The Koz Effect

Craig Robinson is not only one of the hottest comics in America - selling out clubs nationwide, as well as starring in hit movies like 'This is The End,"- he's also the star of NBC's new hit summer sitcom "Mr. Robinson." He's also a friend of Koz dating back to their earliest days in standup comedy back in 1996 Chicago. With the new show on the airwaves, Craig took some time from his busy schedule working a Denver club weekend to talk with Koz about the whole glorious ride and the hard work that made it happen.

Koz goes crazy with excitement, talking to his favorite singer/songwriter ever (well, maybe next to Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum, who he's Kozversationed twice in the past). The creator of the landmark 1992 album "Girlfriend," which was named one of the 100 best albums of the '90s by Rolling Stone, Sweet went on to unleash one classic platter after another with "Altered Beast," "100% Fun" and "In Reverse" before spending the past decade expanding his artistic horizons as part of the vocal supergroup The Thorns and three amazing duet albums with Susanna Hoffs as the "Under the Covers" series. He's about to release another album, and he took the time to talk with Koz about the stories behind the music, his creative process, the rollercoaster career of a rocker and his passionate devotion to the paintings of Margaret Keane and her "Big Eyes" body of work. This is one hell of a Kozversation!

This week's show starts off with 5-time Emmy-nominated comedy legend Will Durst on the phone, helping us tee off on the World's Most Ubiquitous Man: Donald Trump, and his shockingly meteoric rise to the top of presidential polls despite his seemingly racist comments about Mexicans and illegal immigrants. We get into that and lowering the Confederate flag in South Carolina, leading to an hour of compelling fireworks worthy of the 4th of July!

Kevin Allison was a member of The State - a comedy troupe that helped redefine comedy in the 1990s, alongside the likes of "Mr. Show" and "The Ben Stiller Show." They had 11 members, many of whom continue to power American comedy through the creation of "Reno 911," "Viva Variety!", the "Night at the Museum" films, and cult hits like "Wet Hot American Summer." But Allison had his own unique niche in the troupe, as he came out as gay right from the beginning of their shot at success, in 1994 - more than two decades before marriage equality was achieved. Allison invited Koz over to his New York City apartment while Koz was in the Big Apple on other Radio Titans business, and this terrific Kozversation is the result.

One of the longest-running and best-loved stars of ABC's "The View," Shepherd has also had a great career as a comic, actress and even author. She also sells out clubs nationwide, and she took time from her busy schedule to talk about it all with Koz, along with plenty of behind the scenes scoop on "The View" and some surprising stories about Rosie O'Donnell.