Rich Koz

WCIU-TV - SVENGOOLIE

Rich Koz has spent his entire broadcasting career in the Chicago area.  Born in Chicago.  Rich grew up in the northwest suburbs, getting his first taste of broadcasting at WMTH-FM - the high school station at Maine East in Park Ridge.  While attending Northwestern University, Rich sent comedy material he had written to DJ and TV personality Jerry G. Bishop who was, at that time, portraying the orginal "Svengoolie" at Channel 32 in Chicago.  Bishop was so impressed by Rich that he took him on as writer/voice talent for "Svengoolie" and later, when Svengoolie was canceled in 1973, brought Rich along to WMAQ Radio as producer/writer/"second banana" on his WMAQ-AM morning show.

In 1974, Rich began a 3 1/2-year relationship with comedy legend Dick Orkin, creator of "Chickenman" and "Tooth Fairy" radio serials, and was writer/talent on many of Orkin's radio commercials and features.  He co-wrote with Orkin 65 episodes of "Chickenman Returns for the Last Time Again" -- which is still syndicated all over the world.

In the late '70's, both Orkin and Jerry G. Bishop (independently) migrated to the West Coast.  Before leaving, Bishop gave Rich permission to do "Son of Svengoolie" - an idea Bishop had originally planned as a vehicle he would produce with Rich as the next Svengoolie, that had never made it past a few false starts.

With Bishop's blessings, Rich started shopping the idea around - and, in June, 1979, "Son of Svengoolie" premiered on Channel 32 in Chicago.  It ran for 6 1/2 years, winning three consecutive Chicago Emmy Awards for Best Entertainment Series.

Channel 32 canceled "Son of Svengoolie" in January 1986 - deeming it "not suitable" for a station about to join the new Fox network.  In the meantime, Rich free-lanced as a commercial talent/writer and was a fill-in radio host on WGN Radio.  He also was briefly weekend morning host on The Satellite Music Network's adult-contemporary format, heard all over the world!

In 1989, Rich returned to Channel 32, hosting late movies as himself and other characters.  The show's premise was that Rich was a pirate-broadcaster breaking into the station's signal to do his comedy bits.  The premise was so convincing that its promos brought calls from viewers, and even FCC, asking about the "mysterious interruptions!"  The show won Rich an additional Chicago Emmy as Best Entertainment Series.

At the same time, Rich was morning host on WCKG-FM, broadcasting live from such unique places as Disney/MGM Studios in Orlando, and Jamaica, and sharing the mike with Paul Shaeffer, Jerry "The Beaver" Mathers, and stars of "My 3 Sons."  In 1990, Rich became daily host for all the Channel 32 kids programming - later adding additional duties as weekend weatherman, host for live events like "Taste of Chicago" and New Years Eve broadcasts.

After leaving Channel 32 in 1993, and another round of free-lancing, Rich joined General Manager Neal Sabin in bringing WCIU on the air as "The U" - a mainstream independent TV station.  No longer "Son of Svengoolie" - his mentor, Jerry G. Bishop having declared him "All grown up!" - Rich brought the station on the air as Svengoolie!

Rich now portrays the popular character each week on "The U," with his cast of "Doug Graves," the laid back musical side-kick, and Tombstone, the talking skull.  He continues to popularize rubber chickens, bad movies, and the local suburb of "Berwyn!"  In addition to the popular musical numbers and commercial parodies Svengoolie has always been known for, each show features a segment of the movie produced in "Svensurround" - with new sound effects, dubbed-in dialogue and visuals.  This technique was first done by both Koz and Bishop in the 1970's - Before the advent of "Mystery Science Theatre 3000."  Svengoolie's hard work and comic genius keep paying off, "Svengoolie - The First Year" a look back at Svengoolie's first year on WCIU was awarded with a Chicago Emmy for Best Entertainment Program - Special.

Rich also appears on Channel 26 as himself, and various other characters - whatever's needed.  He is involved in many aspects of the station, both on-screen and off, and is proud to be part of one of Chicago's most creative stations - Channel 26 - "The U."