Entertainment

What do you want to see on WTVP?

In a recent "On the Air" column, we asked for ideas for WTVP-TV, Channel 47, Peoria’s public TV outlet. WTVP President Chet Tomczyk stated that he wants the station to produce more local programs despite the funding problems that the station has been facing.

In an effort to help provide ideas for local programming, we asked several people across the community to offer what they thought might be programs of interest that Channel 47 could pursue.

Here’s what they had to say:

 

Matt Sommer, Peoria:

I’d like to suggest a weekly business spotlight as well as a dining show, maybe along the lines of what a public TV station in Chicago does where three people go to a restaurant and rate it individually.

 

Rebecca Carey, Peoria:

I would love to see a documentary on Mineral Springs and Goose Lake. My gut twists every time I pass the place and think of all that water going into the sewers.

Maybe Channel 47 would like to do "The Lost Bozo Tapes." (Note: Carey’s father, Paul Carey, played Bozo the Clown for WMBD-TV, Channel 31, in the early 1960s. She recently discovered tapes from the show in her attic.)

 

Paul Adams, Peoria-based musician:

One thing that comes to mind is an artist spotlight. Choose an artist from any medium and interview, show studio and work in progress. Dave Hoffman would be a good candidate – lots of experience playing everywhere with everyone.

I’d like to do a show on integrating music and show the process of how it’s done today. I’m also a proponent of music therapy.

Other ideas: finding someone doing something for others, live comedy club, tai chi.

 

Paul Gullifor, chairman of Bradley University’s communications department:

1. Local sports channel (Rivermen, Chiefs and high school sports).

2. Local home shopping channel.

3. Local news channel.

4. Local music channel with area bands and musicians,

 

Bob Jacobs, Bradley University communications professor:

I have produced three one-hour documentaries on local subjects: Rooster Alley, the Heritage Ensemble and the Springfield Mile (motorcycle race). When I offered them – for free, mind you – WTVP refused to air them. They could also have our weekly, student-produced "Midstate Magazine" show if they wanted it. I don’t think they like me.

 

Bill Knight, Western Illinois University communications professor:

"Space for Music": Whether a garage, basement or tastefully decorated study, folkies, metal bands and Mozart musicians practice and create music. Low-budget performance video could be intercut with Q&A with musicians and observers. Videos could be YouTubed for cross-platform use.

"Numbers Game": Explanatory journalism, mixing graphics and expert/official talking heads with regular people.

"The Beat": Each week a reporter summarizes the top story and what’s bubbling under on science, environmental, sports, education, religion, transportation, agriculture, etc.

 

Scott Allison, Washington:

What about a series highlighting some of the local fine arts groups and key members of those groups? For example: Peoria Symphony, Morton Civic Chorus, Peoria Area Civic Chorale.

Would it be possible to continue a local version of "Reading Rainbow"? Having local kids get a chance to share their books is a great asset to PBS.

(Note: "Reading Rainbow," a staple in the WTVP children’s programming lineup for nearly 25 years, will leave the PBS schedule after Aug. 28. A new literacy program will join the schedule, according to WTVP spokeswoman Linda Miller.

 

Dianne Happ, Peoria Public Library:

Since Janet McGrath’s departure from Channel 47, there have been no plans for running "Reading Rainbow" book reports by local students. Students and families would benefit from the restoration of those reports.

(Note: WTVP outreach director Janet McGrath, who handled the local book report series, retired earlier this summer after 23 years at Channel 47. The station is seeking funds to fill her position.)

 

Dennis and Judy Triggs, Peoria Area World Affairs Council:

1. Town hall meetings on local and international issues.

2. Interviews with the expert speakers that PAWAC brings to town – at our cost.

3. International issues that affect central Illinois debated by experts.

4. Travelogues by local area travelers.

5. Highlight our local artisans.

6. Highlight health issues and those who are able to help.

7. Take a young entrepreneur and follow his or her business routine.

8. Do a program on the elderly – both health and social issues.

9. Participation by area book clubs in some way?

10. How about a local reality show based on national shows like "The Biggest Loser" or "The Great Race"?

 

DeWayne Bartels, Peoria Times-Observer news editor:

I think a great local show would focus on the eco-adventures available here. There is the Pimiteoui Trial, Forest Park and Detweiller Park, to name a few. Another idea would be to have a show, somewhat like "Reliable Sources," where local news makers and local news gatherers would critique the media. (Western Illinois communications professor) Bill Knight or (retired Illinois Central College journalism professor) Mike Foster would make good hosts.

 

Patrick Kirchhofer, Peoria County Farm Bureau manager:

There are lots of issues about agriculture: Seed technology, carbon credits, USDA research lab, Farm Progress Show in Decatur, ethanol and biodiesel, pennycress and other alternative crops, Monsanto and ag technology, weed resistance to Roundup, weather issues, food versus fuel issue, conservation practices and gardening.

 

Renee Charles, director of public affairs and media relations for The Heartland Group:

1. "Did you know?" – Find different tidbits of information about the region that people may not have known.

2. Strangest jobs in the region.

3. Famous people/things/homes from Peoria.

4. What is there to do here? Find those off-the-beaten-path places or hidden gems to visit in the region.

5. Where’s the best food (search for the best burger, pizza, fries, biscuits & gravy . . . I want to do the biscuits & gravy search!).

 

Bill Kauzlarich, Farmington:

1. Bradley men’s basketball games. Comcast just did 8 to 10 games … and those without cable couldn’t see them. Not sure why WTVP can’t do more than one game (like they did last year).

2. Peoria Chiefs game of the month – it wouldn’t hurt attendance and might whet families’ appetite to attend some games.

3. A weekly or monthly show on Lakeview Museum ("A Night At The Museum" with Eric Shangraw?) and other culture centers of central Illinois.

 

Cathi Hawkinson, Peoria:

"It’s not an original idea by any stretch, but what about bringing back some version of the Captain Jinks and Salty Sam Show? The timing for such a show just might be right since we seem to be going back to what made us feel good in the past."

 

Tatenda Furusa, Bradley University student:

1. More local entertainment content.

2. Music videos.

3. Bradley or Illinois Central College shows (using student content).

4. Engage students online – statistics say that 62 percent of students now watch TV shows online.

 

Sam Wagner, president of Video I-D Teleproductions, Washington:

1. "Behind the Scenes" showing what goes on in setting up events at the Civic Center and such places.

2. Series on the Illinois River. Talk with tug boat captains and crews, see what goes into loading barges, people that work on the river, professional divers, etc.

3. Series on area media (radio, TV, print).

4. Series on the area’s rich and famous – we’ve had our share in Peoria and the surrounding areas.

 

Wanda Phillips, Peoria Public Library:

I think it would be great if we did some things with local youth musical groups like the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and the all-star jazz band, Peoria Park District, Corn Stock and Peoria Players.

The Peoria Art Guild would also be a good group to work with. How about craft instruction? Knitting is hot right now, and so is quilting. Maybe some local chefs could do a food show.

 

Mark Monge, Peoria Realtor:

Some kind of a show outlining some lesser-known things that are available to do around the area. I know Channel 47 has "Illinois Adventure" covering points of interest around the state, but I don’t know of anything centered strictly around central Illinois.

 

Amy Blain, ExplorePeoria.com:

As my daughter is a young performer in the area, I always think of all the talented teens around Peoria that many people haven’t had a chance to see perform in a local show. I’d love to work on helping put together a newsy show about local entertainment that would give an in-depth look at local events.

 

Tucker Kennedy, Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center:

1. Snapshot of Peoria economy.

2. "Entrepreneur’s Corner" (interviews with people who are bucking economic issues/job losses by starting their own companies).

3. "Inside State Government" (show where power resides).

 

Joyce Blumenshine, Heart of Illinois Sierra Club:

1. Local news/issues program.

2. Environmental stories.

3. Peoria-area artists series.

 

© 2009 PeoriaScene.com.