PCH Considering his first guest was a volley ball, John Kerwin has come a long way the last six years in his quest to become a legend in late night, even if guests for his 52nd show taped last week at Santa Monica’s Time Warner studios consisted of B-listers Eric Roberts, estranged brother of Julia Roberts, and Nikki Ziering, a former “Price is Right” model.
“We’re a very humble show, but we have big dreams and we want it to be successful,” said Kerwin, who has the jovial, neighborly look of a Jay Leno and the self-deprecating humor of Conan O ’Brien. “We have a very low budget and we make do with what we have, (which is) a 30-person team of soldiers who work for free and are very dedicated. It’s a great mix of people from those just starting out in the business, and those who are very accomplished.”
To prove how low-budget his cable-access show is, Kerwin, who lives in a studio apartment in Mar Vista that serves as storage for his set, reached around to the back of his neck and pulled out a price tag from The GAP that was still attached to his sport coat. Just like the $160 ties he wears on his shows, the jacket will be returned in a few days to make room for a new outfit.
“GAP has a great return policy,” Kerwin, who works in Santa Monica, said with a grin, seemingly proud of the fact that he is making his dream a reality, even if that means sacrificing his social life in the process. “The show pretty much takes up most of my life. Whatever free time I have, I am devoting it to writing for the next show.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 2, 2007. Read the original PDF.