September 12, 2025 • 8 mins
ICYMI: ‘Later, with Mo’Kelly’ Presents – A conversation with four-time Emmy® Award-winner, New York Times bestselling author and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough, who joins the program as the new host of the Daytime Emmy®-winning syndicated entertainment news magazine “Extra” - on KFI AM 640…Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app & YouTube @MrMoKelly
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to Later with Mo Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Six forty It's Later with Mo Kelly. We're live everywhere
in the iHeartRadio app. Four time Emmy Award winner New
York Times bestselling author and Dancing with the Stars judge
Derek Cuff is now host of the syndicated entertainment news
magazine Extra. Extra is the second longest running entertainment news
magazine in syndication. Has covered more than fourteen thousand red
(00:33):
carpets with over eighty thousand celebrity interviews. Derek Cuff joins
me now on the show. Good evening, sir, how are you?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm wonderful. Thank you so much for that wonderful introduction.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
And by the way, it's amazing to hear just the
history of Extra.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
It's extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I don't mean to scare you, but this is a
big deal. I mean, you know, hosting Extra and its
legacy and entertainment are nothing to minimize.
Speaker 5 (00:59):
But I do have a general question to start.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Since you have been in entertainment for so long, how
would you characterize the evolution of how we cover entertainment
celebrities now that it incorporates reality television stars now that
it incorporates social media influencers.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
How would you characterize the evolution.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Well, I think that the evolution is like what you
just said is, I think it's multimedia, right, So I
think that the show it never stops, right, it's the
social media, it's the entertainment, it's the you know, it needs.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
To continue to evolve.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
And I know for me, I feel like even when
I want to ask the stars, whatever it might be,
the show is of course the hero moment.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
But the show never ends. You know, you're looking at
social media, you're getting.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Updates, You're still bringing some entertainment, some fun, some joy,
some breaking news. So it's a twenty four to seven,
you know, twenty four seven job. And I think that
that's this day and age. It's more than ever.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Philosophical question, Why would you say that we as in
the general public are still so entranced by celebrities in
their lives. We have social media, we know what they're eating,
we know what they're doing, or at least what they're
presenting when they're eating or when they're going on vacation.
It's not like we have less access. We have more
access than ever before. Why do you think we're so enthralled?
Speaker 4 (02:23):
You know, it's interesting actually because I feel like even
the words celebrity, you know, it's interesting. I feel like
it's not really just about the celebrity aspect of it.
It's really the accessibility, you know. I think that goes
across the board. I think, you know, when we see
somebody in a movie star like a Tom Cruise, right,
or like a Brad Pit or whoever, these you know,
(02:45):
these amazing people are I think one, I think we
see the work ethic, we see the creation, and we
see the somebody doing something that you're like, wow, that's
that's really impressive. But on the flip side, you know,
you have like you know, reality stars, and you have
you know, like you said, influencers that that's that's not
so much about celebrity but more about you know, accessibility,
(03:08):
And I feel like they're all now equally if not
more important now, you know, and that's important.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
But also you know, I know a lot of people,
at least especially.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
On Dancing with the Stars, where people are getting more
starstruck by you know, you know, an influencer or a
or a you know, reality star, then they might not
even know who Tom cruise is you know, it's it's
it's times are sort of evolving and they're and they're growing,
and so I think it's important to grow and evolve
with the times.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
You mentioned the word starstruck, and I want to follow
up behind that.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
I know, after all these years of working in entertainment,
there probably are still people that you are giddy to
dialogue with. And so that's my question. You know, you've
had Emmy's mirror Ball trophies, hobnobbing with celebrities for decades.
Is there anyone that you'd still like to meet or
makes you nervous when thinking about the prospect of interviewing
(04:05):
him or her.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I mean, I've already experienced that. You know, my very
first my very first interview was with Margaret Robbie and
Colin Ferrell, and I was like, oh, okay, we're starting small,
and you know, pretty much blacked out during that interview
because at the end of the day, I'm a fan,
I'm a huge fan, and it was really wonderful. But
(04:27):
I think, you know, next week, I'm interviewing Dwayne Johnson
The Rock and you know, Emily Blunt and so there's
some really great names, some great people have already sort
of you know, worked with Scott Johansson, recent of Spoon,
Jennifer Anderson this past week. So and these are some
names that I've are on my list. And that's all
pretty much happening this first week. And and of course
(04:50):
the Emmy Awards are coming up this weekend, and that's
going to be, you know, a first for me to
I've been anywards many many times, but not in this capacity.
So I'm looking for forward to this new perspective.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Have you given any thought to what your particular style
or interview technique is going to be? Because Extra is extra,
but Derek Huff, I think can bring something extra to
Extra if you don't mind. Have you thought about how
you want to put your stamp or imprint on Extra?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
You know, I think I just want to just be myself.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
As cheesy as corny as that sounds, I think that
you know, it's about connecting, right, It's about connection and
and you know, creating moments and you know, so for me,
I know, for me, I'm at my best when I'm
just being who I am. You know, I think I'm
definitely learning a certain things about you know, the cadence
and moving a conversation along Those are skills, you know,
and these are muscles that I want to I'm looking
(05:50):
forward to exercising and developing more and more.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
But at the end of the day, you know, it's
just about connection.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
And when I'm working with you know, coaching people and
dancing and on the show or wherever I'm doing, whenever, I'm.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Just who I am.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
You know, that's those are always you feel like the
most organic and authentic moments that that are that are
the best.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
In my preparation for this conversation with you, Derek Huff,
I was looking at some of your other interviews and
what I appreciated was your honesty and vulnerability. What I
mean by that is, I read somewhere that one of
your concerns is the quote unquote awkward interview, how an
interview may go left. And I've been doing this a
long time and I know what that's like, and I
(06:32):
know what that feels like, and no one wants that.
But what I appreciate is you have thought about this
in advance. You care about the job, you care about
this profession. My question is, have you thought about being
an interviewer or a celebrity host long before this moment,
it seems like you have.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
You know, it wasn't at the forefront of my mind,
but when I would.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Go do certain shows, I kind of would be kind
of looking around being like, hmm, I feel I think
I could. I feel like I might want to do
this one day, you know, when when the time is right,
and when I feel like I'm at that time, you
know that time. So yeah, it's it's been on the
you know, my my periphery, if you will. But again,
I have so much admiration and so much respect for
(07:17):
that this role, you know, because it's it's it is
a it's a skill, you know, and I'm and again
I'm looking forward to continuing to develop that.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
What do you enjoy most? Is it still getting out
on the dance floor. Is it instructing someone who's on
the dance floor. Is it just talking to someone new
that you've never talked to before. What is it that
you enjoy most at this stage in.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Your career, this stage of my career, you know, I
think it's just it's that adrenaline, you know, It's that
adrenaline I'm stepping out on stage, going on tour. Is
this adrenaline going into an interview. You know where anything
could happen. You know, it's that unknown, is that it's
that mystery, it's it's it's exciting, you know, but also
(08:00):
too for me. The one people most excited about right now,
if I'm completely honest, is being a new dad. You know,
I have my first child on the way, and dad,
I just I just can't wait. I can't wait for
this moment. So it's a lot of exciting things happening
right now.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Let me just say congratulations all around. Derek Cuff is
the new host of the world famous syndicated entertainment news
magazine Extra. Be sure to look out for him not
only at the Emmys, but also all of his forthcoming
interviews like Dwainne, The Rock Johnson and Jennifer Aniston and Moore.
Derek Cuff, it's been a pleasure to speak to you.
I wish you nothing but success and good luck.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Thank you so much, man, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
It's Later with Moe Kelly if I AM six forty.
We're live everywhere in the iHeartRadio app and YouTube.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty
You're listening to Later with Mo Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Six forty It's Later with Mo Kelly. We're live everywhere
in the iHeartRadio app. Four time Emmy Award winner New
York Times bestselling author and Dancing with the Stars judge
Derek Cuff is now host of the syndicated entertainment news
magazine Extra. Extra is the second longest running entertainment news
magazine in syndication. Has covered more than fourteen thousand red
(00:33):
carpets with over eighty thousand celebrity interviews. Derek Cuff joins
me now on the show. Good evening, sir, how are you?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm wonderful. Thank you so much for that wonderful introduction.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
And by the way, it's amazing to hear just the
history of Extra.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
It's extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I don't mean to scare you, but this is a
big deal. I mean, you know, hosting Extra and its
legacy and entertainment are nothing to minimize.
Speaker 5 (00:59):
But I do have a general question to start.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Since you have been in entertainment for so long, how
would you characterize the evolution of how we cover entertainment
celebrities now that it incorporates reality television stars now that
it incorporates social media influencers.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
How would you characterize the evolution.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Well, I think that the evolution is like what you
just said is, I think it's multimedia, right, So I
think that the show it never stops, right, it's the
social media, it's the entertainment, it's the you know, it needs.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
To continue to evolve.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
And I know for me, I feel like even when
I want to ask the stars, whatever it might be,
the show is of course the hero moment.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
But the show never ends. You know, you're looking at
social media, you're getting.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Updates, You're still bringing some entertainment, some fun, some joy,
some breaking news. So it's a twenty four to seven,
you know, twenty four seven job. And I think that
that's this day and age. It's more than ever.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Philosophical question, Why would you say that we as in
the general public are still so entranced by celebrities in
their lives. We have social media, we know what they're eating,
we know what they're doing, or at least what they're
presenting when they're eating or when they're going on vacation.
It's not like we have less access. We have more
access than ever before. Why do you think we're so enthralled?
Speaker 4 (02:23):
You know, it's interesting actually because I feel like even
the words celebrity, you know, it's interesting. I feel like
it's not really just about the celebrity aspect of it.
It's really the accessibility, you know. I think that goes
across the board. I think, you know, when we see
somebody in a movie star like a Tom Cruise, right,
or like a Brad Pit or whoever, these you know,
(02:45):
these amazing people are I think one, I think we
see the work ethic, we see the creation, and we
see the somebody doing something that you're like, wow, that's
that's really impressive. But on the flip side, you know,
you have like you know, reality stars, and you have
you know, like you said, influencers that that's that's not
so much about celebrity but more about you know, accessibility,
(03:08):
And I feel like they're all now equally if not
more important now, you know, and that's important.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
But also you know, I know a lot of people,
at least especially.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
On Dancing with the Stars, where people are getting more
starstruck by you know, you know, an influencer or a
or a you know, reality star, then they might not
even know who Tom cruise is you know, it's it's
it's times are sort of evolving and they're and they're growing,
and so I think it's important to grow and evolve
with the times.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
You mentioned the word starstruck, and I want to follow
up behind that.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
I know, after all these years of working in entertainment,
there probably are still people that you are giddy to
dialogue with. And so that's my question. You know, you've
had Emmy's mirror Ball trophies, hobnobbing with celebrities for decades.
Is there anyone that you'd still like to meet or
makes you nervous when thinking about the prospect of interviewing
(04:05):
him or her.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I mean, I've already experienced that. You know, my very
first my very first interview was with Margaret Robbie and
Colin Ferrell, and I was like, oh, okay, we're starting small,
and you know, pretty much blacked out during that interview
because at the end of the day, I'm a fan,
I'm a huge fan, and it was really wonderful. But
(04:27):
I think, you know, next week, I'm interviewing Dwayne Johnson
The Rock and you know, Emily Blunt and so there's
some really great names, some great people have already sort
of you know, worked with Scott Johansson, recent of Spoon,
Jennifer Anderson this past week. So and these are some
names that I've are on my list. And that's all
pretty much happening this first week. And and of course
(04:50):
the Emmy Awards are coming up this weekend, and that's
going to be, you know, a first for me to
I've been anywards many many times, but not in this capacity.
So I'm looking for forward to this new perspective.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Have you given any thought to what your particular style
or interview technique is going to be? Because Extra is extra,
but Derek Huff, I think can bring something extra to
Extra if you don't mind. Have you thought about how
you want to put your stamp or imprint on Extra?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
You know, I think I just want to just be myself.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
As cheesy as corny as that sounds, I think that
you know, it's about connecting, right, It's about connection and
and you know, creating moments and you know, so for me,
I know, for me, I'm at my best when I'm
just being who I am. You know, I think I'm
definitely learning a certain things about you know, the cadence
and moving a conversation along Those are skills, you know,
and these are muscles that I want to I'm looking
(05:50):
forward to exercising and developing more and more.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
But at the end of the day, you know, it's
just about connection.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
And when I'm working with you know, coaching people and
dancing and on the show or wherever I'm doing, whenever, I'm.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Just who I am.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
You know, that's those are always you feel like the
most organic and authentic moments that that are that are
the best.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
In my preparation for this conversation with you, Derek Huff,
I was looking at some of your other interviews and
what I appreciated was your honesty and vulnerability. What I
mean by that is, I read somewhere that one of
your concerns is the quote unquote awkward interview, how an
interview may go left. And I've been doing this a
long time and I know what that's like, and I
(06:32):
know what that feels like, and no one wants that.
But what I appreciate is you have thought about this
in advance. You care about the job, you care about
this profession. My question is, have you thought about being
an interviewer or a celebrity host long before this moment,
it seems like you have.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
You know, it wasn't at the forefront of my mind,
but when I would.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Go do certain shows, I kind of would be kind
of looking around being like, hmm, I feel I think
I could. I feel like I might want to do
this one day, you know, when when the time is right,
and when I feel like I'm at that time, you
know that time. So yeah, it's it's been on the
you know, my my periphery, if you will. But again,
I have so much admiration and so much respect for
(07:17):
that this role, you know, because it's it's it is
a it's a skill, you know, and I'm and again
I'm looking forward to continuing to develop that.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
What do you enjoy most? Is it still getting out
on the dance floor. Is it instructing someone who's on
the dance floor. Is it just talking to someone new
that you've never talked to before. What is it that
you enjoy most at this stage in.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Your career, this stage of my career, you know, I
think it's just it's that adrenaline, you know, It's that
adrenaline I'm stepping out on stage, going on tour. Is
this adrenaline going into an interview. You know where anything
could happen. You know, it's that unknown, is that it's
that mystery, it's it's it's exciting, you know, but also
(08:00):
too for me. The one people most excited about right now,
if I'm completely honest, is being a new dad. You know,
I have my first child on the way, and dad,
I just I just can't wait. I can't wait for
this moment. So it's a lot of exciting things happening
right now.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Let me just say congratulations all around. Derek Cuff is
the new host of the world famous syndicated entertainment news
magazine Extra. Be sure to look out for him not
only at the Emmys, but also all of his forthcoming
interviews like Dwainne, The Rock Johnson and Jennifer Aniston and Moore.
Derek Cuff, it's been a pleasure to speak to you.
I wish you nothing but success and good luck.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Thank you so much, man, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
It's Later with Moe Kelly if I AM six forty.
We're live everywhere in the iHeartRadio app and YouTube.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty
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