Carlton Logsdon never imagined that he would appear on a nationally syndicated television show, let alone get the chance to meet a man whom he admires for the hope he gives to his fans.

But when producers of “The Steve Wilkos Show” called Logsdon on April 6 – his birthday – asking him to fly out two days later for the taping of an episode, Logsdon said he was shocked.

The 24-year-old Bangor man had entered a contest on the show’s Web site and was selected for his answer as to why he wanted to be like Wilkos.

“I thought my chances were slim to none, more or less on the none side,” Logsdon said. “The next thing I know I’m getting a phone call from the producers asking me if I can fly out Tuesday.”

Logsdon and his mom are huge fans of the show, which is hosted by 44-year-old Steve Wilkos – the famed bald security guard from “The Jerry Springer Show.”

On a whim, Logsdon entered a contest to appear on the show that is set to air the week before Father’s Day and have his head shaved like Wilkos’ using HeadBlade shaving products.

HeadBlade is a major sponsor of “The Steve Wilkos Show” and the company’s products are used by several bald celebrities, including “Deal or No Deal” host Howie Mandel, UFC fighters Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardinel, and motorcycle racer Tim Hall.

“I’ve been shaving my head for years off and on, so it wasn’t a first-time thing for me,” Logsdon said.

But he wanted a chance to thank Wilkos for being an inspiration. Logsdon said that, like Wilkos, he was picked on by neighborhood children when he was growing up.

“I told them I was beat up as a kid from the neighborhood kids, and I wanted to thank [Wilkos] for the stuff he does helping people,” Logsdon said.

Wilkos isn’t afraid to share stories about being picked on all the time because at 14 years old he was a 6-foot tall, 130-pound “beanpole.

“I started weightlifting and making myself bigger and stronger and I stood up for myself,” Wilkos said.

Using that experience, plus his time as a U.S. Marine and Chicago police officer, Wilkos said he easily relates to the people who come on his show.

“I think it’s because I’m just a regular guy, I’m not some television personality,” Wilkos said. “I’m kind of the guy next door.”

On each episode, Wilkos says he responds to the problems of his guests as he would respond to a 911 emergency call.

But the most important experience he can share with viewers is as a father of two.

“I wouldn’t be able to do the show without being a father,” Wilkos said. “I think I have much more empathy and compassion for people. I really didn’t understand the true meaning about caring for another human being until I had my children.”

It’s that compassion, and sometimes tough love, that Wilkos uses on the guests that come to him with issues from domestic violence and drug abuse to teen pregnancy and bullying.

“He’s a really nice guy – kind of intimidating,” Lodsgon said of Wilkos. “He can be a hardass when it wants to be and also a nice guy. He’s like a giant teddy bear if you want to put it that way.”

Logdson described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From the time he arrived the producers “handed us everything that we wanted pretty much.”

“They treated us like non-celebrity celebrities,” Logsdon said. “That’s the only way I can put it.”

He brought back a few T-shirts, some HeadBlade products and an autographed picture of Wilkos.

“It was pretty cool,” Logsdon said. “They brought us around the whole studio.”

Logsdon was able to sit in Judge Greg Mathis’ chair and have his picture taken, he went to the ESPN Zone restaurant for dinner, and learned how “The Jerry Springer Show” set was transformed into the set for “The Steve Wilkos Show,” which tapes three days a week.

Wilkos said he works much harder now that he has his own show – something he never anticipated happening.

“With ‘Springer,’ it was his show and I was along for the ride,” Wilkos said. “When it’s your name on it, you really want to make sure it doesn’t fail.”

He never imagined he would go from being a Marine to a Chicago police officer to a television celebrity.

“I was going to be my father,” Wilkos said. His dad served in the Korean War and was a police officer in the windy city.

“It’s really positive to hear that you are an inspiration to somebody,” Wilkos said. “[I] didn’t set out to do that. It’s nice to have a positive effect on somebody.”

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