(Updated) Tonight on KNME's "NM in Focus-The Line": Volunteerism, Local Politics and Yours Truly

UPDATE 12.16.07: You can now see video clips of the entire show at MySpace and comment about it at KNME's online forum.
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Pre-show preparation

I've long been a fan of the local KNME political talk show, "New Mexico in Focus - The Line," co-hosted by Santa Fe Reporter writer David Alire Garcia and Albuquerque Journal columnist Gene Grant, respectively. Being unrepetentent political junkies, the show is part of our Friday night TV ritual that also includes "Washington Week", "Bill Moyers" and Bill Maher's "Real Time."

This week, producer Kevin McDonald invited me to participate as a panelist on Gene Grants' "The Line" segment of the show, along with fellow guest panelist Pat Frisch, AM operations manager of Citadel Communications, and regulars Margaret Montoya, who's a professor at both the UNM Law School and School of Medicine, and Jim Scarantino, an attorney and columnist at the alibi. You can watch the show tonight -- Friday, December 14, at 7 PM and on KNME, Channel 5 or tune in for the repeat on Sunday, December 16, at 6:30 AM.

You might say I was a bit nervous about appearing on the show. I'd never been on TV before and I have to admit I had visions of myself becoming entirely tongue-tied or babbling incoherently during the taping. Thankfully, the show's hosts, participants, producers, director and techies made me feel right at home and helped me relax enough to make some sense during Tuesday's taping. At least I think I made sense -- but I won't really know until I see the show for myself tonight.

Lights, camera, action

Thankfully, "The Line" folks all said I did a fine job, but then they probably tell that to all their guests, being the gracious people they are. The proof will really be in the viewing. I hope I did DFNM proud. Phew. After the initial jitters, the experience turned out to be exciting and fun -- you know how much I like to talk and debate about politics. Our fast-moving discussion touched on a wide range of topics, including Mayor Martin Chavez's withdrawal from the Senate race, Hispanic voters moving back into the Dem column, the latest news about Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential run, the new Spaceport director, immigration, the new medical marijuana regulations and more.

It definitely helped to have Mary Ellen along for the ride as my behind the scenes sidekick, offering much appreciated moral support and humor. She produced the photos in this post and got to hang out in the control booth with the important folks who work out of camera range to make the show a reality. She reports being fascinated by the inside look at tv production, and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Of course she didn't have to sit under the lights, face the cameras and attempt to be spontaneously articulate!

In the booth: staff and interns who handle the technical end

Monitors and camera angles

As usual, the first segment of tonight's show will feature David Alire Garcia of the Santa Fe Reporter hosting "New Mexico In Focus." Tonight's topic is volunteerism, including a discussion on where New Mexicans rank when it comes to volunteering, and what local officials are doing to boost civic participation. His guests are Gregory Webb, executive director, New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism; Jean Block, ABQ The Magazine’s 2007 Humanitarian of the Year; Kerrie Copelin, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central New Mexico; and Brenda Wolfe, clinical psychologist. After that comes "The Line" segment, with our discussion and the infamous "On the Clock" sequence, where we have one minute per topic on five different issues.

You can check out blog posts and video clips from past and present shows in the series at the New Mexico PBS page on MySpace, or visit their online forum. KNME's pledge drive is also in full swing so please consider supporting public TV and local shows like this one by becoming a member and contributing to the future success of KNME.

"New Mexico In Focus" is a prime-time news magazine show covering events, issues and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. The one-hour show concentrates on bringing viewers important topics of our time, in a cohesive package. The show takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.” This episode is co-produced by Karl Swanson, UNM intern. Support has been provided by McCune Charitable Foundation; closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.

Click on photos for larger versions. All photos by M.E. Broderick.