STEVE WILKOS TO STAR IN OWN SHOW

Steve Wilkos

NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution is bringing out a new nationally syndicated series starring Steve Wilkos, the popular icon from “The Jerry Springer Show,” it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Wilkos, the highly recognizable former Chicago police officer turned Springer security guard, will now be front and center on his own show, offering advice and doling out his version of justice in his own daily, one-hour syndicated show. The yet-to-be titled show will be set in front of a live studio audience and taped at WMAQ-TV Chicago, the home of “The Jerry Springer Show” for the last 16 years. Richard Dominick, who is also executive producer of “The Jerry Springer Show” and the upcoming “The Springer Hustle” on VH1, will serve as executive producer on Wilkos’ show, as well. The Tribune and Sinclair broadcast stations in the nation’s top markets have already signed on for the show, including Tribune’s WPIX-TV New York, KTLA-TV Los Angeles, WGN-TV Chicago and WPHL-TV Philadelphia. Sinclair stations signed on for Wilkos’ show include WTTA-TV Tampa, WPGH-TV Pittsburgh WNUV-TV Baltimore and WLFL-TV Raleigh. "Steve's popularity has grown tremendously over the last decade through his increased role on 'The Jerry Springer Show' and this is the natural next step for him," says Wallach. "We also are excited to continue our successful daytime relationship with our station partners at Tribune and Sinclair, where Steve's new show will seamlessly fit in with both 'Maury' and 'Jerry.'" “It’s truly incredible that I first came to work part-time with Jerry and Richard some 14 years ago and here I am now getting my own show,” says the 6-foot-3 Wilkos. "I believe my Marine training of what is right and what is wrong and the street smarts I picked up as a police officer, will assist me in helping my guests get through the hard times they face each day."
“Steve and I have been working on this project for many years and it’s very exciting to see it come to fruition,” says Executive Producer Richard Dominick. “If you are rich and need help, you can call a lawyer or a doctor. For ordinary people, when they have a problem, they call the police and now they can call Steve. America needs a hero and now they have one.” “I am thrilled that Steve is getting his own shot and the fact that we will be paired back-to-back in many markets starting next season will make for a very strong lineup,” says Jerry Springer. “The question now is, how well can he dance?” Wilkos’ popularity skyrocketed several years ago when the show began running “Steve to the Rescue” episodes and for the last two seasons, Wilkos actually filled in as host of “The Jerry Springer Show” on a regular basis. A native of Chicago, Wilkos served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and then joined the Chicago Police Department. For almost 12 years, Wilkos kept the streets of Chicago’s volatile 14th District (Shakespeare) safe, while working during his off hours on “The Jerry Springer Show.” He retired from the police force in 2002, devoting his full time to the show.
Wilkos has been with “The Jerry Springer Show” for the last 14 seasons, with his popularity growing each year. And with the Springer fame has come perks, including cameos in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," “Pauley Shore is Dead” and a Halloween episode of Wilkos' favorite television program of all time, “The Simpsons.” Wilkos is married to his wife Rachelle, who is a Supervising Producer on “The Jerry Springer Show,” and they have two young children, Ruby and Jack.