5 Questions With … Craig Robinson of Spike’s Caraoke Showdown

Caraoke Showdown Spike

Actor, comedian and musician Craig Robinson pops up everywhere, from the voice of Grits in Sausage Party to a recurring role on USA Network’s Mr. Robot. Now he’s surprising contestants as host and chauffeur of Spike’s Caraoke Showdown, airing Thursdays. “It’s silly, it’s fun, and it’s karaoke in a car with contestants in a game show,” Robinson says of Caraoke Showdown. “It’s like the easiest way to win $5,000 in some cases,” Robinson says. “There might be two groups that aren’t necessarily the best singers in the world, but here’s five grand. So what?” We caught up with Robinson, who was in Australia touring with his music/comedy act, and popped him our 5 Questions:

Can you tell us about a time you were starstruck?

I met Eddie Murphy at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. He came in. It was a Sunday night, and everybody raised their game because Eddie was in the house and everybody was just destroying. So I met him once and said hello. And everybody was getting on, and I was going last. I was like, “Oh, man. I’m going to do this, and I’m going to sing this song because he did this song with Rick James.” And as soon as they announced me, he left. And then half the crowd left because they saw him leave.

What has been your strangest fan encounter?

I was performing at the Ice House and a girl told me, “Hey, you owe me $2,500!” I was like, “What are you talking about?” She said, “Well, last week I saw you hug a girl. And I was dreaming that maybe that could’ve been me. And while I was driving, I ran a stoplight and hit another car.” And I said, “Whoa, I don’t see how —” and as soon as I spoke, she started kissing me. So that was interesting.

What’s a movie that you can watch over and over again?

The Matrix.

What’s your favorite sports team?

The Bulls. The Bulls, the Bears, the Sox. Give me all of Chicago, man!

What’s your favorite go-to karaoke song?

There’s a plethora there. I’ve got “Purple Rain.” I’ve got “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I’ve got “Hurt” by Johnny Cash. I love Muse’s “Time Is Running Out.” I’m all over the spectrum.

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.