Veteran broadcast journalist Eva Pilgrim takes over as host of syndicated newsmagazine series Inside Edition when it returns for its 38th season on Sept. 8.
Pilgrim takes over for Deborah Norville, who hosted Inside Edition for 30 years and has moved on to host the new game show The Perfect Line. Pilgrim is only the fourth host in the series’ long history.
ALSO SEE: Find out where and when to watch Inside Edition in your local area.
Pilgrim, who most recently was coanchor of ABC’s GMA3: What You Need to Know, says that Inside Edition‘s commitment to good storytelling is part of what makes the show timeless.
“I think good stories and telling them in interesting ways is always going to be something that people are into,” she says. “That’s never going to change. They’ve done that brilliantly. They always have.”
Get to know more about Pilgrim in this edition of our “5 Questions”:
1. Can you tell us about a strange or interesting fan encounter?
When I worked in Philly, the news van there is like more famous than any person. There’s like a whole promo that was like, “There goes that news van!” People are like loyal, avid viewers of the local news there. And there was a guy, every time he would come, he wasn’t there to see me. He would show up so I could take a photo with the news van. He would see that the news van was near his house. I always loved seeing him.
2. Can you tell us about a time you were starstruck?
I don’t know so much that I was starstruck, but I was at the Disney Upfront a couple years ago. We had to do the red carpet, and I’m insanely awkward and anxious. The red carpet thing is … I’m not good at it. I’m standing there trying to convince the PR guy that they don’t really want me on the red carpet. “Can I just sneak through? I’ll go to the other side. I’m going to take a bad picture. It’s not going to be worth it. Nobody wants this.” And standing behind me is Ross from Friends, David Schwimmer. And he was like, “Hey, if it makes you feel any better, you can walk with me. I’m always really awkward at these things, too.” What a true friend.
3. What’s a movie you can watch over and over again?
The Devil Wears Prada. I just like the clothes. It’s really that shallow.
4. What’s your favorite sports team?
The University of South Carolina, but I also went to the University of Florida, and I want to say that I cheer equally for both football teams.
5. What are some jobs you had before or outside of journalism?
I worked at Rack Room Shoes when I was in high school and college. I was the front desk girl at Florida at the Ramada Inn. I also worked at the Hampton Inn for a while, that was kind of a step up when I was in college. I worked at a mortgage company. That was my other job. I helped with some underwriting stuff, but I answered phones, mostly.