CooperTalk

Mike Royce - Episode 589

Steve Cooper talks with Mike Royce. Mike has co-created the shows Men of a Certain Age and the remake of One Day at a Time. He has also won two Emmys for writing on Every Loves Raymond and has written on such shows as Spin City, Lucky Louie, 1600 Penn, Enlisted and The Carmichael Show.

Tracy Newman - Episode 588

Steve Cooper talks with producer/writer/musician Tracy Newman. Tracy is a founding member of the improvisational theater troupe The Groundlings and was co-creator and executive producer of the 2001-09 sitcom According to Jim. Her TV writing credits include Cheers, The Nanny, The Drew Carey Show and Ellen which she won an Emmy and a Peabody Award for. She also is the lead singer/songwriter of the folk music band Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements and has released three albums, her latest being I Can Swing Forever which is for children and was released with a coloring book.

Mike Starr - Episode 587

Steve Cooper talks with actor Mike Starr. Mike is best known for his roles as Frenchy in Goodfellas, Joe in Dumb & Dumber and Frankie in Miller's Crossing. Over the years he has worked with top directors in movies such as Born on the Fourth of July, Clockers, The Bodyguard, Last Exit in Brooklyn, New York Stories, Funny Farm, Billy Bathgate, Son of the Pink Panther, Mad Dog and Glory, Ed Wood, Cabin Boy, Summer of Sam, Bad Santa 2 and many more. His numerous TV credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bones, Public Morals, Chicago Fire, Elementary, Psych, CSI: Crime Investigation Scene, Black Dynamite, The Office, CSI: NY, NCIS and Scrubs.

Laila Robins - Episode 586

Steve Cooper talks with actor Laila Robins. Laila has had a very successful career on both stage and screen. She has appeared on Broadway in such shows as Hearbreak House, Frozen, The Herbal Bed and The Real Thing and has toured the country in many major theatre productions and starred in the fiftieth anniversary production of A Street Car Named Desire at the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. She has also landed roles on the small screen, including Victoria Heller on ABC’s Gabriel's Fire, as the younger version of family matriarch Livia Soprano on HBO’s The Sopranos, as Claire Williams, the mother of lesbian Reese Williams on the daytime drama All My Children, playing Tammy Kent on HBO’s In Treatment and many others on shows such as Murder in the First, Homeland and Quantico. Some of her popular movie credits include The Book of Daniel, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, A Walk on the Moon and The Good Shepherd.

Robin Thomas - Episode 585

Steve Cooper talks with actor Robin Thomas. Robin may be best known for his roles as Mark Singleton on Another World, Geoffrey Wells in Who's the Boss and Vice Principal Phil Gills in Summer School. He has had recurring roles in many series such as Murphy Brown, Matlock, Life Unexpected, Queer as Folk, Fuller House, The Division and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and has appeared in numerous films like Pacific Rim, About Last Night..., The Contender and Banger Sisters. His long list of television appearances includes the shows Midnight Caller, Party of Five, NCIS, Pacific Blue, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, Manhattan, Franklin & Bash and Castle. He is also an accomplished sculptor.

Sarah Colonna - Episode 584

Steve Cooper talk with comic Sarah Colonna. Sarah is well known as a popular roundtable regular on the hit late night talk show Chelsea Lately. She also served as a full time writer on Chelsea Lately, as well as a producer, writer and star of the show’s spin-off scripted series After Lately. Her first book, Life as I Blow it, debuted at number 5 on the New York Times Bestseller list, followed with a sold out book tour in several major cities in the country. It was also sold to NBC to be developed for television with producers Happy Madison two years in a row. Her second book, Has Anyone Seen My Pants? was released in March 2015 to the same rave reviews and tour. Her writing success has led to a current collaboration with pop star Demi Lovato on Lovato’s upcoming memoir. She continues to tour across the country headlining comedy clubs regularly and has appeared on several other TV shows, including The Steve Harvey Show, The United States of Tara, Scare Tactics, and Monk, and was a semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Mike Score - Episode 583

Steve Cooper talks with singer Mike Score. Mike formed A Flock Of Seagulls with his brother Ali in Liverpool in 1979. By 1981, with the addition of Frank Maudsley and Paul (Reno) Reynolds, the classic line up was complete. With being the first band signed to Jive Records and (BeBop Deluxe guitarist) Bill Nelson and (Gong bassist, OMD and Teardrop Explodes producer) Mike Howlett at the production helm the third single, I Ran from A Flock of Seagulls' 1982 eponymous debut, became a worldwide hit charting at number 1 in Australia and Top 10 in the US. The album achieved similar acclaim, winning a Best Rock Instrumental Grammy Award for the song D.N.A.. More success, including the UK Top Ten smash Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You) from their second album Listen in 1983 and The More You Live, the More You Love from 1984's The Story of a Young Heart followed as they became one of the darlings of MTV. Unfortunately, personnel problems forced the original band members apart in 1986. Since then he continues taking a current Seagulls line up on the road and is working on his second solo album.

Wendy Liebman - Episode 582

Steve Cooper talks with comic Wendy Liebman. Wendy returns to CooperTalk for the sixth time. She has been doing stand-up for over 25 years and has been a regular on the Late Show with David Letterman and has appeared on the Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Kimmel Live! In addition she was the first comedian to appear on the Rosie O'Donnell Show and has done comedy specials for HBO, Comedy Central and Showtime. She has also performed or been seen on dozens upon dozens of various other TV shows, was seen on America's Got Talent and continues to headline across the country.

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Clay Heery - Episode 581

Steve Cooper talks with comic/writer Clay Heery. Clay is one of the founding fathers of the comedy scene in Philadelphia. After starting comedy nights at different bars in Philly he eventually opened up the legendary Comedy Factory Outlet that brought some of the biggest names in comedy to the city. He also was the character Captain Cranky on the top rated moring show in town during that time. He currently lives in LA where he is writing and producing various screenplays and television projects.

Sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Get 20% off with the promo code COOPER at www.forhangovers.com

Kevin Corrigan - Episode 580

Steve Cooper talks with actor Kevin Corrigan. Kevin is best known for his roles as Eddie Finnerty in Grounded for Life, Milkshake in Dice and Jackie Moreno in The Get Down. He has recrurred in Tv series such as Community, The Mentalist, Public Morals, Damages, The Mob Doctor, The Black Donnellys, Fringe, Pearl and others and has guest starred in countless shows like Claifornication, CSI: Miami, Law & Order, Medium, Freaks and Geeks and Portlandia. His long list of Movie credits include Goodfellas, Pineapple Express, Buffalo 66, Big Fan, Seven Psychopaths, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, American Gangster, Superbad, The Departed and Love Bites. 

Sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Get 20% off with the promo code COOPER at www.forhangovers.com

 

Mark Ivanir - Episode 579

Steve Cooper talks with actor Mark Ivanir. Mark got his first big break in the Steven Spielberg's OScar-winning Schindler's List. He has rejoined him twice after in The Terminal and The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. He has also appeared in The Good Shepherd, What Just Happened, Johnny English Reborn, Big Miracle, 360 and many others. His biggest part to date was starring in A Late Quartet that also featured Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener and Philip Seymour Hoffman. He has also had an extensive TV career in the US and over seas and had recurring roles in Homeland and Royal Pains and guests starred on series such as 24, Monk, CSI: NY, Law & Order, Fringe, CSI Miami, Nikita and Hawaii Five-0.

Sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Get 20% off with the promo code COOPER at www.forhangovers.com

Michael Nouri - Episode 578

Steve Cooper talks with actor Michael Nouri. Michael is beginning his fifth decade in film, theatre and television. He recently starred in TV series Blue Bloods opposite Tom Seleck, Heartbeat, Chicago PD, co-produced and starred in the movie The Squeeze and appeared in the critically acclaimed NBC miniseries The Slap. In the course of his distinguished career, he has appeared in such popular films as The Proposal with Sandra Bullock, Last Holiday with Queen Latifah, Steven Spielberg´s The Terminal with Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the cult classic The Hidden and of course, the iconic film Flashdance. He has starred on numerous prestigious television series including Damages opposite Glenn Close, NCIS, Without a Trace, CSI: NY, South Beach, Enterprise, Cold Case, The Practice, The West Wing, Law & Order SVU and Criminal Intent. His major recurring roles were on ABC's popular show Bay City Blues, Downtown, Love and War, The Young and the Restless and Brothers and Sisters. He played Caleb Cortlandt in All My Children, Dr. Neil Roberts in The O.C and sang the closing theme song for CBS's long-running show Search for Tomorrow for which he received an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series. 

Sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Get 20% off with the promo code COOPER at www.forhangovers.com

Jon Gries - Episode 577

Steve Cooper talks with actor Jon Gries. Jon is best known for his roles as Uncle Rico in Napolean Dynamite, Lazlo Hollyfeld in Real Genius and Casey in all three Taken movies. He started his acting career at the age of 9 co-starring in Will Penny with Charlton Heston and hasn't looked back. He has been in numerous movies such as More American Grafitti, Running Scared, The Grifters, Get Shorty, Men in Black, The Astronaut Farmer and The Big Empty to name a few. On the TV side he co-starred in the series Martin and The Pretender and has recurred or guest starred in countless shows including Lost, Seinfeld, The White Shadow, The Jeffersons, 24, Dice, Criminal Minds, The Bridge, Supernatural, Cold Case, Sons of Anarchy, Pysch, CSI: NY, Las Vegas, ER and many more.

Sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Get 20% off with the promo code COOPER at www.forhangovers.com

Big Daddy Graham - Episode 576

Steve Cooper talks with comic/radio host Big Daddy Graham. Big Daddy has performed over 5000 shows at comedy clubs, colleges, corporate and private parties, sports banguets, golf outings and fund-raisers in the tri-state area for over 20 years. He has also headlined across the country and appeared on Showtime and his video "Let's Call in Sick" has appeared on MTV. He currently is in his 16th year as a host on the #1 sports talk radio in the country and can be heard nightly Monday through Friday. He has also written books, plays and recently performed as as Oscar Madison in sold out shows of The Odd Couple at theatres in Philadelphia.

Liberty DeVitto - Episode 575

Steve Cooper talks with drummer Liberty DeVitto. Liberty is best known for his work as drummer for Billy Joel's recording and touring band for 30 years. He has also played with the NYC Hit Squad and The Lords of 52nd Street and has been a session drummer for various recording artists such as Karen Carpenter, Meat Loaf, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Carly Simon and many others. In 2014 he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and has been an official supporter of Little Kids Rock since 2003, a nonprofit that provides free musical instruments and instruction to underprivileged youth. 

Gary Kroeger - Episode 574

Steve Cooper talks with actor/host/V.O. artist Gary Kroeger. Gary is best known for his three seasons on SNL and as a successful game show host of such hits as the revival of The Newlywed Game, Beat the Clock and Press Your Luck which was called Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck. He has acted on the big screen and on TV in such projects as The Big Picture, Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Hidden Hills. He also hosted Fox's Comic Strip Live and the 26th Mrs. America pageant and has lent his voice to many projects including the popular animated series Dilbert. A few years ago he moved back to his home state of Iowa and recently ran for the Iowa House of Representatives. 

Jack Russell - Episode 573

Steve Cooper talks with singer Jack Russell. Jack is a founding member of the hard rock band Great White. The band gained popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band hit the mainstream in 1987 for their album Once Bitten which featured the hits Rock Me and Save Your Love. They followed that up with Twice Shy which was certified double platinum and had their best selling single Once Bitten, Twice Shy which they received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. Jack has been touring with his version of the band Jack Russell's Great White and recording for the last 20 years and they recently released a new album.

Rose Abdoo - Episode 572

Steve Cooper talks with actor Rose Abdoo. Rose is best known for her roles as Gypsy on The Gilmore Girls and as Senorita Rodriguez in That's So Raven. She has co-starred or been recurring on various series like Johnny Bago, Malcolm in the Middle, Bunheads, The Comeback, Shameless, Parenthood, The Grinder, Veep and Scandal and has guests starred on countless shows such as Mike & Molly, Major Crimes, The Odd Couple, Castle, Grey's Anatomy, Baby Daddy, Dr. Ken, Psych, The Mentalist, The Millers, Curb Your Enthusiasm and many, many more. She has also been seen on the big screen in movies including Legally Blondes, My Best Friend's Wedding, U.S. Marshals, The 40-Year-Old Virgin abd Good Night, and Good Luck.

 

Johnny Dowers - Episode 571

Steve Cooper talks with actor/singer/songwriter Johnny Dowers. Johnny is best known for his role as Detective Tim Cooper in the FX series The Bridge. He started his career singing at Country and Bluegrass Gospel at ten years old and eventually ended up in Nashville. He got his acting start when he landed a part in the movie The Last Castle. Since then he has appeared in many national commercials, movies, tv shows and even a Chris Cornell Video. He also co-wrote and co-starred in the cult classic film Pickin' & Grinnin'. When he is not acting he is recording music with his band.

Carmine Appice - Episode 570

Steve Cooper talks with drummer Carmine Appice. Carmine is a legendary drummer who first came to prominence with the late 1960s band Vanilla Fudge. After 5 albums he left to join the popular band Cactus and then joined the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. He later joined Rod Stewart's backing band and co-wrote the hits Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? and Young Turks. Through the years he has recorded albums with artists such as KGB, Paul Stanley, Ted Nugent, King Kobra, Blue Murder, Sly Stone, Pink Floyd, Michael Schenker and many others. He also penned the best selling drum instructional book The Realistic Rock Drum Method and recently released his biography Stick It!: My Life of Sex, Drums and Rock 'n' Roll. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2014.

Martha Davis - Episode 569

Steve Cooper talks with singer Martha Davis. Martha is best known for being the singer of The Motels. They recorded six albums for Capitol. In 1981 their sophomore effort Careful went top 50. Then, in 1982, they released All Four One and the smash single Only The Lonely rocketed into the top 10 and the album went gold. 1983's Little Robbers album went gold on the top 10 single Suddenly Last Summer and the second top 40 hit Remember The Nights. Eventaully the group broke up and Martha went on to record solo albums. The group has reformed and are now touring under the name Martha Davis and The Motels.

Gary Cherone - Episode 568

Steve Cooper talks with singer Gary Cherone. Gary is best known for being the lead singer of the Boston based band Extreme who had the huge hit More Than Words. He also served a short stint as the lead vocalist for Van Halen on their 11th album Van Halen III and subsequent tour.

Gioia Bruno - Episode 567

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Gioia Bruno. Gioia made her mark on the music scene as a member of the chart busting pop group Expose'. Expose' started releasing platinum selling albums and numerous top ten singles including the Billboard's number one Seasons Change. She also made many TV appearances including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Solid Gold, Arsenio Hall, MTV and VH1 to name a few. After health reasons made her leave Expose' she embarked on a solo career and released Free To Be which became a hit and anthem for the LGBTQ community. In the past few years she completed a Christmas album, is working on a new studio album and is back touring and recording with Expose'.

J.C. MacKenzie - Episode 566

Steve Cooper talks with actor J.C. MacKenzie. J.C. is currently playing Governor Sam Evans in Madam Secretary and recently co-starred in HBO's Vinyl as Skip Fontaine. A veteran of both the big and small screen he has been in 3 Martin Scorsese movies (The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Aviator) and starred or guest starred in countless TV series such as NCIS, 24, The Shield, Desperate Housewives, Without a Trace, Medium, In Plain Sight, Ghost Whisperer, Dark Angel, Monk, Murder One, The Practice, Hemlock Grove, Elementary, House of Cards and The Good Wife to name a few.

Paula Marshall - Episode 565

Steve Cooper talks with actor Paula Marshall. Paula has consistently working in Hollywood since 1990. She has starred in various TV series such as Snoops, Wild Oats, Chicago Sons, Cupid, The Weber Show, Hidden Hills and Gary Unmarried. She has recurred on popular shows including Californication, The Wonder Years, Murder in the First, Spin City, Sports Night, Nip/Tuck and Just Shoot Me and has guest starred on countless programs including Seinfeld, Major Crimes, Law & Order: Special Victim Unit, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Soul Man, Game of Silence, Fathers & Daughters and many more.

Antoine McKay - Episode 564

Steve Cooper talks with actor Antoine McKay. Antoine is best known for his role of Bunkie in Fox's hit Empire.

Brian Howe - Episode 563

Steve Cooper talks with actor Brian Howe. Brian can currently be see playing Sheriff Pickett in HBO's Westworld and was a recurring character on the same network's hit Vice Principals. He began his TV career during the mid-'90s, as an occasional guest player on episodes of such series as Law Order and Spencer for Hire and the short-lived sitcom The Bonnie Hunt Show. He re-teamed with the venerable Hunt for a small role in his first feature, which the actress directed: the romantic comedy Return to Me. Supporting turns in an uneven series of films ensued, ranging from K-PAX to Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. He later was cast in the short-lived sitcom A Minute With Stan Hooper then landed a trio of supporting roles in A-list films during 2006: one in the Robin William's in RV, another with Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness and a third in Tony Scott's Deja Vu. Clint Eastwood cast him in the 2008 drama Gran Torino. He appeared in the 2011 action film I Am Number Four, and in 2012 he appeared as Randy Scheunemann in the made-for-HBO docudrama Game Change. He also had a recurring role in HBO's hit The Newsroom and on Showtime's House of Lies and Masters of Sex. He will soon be seen in the original Amazon series The Last Tycoon.

Rich Redmond - Episode 562

Steve Cooper talks with drummer Rich Redmond. Rich is an influential touring/recording drummer/percussionist based in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California. His versatile, dynamic, and rock solid drumming is the sound behind many of today’s top talents.  While he’s not in the studio or on tour Rich is motivating others with his CRASH Course for Success a meticulously crafted program that anyone can follow to achieve success. As the drumming powerhouse behind Grammy nominated mega star Jason Aldean, he has recorded 17 #1 singles with over 7 million albums sold and well over 13 million single downloads. As a high-energy live showman, he plays sold out shows of 20-60,000 fans nightly in amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums across North America .A musical showman in the spirit of Gene Krupa, He has toured/recorded/performed with: Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Joe Perry, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, John Eddie, Pam Tillis, Susan Ashton, Deana Carter, Kid Rock, Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, Randy Owens, Marty Stuart, Mindy McReady, Rushlow, Gene Watson, John Anderson, Doc Walker, Jedd Hughes, Patricia Conroy, Earl Thomas Conley, Hank Williams III, Emily West, Jo El Sonnier, Jim Brickman, Lee Brice, Steel Magnolia, The Stellas, Kevin Fowler and many others. He has also appeared many times on the trail of late night shows such as: The Voice, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Conan, Jimmy Fallon, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Craig Ferguson, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Michael and Kelly Show, Ellen, Austin City Limits, The CMA Awards, The ACM Awards, The CMT Awards, The ACA Awards, numerous GAC and CMT Specials, and of course, The Grammy Awards.

Bob Mehr - Episode 561

Steve Cooper talks with music journalist Bob Mehr. Bob recently finished his first book Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements which is a New York Times best seller. He is a music critic for The Commercial Appeal and a longtime correspondent for MOJO magazine. He has also contributed liner notes to the Grammy-winning Big Star box set Keep an Eye on the Sky and has written essays for reissues by The Replacements, Kinks, Warren Zevon, The Dixie Chicks, Al Green and many others.                                    

Daniel de los Reyes - Episode 560

Steve Cooper talks with percussionist Daniel de los Reyes. Daniel is currently the percussionist for the Zac Brown Band. Through his lengthy career he has performed with artists such as Don Henley, Earth Wind & Fire, Sting, Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Yanni. He has also made many TV appearances including the Grammy Awards, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, American Music Awards and the Arsenio Hall Show.

Buddy Fitzpatrick - Episode 559

Steve Cooper talks with comic Buddy Fitzpatrick. Buddy is currently a New York City club favorite sharing his comedy perspective. His act combines the skill of a great monologist with a physical style that brings his observations to life. His stand-up made him a regular on Comedy Central with appearances on ABC and A&E.  He can be seen in the Damon Wayans film Harlem Aria and in The Business of Strangers starring Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing. His television credits include HBO's Sopranos. He has written, produced and performed in his biographical play Sides at various NYC theatres. When not currently headlining, he can be seen opening for Joe Behar and was a frequent opener for Joan Rivers. He has also had the privilege of opening for The Beach Boys, Doobie Brothers, and The Righteous Brothers and can be seen on Gotham Comedy Live AXS TV, has two appearances on nickmom Night Out and is a contributing writer on nickmom's Actual Housewives of the PTO.

Ritch Shydner - Episode 558

Steve Cooper talks with comic Ritch Shydner. Ritch has made numerous appearances on TV, including Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno and has done an HBO comedy special. He also played Al Bundy's co-worker on Married with Children, made guest appearances on shows such as Roseanne and Designing Women was seen in movies like Roxanne and Beverly Hills Cop II. His writing credits include The Mind of the Married Man, Roseanne and The Jeff Foxworthy Show and recently wrote the movie adaption for Bill Maher's book True Story. In 2010 he produced and starred in the award winning documentary I Am Comic and he just released his second book Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life as a Stand-up in the 80's Comedy Explosion.

 

Rob Long - Episode 557

Steve Cooper talks with TV writer Rob Long. Rob recently created the show Sullivan & Son that ran on TBS. He started his career as a writer for the television show Cheers in 1990, and became an executive producer for the show in 1992. During his tenure, the show won two Emmys and two Golden Globes. He received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1992 and 1993. After Cheers ended in 1993, he formed a television production company with his Cheers collaborator and fellow Emmy nominee Dan Staley. Together, they created the television show George & Leo, starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch, for CBS. They also created Love & Money for CBS and Men, Women & Dogs for The WB Television Network. Beginning in 1993, he wrote a fortnightly political satire column for National Review titled Letters from Al and has been a contributor to Time, Newsweek International, The Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times. He also hosts the syndicated radio show Martini Shot, where he provides news and opinion on the film industry and wrote the books Conversations with My Agent and The Sound of No Hands Clapping.

Corin Nemec - Episode 556

Steve Cooper talks witch actor Corin Nemec. Corin is best known for his lead in the popular series Parker Lewis Can't Lose. His first acting parts were in the series Webster and Sidekicks. He then got a part in Tucker: The Man and His Dream, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, followed by lead roles in I Know My First Name Is Steven and My Son Johnny. Since then he has had recurring roles on shows such as Beverly Hills 90210, Stargate - SG1,Ghost Whisperer, Renegades and Supernatural and has guested on many series including Kirby Buckets, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Miami, NCIS, CSI: New York, NYPD and Smallville. His movie credits include Operation Dumbo Drop, Silencing Mary, Mansquito, Bundy: An American Icon, House of Bones, Sand Sharks, Dragon Wasps and many more. He is also an accomplished graffiti artist.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Stephen Manley - Episode 555

Steve Cooper talks with actor Stephen Manley. Stephen is a veteran actor of film and television for over 40 years. Best known as "Young Spock" in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). His experience spans from work as a child on shows such as All in the Family (1971) and Emergency! (1972) to work as a teen on The Love Boat (1977) and Little House on the Prairie (1974). After graduating with a degree in film from the Pasadena Art Center, he continues to work as an actor. His diversity as a character actor include playing a seedy drug dealer in Death in the Desert (2015), a Neo-Nazi Hitler in Not on My Mountain, a tormented scientist in Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter, a Hells Angel biker gang leader in Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels, and an outlaw cowboy in Billy the Kid: New Evidence. His most recent roles this year include an eccentric scientist in Ghost Hunters and a gullible genius in the series The Idiot.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Billy Burnette - Episode 554

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Billy Burnette. Billy amassed four decades of experience recording music, writing songs, and performing since embarking upon his career at age 7. At 18, he was only a week out of high school when he recorded his Columbia Records album with famed Memphis hit-making producer Chips Moman. In his early 20’s, he played guitar for Roger Miller as well as for his father, Dorsey Burnette.  Meanwhile, he also continued his solo career, which included recording records and writing for such hit makers as Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Eddy Raven, and many more. He then began his journey as a member of one of the greatest rock bands of all time.  He toured with Fleetwood Mac between 1987-1995 and appears on such records as: The Chain, Fleetwood Mac/Greatest Hits, Behind the Mask and The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac. In the last few years, he has contributed his talents as a guitar player and singer on tours with legendary musicians Bob Dylan and John Fogerty. Additionally, he has also collaborated regularly with the Mick Fleetwood Band. He also has landed parts in several feature films including: Richy Rich, The Addams Family Reunion, Casper and Wendy, Not Like Us, and the leading role in Saturday Night Special, which featured his songs throughout the film.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Jade Starling - Episode 553

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Jade Starling. Jade is best known as one half of the late 80s duo Pretty Poison who had the #1 platinum hit Catch Me I’m Falling. She returned to the Top 5 on the Sept. 5^th 2015 Billboard Club Chart with Better and Better which peaked at #3. That song was not only the 3^rd single from the critically acclaimed Captive album but also the highest charted record featuring her since When I Look Into Your Eyes topped the charts in 1988. In addition to Better and Better, Captive has also yielded the Billboard club hits Insominiak and Think About U. Catch Me I’m Falling has continued to reach new fans with features on AMC’s smash hit Breaking Bad & MTV’s Ridiculousness starring Rob Dyrdek and featuring Derek Hough of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She hs sold millions of records in her career and in this era of social media, has continued to grow in popularity. Her recordings have been featured in scores of movies including such high profile releases as You Don't Mess with the Zohan featuring Adam Sandler, the art house classic Pinero starring Benjamin Bratt and the cult favorite Hiding Out starring Jon Cryer. She has also helped raise money for charities through her philanthropic passions Breast Cancer Awareness and the TJ Martell Foundation as well as her work in the LGBT community and has a new single Party2Life which he performed on the WKTU float at NY Pride. 

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

G Love - Episode 552

Steve Cooper talk with singer/songwriter G Love. G is best known for being the leader of the band G Love and Special Sauce. He began playing guitar at age eight. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the ninth grade and began playing harmonica in a wire rack. He credits Bob Dylan and John Hammond Jr., as well as the then-contemporary "old school" hip-hop sounds of Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Philadelphia's own Schoolly D, as influences. He began playing solo on the streets of Philadelphia. After one year at Skidmore College, he dropped out and relocated to Boston, working as a fundraiser for Peace Action and playing wherever and whenever he could. One of his few indoor gigs at this time was a Boston bar called The Tam O'Shanter, where he met drummer Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens in January 1993. Him and Clemens began working as a duo, they were joined a few months later by bassist Jim "Jimi Jazz" Prescott and became the house band on Mondays at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has never looked back recording albums and touring the world since then and has even written a children's book and has his own line of hot sauce.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Diane Franklin - Episode 551

Steve Cooper talks with actor Diane Franklin. Diane is most recognized for her film roles in the 80s playing the French-exchange student, Monique Junet, in Better Off Dead, the Medieval babe-princess in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and the teen crush, Karen, in The Last American Virgin. Her most recent acting work can be seen on YouTube in the films, My Better Half, Humanized (screened at 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival), Royal Effups and Agouraphobia. She also has released her autobiography, Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s, available on Amazon and Kindle and is working on a follow up.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Lisa Loeb - Episode 550

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb. Lisa launched her career in 1994 with the song Stay (I Missed You), which was included in the film Reality Bites. She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract. Her five studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling Firecracker. She has also worked in film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings. Loeb has appeared in two television series, Dweezil & Lisa, a weekly culinary adventure for the Food Network and Number 1 Single, a reality show on the E! Network in 2006 focused on her quest for love, success, career, and family. Her children's music includes the albums Catch the Moon (2003) and Camp Lisa (2008). Her first joint children's book and album Lisa Loeb's Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs was published in 2011. In 2010 she founded the Lisa Loeb Eyewear Collection, which is based on her own designs. She co-wrote the lyrics and music to Camp Kappawanna, a family musical that was premiered in New York on March 21, 2015 by the Atlantic Theater Company. Loeb's third children's album, Nursery Rhyme Parade!, was made available on October 16, 2015 and she is releasing a new album this coming October.

This episode sponsored by Blowfish for Hangovers. Check them out at www.forhangovers.com (Use the promo code COOPER for 20% off.)

Michele Greene - Episode 549

Steve Cooper talks with actor/singer/songwriter/author Michele Greene. Michele is perhaps best known for her role as attorney Abigail "Abby" Perkins on the TV series L.A. Law from 1986 to 1991 Her first big role was in the short-lived Steven Bochco series Bay City Blues. When that was cancelled, Bochco kept her in mind and offered her the role on L.A. Law a show that earned her an Emmy nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category in 1989. After leaving L.A. Law, she had acting roles in a number of popular television series including Bones, CSI, CSI: Miami, Cold Case, Crossing Jordan, Diagnosis: Murder, JAG, Judging Amy, Nip/Tuck, The Outer Limits, Six Feet Under, Stargate SG-1 and The Unit. She also appeared in an episode of Brothers and Sisters on ABC-TV in March 2009 as a fictional Governor of California and had a recurring role on HBO's Big Love as a TV reporter. In addition to acting she has recorded two bilingual CDs, Ojo de Tiburon and Luna Roja.and has written two young adult novels, Chasing the Jaguar: A Martika Gálvez Mystery and Keep Sweet with a third to be published very soon.

John Colianni - Episode 548

Steve Cooper talks with jazz pianist John Colianni. John recorded John Colianni, his debut album, Blues-O-Matic and Live at the Maybeck for Concord Records. Other records followed, the latest being Johnny Chops, recorded with his quintet. At nineteen, John toured the world as Lionel Hampton's pianist and was Mel Tormé's pianist for six years. He has recorded in studio with both Tormé, and Hampton as well as with Cleo Laine, Emily Remler and many others. He has also served as pianist for the Les Paul quartet and did a stint with the New Orleans-inspired band of movie director/clarinetist Woody Allen that played steadily at Michael's Pub in New York. 

Wil Shriner - Episode 547

Steve Cooper talks with comic/director Wil Shriner. Wil started on TV at age one doing commercials with his twin brother Kin and his father TV humorist Herb Shriner. Growing up with a 8mm camera in his hand, he attended famed UCLA Film and TV program where he learned from the greats how to entertain with story and image. Appearing at the famed Comedy Store, he met another young comedian, David Letterman who liked his comedy films so much that he brought his talents along with him on his rise to fame . He continued as a writer/director on numerous projects and shows with Letterman and it was one of his films that got him noticed by Francis Ford Coppola and it produced  a co-starring role opposite Oscar nominee Joan Allen in Peggy Sue Got Married.  From there he hosted his own nationally syndicated and three time Emmy nominated talk show, the Wil Shriner Show  and dozens of shows and series followed one after another. In 2000 he began directing sitcoms starting with Frasier and spent six years on all the top shows including Everyone Loves Raymond, Becker, Gilmore Girls and many others. He recently wrote the screenplay, produced and directed the film Hoot. 

      

    

 

Deborah Foreman - Episode 546

Steve Cooper talks with actor Deborah Foreman. Deborah is best known for her lead role in the 80's classic Valley Girl. She won the prestigious Most Promising New Star award from Sho West in 1986, following her starring roles in the critically acclaimed Valley Girl and the award-winning My Chauffeur. Subsequently, she had the lead (actually the two leads!) in April Fool's Day which continues to be a video favorite. She is a hard-working actress, equally at home with comedy and drama, who has earned the respect of colleagues and press alike. In addition to her acting, she is a certified yoga instructor through Yogaworks, a Stott Pilates instructor, owner and operator of Fried Ham Productions (specializing in e-commerce stores) and owner and operator of Deborah Foreman Handcrafted Jewels.

Dennis Dugan - Episode 545

Steve Cooper talks with director/actor Dennis Dugan. Dennis is famous for his partnership with comedic actor Adam Sandler, with whom he directed the films Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Grown Ups, Just Go with It, Jack and Jilland Grown Ups 2. He made guest appearances on several TV series during the 1970s including The Mod Squad, The Waltons, Cannon, Columbo, The Rockford Files, and Alice. He also appeared in the mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man, as well as two episodes of M*A*S*H and in 1978 starred in the short-lived series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, a spin-off from The Rockford Files. He took on a semi-regular role as an erstwhile caped crusader who called himself Captain Freedom on Hill Street Blues and also appeared on Empire and Shadow Chasers. He played Walter Bishop, briefly the husband of Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) on Moonlighting. His other film credits of the 1980s include Water, Can't Buy Me Love, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking and Ron Howard's Parenthood. He launched a career as a television and film director, making cameo appearances in many of his films. Ones he directed include Problem Child, Brain Donors, Saving Silverman, National Security and he has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting, Ally McBeal, and NYPD Blue.

Rudy Sarzo - Episode 544

Steve Cooper talks with bassist Rudy Sarzo. Rudy has held down the bottom end for some of the most beloved and successful acts in heavy metal history since the early 1980s. He was a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band beside renowned guitarist Randy Rhoads (which he chronicled in his best selling book Off the Rails.) He rejoined Quiet Riot in time for its smash album Metal Health and went on to work with Whitesnake, Dio and Queensryche, not to mention a 5-year stint with hard rock juggernauts Blue Oyster Cult.

Mike Dugan - Episode 543

Steve Cooper talks with comic/writer Mike Dugan.  Mike has written on television series, pilots, or specials for a long list of comedians, including Dennis Miller, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Tom Arnold, Paul Rodriguez, Stephanie Miller, Rich Hall and even George Hamilton. He received, along with five other writers, an Emmy Award for writing on the first season of  'Dennis Miller: Live' on HBO.  The show's writers were also nominated for Cable Ace and Writers Guild of America Awards.  While in London he also co-created with Rich Hall the BBC TV show "Rich Hall's Badly Funded Think Tank". A move to Los Angeles quickly led to a shot on 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson'. Johnny raved, and that debut has led to over seventy national television appearances, including one more spot on "Johnny" before his retirement and another appearance with Jay Leno - making him one of only a handful of comics to have appeared on 'The Tonight Show' with both Johnny and Jay. His stand up and hosting has been a favorite at corporate events for companies the likes of Oracle, Xerox, Christian Brothers, Bank of America and Visa to name just a few.  He has also lent his talents to many great causes, having performed or hosted at benefits for The American Red Cross, Katrina Relief, Pepsi All Stars for Sickle Cell Anemia, San Jose Ballet, United Cerebral Palsy, Quake Relief with Crosby Stills and Nash, American Cancer Society and many more. 

Keith Powell - Episode 542

Steve Cooper talks with actor Keith Powell. Keith is best known for his role as Toofer in the Emmy winning NBC TV series 30 Rock. He was the Producing Artistic Director of Contemporary Stage Company, a summer theater in Wilmington, Delaware. He has produced/starred in/directed shows with Lynn Redgrave, Jasmine Guy, Keith David, Richard Easton, Duncan Sheik, and Sean Patrick Thomas. In the spring of 2007, while working as a recurring character on 30 Rock, he shot an ABC pilot called Judy's Got A Gun. It was subsequently not picked up for the Fall 2007 season, and he returned to 30 Rock, where he was promoted to a series regular. In 2014, he began a recurring role on the television series About a Boy as Richard, Will's workaholic friend/accountant/business manager and recurred on the final season of The Newsroom. He currently is working on the second season of the web series he created, writes, directs, and stars in called Keith Broke His Leg. 

Tracii Guns - Episode 541

Steve Cooper talks with guitarist Tracii Guns. Tracii formed L.A. Guns in 1983 and in 1985 he formed a new band with Hollywood Rose frontman Axl Rose. They put the two band names together; Guns 'N' Roses was born, but they both finally went separate ways and he rejoined L.A. Guns. After some lineup changes, the band finally signed with Polygram Records in 1987 recording their first album titled L.A. Guns. Over 1,000,000 copies were sold earning the band its first platinum album award. A compilation of the videos made for this first album also earned the band a gold video award. In 1989 the band went into the studio to record their second album titled Cocked and Loaded. They sold over 1,000,000 copies earning the band its second platinum record award. The video compilation of this second album earned the band a second gold video award. Their third album Hollywood Vampires was released in 1991. Over 1,000,000 copies were sold earning the band its third platinum album award. In late 2002 he decided to join Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx to create the project Brides of Destruction, signing on as lead guitarist and after the departure of Sixx he decided to revive the most important band of his life: L.A. Guns. He is currently in the studio with the band's singer Phil Lewis recording new music.

Joe Matarese - Episode 540

Steve Cooper talks with comic Joe Matarese. Joe’s talent for turning real life struggles into comedic gems has landed him appearances on the most sought after TV and radio shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, America’s Got Talent (where he received a standing ovation from all 4 celebrity judges and the 2000 person crowd), Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central Presents (his very own 1/2 hour special), The Howard Stern Show, and his brand new 1 hour special Medicated. You may also recognize him from Bravo’s reality series Better Half where he taught his wife to perform standup and she brought home the $20,000 prize. He has hit the stage four times at the prestigious Montreal Comedy Festival, leading to two development deals with major television networks and does a podcast Fixed Joe available on ITunes.