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SFist made a startling discovery this week. The Bay Area is a fame whore! How else can you explain there being eight (at least!) weekly TV shows named after our fair neck of the woods? How can one small area of this vast Golden State warrant that much coverage? How much TV time does the Bay Area really need? Do we really want to be seen as the Paris Hilton of Northern California?
Well, after checking out what goes on on some of these local programs, we don't think that'll really be an issue.
First up is "Bay Area Focus", which airs Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on UPN channel 44. Hosted by Susan Sikora, this half-hour show features interviews with Bay Area notables, or celebs just in town to promote something. Past guests have included Jerry Brown, Billy Bob Thornton, and Johnnie Cochran (R.I....something.) This Sunday's episode includes an interview with Roxanne Messina Captor, Executive Director of the San Francisco International Film Festival, an event SFist admits to being very excited about, so we're keen to hear her talk about some of the Festival's special events and highlights.
"Bay Area Life" can currently be seen on KTSF channel 26 at the somewhat-sad hour of 1 a.m. late Friday nights. The show promises to reflect the "uniqueness and diversity of the Bay Area" through interviews and...financial advice? This week's show includes a talk about loans with Greg Pennington, and an interview and performance from the Milla Love Band, featuring Roddy and Milla Love, who, apparently, "make beautiful music together in more than one way." Hmmm...the show IS on late, and they don't really say just what kind of performance we will be treated to...
TiVo says it's on PAX, but "Bay Area Vista"'s Web site says it's on Sunday at 4 p.m. on NBC 11. Whatever the case may be, we gather this is a magazine-style show about upcoming local (which in many cases means San Jose-based) events and non-profit organizations. Good stuff to know about, for sure. If only we could be definite about when and where it's on..
"Bay Area People", or "Rosy Chu's Bay Area People," airs Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. on channel 2, and as far as we can gather from the list that seems to be passing as the show's Web site, it's another program featuring interviews and more in-depth coverage of local news stories and events.
We couldn't figure what "Bay Area Week," which runs on KCNS channel 21 is about, but we're pretty sure that's a shopping channel--at least it was when we turned it on. And that means it's a must to avoid. If Bay Area shopping is what you crave, tune in instead to "Bay Area Bargains" Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. on KRON channel 4. With promised future visits to Antioch's Century Furniture and the Capitol Expressway Automall, we can't really tell if this show is just one big infomercial, or if it includes legitimate bargain hunting tips. We're usually still asleep at 10:30 on Saturday mornings, so if anyone else decides to watch it, let us know!
Which leads us to the grandaddy of Bay Area-themed TV shows, "Bay Area Backroads," which seems to run constantly on KRON channel 4. Turn on your TV. We bet it's on now! We kid because we're fans and have gotten a lot of legitimate tips on spots to visit, in and around...the Bay Area's...backroads. So what if new episodes are few and far between? And if host Doug McConnell can be a little too...smiley? We find it's always helpful to watch an episode when we're trying to figure out a good day trip. Perhaps a day trip that leads one across...the Golden Gate Bridge?
No, "American Experience" is not strictly a Bay Area program, but the episode about the building of The Golden Gate Bridge is, and you can catch this great documentary this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on KRCB channel 22. Once you learn about what a truly amazing feat it was that the Bridge ever got made, AND ended up being a beaut to boot, maybe you'll start to accept that yes, the Bay Area is indeed a fame whore. But damned if we can't stop looking.
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Ofcourse San Francisco should be on camera all the time! I live in New York so I can give an objective outsiders opinion (yeah. right.) Every time I have visited I have fallen in love with San Francisco, and I think the city should get all the attention it wants. I think you're less a Paris Hilton media whore type and more Michelangelo's David type. You're not jumping in front of anything with a lens (especially if it's a night vision lens). The cameras come from however far to seek you out. See? Totally objective opinion!