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Community Corner

"In a Word" is Local TV at its Finest

TV30 show features authors, book lovers and – at times – accidental disrobing.

“You’re not wireless!” a voice echoed inside my skull. It was my own internal voice, calling out to warm me that if I didn’t stop walking off the TV set I would inadvertently strip the button-down blouse off my body right there in front of the cameras.

“Yikes!” I yelled, stumbling over my feet, yanked backwards by a harness of wire tucked under my blouse and leading to the audio strip next to my chair on the set of a popular TV30 program.

Had I kept walking off the TV set, the program, In a Word, may have required a title change to “In a Flash,” or “In a Wardrobe Malfunction.” Or, more simply, “In-A-Bra.”

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Fortunately, despite the near miss with my wardrobe, I’m no stranger to TV. In addition to some publicity stunts in previous media jobs, last week was the fourth time I taped an episode of TV30’s monthly In a Word program with hosts Kathy Cordova and Jim Ott.

Lights, cameras, or makeup and hair decisions don’t concern me when doing the show. In fact, my only worry when appearing on In a Word is that I might fail the book report. But guests never have to worry. Appearing on In a Word is as relaxing as chatting about literature over coffee with good friends. Kathy and Jim are pros who keep the conversation moving in interesting directions.

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The next episode will air in month-long broadcasts on TV30 beginning Tuesday, March 1, and features a discussion of the novel, Little Bee, by Chris Cleve.

Along with me, Kathy and Jim hosted Wemi Oloidi, a student at Las Positas College who lived in Nigeria until more than a decade ago. Wemi brings a unique perspective to the book review, as Little Bee follows the story of the struggles, strengths, sacrifices and self-protection of a Nigerian girl and a British magazine editor whose lives connect on a beach in Nigeria.

Also on the March show are segments with Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, author of the memoir,Imperfect Endings, and David Wright, co-chair of the Pleasanton Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival taking place March 26 and 27 at the Firehouse Arts Center.

In a Word debuted in the summer of 1999 after Jim Ott thought up and pitched the show idea to producers and station management.

“I named the show and even designed the initial set,” said Jim. “For several years the show was produced by Dawn Gordner, and I was the only host.”

A few years later, Jim invited a Pleasanton woman to be his guest on the show to talk about her unique experience appearing on an episode of “Oprah” to discuss an Oprah’s Book Club selection with the author, three other readers, and Oprah Winfrey herself. That guest was Kathy Cordova.

“With her enthusiasm and talent, Kathy joined our show to become my co-host. She introduced the idea of a monthly book club where we would read and discuss a book on the show with guests. The book club is now the main feature of our program.”

Soon, Kathy herself would appear on In a Word not only as co-host but as a featured author. Published in 2004, Kathy’s book, Let Go, Let Miracles Happen: The Art of Spiritual Surrender, still enjoys success, especially for a debut author.

Over the years, In a Word has hosted authors such as Frank Delaney, Jean Shinoda-Bolen, Scott Adams, Natalie Goldberg, Penny Warner, J.R. Moehringer, Francisco Jimenez and more.

For upcoming episodes, Kathy and Jim are looking for readers to join in-studio discussions of the following books:

  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (author of Seabiscuit)
  • Drive by Daniel Pink
  • Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

“We are looking for readers with opinions about the book,” said Kathy. “They can love it or hate it, but they should come to the show ready to have a lively discussion about the characters, the theme, the plot, and what they learned.”

For people new to TV, the hosts and producers will provide conversation points in advance, in addition to suggestions about wardrobe (which is, incidentally, required).

The hosts enjoy receiving ideas for show topics, author suggestions or local literary events and news. Call the station at 462-3030 to leave a message for Kathy Cordova or Jim Ott, or emailthem.

In A Word airs Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 9:00 a.m, 3:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. Viewers can also watch streaming video of each episode online.

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