Mikey O'Connell

Photo credits: Anthony Mongiello Photography | Makeup: Kurumi Uchino | Hair: Anthony Pazos

The youngest of six children, Mikey did not have a lot of playmates his age growing up, so he befriended an "interactive" VHS of "Chutes and Ladders" that he somehow never managed to conquer, despite the fixed outcome. When he grew tired of losing, he changed the channel, discovering the faux-wood-framed box offered more than just educational puppets and patronizing board games. They fell in love.

A decade-long WB binge carried him through high school and on to college, by which time he was living in New York, pursuing a career in writing. He spent time at various magazines before settling into a gig as party reporter, taking the stray TV assignment when he could. Anxious once again, Mikey headed west, to Los Angeles, to find a life that could combine his passions for TV, writing and proximity to avocados. Ergo, Zap2it.

This worked out remarkably well. Its brought him closer to his favorite series -- "Friday Night Lights," "30 Rock," "Bones," "How I Met Your Mother" and "Mad Men," to name a few -- and even helped him get over his inherent distrust of "Dancing With the Stars." And though he's realized that California's consistent climate and affinity for embroidered jeans really aren't his style, it's a source of comfort for him to live nestled in the cultural womb responsible for his favorite medium.

He loves Coca-Cola, he hates your cat and if you ask him about his zombie contingency plan, he'll lie and prescribe a course of action that will surely lead to your doom.

Most embarrassing celebrity encounter: During an accidental meeting with Kylie Minogue my freshman year of college, she offered her hand to shake. I unconsciously reached for her left breast instead, aborting inches before contact.

Movie that makes me cry: "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Batteries Not Included" and pretty much anything else with Jessica Tandy.

Favorite TV comedy: An unarguable three-way tie between "Bored to Death," "30 Rock" and "How I Met Your Mother"

TV town I want to live in: Brooklyn, circa "The Cosby Show"

TV/Movie character I've dressed up as for Halloween: Coach Eric Taylor from "Friday Night Lights" and B-Rabbit (Eminem) from "8-Mile"

My first celebrity crush: Toni Braxton once meant the world to me.

My cellphone ringtone: The theme from "Dr. Horrible"