Broadcasters Won’t Go Easy In Self-Critique
The local broadcast media, not usually prone to introspection, will conduct a public self-examination session this week.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., KSPS-7 will air a live call-in program entitled “Quality TV News: Can Real Journalists Work in Local TV News?” The news directors of all three Spokane stations will be on the panel, as will some familiar TV faces who have recently opted out of the business.
This promises not to be a softball-lobbing contest. Hugh Imhof, organizer and moderator of the show and a former TV reporter himself, said that the following issues will be on the table:
Is there less emphasis on journalism and more on sensationalism?
Is in-depth coverage dead?
Is there too much fluff?
Do reporters have to satisfy the wishes of producers who have little perspective on the community?
Panel members include Ron Comings, news director of KREM-2; Patricia McRae, news director of KHQ-6; Robin Briley, news director of KXLY-4; Tom McArthur, former reporter with KXLY and KREM; Karen Kelly, former anchor at KXLY; and Glen Johnson, professor at the Washington State University School of Communications.
The studio audience will be filled with journalists and community leaders who will also participate in the discussion.
This show is co-sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists. Tune in for what should be a provocative hour.
Weaver miniseries
The two-part CBS miniseries about Randy Weaver is presently filming in the hills outside of Chico, Calif., and we have another casting announcement to make:
Joe Don Baker will play Gerry Spence, Weaver’s swashbuckling cowboy lawyer.
This should be an excellent casting choice. Baker is the guy who played Buford Pusser in “Walking Tall” and has gone on to roles in “Fletch,” “The Natural” and “Cape Fear.” Most recently he was Jack Wade, James Bond’s cynical CIA sidekick in “GoldenEye.”
The miniseries also stars Randy Quaid as Randy Weaver, Laura Dern as Vicki Weaver, and Diane Ladd as Vicki’s mother.
Spokane author Jess Walter, who wrote “Every Knee Shall Bow,” on which the miniseries is based, visited the film site two weeks ago. He was impressed by the production’s attention to detail: He said it was “eerie” walking through the Ruby Ridge cabin set, because it was reproduced so realistically.
Walter did not write the script and has not even had a chance to read it. But it sounds as if this is one TV movie that may be a little more scrupulous toward the details than that other local TV movie “Sins of the Mother,” (1991) about the South Hill rapist.
The producers still haven’t decided whether to call the miniseries “Every Knee Shall Bow” or “Ruby Ridge.” It will air during the May sweeps.
Darden book
The book by O.J. prosecutor Christopher Darden, “In Contempt” (HarperCollins), hits the bookstands this week.
Why am I telling you this? Because the aforementioned Jess Walter (see page E3) is the co-author of the book.
KSPS lineup
Today is the last day of KSPS-7’s pledge drive, and here are some last-minute lineup changes:
Noon - “Les Miserables In Concert,” the concert version of the acclaimed musical.
6 p.m. - “The Biggest Band Spectacular,” 2,000 musicians in Wembley Stadium, London.
8:30 p.m. - “Les Miserables In Concert,” a repeat of the noon show.
These two shows are the Viewer’s Choice picks - the most popular shows aired during the pledge drive.
The Strait scoop
Get a load of these numbers: 12,200 tickets were sold in two hours and 20 minutes on Monday morning for the George Strait concert in the Spokane Arena.
This is both the fastest sellout and the biggest ticket volume in the Arena’s brief history. Reba McEntire sold out the Arena in four hours, but her show was an end-stage show, which can accommodate only about 10,500 fans. Strait’s show will be an in-the-round concert, which accommodates almost 2,000 more.
Strait has been a country hero since 1981. Nearly 15 years later, his star is still on the rise. None of his four previous Spokane shows sold out this fast.
‘Dance Along the Edge’
A new TV show, spotlighting local bands, debuts tonight on KXLY EXTRA! (Cox Cable channel 14).
It’s called “Dance Along the Edge,” produced by Spokane producer-director Todd Anderson. The show uses sophisticated graphics and fast-paced editing to give it an MTV flavor.
Each show centers around one band and includes interviews and live concert footage. Here are the featured bands and the air dates (all shows at 11 p.m.):
High Lonesome, tonight and again on Saturday.
Too Slim and the Taildraggers, March 30, April 13 and May 5.
Citizen Swing, May 11, May 19 and June 1.
Valley Rep delay
Opening night for “Of Mice and Men,” originally scheduled on Friday at the Valley Repertory Theatre in the Valley, has been postponed until March 29 because of a cast change.
The Steinbeck classic will now run through April 20. Call 927-6878 for reservations.
, DataTimes