TALIA PARKINSON-JONES
Executive Producer, Today With Jenna & Friends
Talia, how did you get started in TV?
I went to Syracuse University and studied TV, radio, and film at theNewhouse School. My first job was at Brooklyn Community Access Television, and I started at the bottom of the bottom, and worked my way up. I’ve done everything from casting to producing reality shows, but I fell in love with daytime TV about 20 years ago and have been in daytime ever since.
You joined the Today show in 2021. How has Jenna & Friends evolved?
When I started with Hoda Kotb, we grounded ourselves in what the show is about, which is friendship, and I think that has evolved so much with Jenna& Friends. The show still has the same roots in friendship, inspiration, and fun.
When will you pick a new co-host?
Right now, we’re still enjoying the search.We don’t have a timeline, but hopefully sooner than later.
What’s the secret to creating content that resonates with the viewer now?
Authenticity. We encourage our guest co-hosts and Jenna [Bush Hager] to be themselves and talk about things that matter to them.
How has the media landscape evolved during the past several years of taking over the show?
With social media and different streaming platforms, it’s important that we’re a live TV show. We’re able to react to what’s going on in the world and what’s going on socially.
What moment have you been most proud of in your career?
To be a part of a TV legend’s [Hoda Kotb] departure from the show has been the most gratifying. The biggest highlight so far has been launching something new with Jenn.
JOY BEHAR
Co-host,The View, and playwright,My First Ex-Husband
You’ve witnessed seismic shifts in TV, comedy, and political discourse over the decades. What’s the biggest change in media that surprises you today?
Social media has made live performance too public. Between cancel culture and the fact that everyone in the audience has a phone makes it harder to take chances with material for fear that you might end up on Facebook or Instagram.
What’s something the audience would be surprised to know about what really happens behind the scenes at The View?
There’s a meeting every morning where the panel, plus the executive producer, producers, and others bat around possible topics to cover. These meetings are often lively but seem to end peacefully!
What advice would you give young women who want to build a long-lasting career like yours?
Find something you’re good at and stick with it. Don’t ignore the encouraging signs along the way, and pay no attention to the obstacles, which are there to challenge your resolve. If you’re good at something, it will pay off in the end.
What do you watch, read, or listen to when you want to stay informed or entertained? Any guilty pleasures?
I read The New York Times and The Washington Post in the morning. I watch cable news, and I check Twitter. My guilty pleasure is watching British detective stories and anything related to WW II. You’re bringing the play you wrote, MyFirst Ex-Husband, to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on August 2. Tell us what fans can expect. True stories from women who couldn’t wait to tell me how their first marriages tanked. It’s funny. It has pathos. It’s real, just like marriage.
What does the Hamptons mean to you?
I like the Hamptons because it combines suburban lifestyle with sophistication. I have not been interested in the beach, but the theaters and restaurants turn me on.
Any personal or professional goals that are still on your bucket list?
Now that I’ve been writing plays, I would like to continue with that, but I can see myself going back to visual arts. The Hamptons is a great place to try out your artistic inclinations.
KIM MURSTEIN+ GAIL RUDNICK
Co-hosts, “Excuse My Grandma” podcast
How has the dynamic between you shifted since launching the podcast?
Now that we’re five years in, we know exactly what our brand is and who it’s for. Personally, we’re closer than ever—with a little more bickering, naturally. Creatively, it’s evolved from just sharing our conversations to fostering a community.
Looking back at your earliest episodes or posts, what feels most different now?
In the beginning, we were figuring out our voice. Now, we know what our audience loves and that gives us the freedom to experiment more and keep it fresh without losing what makes it us.
Has your perspective on generational differences evolved as a result of building this platform together?
Absolutely. We started out thinking the gap was huge—and sometimes it still is—but now I see more overlap than I expected. So many so-called “modern” dating issues are just repeats of what Grandma lived through in a different era.
How have the fans reacted to finally seeing Poppy?
They’re obsessed! People love when he makes a rare cameo. It’s like catching a glimpse of a celebrity.
How do you keep the content fresh while staying true to the brand?
We stick to our core theme—two generations debating life and love—but we evolve how we deliver it. We bring incurrent trends, pop culture, or guests to spice it up, but the heart is always our banter and Grandma’s no-filter wisdom.
Has being part of the Hamptons community influenced the direction of your brand or audience engagement?
Definitely. So much of “Excuse MyGrandma” is tied to family, nostalgia, and summer stories, and being in theHamptons brings that to life.Where do you see the podcast evolving next, whether it’s platform, message, or personal focus?We’d love to expand beyond podcast and social—maybe a book, a live show, or even a TV version. The goal is to keep bridging generations and make people laugh, no matter the format. Personally, I want to share more of my own take on modern relationships, too, alongside Grandma’s classics.
BILL HEMMER
Co-anchor,America’s Newsroom
Bill, you’re approaching 20 years at Fox News. How does it feel?
It has been a ride! Honestly, I can’t imagine how 20 years can move that quickly.
What has been a favorite memory from your 20 years at the network?
We went on air the night before Hurricane Katrina rolled into the Gulf Coast [August2005] and we haven’t stopped since.
As an Ohio native, what initially drew you to the Hamptons?
My first trip East was Memorial Weekend 2003. I enjoyed the chill kind of vibe over by Big Fresh Pond in Southampton. I went to dinner that night at the old Coast Grill on Noyac Road. I was hooked.
How long have you been in Sag Harbor?
Since 2005. Right before the crash.Timing was questionable, but the ultimate decision was not.
Why is Sag Harbor the perfect place to unwind from the nonstop news cycle?
I think most of us who work in New York City need time to recharge away from the concrete and steel. Then come back into town recharged and ready.
Bill, you’re approaching 20 years at Fox News. How does it feel?
It has been a ride! Honestly, I can’t imagine how 20 years can move that quickly.
What has been a favorite memory from your 20 years at the network?
We went on air the night before Hurricane Katrina rolled into the Gulf Coast [August2005] and we haven’t stopped since.
As an Ohio native, what initially drew you to the Hamptons?
My first trip East was Memorial Weekend 2003. I enjoyed the chill kind of vibe over by Big Fresh Pond in Southampton. I went to dinner that night at the old Coast Grill on Noyac Road. I was hooked.
How long have you been in Sag Harbor?
Since 2005. Right before the crash.Timing was questionable, but the ultimate decision was not.
Why is Sag Harbor the perfect place to unwind from the nonstop news cycle?
I think most of us who work in New York City need time to recharge away from the concrete and steel. Then come back into town recharged and ready.
Do people recognize you around town?
It’s good to know we have a lot of viewers!
What does your typical day in the Hamptons look like?
I like Jack’s Coffee in Sag Harbor, The Corner Bar for a local hang, and Th eAmerican Hotel for anything—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But I especially enjoy my backyard for an afternoon hang.
Where do you like to hang out at night?
The American Hotel has always been a favorite. I strongly recommend Chris Coyne’s “Peeko” Oysters.
Do you ever run into your colleagues out here, or do you keep your media and Hamptons worlds separate?
There’s a number of colleagues who feel the same about Sag Harbor. When it’s convenient for them—and their family—we will always find the time to catch up.
What’s the last great book you read?
I’m in the middle of Keith McNally’s book, I Regret Almost Everything. He’s had a great ride, too!
Tell us one random fun fact about you.
I still love to see new places. I believe it’s been about 75 countries and counting. I’m losing track
