Where did you grow up?
Hillsborough, New Jersey. Or, as I tell people when they ask me, “In a town near Princeton, but with less khakis”
Where did you go to school?
University of Miami
What did you do Jewish growing up?
According to my third-grade teacher Ms. Rock, I used to dot all my eyes with the Star of David. Being Jewish has always been important to me. I also proudly attended a reformed Jewish sleepaway camp in the Poconos called Camp Harlam, and became a Bar Mitzvah when I was 13.
What do you do Jewish now?
I still pray every day, and I try to incorporate Jewish holidays into our TV show – although that has proved troublesome occasionally.
For example, one year Yom Kippur fell on a day when I had to broadcast live from the state fair, and I had to, while fasting without food and water, interview a man about his waffle-fry nacho stand. His cheesy, sour-cream-soaked waffle-fry nachos. And that’s what got me thinking, “Daylight Saving Time should start in September from now on.”
What do you do for fun?
I play guitar, perform stand-up and improv comedy, play basketball, and watch my Miami Hurricanes’ football team.
What do you for work?
I host a nationally-syndicated talk show called Daytime for NBC in Tampa, FL.
How do you stay motivated during the Pandemic?
I have to keep tan pants on. If I wear shorts or jeans, I feel too casual and can’t get motivated. If I keep dress pants on, my brain has its equivalent of a shock collar. It must obey the khaki pants’ orders.
Complete the phrase: When the Tribe Gathers, a lot of people ask if the food has salt.
Nominate a Jewish Person of the Week!
Find more Jewish people of the Week on ChiTribe
Find all the Chicago events on ChiTribe’s Event Calendar
