First Posted: 5/6/2013

“I can’t believe you just got a text from Michael Lohan,” shouted my friend Melissa as she was driving us to a taping of “The Trisha Goddard Show.”

“Michael Lohan is my friend!” I informed her.

My friendship with Lindsay Lohan’s dad blossomed two years ago when I spent the day with him at his Hollywood apartment, where I listened to his life story as he chain-smoked a carton of Marlboro Reds. I learned that he’s actually a genuinely nice man who loves his family and only wants the best for them. In fact, I was so impressed with his efforts to help Lindsay that I presented him with a Father of the Year Award. Perez Hilton may have blogged that it was ridiculous, but I thought it was warranted.

Fast forward two years: Michael and I still keep in touch, exchanging the occasional text message or phone call.

When I saw him on “The Trisha Goddard Show,” the newest talk show from the producers of “Maury,” “Jerry Springer,” and “The Steve Wilkos Show,” revealing that he secretly fathered a child while he was still married to Lindsay’s mother, I, like all of his friends, was shocked! In an effort to find out who this Trisha lady that got Mike to reveal such a huge secret was, I invited her to have a tea party with me after the taping of her season finale.

THE WEEKENDER: For people who are not familiar with your show yet, what can they expect when they tune in?

TRISHA GODDARD: Something very different from other talk shows. I come with a background of 27 years of working in mental health, so I bring a professional view when it comes to conflict resolution.

W: This may be the first year of your show in America, but in England you had a show for over 12 years. In comparison, who has the juiciest drama? Americans or the British?

TG: It’s all the same! However, Americans, because of your amendment of free speech, are encouraged to talk more freely, where in England, they’re still getting over that stiff upper lip thing.

W: It was revealed on your show that my friend Michael Lohan secretly fathered a daughter while he was married to Dina. In your expert opinion, do you think he’s a good father?

TG: Wow! I think he’s as good as he can be…

W: Some of the guests on your show reveal some of the craziest experiences from their lives. I want to know one of your craziest stories that you’d apologize to your parents for!

TG: Sorry Mom and Dad for taking a job with an airline in the Middle East when the Middle East was at war. I didn’t even know where I was going until I was on the flight and looked at Bahrain on a map. And I was wearing camouflage pants. In a war zone!

-Check your local listings to watch “The Trisha Goddard Show.”