Back in 1984, Saturday Night Live wasn’t just a television show—it was an event. I planned my Saturday nights around it. That cast was pure magic, but my favorite was always Billy Crystal.
Every character he created was hilarious, but none made me laugh harder than Fernando Lamas, the overly charming host of Fernando’s Hideaway. Picture a swanky 1960s lounge with tufted black leather booths where Fernando would interview celebrities. He’d shower his guests with compliments, barely listen to a word they said, and then flash that grin before delivering his unforgettable catchphrase:
“You look marvelous, dahling.”
It was ridiculous. It was brilliant. And to this day, when I need a good laugh, I still find myself watching those old clips on YouTube.
Tonight, though, Fernando unexpectedly made an appearance.
I found myself sitting in a director’s chair in front of about fifty people on the seventeenth floor of a New York City gallery with a microphone in my hand. My sister was hosting another Leadership Salon to celebrate her new book, and she had asked me to emcee the evening.
I was honored…and if I’m being truthful…a little jittery.
I reviewed the evening’s agenda, studied my conversation cues, and silently wondered if I could pull this off. Then I reminded myself that this wasn’t about me. It was about Kathy, her message, and the years of wisdom she had poured into helping people become better leaders.
And then, out of nowhere, Fernando showed up in my head.
Suddenly I wasn’t sitting in a director’s chair beside my sister. I was back in Fernando’s Hideaway, tucked into one of those famous black leather booths with my guest beside me. I looked over at Kathy and had to stop myself from blurting out, “Kathy…you look marvelous. Absolutely marvelous.”
Just like that, the nerves disappeared.
The conversation became exactly that—a conversation. I interviewed Kathy about why she wrote the book and how our dad influenced the leader she became. She later welcomed two fellow CEOs to discuss the human side of leadership in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The audience leaned in, asked thoughtful questions, and became part of the discussion. The entire evening simply flowed.
Afterward, I had the chance to meet so many wonderful people. Some were just beginning their careers. Others were preparing to close one chapter and head off to retirement in Florida. Different ages. Different professions. Different journeys. Yet every conversation was warm, genuine, and memorable.
Watching my sister share her heart and her experience with that room filled me with enormous pride. Her message isn’t just for corporate America. It’s for every organization, every team, every family, and every person who has the privilege of influencing someone else’s life.
And somewhere along the way, I realized Fernando had taught me something I never expected. Sometimes confidence doesn’t arrive because you’ve rehearsed enough or because the butterflies disappear. Sometimes it comes from finding one familiar thought that makes you smile, reminds you not to take yourself too seriously, and allows your authentic self to take over.
So thank you, Billy Crystal. Thank you, Fernando, for years of laughter…and for unknowingly sitting beside me in that director’s chair. You didn’t just make me laugh all those years ago.
You helped me remember that the very best hosts aren’t the ones with the perfect questions or the cleverest lines. They’re the ones who make someone else feel comfortable enough to tell their story.
And Kathy…
You looked marvelous, dahling. Absolutely marvelous.
******The image included in this 07/22/2026 blog was created with Chat GPT for entertainment purposes only.*****************
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