Classic Conversations: Pop culture Interviews with Jeff Dwoskin

Latest Episodes:

Tearing it up with Lenny Ripps Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Get an inside look into Lenny Ripps' life and career. Discover how his childhood humor transformed into a profession. Hear about his work with comedy legends like Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield, his experiences on sitcom sets, and his influence on international comedy adaptations. A genuine peek into the world of humor and entertainment.

Recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

My guest, Lenny Ripps, and I discuss:

Using humor as a defense mechanism as a child to shield himself from bullies
Transition from social work to comedy writing
Life-altering encounter with Joan Rivers
Comedy writing for icons: Rivers, Dangerfield, Steinberg
High-stakes humor: Gambling with Rodney Dangerfield
Writing on the Mac Davis Show and fine-tuning a sketch with guidance from George Burns
Working Dick VanDyke's show: VanDyke and Company
Collaborative comedy with Bob Einstein
Working with Redd Foxx on Redd Foxx's Variety Hour and The Royal Family - Lenny shares some Redd Foxx stories
Bosum Buddies anecdotes and unrealized revival
Joining The Royal Family (created by Eddie Murphy) two weeks before Redd Foxx passed and taking the lead on the show with new lead Jackée Harry
Working on the sitcom Angie with Donna Pescow and Robert Hays. Working with Danny DeVito who acted in one of Lenny's first scripts he wrote for TV
Lenny's pivotal part in The Star Wars Holiday Special
Working with Tim Burton and the creative clashes and triumphs with Disney's Frankenweenie
Hollywood rewrites: Flintstones, Casper, and more
Working on the set of Full House. Lenny shares an amazing story about John Stamos.
Lenny's work rewriting American sitcoms for other countries such as The Golden Girls in Greece.
and much more from Lenny Ripps!

You're going to love my conversation with Lenny Ripps

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FanRoom's Jeff Krauss Is The Party Planner for the Stars Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Delve into the high-octane world of event planning with none other than Jeff Krauss. Discover how he orchestrates legendary gatherings for Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney and Alicia Keys. Plus, get a sneak peek into the electrifying universe of FanRoom Live, where fans and stars collide in a virtual extravaganza of meet and greets.

My guest, Jeff Krauss, and I discuss:

The story behind the creation of FanRoom Live - FanRoom Live is an interactive virtual event series online, where Fans get to meet their favorite actors, comedians, athletes, and musicians in a group town hall-style meet and greet with Q&As.
Jeff shares some magical moments from the many FanRoom Live events including stories from Jake The Snake Roberts and Sean Kannan's appearances
Jeff takes us behind the scenes of party planning for celebrities. Jeff has planned events for George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and more!
Jeff takes us behind the scenes of working with SNL - Jeff plans the after and after after parties for the cast and crew!

You're going to love my conversation with Jeff Krauss

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Get Ready For Hal Sparks Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Join us for an engaging episode as we sit down with the versatile Hal Sparks. From his early start at Chicago's Second City to becoming the youngest host ever on the game show "Treasure Mall," Hal's journey is nothing short of fascinating. Get ready to hear his captivating tales from behind the scenes of VH1's "I Love..." shows and his heartwarming experiences filming "Queer as Folk."

Recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

My guest, Hal Sparks, and I discuss:

Hal's role in the MCU now that Spider-Man opened up the universe. Time for "man in elevator" to shine!
Hilarious Anecdotes from Hal's Lois and Clark Adventure Revealed!
Hal's Rise from a 15-Year-Old Second City Prodigy!
Being hired by Sian Saban as the youngest game show host ever of the game show, Treasure Mall
Hal shares some of his awesome voice impersonations.
Behind-the-Scenes Scoop: The Untold Stories from VH1's "I Love..." Tapings!
Hal's Memorable Moments Filming Queer as Folk with Sharon Gless!
Megaworld-wide and a whole lot more - buckle up!

Also, check out my first chat with Hal Sparks here

You're going to love my conversation with Hal Sparks:

Website: https://halsparks.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005452/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HalSparksChannel/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Halsparks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Halsparks/
Live stream: https://halsparks.live/
Twitch: https://t.co/NDCjOlemOu

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Crossing The Streams Literary Society(Bonus Ep70) – Great TV binge watching suggestions! Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Need TV binge suggestions? You've come to the right place. We've got you covered.

In this bonus episode, we discuss a couple of great binge suggestions:

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (from live ep 70)
Rocky Balboa (from live ep 102)
Let's Read (from live ep 77)

WSG Jess Paul

Crossing the Streams features discussions of TV shows and movies available on streaming services. It is hosted by Jeff Dwoskin and co-hosted by Howard Rosner, Ron Lippitt, Bob Philips, Marci Kozen Stifter, and Sal Demilio. Special guests also join the show on a weekly basis.

Each episode features a segment in which the hosts recommend a TV show, movie, or documentary for listeners to consider binge-watching. The segments are taken from live recordings of the show.

Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/CTSYouTubeSubscribe

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Hyde-White Is Just An Actor From Detroit Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Embark on a whirlwind journey through the life of the legendary Alex Hyde-White, the very first Reed Richards in Roger Corman's Fantastic Four. From rubbing shoulders with Hollywood icons to sharing the screen with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, his stories are as mesmerizing as his performances. And don't forget to check out his captivating autobiography, "In the Volume: My Life in Film and TV."

Recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

My guest, Alex Hyde-White, and I discuss:

Dive into the captivating world of Alex Hyde-White with his autobiography "In the Volume: My Life in Film and TV"
Alex recounts his incredible journey filming the movie, Nope
A small but impactful role in The Toy directed by Richard Donner and starring Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor and former guest Scott Schwartz (you'll have to listen but this story is why the episode is named as it is)
Anecdotes and insights from the making of "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts and Richard Geer.
Rock 'n' roll vibes incoming! Listen in as Alex shares heartwarming memories of the legendary Tom Petty.
Embark on a nostalgic journey to Alex's days as a Universal contract player, where he graced the screens of shows like Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, Quincy, and beyond.
Alex's father Wilfred Hyde-White
A couple of Alex's newer roles in The Search for Tom Sawyers Gold and Invitation to a Murder
Alex's friendship with Val Kilmer
Brace yourself for an adventure down memory lane with Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four - hear Alex's firsthand accounts of his time as the pioneering Reed Richards in this legendary hidden movie.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Get ready for an episode packed with anecdotes, laughter, and a whole lot more surprises from Alex's incredible journey through Hollywood.

You're going to love my conversation with Alex Hyde-White

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Crossing The Streams Needs A Lawyer (Bonus Ep69) – Great TV binge watching suggestions! Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Need TV binge suggestions? You've come to the right place. We've got you covered.

In this bonus episode, we discuss a couple of great binge suggestions:

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (from live ep 64)
The Lincoln Lawyer (from live ep 76)
Hustle (from live ep 77)

Special guests also join the show on a weekly basis. Each episode features a segment in which the hosts recommend a TV show, movie, or documentary for listeners to consider binge-watching.

The segments are taken from live recordings of the show. Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/CTSYouTubeSubscribe

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Hilarious World of Jann Karam Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

With comedic brilliance and a trailblazing spirit, Jann Karam carved her own unique path to triumph. From stand-up stages to acclaimed solo performances, she's proven that true comedic artistry knows no boundaries.

Recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

My guest, Jann Karam, and I discuss:

Filming scenes for Curb Your Enthusiasm for seasons 11 and the upcoming season 12
Jann Karam discusses early influences on her path to becoming a comedian
Rocking the Arizona State University comedy scene
Making the move to Chicago, joining Second City, and then making the move to New York where she got a big break at Catch a Rising Star thanks to a good word from the late great Richard Belzer
Moving to California and becoming a regular at the Improv
Jann's stand-out performance on HBO's 13th Annual Young Comedians Special hosted by Dennis Miller
Some great Bill Burr stories
Being recognized as Seinfeld's #1 girlfriend on Seinfeld. We discuss how Jann landed the role with her unique delivery
Jann's critically acclaimed solo play Reclining Nude on La Cienega
Jann's award-winning short film, Under the Big Muu-Muu which she wrote and directed
Touring with Dana Carvey
Jann's short-form video podcast, In My Bed with Jann Karam: A comedy podcast from bed and other uncomfortable places about love, life, family, and everyday annoyances.
And much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Jann Karam

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lee Purcell and the timeless magic of the Hollywood Radio Players Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Lee Purcell takes us on a nostalgic ride through the history of radio and its profound influence on early television. With her insider insights, we dive into the enthralling performances of Gunsmoke, Dragnet, The Hitch Hiker, and War of the Worlds, all reimagined on Zoom as part of The Hollywood Radio Players. Don't miss this chance to witness classic radio plays come to life!

Topics discussed (HRP) were ok to discuss under the terms of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

My guest, Lee Purcell, and I discuss:

Lee Percell discusses being discovered at 3yo on the street with her mother. landing her first modeling job for Neiman Marcus
Serendipity Unleashed: How Chance Events Shape Our Lives
Lee discusses her role as producer of The Hollywood Radio Players. The Hollywood Radio Players, hosted by Tom Bergeron and Leeza Gibbons, perform an anthology series of classic radio plays from the Golden Age of Radio. re-imagined in an innovative Zoom hybrid format. This unique format is "Radio You Can See."
Radio's role in shaping early television. Diving a little into the history of radio and what the new technology meant to the world
HRP (Hollywood Radio Players) supports the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF). MPTF offers a variety of services that can provide emotional and financial relief to industry members and their families during times of need. Whether the hardship is personal or the result of an entertainment industry-wide event. The Hollywood Radio Players have loaned these exclusive, first-look shows to MPTF for the purposes of fundraising.
Dive into the history of some of HRP's past ZOOM shows such as Gunsmoke, Dragnet, The Hitch Hiker, and War of the Worlds. All radio you can see performed over ZOOM from the original radio scripts.
And much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Lee Purcell

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rocking out with Vernon Reid Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

Join us for an electrifying episode with rock legend Vernon Reid from Living Colour! Get ready to explore UFOs, the Multiverse, and the captivating world of AI.

My guest, Vernon Reid, and I discuss:

Get ready to rock with Vernon Reid, the living legend from Living Colour! Discover his London roots and how Brooklyn became his rock 'n' roll haven. Notting Hill fans, we've got a backstory treat for you too!
Hold onto your seats as we explore mind-bending topics like the Multiverse, The Flash, Ezra Miller, and the enigmatic Jonathan Majors! Prepare for an exhilarating ride through the realms of imagination and parallel dimensions.
UFOs, UAPs, and other airborne mysteries take center stage! Uncover thrilling theories about these unidentified flying objects that will leave you questioning what's up there in the skies.
Brace yourself for an electrifying discussion on the AI-driven world we live in. We dare to delve into the spine-chilling aspects of emerging artificial intelligence, giving you a glimpse into the future you never knew you needed to know!
And much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Vernon Reid

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Join my mailing list
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Bad Batch of Crossing The Streams (Bonus Ep68) – Great TV binge watching suggestions! Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Need TV binge suggestions? You've come to the right place. We've got you covered.

In this bonus episode, we discuss a couple of great binge suggestions:

Truth Be Told (from live ep 82)
The Great Imposter and Me (from live ep 96)
The Bad Batch (from live ep 111)

Special guests also join the show on a weekly basis. Each episode features a segment in which the hosts recommend a TV show, movie, or documentary for listeners to consider binge-watching.

The segments are taken from live recordings of the show. Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/CTSYouTubeSubscribe

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.