The following are unofficial biographies
of the talented producers and staff that have
worked on 'Ricki Lake' since it premeired in
1993. Scroll down, or choose from the menu below.
GARTH ANCIER
Executive Consultant/Creator
(Season 11)
Garth Ancier, creator of the Emmy-winning,
top-rated syndicated talk show "Ricki Lake",
continues his role as executive consultant for
the series while maintaining his position as
Executive Vice President, Programming of Turner
Broadcasting System, Inc.
Ancier's current role, which he assumed in
Spring 2001, marks his return to the AOL/Time
Warner family. He rejoined longtime colleague
Jamie Kellner in a newly created corporate position
responsible for creating overall corporate programming
strategies. Ancier's duties include heading
up the genesis of a new broadcasting and cable
programming model that he has labelled "essential
in our newly-integrated world."
Prior to joining Turner Broadcasting System,
Inc., Ancier returned for a second tour of duty
at NBC in 1999 as President, NBC Entertainment.
There, he oversaw the network's entertainment
program development, scheduling, publicity,
advertising and promotion, also contributing
to NBC Entertainment business affairs. Ancier
spent the first seven years of his television
career with NBC (1979-86), working with programming
legend Brandon Tartikoff. During the '80s, Ancier
supervised production for NBC's top primetime
comedies, including Cheers, The Cosby Show,
Family Ties and The Golden Girls.
After years of developing hit series as one
of the founders of the FOX and WB networks,
Ancier became the second programmer ever in
television history to head three network entertainment
divisions. In 1986, Ancier was named by FOX
as the network's first programming chief. While
there, he and his colleagues were instrumental
in overseeing the development of such hit series
as The Simpsons, Married.with Children and In
Living Color. Ancier most recently joined NBC
from the WB Network, where he served as President,
Entertainment since 1994. During his stint at
the WB, Ancier was credited with developing
several of the most distinctive and popular
series currently on television, including Buffy
the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven
and Felicity.
In August 1992, Ancier recruited Gail Steinberg,
then-coordinating producer of Montel, to executive
produce the pilot for RICKI LAKE, aimed at young
people, an audience not then being served by
the numerous talk shows airing at the time.
The pair had previously worked well together,
when Steinberg was tapped by Ancier to executive
produce the pilot for Jane, the first major
attempt to launch a talk show for younger viewers.
As Executive Consultant, Ancier remains involved
with RICKI LAKE, continuing to provide expert
insight and contribute the remarkable vision
that has made the show a stellar success since
its inception.
From October 1991 through July 1992, Ancier
served as television consultant to the Democratic
National Committee for the Presidential nominating
convention. From 1989 to 1990, Ancier was President
of Production, Network Television for Disney,
supervising the development and production of
all Walt Disney and Touchstone Television series,
made-for-television movies, specials and The
Magical World of Disney for NBC.
Ancier began his career in network television
in 1979 when NBC Entertainment president Brandon
Tartikoff hired him as a program associate.
Soon after, Ancier was appointed Manager, East
Coast Development. In 1983, he was named Vice
President, Current Comedy Programs and supervised
production of 35 NBC comedies until his departure
in 1986. Ancier first joined the NBC family
in 1972 when, as a high school student, he was
a radio reporter for NBC affiliates WBUD-AM
and WBJH-FM in Trenton, NJ.
Ancier is a graduate of Princeton University.
He serves on the Board of Trustees of the National
Council of Families and Television.
MICHAEL
ROURKE
Executive Producer
(Season 11)
Michael Rourke continues his role as executive
producer of the award-winning Ricki Lake when
the series premieres its 11th season on September
15, 2003.
In February 2002, Rourke was named executive
producer of Ricki Lake. When the series entered
its second decade in syndication in fall 2002,
Rourke was at the helm, spearheading an evolution
of the groundbreaking show, examining topics
from a more experienced perspective to accommodate
both Ricki's and her audience's constantly widening
areas of interest.
Under Rourke's direction, season 10 was infused
with original, progressive ideas while maintaining
the signature staples that have made Ricki Lake
a mainstay in popular culture. During its 11th
season, viewers can expect more episodes focusing
on topical issues that are significant to today's
independent woman, including several regular
series focusing on health, fashion, beauty,
finances and safety. Rourke's acute ability
to craft and execute the consummate balance
of informative and entertaining shows has garnered
high accolades for the multi-award-winning series
during the past season.
According to Rourke, returning for a second
season at the helm of Ricki Lake is a welcome
opportunity to grow the successful original
concepts that have matured and endured over
the course of the past season. "Our goal last
season was to expand the show's boundaries -
a direct reflection of Ricki's maturing interests
- opening doors on subjects that had not previously
been addressed by the series. We provided viewers
with a unique, edgier, more in-depth look at
specific subject matter while remaining true
to the core audience that has been loyal to
the series since its inception. This season
is about focusing on the success of last season's
endeavors, rolling up our sleeves, digging in
our heals and offering our viewers more of what
they enjoyed tuning in for during season ten.
Season 11 promises to be engaging, informative,
entertaining and full of the exciting surprises
that our viewers have come to know and love.
Rourke also will continue his role as executive
producer for the successful, syndicated courtroom
series "Judge Hatchett, entering its fourth
season in September 2003. As executive producer
for Ricki and "Hatchett, Rourke, along with
co-executive producer Michelle Mazur, oversees
Sony Pictures Television's innovative 52-week
Gotham-based production schedule.
Rourke first joined Sony Pictures Television
in 1999, serving as executive producer of two
pilots that were launched as series: "Judge
Hatchett and "Men Are from Mars, Women Are From
Venus. While Rourke continued as executive consultant
of the "Mars/Venus series, he became executive
producer of "Judge Hatchett, a position he has
held since the series premiere. In that role,
he was instrumental in introducing elements
never-before incorporated in court shows including
on-location segments and the series signature
"interventions.
Rourke also served as a producer for NBC News,
with such credits as "First Person with Maria
Shriver, "Weekend Today and a number of informational
specials examining such subjects as civil rights,
gay rights, celebrity profiles, lifestyles and
trends. He also developed and served as an executive
producer for various VH1 programs including
"The RuPaul Show and the pilot episode of "The
List.
Raised in Idaho and New Jersey, Rourke is a
graduate of Villanova University, where he received
a Bachelor of Arts in communications.
MICHELLE MAZUR
Co-Executive Producer
(Season 11)
Michelle Mazur returns for a second season
as co-executive producer of Ricki Lake when
the award-winning series begins its 11th season
on September 15, 2003.
Mazur joined the series as co-executive producer
during the show's landmark 10th season in syndication.
Collaborating with executive producer Michael
Rourke, Mazur worked to evolve the series, offering
more diverse subject matter that better reflected
the changing interests of Ricki herself and
those of young women today. This season presents
Mazur with the distinct opportunity to expand
on the evolution the show delivered last season
and tackle even more diverse and interesting
subject matter.
According to Mazur, the growth that she and
Rourke cultivated last season was rewarding
for her in a way she couldn't have anticipated.
"The feedback on the diversity and in-depth
nature of a variety of hard-hitting, informative
episodes we produced last season is absolutely
noteworthy. Our incredible production team never
ceased to amaze me with their astute ability
to shift effortlessly from serious subject matter
to entertaining, light-hearted episodes that
give our viewers a break from the sometimes-harsh
realities of life. Building on the foundation
we implemented during our 10th season, this
season promises to be one filled with something
for everyone.
Mazur will also continue her role as co-executive
producer for the successful, syndicated courtroom
series "Judge Hatchett which begins its fourth
season September 2003, facilitating Sony Pictures
Television's innovative 52-week Gotham-based
production schedule.
Before becoming co-executive producer, Mazur
held the title of supervising producer on "Judge
Hatchett for two seasons, after working on the
pilot. Prior to joining "Hatchett, she was coordinating
producer for Ricki Lake for three seasons. Joining
Ricki Lake in 1997, Mazur had already built
an impressive reputation in the talk genre,
having previously worked on "Maury Povich, "Maureen
O'Boyle and "Sally Jessy Raphael.
Mazur began her production career as a freelance
news producer for WNET-13 and WPIX-TV, New York
and also worked as a producer on "Science &
Technology Satellite News. Her production and
writing work has received critical acclaim,
including a national award from American Women
in Television & Radio as a writer for the WPIX
documentary, "The Best Years of Their Lives.
Mazur also received an award for "Best Documentary
from the New York Bar Association for her work
on the PBS series "The Open Mind.
MIMI PIZZI
Supervising Senior Producer
(Season 11)
Former "Rosie O'Donnell" Supervising Producer
Mimi Pizzi, joins the Ricki Lake production
team as Supervising Senior Producer for the
landmark 10th season of the award-winning, successful
series which began September 16, 2002. One of
daytime television syndication's renowned creative
talents, Pizzi's arrival signifies the expanded
direction that Ricki Lake is taking this season
with a broader, more current range of topics
executed in an informed, viewer-friendly style.
Executive Producer Michael Rourke explained
the importance of adding proficient producers
like Pizzi to the production team. "'Rosie is
the only syndicated talk show to launch after
Ricki Lake and last more than two seasons. Mimi
was with 'Rosie since day one, and her talent,
energy and insight will be an invaluable asset
to our team as we move forward with making our
goals for the series a reality.
"My role at 'Rosie went beyond celebrity guests
and included transforming topical issues important
to viewers into show content, commented Pizzi.
"My role at Ricki as Senior Supervising Producer
will be to expand what I did at 'Rosie and develop
elements that focus on relationships, trends,
and the ever-changing role of women in today's
culture to provide a sense of community for
young women who watch Ricki Lake.
As Supervising Senior Producer, Pizzi is responsible
for branded elements during season 10 including
"Exposed, which will allow Ricki Lake to take
an analytical, investigative approach to conventionally
taboo topics. Additionally, as she adeptly proved
with consistency at "Rosie, Pizzi keeps her
finger on the pulse of the concerns of young
women, and incorporates those themes into every
episode.
Pizzi, who produced for 'Rosie since the show's
inception in 1996, started as a Segment Producer
and worked her way up to Supervising Producer.
During her tenure at "Rosie, Pizzi received
five Daytime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Talk
Show. Her other talk show experience includes
"Leeza where she was a show producer and writer,
"Vicki! where she held the title of Senior Producer,
"Geraldo, where she was a show producer, and
"The Tonight Show, where she served as Talent
Assistant and Coordinator. She also served as
a Segment Producer for "Rescue 911.
Above is © 2004 Sony
Pictures Television, Inc
RICKI LAKE
Host/Supervising Producer
(Season 11)
For Ricki's bio, click
here.
GAIL
STEINBERG
Former Executive Producer/Creator
(Season 9)
Gail Steinberg, executive producer
of the Emmy-winning, top-rated talk show RICKI
LAKE, is widely respected as one of the most
talented producers currently working in daytime
talk television. She returns for her eighth
season as the driving force behind RICKI LAKE.
Actively involved in the talk
genre for 22 years, Steinberg has held senior
positions with "Donahue" (for which she received
two national Emmy Awards), "CBS This Morning"
and "Geraldo". She also served as coordinating
producer for "The Montel Williams show" and
as executive producer of "Jane" for Fox Television.
Steinberg's association with
Donahue, where she served as producer and
senior producer, lasted for six and a half
years (1981-1987). During her tenure, she
was the driving force behind a multitude of
headline-making programs. In 1982, she became
the impetus behind, and the producer of, the
first national television program dealing
with the AIDS epidemic.
Following Donahue, Steinberg
became senior producer of CBS This Morning
(1987-1989), where she was intimately involved
with the program's launch and, subsequently,
played a vital role in the smooth transition
when Paula Zahn joined the program as co-anchor.
In April 1989, Steinberg became
senior producer of Geraldo where she remained
until Garth Ancier recruited her to executive
produce the pilot for Jane. She served as
the show's executive producer throughout Jane's
successful 13-week trial run.
In August 1992, Steinberg was
tapped again by Ancier to be the executive
producer of the "RICKI LAKE" pilot. During
that time, she also served as coordinating
producer of "The Montel Williams Show".
In addition to her day-to-day
duties helming "RICKI LAKE", Steinberg also
has an exclusive long-term agreement with
Columbia TriStar Television to develop new
projects for its growing first-run division.
ROB DAUBER
Former Executive Producer
(Season 5)
Rob Dauber, a news and talk
television veteran, joins "Ricki Lake" in
its fifth season as executive producer sharing
day-to-day responsibilities with Gail Steinberg.
Dauber most recently served as supervising
producer on "In Person With Maureen O'Boyle"
for Telepictures Productions. Other television
talk credits include supervising producer
for "The Camie Wilson Show" and "The Jane
Whitney Show," as well as producer on "The
Maury Povich Show" and "Sally Jessy Raphael."
Dauber also has an extensive
news background, writing and producing in
newsrooms around the country. He was nominated
for an Emmy Award in 1990 during his tenure
as executive producer of New 5 WLWT-TV Cincinnati,
where he oversaw the newsroom staff and produced
daily live news coverage. That year also brought
acclaim for WLWT-TV as it was voted Outstanding
News Operation by the Associated Press. Dauber
also served as news producer at WJBK-TV Detroit
and KMOV-TV, St. Louis.
KEVIN
MAKOWSKI
Former Executive of Production
(Season 4)
As executive in charge of production
and development for "Ricki Lake," a production
of the Garth Ancier Company in association
with Columbia TriStar Television Distribution,
Kevin Makowski brings a wealth of expertise
in television programming and production to
the hit series. Makowski played a key role
in the development of "Ricki Lake" from structuring
the original station deal with WWOR-TV to
collaborating with executive producer Garth
Ancier on the final decision to cast Ricki
Lake as host. He is also part of the senior
team that oversees the day-today production
of the program.
In addition, Makowski played
an integral role in creating the tone and
look of "Ricki Lake" by assembling a design
and production team, which includes Grammy
Award-winning composer Jellybean Benitez and
Art Director Eugene Lee, a Tony Award-winner.
It is this unique and innovative feel that
has become the standard in the talk genre.
Makowski began his association
with Garth Ancier in 1991 as creative associate
and development executive at Fox Inc. and
was later promoted to vice president of production
and development at Ancier's eponymous company.
He went on with Ancier and team to develop
and oversee the production of "Jane," a successful
13-week test of an issue-oriented talk series
aimed at viewers 18-34 on WNYW-TV (New York).
He also developed "Main Street," a May 1992
sketch comedy pilot for ABC-TV.
Prior to joining Ancier, Makowski
served as a promotion producer for Showtime
Networks Inc. and Viewer's Choice Pay-Per-View
from 1987 to 1991, creating promotional spots,
trailers and behind-the-scenes packages, as
well as supervising acquisition. Earlier,
he was news and specials producer for WUFT-TV.
Makowski served as host and
advisor to the many political speakers of
the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In
addition, he has served as program coordinator
for the Presidential Commission on AIDS, and
is involved with the National Council of Families
and Television, the Independent Feature Project
of New York, New Community, Best Buddies and
the Audrey Hepburn Hollywood for Children
Fund.
A valedictorian and honors graduate
of the University of Florida, Makowski was
an accomplished singer and actor, performing
with the Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center,
in addition to having numerous regional theatre
and national commercial credits.
STUART
KRASNOW
Former Supervising Producer
(Season 3)
A veteran of network, prime
time and syndicated television, supervising
producer Stuart Krasnow was one of the people
who helped single out Ricki Lake from over
one hundred candidates as host of her own
talk show. Krasnow, who helps to oversee the
production staff, has been supervising producer
of "Ricki Lake" since the show's September
1993 debut.
He also shows off his comical
side to the studio audience, whom he entertains
before each taping with a fresh supply of
jokes and antics as he preps them for each
show. Stuart's abundant supply of talent,
energy and creativity has helped make the
Emmy Award-winning program the fastest-growing
talk show in history.
In addition to his day-to-day
duties at the show, Krasnow is co-authoring
a children's book with Ricki Lake entitled
"Sophie's Revenge," a story of an overweight
girl's triumph over bullies, which will be
illustrated by Lake's husband, Rob Sussman.
The book is scheduled to be published in late
1996 by Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books division.
Prior to "Ricki Lake," Krasnow
worked for NBC from 1991 through 1993 where
he served as supervising producer of "A Closer
Look with Faith Daniels." In 1993 Krasnow
was senior coordinating producer for the network
newsmagazine "Dateline NBC."
From 1989 through 1991 Krasnow
was the senior producer for "The Joan Rivers
Show." During his tenure, the syndicated program
earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime
Talk Show Host.
Prior to "Joan Rivers," Krasnow
served from 1988 through 1989 as senior talent
coordinator at "Late Night With David Letterman."
From 1987 through 1988, he was an entertainment
producer at "CBS This Morning."
Krasnow first entered the television
industry in 1983 where he worked at CNN for
four years. He began his career as an assistant
researcher and left the cable network in 1987
as coordinating producer of "CNN Showbiz Today."
ANDREW SCHER
Former Coordinating & Senior Producer
(Season 6)
In his fourth season of Ricki
Lake, Andrew Scher has prior experience in
both relationship and news-oriented talk programs,
including The Montel Williams Show and Jackie
Mason. He also served as a researcher/booker
on two variety talk shows, New York at Night
with Clint Holmes and Everyday with Joan Lunden.
Scher's additional media and entertainment-related
experience includes conducting public relations
for boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and working in
development for an independent production
company at Tribeca Film Center.
MARK
LIPINSKI
Former Senior Producer
(Season 5)
A seasoned talk and news producer,
Mark Lipinski returns to "Ricki Lake" for
a second season as senior producer. Last year
he served as producer.
Lipinski was previously executive
producer on WNYW-TV's (Fox) Emmy Award winning
news show "Good Day New York," and senior
producer on "A + For Kids," a three-part news
special on WWOR-TV. In addition, Lipinski
was senior producer on Lifetime Television's
award-winning "Attitudes."
Lipinski's other producing credits
include several morning news and daytime talk
shows such as "AM San Francisco," "Good Morning
Bay Area," "The Joan Rivers Show" and "The
Oprah Winfrey Show."
DAVID ARMOUR
Former Supervising & Co-Executive Producer
(Season 6)
David Armour has been a member
of the "Ricki Lake" team since its inception
in 1993. During that time, Armour has moved
up the ranks of this top-rated talk show,
serving as a producer, coordinating producer,
supervising producer and currently co-executive
producer of the program. In this role, Armour
oversee the day-to-day production of Ricki
Lake.
Prior to Ricki Lake, Armour
served as a researcher and later as an associate
producer on The Montel Williams Show, where
he assisted in booking human interest and
exclusive news-driven shows.
In 1992, Armour worked on Jane,
a successful 13-week test of an issue oriented
talk series aimed at viewers aged 18 to 34
on WNYW-TV (New York).
DAVID
SHENFELD
Co-Executive Producer
(Season 9)
Emmy Award-winning producer
David Shenfeld returns to the RICKI LAKE team
for his second season as co-executive producer.
Since joining the series during its eighth
season, Shenfeld has worked closely with executive
producer Gail Steinberg to continue growing
the most-successful talk show aimed at young
viewers.
Shenfeld joined RICKI LAKE from
Good Day, New York, the top-rated local news
and information show airing on the Fox owned
flagship New York station, where he was supervising
producer. Prior to his stint there, Shenfeld
was supervising producer and part of the team
that launched the critically-acclaimed innovative
entertainment talk show Breakfast Time for
the FX cable network; it subsequently became
Fox After Breakfast, the first attempt at
a national morning show for the Fox network.
He also launched the Emmy Award-winning informational
series Pet Department for FX. In addition,
Shenfeld served as producer of the talk pilot
Duff for Columbia TriStar Domestic Television
and held the post of supervising producer
at MTV, where he oversaw all of the network's
live programming from its studios in Times
Square.
Shenfeld was honored with an
Emmy Award in 1992 for Backstage on Broadway,
which took viewers behind the scenes during
a live performance of the Broadway musical
Guys & Dolls. Shenfeld graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in journalism from the University
of Rhode Island.
