Hank Mendheim

As "Windy City Live" marks its 2,000th episode on WLS-Channel 7 today, there's a new boss in charge of the ABC-owned station's weekday talk and entertainment show.

Hank Mendheim, who's been a senior producer on the show since its launch in 2011, was named executive producer Thursday. He also appeared regularly as the show's resident pop-culture guru “Frankly Hank” — a role he now relinquishes.

Mendheim succeeds Matt Knutson, who was promoted in August to director of content innovation at ABC 7.

Windy City Live

“Hank has been a proven leader since the show’s beginning," John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7, said in a statement. "He is an exceptionally creative producer and we are excited he will continue ‘Windy City Live's’ success into the ninth season and beyond.”

Before joining ABC 7, Mendheim worked as a producer for NBC, "In The Loop with iVillage," "The Martha Stewart Show" and "The Jane Pauley Show." He also produced programming for A&E, Bravo, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Lifetime, Animal Planet, Sundance, Hallmark Channel, Oxygen, MSNBC, the Weather Channel and Towers Productions.

A native of New Orleans, Mendheim holds degrees from Roosevelt University and DePaul University.

“It’s been an incredible nine years working on a show that resonates so strongly with Chicagoans," Mendheim said of his new role. "Continuing to grow ‘Windy City Live’ alongside our talented hosts, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, and creative team of producers is a tremendous honor and opportunity.”

“Windy City Live” airs weekdays at 1 p.m. and repeats at 12:05 a.m.

Thursday's comment of the day: Julie Anne [DiCaro]: Harassment and revenge porn are both against the law. So lots of us care.