Jeff Rhinerson wants to be famous. The 40-year-old with Down Syndrome is making his dream come true by starting his own talk show called “Live with Jeff.”
Streamed on Facebook at 1 p.m. every Tuesday, Rhinerson invites local celebrities from around Owensboro to be his guests while they chat and he fires questions at them. The show only lasts 5 – 10 minutes, but Rhinerson said he has a laid-back personality and sense of humor that has made an impression with his viewers.
“I just wing it,” he said about his preparation before each show. “My job is to be entertaining to people. I love to meet people — all kinds.”
“Live with Jeff” has become such a local hit that community members are now asking Rhinerson if they can appear on the show.
Rhinerson has a long list of guests he wants to invite which includes Chamber of Commerce members, local executive directors and community leaders.
Amanda Boarman Owen, executive director at Puzzle Pieces, is Rhinerson’s bookkeeper and talent scheduler. She is also a recurring guest on the show.
Owen said Rhinerson is also passionate about being a leader in the community. In order to do that, he wanted to interview people in the community who held important positions and were leaders in their own right.
“I feel blessed with all the leadership we have in the community,” Rhinerson said. “I started the show because I love my community and want to be a leader and to inspire others and be positive. I am giving people with special needs awareness.”
He currently has 34 shows under his belt and shows no signs of stopping. In fact, he is already planning his 50th show, which will air on Feb. 26.
“I want Candance Brake or Mayor Tom Watson to be my special guest on the show,” Rhinerson said.
To help improve his skills as a talk show host, Rhinerson has received pointers from WBKR radio personalities Chad Benefield and Angel Welsh.
“I’m taking his spot,” he said of Benefield. “It’s gonna be the Jeff and Angel Show.”
Rhinerson tracks his viewing numbers on Facebook. His most-watched video was from November’s Rooster Booster, when he helped emcee the event.
“I am the talk of the town because I am doing this,” he said. “I want to inspire other people and stand up for people from all walks of life.”
