Michael Feldman

Michael Feldman is a renowned American radio host, comedian, and actor, best known for his work on National Public Radio (NPR) and his association with Public Radio International (PRI). He has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, collaborating with notable figures such as Garrison Keillor, Car Talk's Tom Magliozzi, and Click and Clack's Ray Magliozzi. Feldman's career has been marked by his unique blend of humor and intellectual curiosity, which has drawn comparisons to Woody Allen, George Carlin, and David Sedaris. His work has been featured on various platforms, including PBS, BBC Radio 4, and Comedy Central.

● Early Life and Education

Michael Feldman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family of Jewish descent. He developed an interest in comedy and radio at an early age, influenced by the works of Lenny Bruce, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles. Feldman attended University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied English literature and theater arts, and was exposed to the works of William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. During his time at university, he was involved with the University of Wisconsin–Madison's radio station, WSUM, and began to develop his skills as a radio host and comedian, drawing inspiration from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live.

● Career

Feldman's career in radio and comedy began in the 1980s, when he started working as a host and producer for National Public Radio (NPR). He collaborated with notable figures such as Nina Totenberg, Scott Simon, and Susan Stamberg, and developed a unique style that blended humor, storytelling, and intellectual curiosity, reminiscent of The New Yorker and The Atlantic. Feldman's work has been featured on various NPR programs, including All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition, and he has interviewed a wide range of guests, from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. He has also worked with Public Radio International (PRI) and has been a contributor to The Takeaway, a daily news program produced in collaboration with WNYC and The New York Times.

● Radio and Television Work

Feldman is perhaps best known for his work on the radio program Whad'Ya Know?, which he hosted from 1985 to 2016. The show, which was produced by Wisconsin Public Radio and distributed by National Public Radio (NPR), featured a unique blend of humor, trivia, and interviews, and became a staple of public radio programming, with guests such as David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon. Feldman has also appeared on various television programs, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and has worked with notable comedians such as Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, and Whoopi Goldberg. His radio and television work has been recognized with numerous awards, including several Peabody Awards and Emmy Awards, and he has been nominated for Grammy Awards and Tony Awards.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Feldman has received numerous awards and accolades for his work in radio and comedy. He has been recognized with multiple Peabody Awards for his work on Whad'Ya Know? and has received several Emmy Awards for his appearances on television programs such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Feldman has also been nominated for Grammy Awards and Tony Awards for his work in radio and theater, and has been recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio and Television Digital News Association. His work has been praised by critics and audiences alike, with comparisons to Mark Twain, George S. Kaufman, and Dorothy Parker.

● Personal Life

Feldman is married to Texas-born writer and editor, Anne Strainchamps, and the couple has two children together. He is an avid reader and enjoys listening to jazz music and classical music, with a particular fondness for the works of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Leonard Bernstein. Feldman is also a fan of baseball and football, and has been known to incorporate sports-themed humor into his comedy routines, often referencing Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers games. He has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Coalition Against Censorship, and has been recognized for his contributions to the arts and entertainment communities, with honors from institutions such as Yale University and Harvard University.