TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Perkins, WEDU have crafted a little gem

ADVERTISEMENT

By WALT BELCHER wbelcher

@tampatrib.com

Published: October 29, 2009

If Emmy nominations are any measure of success, then "A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins" could be considered one of the best TV newsmagazines in Florida.

This locally produced little gem on WEDU, Channel 3, has racked up 10 nominations in the annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards.

Now beginning its seventh season, "Gulf Coast Journal" is a weekly half-hour collection of feature stories about people and places in and around Sarasota. Airing at 8 p.m. Thursdays, it's an often-whimsical look at the culture that defines the area.

Part of the program's charm is the host. Perkins, 75, settled in the Sarasota area a few years ago after a long network career of news reporting (mostly with NBC), during which he was dubbed "America's most literate correspondent."

He's also a poet, photographer and a skilled storyteller who delights in human-interest stories.

On "Gulf Coast Journal" he is backed by an outstanding crew that includes senior producer Jen Noble and writer-producers Colleen Hamilton, Matt Zodrow, Brad Clore and Tracy MacDonald (all up for Emmy awards). In the past six years, the show has won five Emmys.

WEDU President Richard Lobo is proud of this series, nominated again for best newsmagazine.

"In these unsettling times, it's more important than ever that WEDU continue to focus on issues and people that matter most to us in our everyday lives - those in our own communities," he said.

Another WEDU series, "Smart Health," hosted by Angie Moreschi and produced by Ellen McVay, also has an Emmy nomination.

One key to the success of "Gulf Coast Journal" is the funding support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.

WEDU has long wanted to create a similar half-hour feature magazine about the people and places in and around Tampa or St. Petersburg but has never found the funding.

Every time I see "Gulf Coast Journal," I know that a Tampa version would be just as good.

MORE EMMYS: There is more Emmy-nominated work from the Tampa area that could be honored when the Suncoast awards are handed out Dec. 5 in Orlando.

For example, WTSP, Channel 10, reporter Mike Deeson, who recently was accused of being biased and abusive by Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee before they patched things up, is nominated for three Emmys.

Also nominated from WTSP ("10 Connects") are Preston Rudie, John Deal, Kathryn Bursch, Gene Yagle Kevin Carlson, Hetal Gandhi, Isabel Mascarenas, Chris Allen and Angela Clooney.

Nominees at WFTS, Channel 28's "ABC Action News" include anchors Brendan McLaughlin, Wendy Ryan and Linda Hurtado; reporters Jackie Callaway, Dave Ciliberti and Sarina Fazan; and photographer Matt McGlashen

Nominees from Bay News 9 include Emily Maza, Jeff Joiner, Jonathan Petramala, Eddie Jackson, Kathryn Simmons, Angel Camuy, Laurie Davison, Jonathan Haas, Richelle Ridgeway and Jacqui Clark.

From WTVT, Fox 13, nominees include anchor Mark Wilson, reporter Tanya Arja investigative reporter Doug Smith, and staffers Lisa Blegen, Craig Davisson and Chris Clark.

Also a WFTS pubic service program, "Taking Action Against Domestic Violence" with Lissette Campos, Deiah Riley and Wendy Ryan, is also a multiple nominee. Jennifer McVan and John Fulton also were nominated for their work on the program.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT