Wed. September 15, 2010
Chicago, IL -
Chicago designer Nate Berkus became the first openly gay man to host a nationally syndicated daytime show when his new show, The Nate Berkus Show, premiered nationwide and locally on NBC-affiliate WMAQ on Monday.
Guests for the New York-based show have included actress-comedian Kim Coles and singer Dolly Parton. Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of former U.S. Senator from North Carolina John Edwards, will be his guest on Friday.
The 38-year-old Berkus founded the Chicago-based interior design firm Nate Berkus Associates in 1995 after graduating from Lake Forest College. He became a personality on The Oprah Winfrey Show, appearing regularly since 2003.
Berkus' life was changed in 2004 while vacationing in Sri Lanka in 2004. He was with his partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, sleeping in a beachfront cottage on Sri Lanka's eastern coast when a tsunami hit the island. Bengoechea went missing and is presumed dead.
Berkus tells GregInHollywood.com that he doesn't define himself by his sexuality, a philosophy that extends to his show.
"I do feel a responsibility, but it's not a responsibility because I'm a gay man and on daytime television," he said. "It's a responsibility to the people who are giving me an hour of their day and I want to set the best example that I can."
The Nate Berkus Show airs at 2 p.m. on WMAQ. Check local listings for times.
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