‘Life & Times Tonight’ Charts True Course

I read with interest Howard Rosenberg’s critique of “Life & Times Tonight” (“ ‘Life & Times’ Goes Dangerously Adrift,” March 3), a series that I have been extremely committed to during my three-year tenure as president of KCET. Mr. Rosenberg is one of the nation’s leading

television critics, and I respect and enjoy his opinions, but I must strongly disagree with his charge that “Life & Times Tonight” is drifting away from our station’s stated mission: “to educate and inspire by providing unique and valuable programs and services to diverse communities.”

Unlike local newscasts on commercial stations, which Mr. Rosenberg has taken to task for excessive reporting on crime, accidents, car chases and celebrity promos, “Life & Times Tonight” focuses largely on issues of government, politics, education, economics, law, art and culture. It is true that “Life & Times Tonight” recently did a Dennis Rodman story, but we provided a different perspective. What other news program invited a USC professor to discuss Rodman as a social phenomenon reflecting our current mania for pop culture? If viewers found this “too commercial,” then I apologize.

Obviously, Mr. Rosenberg felt that our slant on Rodman was not worthwhile. But he failed to mention that, on the night of the Rodman story, our lead was a critical examination of unlicensed health-care facilities and their impact on the uninsured. It is also worth noting that, in the same week, we offered a one-hour frank and constructive dialogue on race relations between our community’s Latinos and African Americans. In addition, Mayor Richard Riordan appeared live to discuss issues of charter reform, his involvement in school board elections and efforts to simplify the business tax system.

Although Mr. Rosenberg dislikes Jerry Nachman in the role of host, he goes on to acknowledge that he is “obviously smart” and “multifaceted.” Indeed, Jerry’s wide and varied credentials include positions as a reporter in television, radio and newspaper; news director at television and radio stations; editor in chief of a major New York City daily newspaper; general manager of a Washington, D.C., television station; and vice president of news for the NBC television stations group.

As for Jerry’s style, we do not look for slick anchor-hosts whose primary skill is TelePrompTer reading; we want “Life & Times Tonight” hosts to be aggressive, intelligent interviewers who initiate challenging and provocative dialogues. If Jerry makes some of our guests uncomfortable, then maybe he’s doing a good job.

“Life & Times Tonight” is, indeed, a work-in-progress. We will always be shifting, changing, reevaluating and exploring to make this series the most topical, timely and important program in Southern California. For me, “Life & Times Tonight” reflects what I love best about public television. Since we are not subject to the tyranny of daily ratings, we can produce a program that goes out and takes risks in order to “educate and inspire.”