Spike was Born ...:
... in West Bridgewater, Mass. He is married to Erika Feresten.
Growing up with Spike:
Spike attended public school, graduated and leaped into an extremely short-lived music career by entering Berklee College of Music in Boston. He thought he might be the next Jimi Hendrix.
Spike's First Job:
Like many young writers and comedians who do not realize they are destined to be writers and comedians, Spike became a bag boy at a local grocery store. Mind you, this was before college. But it was his first job.
His first TV job was with as a receptionist for Saturday Night Live in the 1980s. He'd been kicked out of Berklee for dropping light bulbs from his dorm room - great for Late Night with David Letterman - not so great for a college student.
The Early Years:
While working at SNL, Spike would pass jokes to Dennis Miller. No word on if he used them, but it seems probable, given that he was soon hired as a staff writer for Late Night. He stayed there for five years and earned five Emmy nominations.
Becoming a Talk Show Host:
Fox has struggled with a late night program that can compete with the Lettermans and Lenos of the world (let alone the Fergusons and Kimmels). Rather than go head to head with those shows, Fox has opted to start slow on Saturdays, when the only competition is Saturday Night Live, Spike's old stomping grounds.
They also decided to go with a relative unknown - but one with an impeccable comic pedigree. Enter Spike Feresten.
Key Moment in His Career:
Deciding to leave the comfort of late night talk show joke writing to instead join the writing staff of a fairly new comedy, Seinfeld. He was a staff writer for three season, becoming supervising producer in 1998. During his tenure, Feresten garnered an additional three Emmy nominations, including one for his infamous 'Soup Nazi' episode.
What Does the Future Hold?:
The sky's the limit, I suppose, if Talkshow does well. If it becomes a hit, expect it to eventually expand into late nights during the week (though, now in its second year, Fox programmers are sticking to the story that TalkShow will remain a weekend fling). If it fizzles - well, keep an eye out for whatever comedy program Spike decides to lend his talents.
And if his show is ever canceled, please, if you see him on the street, don't call out "No show for you!"
And Just for Fun:
- Also was a writer for The Simpsons and Space Ghost: Coast to Coast.
- Co-wrote the soon-to-be on DVD Bee Movie, which starred the voice of Jerry Seinfeld.
