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In June of 2015, amid the grit and grime of the New York City subway system, one man wanted to bring some fun and compassion to harried commuters.
This man, Thomas Knox, 28, decided to set up a small table and chairs and invite random strangers to sit down for a chat or a game while they waited for their train.
Knox called it "Date While You Wait," but finding a date was not his objective. "I am not looking for love through this particular venue; I just wanted a simple way for people to have a positive social interaction outside of traditional media.
People need to communicate more face to face." Knox says.
The setup also included a flower in a soda bottle. "It brings beauty and nature into what is a normally dark, dreary space," says Knox.
The location for the project always remained a secret until Knox sent out which subway station he'll be set up at using Instagram and Facebook. Guests are then invited to share their experience using the hashtag #datewhileyouwait.
"I wanted to have a conversation. I just wanted people to talk to me; I wanted them to tell me a little bit about themselves, tell me how their day went; I feel like I've had some amazing connections, one on one." Knox says.
Within a few months of his little experiment, "Date While You Wait" exploded on social media and then onto the mainstream media. Every news outlet in the world was reaching out to Thomas, including the New York Times, CBS, BBC, NBC, NPR, Timeout Magazine, The Philadelphia Enquirer, and everything in between.
He was then hired to travel around the world speaking to kids and spreading his "Don't be afraid to try new things" mantra. He also sells a unique line of bow ties that continue to preach his gospel. They say things like "BE GREAT" and "YOU CAN DO IT."
Now, with all his success, Thomas will get a bigger soapbox in which to speak and be seen. Knox has signed with the Emmy-Award winning production company, David Harris Katz Entertainment. Together they will allow viewers to peer into Knox's conversations and listen to the intimate details that made Knox New York's underground therapist. A full season is now available for licensing.
"I am not looking for love through this
particular venue, I just wanted a simple way for people to have a positive social interaction outside of traditional social media, people need to communicate more face to face."
S1 E1 "You Can Change the World" with commercial breaks. (Available without commercial breaks)
PRESS
RELEASE
Nicoleta Papavasilakis, Director of Press, Publicity & Marketing
David Harris Katz Entertainment, Inc.
855-KATZ-777
917-921-4125
New York, N.Y. - An Emmy® Award winning new series and a love letter to New York City shot during the pandemic now available worldwide.
In June 2015, Thomas C. Knox brought his social experiment “Date While You Wait” to New York City’s fast-paced subway system. With a modest set up of a table and two chairs, Knox would invite strangers to sit down and chat or play a game. He wanted to transform people’s monotonous, daily commutes into uplifting experiences. Knox spent the next five years in various subway stations, making people’s days and changing lives through “Date While You Wait.”
The objective of “Date While You Wait” is not romantic. Instead, Knox’s mission is to create human connections through simple conversation. "I am not looking for love through this venue; I just wanted a simple way for people to connect away from their phones, computers, and social media. People need this now more than ever,” Knox says.
People quickly fell in love with Knox's positive message. Within a few months, “Date While You Wait” caught the attention of major news outlets who wanted to share Knox’s story. Notably, “Date While You Wait” was covered by the New York Times, BBC, CBS, NBC, NPR, China Global Television, Huffington Post, Timeout Magazine, The Philadelphia Enquirer, and more!
Now, “Date While You Wait“ moves from the subway to the TV screen. This powerful social project has been made into a 13-episode series, produced by the Emmy award-winning production company David Harris Katz Entertainment, Inc.
The series could not have come at a better time. With the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing precautions, positive human interaction is needed now more than ever. In fact, “BuzzFeed” listed “Date While You Wait” as one of the “33 Incredibly New York Things That Have Happened During the Pandemic That Show How New Yorkers Feel About the Coronavirus.”
“Date While You Wait” has expanded well beyond Knox’s original concept. Along with strangers, he chats with remarkable individuals, such as the world-famous Coney Island Sideshow director. Additionally, Knox ventures outside of the subway and visits the owners of legendary NYC landmarks, including McSorley’s Old Ale House, Ferrara Bakery & Café, New York Comedy Club, and more! “Date While You Wait” captures the essence of NYC and all of the people who make it one of a kind.
“Date While You Wait” has already been recognized for its groundbreaking work. The series has garnered a total of two Emmy® nominations and won one Emmy® Award, plus it has won 13 other prestigious Platinum and Gold awards.
Thirteen episodes of “Date While you Wait” are now available across multiple networks and streaming platforms.
If you would like to do a story on Thomas C. Knox and the series, please contact us at contact@dhkatz.com.
For more information and distribution inquiries, please visit www.datewhileyouwait.tv or send an email to contact@dhkatz.com.
About David Harris Katz Entertainment, Inc.: David Harris Katz Entertainment is an Emmy award-winning company with dozens of other awards to their credit. Executive Producer David Harris Katz has worked for NBC, CBS, ABC, King World, Tribune, Telepictures, Cablevision, and more. One of David's recent projects is an award-winning 13-episode series called “Wow, I Never Knew That!” It is currently seen worldwide in English and Spanish on networks, local stations, and streaming platforms. For more, please visit https://www.dhkatz.com