So our delicious salads came—a chicken curry for him, mine had spinach, avocado and bacon—and in between leafy green bites, we visited some more.

I learned that before his TV career, Jerome was a radio DJ for 10 years on pop music stations, starting at WCIL-FM in Carbondale, Illinois where he was the market’s top rated radio personality. Pop is not his thing. He prefers alternative rock and standards like those loveable gems from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. It was during this portion of the discussion that it became clear that hearing “Red Red Wine” by UB40 or Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” would likely make Jerome’s ears bleed.

“But it’s a great song,” he says in defense of the latter, perhaps realizing that his opinion on the matter is a bit snarky and that it could be alienating to others.  I sense this because I can be the same way. Did I mention we are both Capricorns?

Back to why I’m wearing a smile to lunch (along with black jeans, a black and gold blouse, a gold branch necklace given to me by designer Dolly Donshey, gold shades, rad shoes and an arrowhead ring): It’s because Jerome is funny. And entertaining.  

I almost always see Jerome in his zone—on set at Studio 10. He hosts the show alongside, Co-host and Producer Holley Sinn (who I’ve made no secret of thinking is one of the most fab gals in town) with super cool Executive Producer Mark Thorn and a team of good people.

Jerome’s style, which combines engaged interaction, humor and an element of surprise makes for entertaining television. Viewers are often treated to revelations of random knowledge he seems to have stored up, leading many to wonder, “what will he say next?”

It’s fun watching Holley navigate Jerome’s terrain, with her own keen sense of humor, intelligence and effortless wit.

“She is a genuinely good person,” Jerome insists of Holley in his list of the best things about her. “And she’s very good at what she does." 

What he doesn’t like about his professional existence is, “Having to wear makeup. Other than that, I have no complaints.”

“Everyone’s got a great story to tell,” Jerome says. “And nothing is more entertaining than the truth.” He was describing the special occurrence when a story unfolds organically in the moment. Like when he got Jane Seymour to shed light on air about a time she and Christopher Reeve stole a plane and flew around together.

On the topic of romance, Jerome first discovered Mad Dogs and Englishmen while traversing MacDill Boulevard with the love of his life, wife Wendy Ryan (the cute-as-a-button ABC Action News Anchor). “She is a dream,” Jerome says. 

He recalls that they thought it looked great so they popped in one afternoon. “We sat outside. Love their burgers.” His idea of a great date night with Wendy involves a jazz club with some good wine for her and a great martini for him.

So that was filling.