Fil-Am TV producer wins second Emmy

Producer Marc Anthony Nicolas with Tyra Banks. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES — Marc Anthony Nicolas, a Filipino American producer for “The Talk” on CBS recently received his second Emmy Award this year.

“The Talk” won the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Talk Show” in entertainment.  The popular talk show won over “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Kelly and Ryan,” “The Real,” and “The View.” Marc is the only Filipino in the show’s producing team.

Born in Manila to Teresita Rodrigo Nicolas from Pasig and Marianito Nicolas from Sampaloc, he and his family came to the U.S with his family with big dreams.  One of his first jobs was being a waiter at Olive Garden in Cerritos, California. asked.

“The Talk” team celebrating its Emmy win. CONTRIBUTED

“Being a waiter was hard.  I would work endless hours trying to make ends meet to support myself through college,” he recalls.  At times, I would work double shifts (morning and night) to make extra cash.  At time, I would only get $20 in tips. But I knew, my heart was becoming a television producer.”

Before becoming a two-time Emmy Award producer, he started his career as a TV production assistant.

Marc Anthony Nicolas with actress Viveca A. Fox. CONTRIBUTED

“I have so much respect for the production assistants because I was once in their shoes.  I worked 12 hour days and got paid a measly $4.25 an hour.  I drove the producers to set locations, delivered their lunch, mopped the floors but I knew my dream to become a producer was going to happen.  And it did!  I was hired at MTV thereafter as a casting assistant and slowly moved my way up to a Casting Producer.”

“The Tyra Banks Show called me and heard about my casting/booking skills and set up an appointment to meet with the executives.  God was watching over me and my dreams… I was hired and moved from LA to NY to pursue my career in the talk show world.  It was the best days of my life.   Sadly, the talk show ended after five years.  With “The Tyra Banks Show” under his belt and on his resume, he was quickly hired as a producer on “The Talk” and has been with them for eight seasons.”

Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood and Eve host “The Talk” which airs weekdays at 2 p.m. EST and 1 p.m. PST on CBS.  The hosts discuss current events, pop culture, celebrity and trending topics.