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A trip down 'Memory Lane'BROOKSVILLE, Jun 29, 2011 (Hernando Today - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It could have been the set straight from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The host's desk was there and the cushy seats filled with Hollywood celebrities just to the side of him. But the names and places were different Wednesday. This was the government center in downtown Brooksville, the star was County Commissioner Jeff Stabins and the guests were local personalities who probably won't be appearing soon in the next action movie from Tinseltown. It was the premiere of "Memory Lane," a show conceived and produced by Stabins. His dream was to host a TV show featuring guests who would provide an entertaining glimpse of the way things were in Hernando County. On Wednesday, he got his shot as taping began. The show's air dates on Government Broadcasting (Channel 622) have not been determined. "This is our first and hopefully not our last show," said Stabins in his opening monologue. Stabins got consensus from his four colleagues a day earlier to do one show before deciding whether to give the green light for him to continue on a semi-regular basis. Dressed in a black bowtie, crisp white shirt and blue sportcoat, Stabins wandered the set minutes before air time and displayed all the signs of opening night jitters. A couple times, he got up and almost knocked over an artificial potted plant perched by his desk because he forgot he was "miked-up." "I'm nervous," Stabins admitted. Government broadcasting staffers provided red, white and blue mugs of water and tried to calm down the host. The guests seemed cool as cucumbers. Chuck Smith, former county commissioner and state legislator, was there along with long-time Spring Hill resident Grace Bouma, who was once active in the Spring Hill Civic Association. But when Video Production Manager Rick Foti gave the "on-air" cue, Stabins assumed a relaxed posture -- reading his prepared introduction off the computer and chatting up his guests. Smith reminisced about his days on the commission board from 1966-78 when farms were plentiful in Hernando County and staffers were called out to deal with cattle busting loose from their fences and roaming freely on U.S. 19 and other rural roads. Bouma talked about her days when she used to prepare fowl for the chicken-plucking contest in Spring Hill. Both received prizes at the end of the show when they happened to say the "secret word" prepared in advance by Stabins, who then squeezed his green rubber duck -- an idea borrowed from the classic, "You bet Your Life" TV show starring Groucho Marx. Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier said Stabins' show is not costing any more dollar-wise because the video equipment is already there. However, there is a cost in terms of employee manpower who would be working on something else, she said. Still, Frazier believes "Memory Lane" is a good concept that should click with viewers. Smith agrees. "There are an awful lot of people who don't know the history of the county," he said. Stabins colleagues will now review the first show before they give permission for future episodes. The board told Stabins on Tuesday not to push a personal agenda on his show. Stabins said he would do his best. "You better do better than your best," Commission Chairman Jim Adkins replied. Hernando Today will publish the air dates for "Memory Lane" when they are announced. Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or [email protected]. To see more of Hernando Today or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.HernandoToday.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Hernando Today, Brooksville, Fla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |