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Serving the Town of Stamford, Connecticut
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blevine@thestamfordtimes.com
STAMFORD — Beginning this spring, Stamford residents may notice a familiar face gracing the public access airwaves.
Stamford native, Lt. Gov Michael Fedele, has unveiled a new cable show call "Open Mike." Fedele said the show is designed to profile the variety of economic industry throughout the state.
"We're doing the show because we thought it would be neat to promote the some of the things that we are doing well in government," Fedele said. "The majority of the time people are reading and watching about what (the government) is doing wrong."
The first segment showcases the $2.6 billion agricultural industry in Connecticut. The show began airing May 1, and can be found on resident's local public access station. Fedele said he learned a great deal about the state's agricultural industry during his travels around the state, including the breath of it's wine and fishing industries.
Guests on the first segment of "Open Mike" included Department of Agriculture Commissioner Phil Prelli, Executive Director of Connecticut Regional Market Bob Pellegrino and Jamie Jones, seventh generation owner of Jones Family Farms in Shelton.
The show was filmed on location in the winery production facility at Jones Family Farms.
Some upcoming shows will include guests from Department of Homeland Security, Tourism and Culture, Department of Transportation as well as business owners and community members from different industries, Fedele said. Each show will be filmed on location around the state.
"We wanted to create something that was of high quality, informative and teach you something new every time you showed it," Fedele said.
Shooting for the first four shows began late last year. More shooting is planned for June, and shows will run until the end of the year.
Fedele said making a television show has been a unique experience.
"It's different. I'm the one who is asking the questions," he said. "I'm learning something new everyday."
Fedele, who has a background in sales and marketing, said the screened the first show with a focus group. The reviews were rave, he said, adding that people were surprised by the quality.
"The show isn't about me, it's about the state and how we do things," Fedele said.
Future shows include green energy also filmed at Jones Family Farms, the expansion of Bradley International Airport and what that means to Connecticut's growth and workforce competitiveness.
The other benefit to the show, Fedele said, is that it can be packaged to attract business to Connecticut.
"If they (businesses) what to know what the state is all about, now we have a package and can say, 'hear it is'," he said.
Viewers should check their local listings for show times.