Forget Leno, Letterman, and Nightline. Tavis Smiley is getting a late show

[AP]

It's on PBS and starts next week. Check your local area for listings:

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/#

In NYC, it's on WNET at midnight.

In LA, KCAT at 11 pm

In SF, KQED at 1 am

In BOS, WGBH at midnight

...



What is the Tavis Smiley show?
A show that brings you the stories
under the radar, a different set of ideas,
a new conversation in America that just
doesn't exist anywhere else on television.

[AP]

1. More about the show:

KCET/Hollywood teams with veteran interviewer Tavis Smiley for a new national late-night talk show on PBS, the half-hour series will premiere on Monday, January 5, 2004, and air weeknights in the PBS line-up that also includes The Charlie Rose Show. The Tavis Smiley show, taped at KCET studios, will be the first West Coast talk show for PBS.



The first African American to have his own signature talk show in the history of NPR, Tavis Smiley was selected by Time as one of America's 50 most promising young leaders and dubbed by Newsweek as one of the "twenty people changing how Americans get their news." On his NPR show, Smiley has interviewed newsmakers and personalities from George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to Halle Berry and Bill Maher. Prior to NPR, Smiley hosted the award-winning BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley on Black Entertainment Television.



The Tavis Smiley program on PBS will feature a unique mix of news and pop culture to combine for one thought-provoking and entertaining program. It will be a hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, featuring interviews with newsmakers, politicians, celebrities and real people. "Our mission is to empower people," explains Smiley. "Our series will cover everything -- politics, money, relationships, race, class, culture and more. If it's being discussed -- or better yet, if it's not -- we'll be talking about it and we'll be breaking news."



"Tavis has brought interviewing to a wonderful height," says Mary Mazur, KCET executive vice president, programming and production. "Since his premiere on NPR, his fast-paced, intelligent no-nonsense style has attracted a new, diverse audience. His perspectives, insights and energy make him a perfect partner for KCET. Tavis is the right talent to bring the vitality of the West Coast to a national interview series."



"We're very pleased to bring such a respected talk show host to our viewers," said Jacoba Atlas, PBS co-chief of programming. "Tavis' reputation for diverse viewpoints, alongside the ever-popular and engaging Charlie Rose, will deliver a strong line-up coast-to-coast of provocative interviews and high profile guests on PBS late night."



Neal Kendall will be executive producer of the Tavis Smiley show. Mary Mazur will be the KCET executive producer for KCET. Karen Hunte will be executive in charge of production for KCET.

[AP]

8. kick for Tavis

[elfin]

2. That is good - I will check to see if I can get it

I always liked him on BET and never could figure out why they dumped him.

[AP]

4. It was because he talked about "issues" too much.

He was too political.

[supernova]

3. Good for Tavis!

:thumbsup:

I guess we'll get it right after Charlie Rose here.

[Jerseycoa]

5. I'm looking forward to this

Wes Clark is on the early guest line-up.

[Selwynn]

6. Tavis Smile is great!

[Ivote]

7. TAVIS IS (RIGHT) ON

in ORLANDO FL,
WMFE (pbs station) CH 24
Jan 6th at 12:00 am
Midnight
Good luck Tavis.

[IndianaGreen]

10. I listen to his radio show

which is really very interesting, runs a wide range of interests and guests.

Tavis spoke at our MLK Annual Dinner in January 2001 at the Indiana Roof. He is quite good in person too!

[AP]

9. kick again.

[proud patriot]

11. Geez that's late

but I might be able to catch the show

[Gingersnap]

12. Love his radio show

:kick: for Tavis!