not just all about work. Madeleine also shares personal stories and anecdotes about her life outside of showbiz, including her love of food and cooking, and how she's adapted to life during the pandemic. Her sense of humor, intelligence, and candid storytelling make for an engaging and entertaining podcast.

Join us as we get to know Madeleine Smithberg on a deeper level and gain valuable insights into the world of television production, creativity, and innovation.

Join us for an exclusive deep dive into the world of television with the one and only Doug Herzog. As the former president of Comedy Central and MTV Networks, Doug has a wealth of knowledge on the entertainment industry.

In this episode, we'll explore Doug's own experiences as a radio show host and his insights into the impact of cable TV on popular culture. Hear the inside story of how MTV launched and revolutionized the music industry, and how reality TV took over the airwaves.

Doug also shares his experiences running Comedy Central, including handpicking hosts for iconic shows like The Daily Show. You won't want to miss his fascinating anecdotes about bumping into Dave Chappelle in the parking lot after Jon Stewart won the Mark Twain Award.

We'll also dive into the world of Quibi and explore the challenges of launching a new streaming platform. With Doug's unparalleled experience and insider knowledge, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the entertainment industry.

Carole Baskin is an animal rights activist who runs the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary. Her appearance in the docuseries 'Tiger King' brought new attention to her advocacy but also spotlighted her rivalry with Joe Exotic.  Carole Baskin made a name for herself by running Big Cat Rescue, a respected animal sanctuary for big cats that also lobbies for more regulation of the private ownership of these animals. However, it was the popular docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (2020) that transformed Baskin into a public figure. The program showcased tensions between Baskin and Joe Exotic, a private zoo owner who Baskin believed was mistreating his animals. Tiger King also brought new attention to the 1997 disappearance of Baskin's second husband, which remains an open case. Thanks to her post-Tiger King celebrity, Baskin joined the lineup of Dancing with the Stars in September 2020; her cat-themed performances were not a hit and she became the second contestant to be eliminated.

John Alite is an American former Gambino crime family associate, who later became a government witness, agreeing to testify against the crime family and John A. "Junior" Gotti in 2008. That year, Alite pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, including two murders and a variety of other crimes, and in 2011, was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. Due to his cooperation with prosecutors, he was released on a five-year supervised release in 2012. Alite has estimated that he shot between 30 to 40 people, beat about 100 people with a baseball bat, and killed 6 people. Later in life, Alite publicly denounced the life of organized crime and became a motivational speaker and a writer.

Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. Jessica Kirson’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Her countless comedic character videos have racked up over 30 million views on social media. Her audience is multigenerational, creating an excuse for large groups of friends and families to spend a night out together. In an era where only 10% of all touring comedians are female, Jessica Kirson stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender. As her friend Dave Attell says, “I’d hate to follow her.”  Jessica Kirson produced the upcoming FX’s Hysterical, a feature-length documentary premiering at SXSW 2021 that explores the changing landscape of women in stand-up comedy. The documentary features Margaret Cho, Nikki Glazer, Chelsea Handler, Fortune Feimster, and other notable comedians. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She is a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar, and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, and Kevin Can Wait. Last year, Jessica was featured playing herself on the HBO series Crashing. She also recently acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film The Comedian.  Jessica Kirson’s characters are coming to life in her new podcast, Disgusting Hawk presented by GaS Digital. Through her Relatively Sane podcast, Jessica Kirson has interviewed the likes of Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan, and Rosie O’Donnell.  Jessica Kirson was recently awarded “Best Female Comic” by the MAC association in New York City and received the prestigious Nightlife Award for “Best Stand-up Comedian.” In her spare time, Jessica is a regular contributor to The Howard Stern Show, where she produces and stars in prank calls for the program.

Roy Wood Jr.’s comedy has entertained millions across stage, television and radio. In addition to stand-up comedy, producing and acting, Roy is currently a correspondent on Comedy Central's Emmy & NAACP Award winning The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. During his tenure, he has used The Daily Show’s brand of satire to shed a light on serious issues like Chicago gun violence, police reform, LGBTQ+ discrimination, ICE deportations and PTSD in the black community. He also recently appeared in a guest starring role on the AMC series, Better Call Saul, and can soon be seen in The Last O.G on TBS and in the upcoming Netflix comedy, Space Force. Roy expanded his already large role on Comedy Central with a comprehensive “first look” deal and is developing his comedy pilot ‘Jefferson County: Probation.’ He also wrote and starred in the Comedy Central web series The Night Pigeon, the story of a black superhero with minimal powers fighting the biggest baddest gang in his community, The Gentrifiers. Additionally, Comedy Central is committed to produce and air Roy’s third one-hour standup special. His second special, Roy Wood Jr.: No One Loves You premiered as part of Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Month in January 2019, the network’s highest rated original stand-up premiere since his February 2017 one-hour, Roy Wood Jr.: Father Figure. In 2017, he was also named the new host of Comedy Central’s storytelling series, This is Not Happening.

ANIMATION BY: BENJAMIN PINCUS  

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