Under the glare of the lights, just before filming, Ricardo Karam, TV host and producer, would ease into his chair, smiling his support at his guest.  The object of his attention is being reassured and allowed to relax.

Armed with the results of detailed research and in-depth investigations, he would now bring his unique personal insight to bear.  Sharp, consummate and right on top of the situation, Ricardo would field weighty questions delving into what lay behind the public persona.

Fans captivated to his shows appreciate the method in which he relates to personalities.  Ricardo could be intimate yet know when to remain aloof, when to guide on gently or turn incisive and hit hard on a point.

More than often it was a search for chemistry between host and guest, a fascinating formula somehow reflecting back to the science labs where he had initially forged his way.  For Ricardo is a chemical engineer and has an MBA.

Perhaps the reasons for a career switch into television could be traced back to time spent as an apprentice in the heyday of the pioneering Lebanese radio station Magic 102.  Perhaps it was more but Ricardo decided to follow his call and establish his credentials.

An appetite and persistence for hard work, full dedication and total discipline, were the mix of elements necessary to take the brave leap forward, in this case away from the sciences and into the media, and then to fuel the desire to keep discovering new frontiers.

Now a talk show host, an author, a writer and innovative media figure, Ricardo adapted his own show concepts early in a pre-satellite era, in the absence of quality talk shows on local stations. 

He provided an arena where political leaders and entertainers, corporate decision makers and entrepreneurs, hugely successful low profile personalities would be invited to have their say.