Television Talk Show Beckons and Hedgecock Says ‘I Do’

Move over Geraldo. Roger Hedgecock is entering the TV talk-show market.

KGTV-TV (Channel 10) is giving the former mayor a shot at his own show, beginning in February. An exact date for the premiere hasn’t been scheduled, according to Channel 10 general manager Ed Quinn, who joined Hedgecock on his KSDO-AM (1130) talk show Monday morning to announce the new show. Hedgecock will continue his daily radio show.

The one-hour “Roger Hedgecock Show,” which producers hope to make a weekly part of the Channel 10 schedule, will air at 6 p.m. Sundays. It will feature a live studio audience in the tradition of “Geraldo,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “The Phil Donahue Show.”

“As mayor of the city, Roger was able to bring people out of the system back into the system,” Quinn said. “I expect him to bring the same qualities to the show.”

Besides the live studio audience, controversial topics and special guests, and attempts to actively find solutions for social problems will make the show different from other interactive talk shows, according to producer Mel Buxbaum, who served as Hedgecock’s press secretary when he was mayor.

Buxbaum, once the executive producer of Hedgecock’s radio show, will co-produce Hedgecock’s TV show with Channel 10. Buxbaum, when asked about his lack of experience in television, said, “I didn’t have any experience in radio, either.”

Speaking simultaneously to his radio listeners and a studio audience of reporters, Hedgecock said he was the “only person in San Diego with the background and knowledge and honesty and gutsiness” to do this type of show.

Forced to resign as mayor when he was convicted three years ago of multiple counts of perjury and conspiracy stemming from his 1983 reelection campaign, the possibility still exists that the former mayor will have to serve time in jail. His case is being appealed.

“I haven’t given any thought to (the legal situation),” Hedgecock said. “It’s in the hands of my lawyers.”

Hedgecock said the primary goal of the show will be to “take the television audience behind the headlines.”

According to a press release, possible show topics include the border relationship between the United States and Mexico, the homeless, gangs in San Diego and domestic pets, which “do have a profound effect on our lives.”