T.J. Miller moonlights as a sweaty, paranoid talk-show host

T.J. Miller is in a manic, easily distracted mood. His energy seems to be going in a thousand different directions simultaneously, none of them particularly useful. He’s sweaty, his eyes are disturbingly intense, and there’s copious white powder on his suit jacket. All this can only mean one thing: He’s having a great time hosting his own morning talk show, Talkin’ With T.J., on the Chicago Riverwalk. The Denver-born Silicon Valley star came up through the Chicago comedy scene while working as a personal secretary (a manly job, he insists) in the IBM building. Now, he gets to return to the city as a conquering hero, a TV and film star big enough to trust with his own chat fest. But he’s going to do this thing his way. That much is clear from the outset, when he clambers over the furniture and knocks over a a flimsy easel with his show’s logo on it. Miller’s guests during the chaotic 16-minute program include sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman and Windy City Live hosts Ryan Chiaverini and Val Warner. All prove remarkably good sports.