Chicago: setting down new roots

Jack Adler: Well, I've been told prior to coming to the United States that this is a land of opportunity. So I tested it, and I have accomplished many things that normally, the average individual would not think about doing. For instance, [PAUSES FOR 3 SECONDS] I was the only non-attorney appointed by the circuit court of Broward County, Florida, to act on receiverships, meaning, when a-- prior-- my specialty was hotels. When a property goes into bankruptcy, foreclosure, they appoint a receiver to take over the property until whatever legalities need to be resolved.

I also, when I had one of those hotels, I had a salesman from a local TV station call on me to advertise, because we had a club there, and rooms, and what have you. So I told him in a joking way. I said, I'll tell you what. I'll trade you. I don't want to buy any advertisement.

So they wanted a suite. I said, OK, I'll give you a suite. In return, I want my own television show. She said, are you kidding me? I said, no.

So he came back a few weeks later with his station manager, Mr. [? Jonas, ?] as matter of fact, was his name. He said, are, are, are you serious with my salesman here? I forgot his name. I told him, I said, of course.

So I showed him around. I had the bell-- one of the bellboys show him the different suites available. And he picked one. He says, I'll tell you what. If I can have this suite, you can have your own show. What kind of show do want?

I say, I, [LAUGHS] I say, I'd like to have a little talk show, you know, interview people, all kinds of people. Have you ever done anything like this? I said, no.

[LAUGHTER]

Can you do it? I says, I think so. I've watched enough television. I think I can do it.

So he gave me a half hour prime time Wednesday night, live. Sundays it was on tape. And I interviewed-- the name of the show was The Three of Us. I had two guests, two 15-minute segments, different guests. And I interviewed people, so drug addicts, rehab people, and Supreme Court justices. So I had fun.

So I always reached out for that challenge, to answer your question. I've done something that was challenging, and then I got tired of it, went to next step to something else.