Episode 501
with W. Kamau Bell & Katie King, Paul F. Tompkins, and Keb' Mo'
Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello talk fashion regrets; filmmakers W. Kamau Bell & Katie King discuss their Showtime docuseries We Need to Talk About Cosby, which takes a look at Bill Cosby’s rise and fall from grace through the experiences of his accusers; comedian Paul F. Tompkins gives some fashion advice on the latest "trends;" and blues musician Keb' Mo' explains how moving back to his beloved Compton inspired his newest album Good to Be, before performing its title track.
W. Kamau Bell
Comedian and Producer
W. Kamau Bell is best known as a stand-up comedian and the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell.” His directorial debut was the A&E documentary Cultureshock: Chris Rock’s ‘Bring The Pain’. He is on the board of directors of DonorsChoose, which helps teachers raise money for school projects, and the advisory board of Hollaback!, an organization that pledges to end harassment. Kamau is also the ACLU’s Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice. Most recently, he directed the four-part Showtime docuseries We Need to Talk About Cosby, which wrestles with the conversations of the #MeToo movement, focusing on Bill Cosby’s descent from “America’s Dad” to alleged sexual predator. Twitter · Website
Katie King
Filmmaker and Producer
Katie A. King is a producer in many formats, including TV docuseries, specials, talk shows, feature documentaries, and short-form narrative content. Her work often focuses on social issues and women-centered stories. Most recently, she served as EP/Showrunner on the highly acclaimed four-part Showtime docuseries "We Need To Talk About Cosby," which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was directed by W. Kamau Bell. Her work has appeared on the History Channel, HBO, Netflix, and CNN. Katie is currently developing a docuseries adaptation of Rebecca Traister's New York Times bestseller, "All the Single Ladies." Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film & TV, she taught video production to middle and high school students on the island of Oahu. Twitter · Website
Paul F. Tompkins
Writer and Performer
Comedian, actor, and writer Paul F. Tompkins is nothing short of comedy podcast royalty. He has appeared on over two hundred episodes of Comedy Bang! Bang!, and hosts such popular shows as The Neighborhood Listen and Spontaneanation, among others. In March 2020, he and his wife, the actor Janie Haddad Tompkins, co-created the podcast Stay F. Homekins. Tompkins’ TV credits include more than two dozen appearances on HBO’s "Mr. Show,” and he is the voice of Mr. Peanutbutter on the hit Netflix animated series "Bojack Horseman.” Twitter · Website
Keb’ Mo’
Blues Soloist
With five GRAMMYs, 14 Blues Foundation Awards, and a groundbreaking career spanning nearly 50 years, Keb’ Mo’ has nothing left to prove. Just don’t tell him that. “I’m still hungry,” says Keb’. “I’m still out there going for it every single day.” A guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who has been described as "a living link to the seminal Delta blues,” Keb’ has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to The White House; collaborated with artists such as Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, and Lyle Lovett; and received the Americana Music Association’s 2021 award for Lifetime Achievement in Performance. A passionate philanthropist and outspoken activist, Keb’ has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of social, environmental, and racial justice throughout his career. His latest album, Good To Be, came out in January 2022. Listen · Website
