Posted by Bud on May 06, 2010 at 17:27:21:
5 Questions with...Steve Wilkos
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
By Jeff Nuich
CSN Chicago Senior Director of Communications
CSNChicago.com Contributor
Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? CSNChicago.com has your fix as we put the city’s most popular personalities on the spot with everyone’s favorite weekly local celeb feature entitled "5 Questions with..."
Every Wednesday, exclusively on CSNChicago.com, it's our turn to grill the local media and other local VIPs with five random sports and non-sports related questions that will definitely be of interest to old and new fans alike.
This week … one of the most popular nationally syndicated talk-show hosts in the country who can be seen weekdays locally with back-to-back episodes on WCIU, The U (10:00 and 11:00 a.m.) … he's a true Chicagoan who simply fights for justice each day on “The Steve Wilkos Show” … here are "5 Questions with…STEVE WILKOS!"
BIO: Steve Wilkos is the host of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's nationally syndicated series "The Steve Wilkos Show."
A native of Chicago, Wilkos served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for almost seven years before joining the Chicago Police Department. For almost 12 years, he kept the streets of Chicago's volatile 14th District (Shakespeare) safe while moonlighting during his off hours on television. Wilkos retired from the police force in 2001 and now devotes himself full-time to his family and his show.
Prior to starting a show of his own, Wilkos filled in for Jerry Springer as host of the long-running "The Jerry Springer Show" on more than 50 episodes, using his law-enforcement background and no-nonsense style to create his own identity as a talk-show host.
Touted as a man of and for the people, Wilkos' popularity has skyrocketed and his sincerity and moral fiber have made for a very diverse fan base that includes people from all walks of life. When not watching cartoons with his two young children, Wilkos makes time to catch his favorite show of all time, "The Simpsons," for which he lent his voice for a cameo on a past episode (a milestone he proudly calls "the highlight of my career so far"). Wilkos has also appeared in several TV shows and films, including the hit motion picture "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."
In 2008, Wilkos became a national spokesman for USA CARES, a charitable organization dedicated to providing financial guidance to post 9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families.
"I am honored to be associated with USA CARES, and fully support their vision of providing the tools to sustain military personnel and their families," says Wilkos.
A huge sports fan, Wilkos can be spotted at various professional sporting events in his free time, such as baseball, basketball and football games.
Wilkos and his wife, Rachelle Wilkos, who is executive producer of "The Steve Wilkos Show" and "The Jerry Springer Show," have two young children and live in Connecticut.
1) CSNChicago.com: Steve, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to be interviewed for CSNChicago.com’s "5 Questions with…" We really appreciate it. The first question is a pretty heavy one.
Your show very often focuses on the safety and well being of children. We've watched numerous heart-breaking stories on your show about child abuse and child endangerment, with the parents/caregivers of these poor kids on your stage acting like they're doing nothing wrong. Once the camera goes off, what steps are taken by you and your staff to make sure that some of these potentially harmful individuals are brought to justice?
Wilkos: It's always heartbreaking to see young kids brought into a dispute and we are heavily involved in making sure all the steps are taken to remove those kids from dangerous situations. We work with the local police, provide tapes and contact the appropriate authorities to make everyone is aware of a problem. If rehab is needed, we can help get them there. Here at the show, we provide in-house counselors and follow up resources for all of our guests, especially for the kids.
2) CSNChicago.com: Speaking of your guests, it's amazing how you're able to keep your cool on stage. How are you able to control your emotions with those individuals who get in your face … with some of them pretty much "challenging" you to slug them?
Wilkos: I have a lot of experience dealing with heated situations. In the Marines and on the police force, people are always trying to get in your face and it's your job to keep your cool. It's in my background to not explode when some idiot thinks he can get a rise out of me on stage. It's this background that prepared me to not cross that line. Yeah, sometimes I want to just yell back, but it's my responsibility to keep things in order and tempers under control.
3) CSNChicago.com: We all know you're a huge sports fan, especially being a native of the greatest sports city in the world. What sports did you play growing up and what Chicago teams do you still religiously follow on a daily basis?
Wilkos: Baseball is my No. 1 passion in the world. I grew up near Wrigley Field and I am a huge Cubs fan. I have a 4-year-old son who is getting into sports, so I'm living vicariously through him. He's met Bobby Valentine, former manager of the Mets. That was pretty cool. I also follow the Bears. I catch a Sox, Hawks or Bulls game when I can. Right now, I'm playing a lot of golf.
4) CSNChicago.com: Now in its third season, "The Steve Wilkos Show" tapes in Connecticut after being shot here in your hometown the first two seasons. How's the transition to a new location been from a TV standpoint and, more importantly, how's the adjustment been for you and your family so far?
Wilkos: Leaving Chicago was a big adjustment; Chicago is my home. I'll be honest, it took some time to get used to the new location. Professionally, it's great, they built me a beautiful, state-of-the-art studio and there are a lot of people in this area who are very talented television industry vets, so you get more resources because so much of the country's TV is produced over here. So the working environment is fantastic, the move has been great for not just me, but also Jerry [Springer] and Maury [Povich]. With this move, we really hit the ground running. We're in our third season and enjoying a new-found rhythm -- the move helped with that.
5) CSNChicago.com: In your wildest dreams, did you ever think you would one day end up having your own nationally syndicated talk show, reaching millions of viewers from coast-to-coast? Your former partners in the Chicago Police Department have to be proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Wilkos: I didn't. I was never, 'Oh, I hope to get a talk show one day.' This isn’t something I ever aspired to do, it just happened. It’s my job and I enjoy it. I still think at 46, I’m going to someday play left field for the Cubs. But all the experiences I had, with the police and the Marines, and then with Jerry’s show, all got me to where I am now and I do enjoy having an impact on my guests' lives. The greatest compliment is when people come up to me on the street and say, 'Keep up the good work; keep doing what you're doing.' That makes me motivated to keep trying to make the show better and do good things for our guests, audience members and viewers.
BONUS QUESTION…CSNChicago.com: Your bio states you're the national spokesman for USA CARES, a charitable organization dedicated to providing financial guidance to post-9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families. Tell us about this special organization and where can CSNChicago.com readers make a donation?
Wilkos: USA CARES is an organization that helps families of service members who are no longer bringing in the income to support their families because they're supporting our freedom while on active duty, usually for a considerable amount of time. Sometimes doctors and lawyers and other professionals who can give their families a comfortable standard of living find themselves in a tough spot after deployment. We step in and make sure that those families are being taken care of, that their bills are being paid and they keep their homes. USA CARES is just a great organization. I was in the Marines for over six years, and when you’re overseas, you don’t want to be worried all the time about your family. Please consider making a donation by visiting www.usacares.org. Thank you so much.