Teresa Strasser

American writer and television personality (born 1970)

Daniel Wachinski
​
(m. 2007)​
WebsiteTeresaStrasser.com

Teresa Lynn Strasser (born June 8, 1970)[2] is an American writer and television personality known for hosting the first season of the home makeover show While You Were Out on TLC. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work that season. She later co-hosted The Adam Carolla Show. Strasser also won an Emmy for her work as a writer at Win Ben Stein's Money, a comedic game show on Comedy Central.[3]

She is the author of two memoirs, most recently, "Making It Home: Life Lessons From a Season of Little League," which was named one of the best books of 2023 by USA Today.[4][5]

Early life and education

Strasser grew up in San Francisco, with her mother. She was raised Jewish.[6] She attended The Brandeis School of San Francisco as well as Lick-Wilmerding High School on a low-income scholarships.[7] She went on to study journalism at New York University.[8]

Career

Early years

Strasser began writing for Win Ben Stein's Money in 1997, winning a Daytime Emmy Award, and had several small film roles and writing jobs, including a writing credit for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. She can also be seen playing a reporter in the cheerleading film, Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006).[9]

While You Were Out

In 2002, Strasser hosted fifty episodes of While You Were Out when former host Anna Bocci left the show. Strasser had previously served as a writer for the show. She did not consider herself handy, but she compensated with her dark sense of humor and empathy, as she cried after several renovations. Strasser left the show after one season.

The Adam Carolla Show and The Adam Carolla Podcast

Strasser replaced Rachel Perry on The Adam Carolla Show on May 8, 2006, as the news anchor for the radio program.[10] She had previously served as a fill-in before Perry officially left the show. In 2010, she left the show when taping was moved to nighttime, which caused a scheduling conflict.[11] She was replaced by "radio co-host and News Girl," Alison Rosen.[12]

Teresa's Ex-Files

A segment on the show in September 2006 focused on Strasser's past relationships. Her past boyfriends, such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! writer and The Sarah Silverman Program actor Steve Agee and a marketing executive named Brandon, discussed why their relationship failed. Normally, the skit is embarrassing for Strasser and her ex, such as when she claimed Agee cried after sex.[13][14] The segment debuted September 6, 2006 with writer Greg Lee, whom Strasser dated for eight months.[15] Strasser is also known to have dated former American Idol host Brian Dunkleman.

The Parent Experiment Podcast

From February to August 2010, Strasser and Lynette Carolla (wife of Adam Carolla) co-hosted a weekly hour long podcast on their parenting experiences. Strasser left the Parent Experiment due to other commitments, and was replaced by Susanna Brisk.[16]

Peter Tilden Show

On August 19, 2010, KABC announced that Strasser would be joining the Peter Tilden Show as Tilden's female co-anchor. Strasser began her work there on August 23, 2010.[17] On August 26, 2011 Teresa did her last show on KABC in order to focus on her TV, commercial voiceover and camera work.[18]

Easy Listening Podcast

In April 2019 Teresa started a podcast with Gina Grad to discuss other podcasts.[19]

Other television work

After leaving While You Were Out, Strasser hosted Lover's Lounge, a dating game show block on the Game Show Network in 2000 and 2001 with Helen Keaney. She was a feature story reporter for several episodes of Good Day New York in 2004, while also being the New York correspondent for both Good Day Live and On-Air With Ryan Seacrest. Strasser worked as a "love coach" along with Shop 'Til You Drop host JD Roberto on the 2006 ABC series How to Get the Guy until its cancellation.[20] In October 2006, she replaced Debra Wilson as the co-host of the TV Guide Channel show TV Watercooler. She frequently appears on VH1 and E!'s various "list" shows. She guest starred on Alicia Silverstone led dramedy, Miss Match. Strasser served a brief stint as a correspondent on the entertainment and gossip news show TMZ on TV which premiered in September 2007. She quit TMZ due to a time conflict with the Adam Carolla Show. In addition, she has covered the red carpet for the Emmy Awards and the Tony Awards, for E! and TV Guide Network, respectively. Teresa currently works as a host and reporter for the new Scripps Networks show The List. The program features pop culture topics, news and current issues, as well as celebrity news and events and what's going on around town. Currently co-host on The List, a TV pop culture information show.

Writing career

Strasser has worked regularly as a freelance columnist for The Los Angeles Times and The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, and won an award on June 24, 2006, for columnist of the year from the Los Angeles Press Club. Strasser is currently a regular contributor for the calendar section of The Los Angeles Times.[21] She also wrote a book titled, EXPLOITING MY BABY: Because It's Exploiting Me, which was published in January 2011.[22] In October 2011, ABC ordered a pilot, "Mother Teresa" to be written by Strasser based on her book, "Exploiting My Baby"[23]

In 2023, Strasser released her most recent memoir, "Making It Home: Life Lessons From a Season of Little League" which was published by Penguin Books. It covers a single season of Little League baseball she spent with her dad watching her oldest son play after her brother died of cancer at age 47. The book earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly,[24] and was endorsed by baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. who called it "wonderful." The memoir won Sports Book of the Year, and was chosen as one of the best books of the year by USA Today.[5][4] The book received excellent reviews from Good Housekeeping who called it "A perfect book,"[25] and The Arizona Republic.[26] Strasser appeared on Mike Rowe's podcast, The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe, and Rowe called the memoir "beautiful."[27]

Selected publications

  • Strasser, Teresa (January 4, 2011). Exploiting My Baby: Because It's Exploiting Me. National Geographic Books. ISBN 978-0-451-23207-6.
  • Strasser, Teresa (April 17, 2020). Eichenfeuer: Wesen des Waldes (in German). BoD – Books on Demand. ISBN 978-3-96733-070-0.
  • Strasser, Teresa (June 6, 2023). Making It Home: Life Lessons from a Season of Little League. New York: Penguin. ISBN 978-0-593-54608-6.

Awards and recognition

  • Emmy Award - Best Host "The List" (2015)
  • LA Times Bestseller, #8 Paperback Nonfiction for Exploiting My Baby[28]
  • Three Los Angeles Press Club Awards (2004 and 2005 for Columnist of the Year)
  • Emmy Nomination – writer (commentary) – Suncoast Chapter
  • Emmy Nomination – program host/moderator – Suncoast Chapter
  • Simon Rockower Awards for both Excellence in Feature Writing and Writing about Singles ("When Booty Calls")
  • Emmy Award, Outstanding Special Class Writing, "Win Ben Stein's Money"[3]
  • Daytime Emmy Nomination – Outstanding Special Class Series Host "While You Were Out" TLC (2003)

Personal life

Strasser married Daniel Wachinski, an IBM accountant, in a small ceremony at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 25, 2007.[29][30][31][32] The couple's first baby, a boy named Nathaniel "Buster" James,[33] was born on September 24, 2009.[34] Her second son, Andrew, was born in 2012. She currently lives in Phoenix where she hosts syndicated entertainment show, "The List," for which she won a 2015 Emmy Award for Best Host.

References

  1. ^ "Get to Know the Arizona Daily Mix Hosts". CW7 Arizona. April 2, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Teresa Strasser at IMDb
  3. ^ a b Lewin, Shoshana (June 9, 2006). "Former Bulletin writer goes national with TV show". The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California.
  4. ^ a b TODAY, USA. "What was the best book you read in 2023? Here are USA TODAY's favorites". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Oliver, David. "Her mother and brother died four months apart. This is how baseball got her through grief". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "Taking a Husband's Name, for Better or Worse".
  7. ^ The Adam Carolla Show, 15 – Apr 2008
  8. ^ Adam Carolla Show, November 7, 2008
  9. ^ "Buy Bring It On: All Or Nothing - Microsoft Store en-AU". Microsoft Store. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  10. ^ 8 May 2006 « The Official Adam Carolla Show Blog Archived November 19, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Teresa, Strasser. "The Adam Carolla Show: I'll Miss You Naming My V". Teresa Strasser. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  12. ^ The Adam Carolla Show: About Teresa Strasser Archived May 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Adam with Mike Birbiglia, Steve Agee, Brian Posehn, and Danny's Junk – February 21, 2007 « The Official Adam Carolla Show Blog Archived March 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ ADAM WITH RICH EISEN, DAVE'S MOM AND ADAM'S DAD « The Official Adam Carolla Show Blog Archived May 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ ADAM WITH PEREZ HILTON, WOLFGANG PUCK AND WILLIE NELSON « The Official Adam Carolla Show Blog Archived October 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Adam Carolla Show, September 1 2010 Archived September 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "TalkRadio 790 KABC-AM - Los Angeles". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  18. ^ "Wednesday, August 31, 2011". TALKERS.COM. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  19. ^ Maglio, Tony (June 6, 2019). "Gina Grad and Teresa Strasser on Why They Already Changed New Podcast's Name - and Platform". TheWrap. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  20. ^ "Breaking News - ABC Drops 'How to Get the Guy' with Two Weeks to Go - TheFutonCritic.com". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  21. ^ "Teresa Strasser". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "Publishers Marketplace: Log In". publishersmarketplace.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  23. ^ Nellie Andreeva (October 12, 2011). "'Memphis Beat' Creators Sell Drama To NBC, Jamie Tarses Sets Up Two More Comedies". Deadline. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  24. ^ "Making It Home: Life Lessons from a Season of Little League by Teresa Strasser". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  25. ^ "20 Best Books to Give Dad for Father's Day". Good Housekeeping. June 9, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Arizona Republic Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.azcentral.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  27. ^ Shari (October 4, 2023). "How to Get Cal Ripken Jr. with Teresa Strasser (Ep. 349)". Mike Rowe. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Awards". Teresa Strasser. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  29. ^ "Celebrity Pictures, Entertainment News Photo Galleries and Videos – WireImage". wireimage.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  30. ^ "GroomsOnline: Interview with Teresa Strasser". groomsonline.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  31. ^ Wedding photos from the photographer's blog Archived September 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ Clark County, Nevada marriage certificate number 20080624000465360
  33. ^ "The Adam Carolla Show - Nils Lofgren | Adam Carolla's Show". Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2010. Teresa Strasser and Nils Lofgren. The Adam Carolla Podcast, August 2, 2010
  34. ^ Teresa Strasser & Patton Oswald[permanent dead link] The Adam Carolla Podcast, September 19, 2009.

External links

  • Official website
  • Teresa Strasser Interview
  • Teresa Strasser at IMDb
  • Exploiting My Baby (blog October 2012)
  • Bacon, Caleb (January 28, 2009). "Meet Teresa Strasser: Co-Host, 'The Adam Carolla Show'". LAist. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009.
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