The Professor
Depending on who you ask, syndicated radio personality Tom Leykis is either a breath of fresh air or a foul defender of the male libido. An oracle of psychosocial truth or a sphincter of sexism. His "Leykis 101," an academic tutorial on "how to get guys laid," alternately provokes gratitude or outrage. His live national stage shows are invariably accompanied by the autographing of bared breasts and the arrival of the cops.
"This is a different type of talk radio. It's not dishwater. It's not political. It's also not 'shock radio,' which is very contrived or gratuitous," says Leykis. As opposed to other shows which lean heavily on sidekicks, in-studio guests and prerecorded gags, Leykis works virtually alone during his four-hour show, interacting with callers and moving at a pace faster than a hooker at a frat party.
"The Tom Leykis Show," syndicated from L.A. since 1994, has developed some trademark schticks as it has nurtured an audience. First there's "Flash Fridays," which has led female fans to "show" their appreciation for the program. "Strangely enough, it began as an homage to [radio raconteur] Jean Shepherd, who once asked people to flash their house lights to verify his late-night audience," says Leykis, who initiated Flash Fridays by asking listeners to turn on their headlights during the end-of-the-week program. And then came the displays, first on the road, then on-the-road. "During one of our stage shows there were ten arrests for nudity," he recalls. One stage-broadcast program took the form of a pub crawl: "By the time the cops got to one location, we'd moved!"
The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis
Tom Leykis knows men. He knows that somewhere between death and taxes, men need to have a little fun. And for the millions of men who believe the harder you work, the harder you play he created The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis.
The first of its kind, The Tasting Room is a lifestyle themed program for men with a taste for the finer things in life. From fine wine, high-end spirits, & craft brews to first-rate dining & premium cigars, Leykis covers it all in this weekly two-hour, on-air ride through every man's wish list.
Leykis has proven to be a huge ratings draw with churning discussions that keep Americans listening every day on The Tom Leykis Show. His opinions are thought provoking and his unconventional perspective on dating, relationships and politics have made him one of America's top radio personalities.
