Kind Words from Repeat Clients

Todd Milliner

Co-Founder, Hazy Mills Productions

I have that uncommon resume that started with several corporate jobs before I ventured into this unique and often stressful world of entertainment. Now, as a 25-year veteran of TV and film, I probably know about as much as I did when I started. Which is to say, I don’t quite know what makes a hit TV show. I’ve had some. I’ve had a lot of others.

One thing I do know is that a successful sitcom taping requires a whole lot of synergy — from writing to directing to acting. And, maybe most important, our audience. And every audience is different.

Managing that audience is almost like being the conductor of a symphony. And there is no better conductor than Michael Burger.

I should know. I’ve hired him about a dozen times. And when I haven’t — because he was otherwise booked — my symphony was out of tune. And you see it in the performance, and you see it on your television.

I’ve never met someone who was so agile, so professional, and so prepared — so funny. I’ve never met or worked with anyone who is as flexible and relatable as Michael. So much so that I’ve asked him to do so much more than audience work. I’ve developed shows with him, I’ve asked him to emcee countless events — I’ve sat at a bar with him seeking his advice on more than one occasion.

You might look at his resume and think you know him. It’s truly only half the picture. Every time you work with him, he will exceed your expectations as part of the team. Every time you interact with him in any capacity, he will exceed your expectations as a human. I think we all value that kind of influence in our lives.

Paul Gilbert

Senior Vice President, International Formats, Paramount Global Content Distribution

"I took a risk hiring Michael — his experience was built on making audiences laugh on cruise ships. But he nailed it. Every single time. He had a knack for reading the room — if the crowd was sluggish, he'd crank up the energy like a human Red Bull. If they were already buzzing, he'd ride the wave and push them higher. He had a way of making every audience feel like they were at the best party in town, even when they were sitting on folding chairs under hot studio lights waiting for a camera reset. He learned how to keep things fresh, how to pivot when necessary, and most importantly, how to keep an audience hooked. Michael was and is one of the best surprises yet."

Robert Heath

Co-Executive Producer, Hot in Cleveland

"In my 35 years in the business, I have produced more than 450 sitcom episodes. Every show night, you have two events happening — the scripted one on stage and the unwritten one in the audience. You must choose the right person to host the audience. It is as important as having the right cast on stage. Many stand-up comedians have tried to fill that job, and most end up crashing and burning. I discovered, after working with lots of warm-up hosts, that there is no one better at delivering a magical evening than Michael Burger. Michael Burger checks all the boxes. There is no one better."

"Michael Burger is the perfect host, at once suave and glib. He is funny, personable, and moves the show along at a brisk pace. He knows how to work contestants and when to lay off and let them be the stars."

— David J. Spatz, USA Today

 "Michael Burger is a real treat for our leaders. His practical content, coupled with appropriate humor, resonates. I've used him twice as a keynote, and survey results say he was a home run. Also, a genuine pleasure to work with."

— Christine Baron, Senior Vice President, Verizon

"Michael's delivery was done in an equally provocative and hilarious manner. He had our staff in the palm of his hand from start to finish. Michael took the time to learn about our organization and discuss with us the issues that needed to be addressed."

— Robert Coleman, Farm Credit Administration

"Michael graciously met with our staff several times prior to our event. He tailored his presentation to our attendees and provided real-life examples they could immediately take back to their businesses. Michael brought the perfect recipe of humor and knowledge that held the audience captive for the entire presentation."

— Christine Haerich, Vice President of Member Services, PACE

"What a keynote! Funny. Content-rich. Dealership specific. You clearly did your homework for us, including going on location and shooting a behind-the-scenes look at online dealership trends. I would heartily recommend you to every other dealer association. You're going to be a tough act to follow next year."

— Bruce Knudsen, Executive Vice President, MTADA