Bergen Community Professor Surprised On Hidden Camera TV Show

PARAMUS, NJ – When a retiring Bergen Community College communications professor went out for breakfast at a local diner in honor of her last day on the job, she didn’t expect to wind on a hidden camera reality show.

While Professor Elin Schikler and her colleague, Andy Krikun, were at the Tom Sawyer Diner,they witnessed a hearing-impaired customer that was being treated unfairly and verbally abused by a waiter, so she decided to intervene.

It turns out they were on ABC’s “What Would You Do?” a show that springs ethical dilemmas on unknowing guests and seeks to capture moments of humanity.

In Schikler’s case, she spoke to a restaurant manager about the waiter’s behavior. When the server came back to Schikler’s table to ask why she involved his boss, she said, “It is not in my nature to let something like that go … never has been and never will be. What was going through my mind was a combination of anger and disbelief. The waiter’s words, tone of voice and demeanor went beyond disrespect. He was cruel. That, above all else was a definite no-no.”

“I encourage people to choose the right thing when you can or you see someone being mistreated,” Schikler, who overcame a juvenile learning disability to become an educator, said.

Schikler and Krikun, were in for a surprise when a camera crew, along with actors and the show’s host John Quiñones emerged from behind the scenes.

“I am not an avid TV watcher, so I had no idea this show existed,” Krikun, who teaches music, said. “It was an incredible coincidence that this event happened on the same day that we were celebrating Elin’s retirement. She had just finished her last day on campus. But during this difficult circumstance, she handled herself with the same poise and determination that made her such a dynamic educator.”

“What a way to go,” said Schikler, who was a professor at Bergen for 29 years. “My last day at Bergen, breakfast with a friend and being a reality ‘star’ for a few minutes. Being on the show was an amazing experience, even more so when I realized it was a set-up. The calls and texts I got from friends, family and people I had not seen or spoken to in years was heart-warming. Their agreement and support for what I said reminded me that there are many good, sensitive people around.”

To watch the “What Would You Do?” episode featuring the Bergen professors, visit here: https://youtu.be/1wiuwkRtZVk?t=144.