The Steve Wilkos show

Steve Wilkos, Jerry Springer’s former head of security, gives LIVING the low down on his incredible career and what it's like having his own talk show. Have you settled into the format? Have I settled in? I think I have two answers to that question. I wake up every morning and say to myself "Wow, I have my own television talk show" I am still amazed. The other answer would be that once I get on my stage, I really feel comfortable. It isn't that dissimilar from what I did when I was a cop, now I just have a large audience watching. Were you sad to leave Jerry? I loved being on the Springer show, it was like being back in high school every day, it was a great job. I am still good friends with Jerry and he is the nicest, smartest and most gentlemanly man I know. Did he give you any tips for going solo? Actually everyone, Jerry included, told me to be myself... I don't know any other way to be so that advice worked for me. If they asked me to go on stage and "act" the show wouldn't work. Tell us why you're different to the likes of Maury, Jerry and our British equivalents. You know Jerry's show is a circus and outrageous. I don't know too much about your shows but my show is pretty serious. We go after the bad guys. I don't think there is another show like it. What's been your biggest challenge on the show so far? I am enjoying every part of having the show. I think the hardest thing is the time away from my family. People don't realise that there is a lot of travelling involved in getting a show off the ground. I travel for remote shoots and I travel visiting our affiliates all over the country. I hope one day to come to the UK to visit. Hint, hint! Has a topic come up that you've refused to cover? I don't think there is a serious topic we wouldn't cover. We have had child molesters, deadbeat parents, convicted murderers, drug addicts and more. These are pretty serious topics so as long as the topic fits the criteria of the show. So, no, I don't think we would refuse anything. How do you remain "neutral" during an argument or sensitive topic? Me, neutral? Have you seen my show? Why do you think people like to discuss their problems on national TV? I can only speak for my own show. I think it is a forum for some people to get help where they couldn't get help anywhere else. Would you ever consider it? You know I am really fortunate. I have wonderful parents and siblings and extended family and a wonderful wife and children. Do you think your marine days were good training for this job? I have only great things to say about my time in the Marines. Believe me, boot camp was not easy by any measure, but I think the whole experience has made me the man I am. I learned about respect and teamwork and courage... I could go on and on. If you weren't doing this new show, what would like to be doing? I thought I was going to follow right in my Dad's footsteps. My Dad was in the military and then he joined the Chicago Police Force and served for 30 years. I was in the Marines and came home and joined the Chicago Police force. I would never, in a million years, dream that I would be on television.