Gore Plugs His Current Passion

Presidential candidate-turned-TV entrepreneur Al Gore promised Monday that his long-awaited cable network would offer many enticements for the “Internet generation.”

But the former vice president vowed that Current, the lifestyle and news outlet set to launch in nearly 20 million homes around the country next month, wouldn’t do one thing: fill the airwaves with more shouting matches over hot-button political and cultural issues.

“It’s not intended to be partisan in any way,” Gore told television reporters in Beverly Hills, where he appeared at a media event to drum up interest in the channel. “I think the reality of the network will speak for itself.”

Appearing relaxed and confident, Gore dove with aplomb into the pitchman phase of his new career as a budding media baron. With his business partner, legal services tycoon Joel Hyatt, observing silently in the back of the room, Gore, 57, fielded questions alongside Current’s programming chief, former CNN executive David Neuman, as well as several twentysomething reporters and on-air hosts.

No one mentioned the critics who’ve often ridiculed Gore for supposedly overstating his role in creation of the Internet. But there was no question that Gore hoped that his famed ease with technological issues would give him an edge in reaching Web-savvy 18-to-34-year-olds.

“We want to be the ‘television home page’ for the Internet generation,” Gore said, smiling and gently deflecting questioners who thought that the term “home page” might be cluttered and confused. Programs will be divided into “pods” that will be only two to seven minutes in length. One such pod will be called “Google Current,” described as a cheeky summary of top searches on the Google website.

The on-air talent promised Current would cover stories including trends in child-rearing, sexual habits and the private lives of young people in Iran. Gore said the privately funded network -- Gore and Hyatt were two of the investors -- had already sold out advertising for its Aug. 1 launch, but network officials declined to identify the companies that bought ads. The channel will appear on DirecTV and some Time Warner and Comcast systems, along with other cable providers.

One key appeal of San Francisco-based Current, Gore insisted, will be the fact that ordinary viewers will be able to contribute video and other material that will then be broadcast.

After the session, Hyatt said contributors would receive payment for any effort that was telecast. “This generation wants to be in control of its media,” Gore said.

Gore didn’t comment on the controversy surrounding Deputy White House chief of staff Karl Rove or other issues, and said he didn’t miss politics, adding that creating the cable network had been “a blast.”

“I consider myself a recovering politician,” Gore joked. “I’m on about step nine.”