Manouse began his career in television with NBC Network News, then moved into radio with WLS and WLUW in Chicago, and then moved back to TV at HoustonPBS. Ernie has since worked his way through many aspects of talk shows, from screening calls on the call-in radio shows "Sex Talk" and "The Phyllis Levy Show" to hosting his own brand of chat and magazine programs. He can also be seen on PBS Stations across the country hosting numerous pledge and entertainment specials, including three of public television's most successful pledge events with financial guru Suze Orman.