Oy vey. I remember that kid. He was irritating as hell, and I never understood how he got his own show on E!. But then again, these are the same people who gave Anna Nicole Smith a show.
I read somewhere that Leeza Gibbons heard of his public access show and agreed to executive produce the show on E! to allow him to get bigger name guests on his show.
I remember the show as well, it was very surreal. I loved it when Frederique was on, you could tell she was in disbelief because she was thinking it was a regular talk show and not an amateurish effort done out of someone's basement. She was a good sport about it and gave him some good fashion advice when they went to Sears to buy him a new suit. And Jerry O'Connell giving him advice on how to pick up chicks at the mall. This kid really needed all the help he could get, was entrenched in this pseudo world in the safe microcosm of "Valpo" to really be able to relate to anyone in an interesting/adult way.
Also remembered his so-called side kick/"friend" who was usually too busy doing things with his girlfriend or having a real life to do much with the "show."
ITA with those threads that say that Michael Essany needs to get out and sow his oats and experience life. Letterman, Carson, Leno and Conan have all been around the block a few times before they made their hosting debuts.